Anna D. Shapiro News

Works & Process, the performing arts series at the Guggenheim,presents highlights from, Steppenwolf and the National Theatre: Downstate by Bruce Norrison Monday, January 28 at 7:30pm.

Second Stage Theater has announced that playwright Bess Wohl and director Michael Greif will return to Second Stage Theater next summer with the New York premiere of MAKE BELIEVE.

Award-winning actor Carrie Coon to the world-renowned Steppenwolf ensemble.

Steppenwolf Theatre Company presents the Chicago premiere of The Children written by Lucy Kirkwood and helmed by celebrated Chicago director Jonathan Berry. The cast includes previously announced ensemble members Ora Jones (Rose) and Yasen Peyankov (Robin), with acclaimed actress Janet Ulrich Brooks (Hazel) rounding out the cast. Following sold out runs in London and New York, Steppenwolf is proud to present this brave, humane and beautifully written play that confronts the responsibility each generation must face for the way it leaves the world.

 Steppenwolf Theatre Company gathered with 300 leaders from Chicago's business and civic communities for the 10thAnniversary Steppenwolf Women in the Arts fundraising luncheon to honor OBIE, Helen Hayes and NAACP Award-winning actor and playwright Danai Gurira on December 10, 2018 at the Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel, 221 N Columbus Dr. Ms. Gurira was also recently appointed a United Nations Goodwill Ambassador, focusing on gender equality and women's rights. Author of the hit play, Familiar, which is currently running through January 13, 2019 in Steppenwolf's Downstairs Theatre, Ms. Gurira was joined by Steppenwolf Artistic Director Anna D. Shapiro and Steppenwolf Education Manager Jared Bellot for a warm and candid conversation about her impressive acting career on-screen and on-stage, her award-winning plays and her impact as an activist and philanthropist.

Steppenwolf Theatre Company is thrilled to announce that longtime ensemble member Randall Arney will direct the highly anticipated Steppenwolf revival of Sam Shepard's True West-the production that catapulted Steppenwolf onto the American Theatre scene in 1982. Reimagined through the eyes of the new generation of Steppenwolf artists, the 2019 production of True West features ensemble members Jon Michael Hill and Namir Smallwood. True West runs July 5 - August 18, 2019 in the Downstairs Theatre. Tickets ($20 - $96) go on sale April 26, 2019 at 312-335-1650 and steppenwolf.org

-A small theater company moves into an abandoned Chicago storefront. Led by their adventurously thirsty artistic director, they embark on an explosive new play with the hope of finally breaking it big. When the ensemble realizes their source material might not be as original as once assumed, they are thrust into an intense confrontation with residents of their new community, who not only want them out, but will take their story back by any means necessary. Red Rex is the sixth play in Ike Holter's seven part 'Rightlynd Saga," which also includes Exit Strategy, Prowess, and The Wolf at the End of the Block.

Steppenwolf Theatre Company is excited to announce the release of a new play resource called The Mix, which is a list comprised of new and under-produced plays that feature casts of intersectional and intersecting social identities and come with the recommendation of professionals in the field. The goal of this project is to assist in the collective effort to move toward a holistic, nuanced and equitable approach to diversity in the theatre. One writer, selected by a random drawing, will receive a no-strings-attached cash award of $3,000. The winner will be announced on Steppenwolf's social media channels on Wednesday, November 14, 2018 at 12noon CST. The Mix's full list of nominated plays is available online at www.steppenwolf.org/about-us/the-mix.

The Steppenwolf Associates, a group of highly motivated and passionate young professionals, kicked off the fall season hosting a theatrical evening, "Unlocked: From the Page to The Stage," on Saturday, October 27, 2018. The sold-out event sponsored by Ice Miller and Winston & Strawn LLP, was attended by 120 young professionals and raised more than $23,000 for Steppenwolf Education. Guests attending the event enjoyed food and beverages donated by Adobo Grill, BLVD, Candid Wines, CH Distillery, Hopewell Brewing Company and Vinci. To end the evening, guests attended a performance of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time followed by an after party at Front Bar.

Steppenwolf's LookOut Series has announced their Winter 2018-2019 lineup, giving audiences plenty of reasons to escape the cold with performances from hot, new acts and the return of LookOut favorites. Warm up with a drink at Front Bar and stay for an unforgettable night of live performance in Steppenwolf's 1700 Theatre. Since its inception, the LookOut series has featured the work of more than 1,000 artists from across Chicago, the country and the world in more than 300 performances.

Show-only tickets to Second Stage Theater's Fall Benefit Honoring Harvey Fierstein are now on sale to the general public.  Hosted by Michael Urie, the benefit will take place on Monday, November 12 at Terminal 5 (610 West 56th Street).  The evening will feature performances and appearances by Cyndi Lauper, Rosie O'Donnell, Annaleigh Ashford, Keala Settle, Wayne Brady, Christopher Sieber, Michael Urie, Marissa Jaret Winokur, as well as Shoshana Bean, J. Harrison Ghee, Bianca Del Rio, and Gino Emnes.  To purchase tickets, please go to: https://2st.com/support-us/events/fall-benefit.

Theatre Company welcomes Kara Henry as Director of Marketing and Communications. Henry most recently was an Executive Vice President at Leo Burnett Chicago, where her tenure included leadership on the KraftHeinz business as well as Kellogg's. Prior to Leo Burnett, Henry spent a significant stretch of her career with JWT in New York, London, Toronto and Hamburg, where she had global remits - including the launch and management of their Hamburg operation.

Steppenwolf Theatre Company announces OBIE, Helen Hayes and NAACP Award-winning actor and playwright Danai Gurira as the honoree at the 10th annual Steppenwolf Women in the Arts fundraising luncheon

Due to popular demand, Steppenwolf Theatre Company extends its critically acclaimed world premiere production of Downstate by Pulitzer Prize-winning ensemble member Bruce Norris, directed by Tony Award winner Pam MacKinnon. A co-commission and co-production with the National Theatre of Great Britain, Downstate  transfers to London in spring 2019 and features an American and British cast and creative team.  In a ? ? ? ? (out of 4) star review, The Chicago Tribune calls the play, "a must-see…one of the more incendiary and thus important productions in the illustrious history of the Steppenwolf" and The New York Times makes Downstate a Critic's Pick, calling it "a great, squirmy moral-thrill-ride of a play."

Steppenwolf Education welcomes the Young Adult Council Class of 2018-19. Now in its twelfth year, the Young Adult Council was started out of a need for a professional training program for young people in all aspects of theater, beyond just acting on stage.

On Tuesday, October 16, the Princess Grace Foundation-USA (PGF-USA) celebrated the 2018 Princess Grace Awards Gala at Cipriani 25 Broadway in New York. Held in the presence of Her Serene Highness Princess Charlene of Monaco, the Awards Gala honored actor, director, producer, and philanthropist Tim Daly, Tony Award-winning director Sam Gold, and founder of the dance company A.I.M (Abraham.In.Motion) Kyle Abraham. Emmy and Tony Award-winning actress Bebe Neuwirth served as mistress of ceremonies for the event.

Steppenwolf Education's Professional Leadership Programs (PLP) offer opportunities through Internships, Apprenticeships and Fellowships for students, graduates, and early-career professionals. Steppenwolf Theatre Company announces a change in name from the Steppenwolf Multicultural Fellowship to the Steppenwolf Fellowship, in addition to a restructuring of the program to include a 30-hour externship. The Fellowship cohort is made up of early career people of color who hold an apprenticeship in their department of interest at Steppenwolf and are given additional paid professional development seminars and externship opportunities. The externship allows Fellows the opportunity to explore more deeply their individual professional goals, make connections to theatre practitioners outside of Steppenwolf's walls and provide more opportunities for mentorship across the industry.

Good morning BroadwayWorld! Today's top stories: Jesus Christ Superstar took home Emmy Awards last night, making Andrew Lloyd Webber, John Legend, and Tim Rice EGOTs, and more!

 Steppenwolf Theatre Company opens its 43rd season with a fiery, provocative new work from Pulitzer Prize-winning ensemble member Bruce Norris, directed by Tony Award winner Pam MacKinnon. Downstate is a co-commission and co-production with the National Theatre of Great Britain. This exciting collaboration will premiere at Steppenwolf in fall 2018 and transfer to the National Theatre in spring 2019 featuring an American and British cast and creative team. Previews begin September 20, 2018, opening is September 30 at 6pmand the production runs through November 11, 2018 in the Upstairs Theatre, 1650 N Halsted St. Single tickets ($20-$99) are now on sale through Audience Services at 312-335-1650 or steppenwolf.org.

As BroadwayWorld previously reported, Straight White Men will conclude its limited run today, September 9. The play began previews at the Hayes Theater (240 West 44th Street) on Friday, June 29, 2018 and officially opened on Broadway on July 23, 2018. Young Jean Lee's dark comedy, directed by Anna D. Shapiro, stars Kate Bornstein, Josh Charles, Ty Defoe, Armie Hammer, Stephen Payne and Paul Schneider.