Danny Rockett News

Trap Door Theatre is proud to announce two new company members: Monica Payne as Resident Director and Danny Rockett as Resident Sound Designer.

Stanislaw I. Witkiewicz (1885-1939) is one the most brilliant figures of the European avant-garde, Witkiewicz was a poet, painter, playwright, an expert on drugs, an early spokesman for a radically non-realistic theatre and an original philosopher and social critic of mass culture, post-industrial society, and the rise of totalitarianism.

The Trap Door Theatre is proud to present Occidental Express, written by Matei Visniec, translated by Nick Awde, and directed by Istvan Szabo K.

Matei Visniec playwright, poet and journalist, was born in Romania, and now lives in Paris. He began writing for the theatre in 1977. Early in his career Visniec's plays were banned by the Romanian censors. In 1987 he was invited to France by a literary foundation. While there, he asked for and received political asylum.

The Trap Door Theatre is proud to present Occidental Express, written by Matei Visniec, translated by Nick Awde, and directed by Istvan Szabo K.

The Trap Door Theatre will present Phedre by Jean Racine, adapted by Paul Schmidt, and directed by Nicole Wiesner, running Today, January 5, 2016, through Saturday, February 11, 2016, playing Todays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8PM.

The Trap Door Theatre will present Phedre by Jean Racine, adapted by Paul Schmidt, and directed by Nicole Wiesner, running Thursday, January 5, 2016, through Saturday, February 11, 2016, playing Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8PM.

Cast: Tiffany Bedwell, Dennis Bisto, Abby Blankenship, Halie Ecker, John Kahara, Emily Lotspeich, Ann Sonneville, Carl Wisniewski

"The Hairy Ape"- Eugene O'Neill's expressionist play presented in a stark, brutal and imaginative setting; "Byhalia, Mississippi"- a new work of southern love and forgiveness, and "Rent"- the musical update of "La Boheme" performed in a small storefront theatre, took home the most honors on Monday, June 6, at Park West during the 43rd Annual Non-Equity Jeff Awards ceremony recognizing excellence in non-union Chicago theatre. 

The Jeff Awards Committee today announced 121 nominations in 24 categories for the 43rd Annual Non-Equity Jeff Awards for productions that opened between April 1, 2015, and March 31, 2016. The Non-Equity Awards honor excellence in Chicago theatres not under a union contract. Jeff judges attended opening nights of 148 productions offered by 67 Non-Equity producing organizations. The Jeff Committee recommended 65 of those shows (or 44%), making them eligible for Non-Equity Jeff Award nominations. Of the 65 Jeff Recommended productions, a record 53 (or 82%) received nominations, representing 32 theatre companies.

The Trap Door Theatre is proud to announce a two-week extension for THE FAIRYTALE LIVES OF RUSSIAN GIRLS, written by Meg Miroshnik and drected by Nicole Wiesner. The production will now close on Saturday, December 5, 2015 at 8PM.

Sean Graney, who recently returned to Chicago to resume his post as Artistic Director of The Hypocrites, informed the Joseph Jefferson Awards Committee that he just learned the theater company had been operating under an Equity CAT-N contract for the duration of the 2014-2015 Non-Equity season.  Over the past year, requests for judging its productions were made to the Non-Equity Wing without the committee having knowledge of the company's Equity status. The Jeff Committee was aware that two of the productions had Equity performers (as indicated in the program); however, the committee has now confirmed that these were not guest contracts.  As such, the company's productions are not eligible for consideration in the Non-Equity Wing, and all related Non-Equity Jeff Award nominations have been rescinded.  The productions in question will be shifted to the Equity Wing for awards consideration during its current season, which commenced on August 1, 2014 and will end on July 30, 2015.

The Jeff Awards Committee today announced 118 nominations in 24 categories for the 42nd Annual Non-Equity Jeff Awards for productions that opened between April 1, 2014, and March 31, 2015. The Non-Equity Awards honor excellence in Chicago theatres not under a union contract. Jeff judges attended opening nights of 133 productions offered by 56 Non-Equity producing organizations. The Jeff Committee recommended 62 of those shows, making them eligible for Non-Equity Jeff Award nominations. Of the 62 Jeff Recommended productions, 46 received nominations, representing 23 theatre companies.

TRAP DOOR THEATRE presents the world premiere of COOKIE PLAY, tonight, Jan. 8-Feb. 14, 2015. Written by Ken Prestininzi, Directed by Kate Hendrickson, Featuring Trap Door ensemble members: Lyndsay Rose Kane, Chris Popio, Mike Steele, Gage Wallace, & Carl Wisniewski.

In Cookie Play, a mother from the heartland, fearing her son may be the next Edward Snowden, agrees to hold him captive in her basement to save both son and country. What happens next upends everyone's moral equilibrium in this twisted, off-beat satire. The truth of black sites, whistle-blowing and sanctioned torture intrudes upon one family's belief in a life as optimistic and sweet as a TV situation comedy or favorite bedtime story.

TRAP DOOR THEATRE presents the world premiere of COOKIE PLAY, Jan. 8-Feb. 14, 2015. Written by Ken Prestininzi, Directed by Kate Hendrickson, Featuring Trap Door ensemble members: Lyndsay Rose Kane, Chris Popio, Mike Steele, Gage Wallace, & Carl Wisniewski.

Due to a developing controversy surrounding GRAFFITO, the remaining screenings at Oracle theatre have been cancelled indefinitely. The Graffito team says, 'Our intention with this film was to stand in solidarity with our brothers and sisters fighting the good fight, not to shame or embarrass. We support, unconditionally, those that are passionate about changing our world and are dedicated to nonviolent tactics that serve to unite. Literally hundreds of beautiful artists and citizens have poured their hearts into this film. Now, with our future uncertain, we need your support now more than ever.'

The Jeff Awards Committee today announced 128 nominations in 24 categories of Non-Equity Jeff Awards for productions that opened between April 1, 2013, and March 31, 2014. The Non-Equity Awards honor excellence in Chicago theatres not under a union contract. Jeff judges attended opening nights of 147 productions offered by 65 Non-Equity producing organizations. The judges recommended 66 of those shows, making them eligible for Non-Equity Jeff Award nominations. Thirty theatre companies received nominations.