Lisa Portes News

Victory Gardens Theater, under the leadership of Artistic Director Chay Yew and Managing Director Erica Daniels, announces the lineup for its 2017-2018 Season. Victory Gardens' 43rd Season will include the groundbreaking, Tony Award-winning musical Fun Home with music by Jeanine Tesori and book and lyrics by Lisa Kron; the Chicago premieres of Fade, a co-production with Teatro Vista, by Tanya Saracho, and Mies Julie, a contemporary reworking of August Strindberg's classic Miss Julie by Yael Farber, as well as the world premieres of Breach: a manifesto on race in america through the eyes of a black girl recovering from self-hate by Antoinette Nwandu and Doing It by Boo Killebrew.

Sex, power, institutional failure, human frailty, betrayal, dreams and madness are at the core of celebrated Cuban-American writer Maria Irene Fornes's Pulitzer-Prize nominated play What of the Night?

The Theatre School at DePaul University presents Night Runner, a world premiere by Ike Holter and directed by Lisa Portes, with musical direction by Mikel Patrick Avery, choreography by Breon Arzell, and fight choreography by Katherine Coyl. Night Runner is a part of The Theatre School's Chicago Playworks for Families and Young Audiences Series.

The Theatre School at DePaul University presents Night Runner, a world premiere by Ike Holter and directed by Lisa Portes, with musical direction by Mikel Patrick Avery, choreography by Breon Arzell, and fight choreography by Katherine Coyl. Night Runner is a part of The Theatre School's Chicago Playworks for Families and Young Audiences Series.

California Shakespeare Theater today announced that Tyne Rafaeli will direct Cal Shakes' final production of its 2017 season, the previously-announced Measure for Measure. This first-ever co-production between Cal Shakes and Santa Cruz Shakespeare will play at the Bruns Amphitheater from September 20 through October 15.

On Sunday, October 30, 2016, Stage Directors and Choreographers Foundation (SDC Foundation), the not-for-profit foundation of Stage Directors and Choreographers Society (SDC), presented the 2016 Zelda Fichandler Award to Lisa Portes of Chicago, IL. Scroll down for photos!

Theatre Communications Group (TCG) has announced the Master of Ceremonies, entertainment, and Gala Committee Members for their upcoming gala honoring playwright and actress Danai Gurira, producers Stephen C. Byrd and Alia Jones-Harvey, and the Vilcek Foundation and Rick Kinsel.

KC Rep artistic director Eric Rosen was named one of three finalists for the 2016 Zelda Fichandler Award which honors accomplished directors whose visionary work is impacting theatre communities outside of New York.

Jackalope's 9th season kicks off with the U.S. premiere of Octagon, written by Kristiana Rae Colon, directed by Tara Branham, with the full cast and production team announced below.

Stage Directors and Choreographers Foundation (SDCF), the not-for-profit foundation of Stage Directors and Choreographers Society (SDC), announces that Lisa Portes is the recipient of the 2016 Zelda Fichandler Award, which recognizes an outstanding director or choreographer who is transforming the regional arts landscape through singular creativity and artistry in the theatre. The award heralds accomplishment to date and promise for the future, artistic vision, and deep commitment to a region outside of New York. It carries an unrestricted grant of $5,000 to the individual recipient.

The three 'developmental productions' featured in Goodman Theatre's 13th annual New Stages festival, a free celebration of new works by some of the country's finest established and emerging playwrights, are underway. These three plays, which are staged in repertory with modest production values following three weeks of rehearsal, include Blue Skies Process by Abe Koogler, directed by Henry Wishcamper; Support Group for Men by Ellen Fairey, directed by Kimberly Senior; and The King of Hell's Palace by Frances Ya-Chu Cowhig, directed by Tea Alagi. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the casts in action below!

Some plays seem ageless, while others are uncannily current. DISGRACED is the kind of play that succeeds in being both timeless and timely. Winner of the 2013 Pulitzer Prize for drama and a 2015 Tony Award nominee for best play, Ayad Akhtar's DISGRACED makes its regional premiere to open the Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park's 2016-17 Thompson Shelterhouse season from Sept. 24 through Oct. 23.

Casting is complete for the three 'developmental productions' featured in Goodman Theatre's 13th annual New Stages festival, a free celebration of new works by some of the country's finest established and emerging playwrights. These three plays, which are staged in repertory with modest production values following three weeks of rehearsal, include Blue Skies Process by Abe Koogler, directed by Henry Wishcamper; Support Group for Men by Ellen Fairey, directed by Kimberly Senior; and The King of Hell's Palace by Frances Ya-Chu Cowhig, directed by Tea Alagi. Full cast lists are included below.

Casting is complete for the three 'developmental productions' featured in Goodman Theatre's 13th annual New Stages festival, a free celebration of new works by some of the country's finest established and emerging playwrights. These three plays, which are staged in repertory with modest production values following three weeks of rehearsal, include Blue Skies Process by Abe Koogler, directed by Henry Wishcamper; Support Group for Men by Ellen Fairey, directed by Kimberly Senior; and The King of Hell's Palace by Frances Ya-Chu Cowhig, directed by Tea Alagi. Full cast lists are included below.

Jackalope's 9th season kicks off with the U.S. premiere of Octagon, written by Kristiana Rae Colon, directed by Tara Branham, with the full cast and production team announced below.

Some plays seem ageless, while others are uncannily current. DISGRACED is the kind of play that succeeds in being both timeless and timely. Winner of the 2013 Pulitzer Prize for drama and a 2015 Tony Award nominee for best play, Ayad Akhtar's DISGRACED makes its regional premiere to open the Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park's 2016-17 Thompson Shelterhouse season from Sept. 24 through Oct. 23.

Theatre Communications Group (TCG), the national organization for theatre, announces Kevin Moriarty, artistic director of Dallas Theater Center, as its new board chair, taking over the position from Diane Rodriguez, associate artistic director of Center Theatre Group.

Theatre Communications Group (TCG) has announced that its 2016 gala will honor Tony-nominated and OBIE-winning playwright and acclaimed 'The Walking Dead' actress Danai Gurira.

American Blues Theater kicks off its 31st Season - 'Define Yourself' - with a pair of one acts, including Dutchman by Amiri Baraka, directed by Chuck Smith and the World Premiere of TRANSit by Darren Canady, directed by Lisa Portes. Dutchman and TRANSit run August 26 - September 25, 2016 at the Greenhouse Theater Center, 2257 N. Lincoln Ave. in Chicago. The official press opening is Thursday, September 1 at 7:30 pm.