Lisa Portes News

Stage Left Theatre is pleased to announce the programming for its 35th season. The season begins with the world premiere of The Bottle Tree by Beth Kander directed by ensemble member Amy Szerlong. The Bottle Tree was developed through Stage Left's Downstage Left program, at the Ashland New Plays Festival and and has received an Honorable Mention on The Kilroys List for the past two years. Next, in the winter, Stage Left and Cor Theatre present a co-production of What of the Night? by Maria Irene Fornes, directed by Carlos Murillo. This epic meditation on poverty in America was a Pultizer finalist in 1990. Cor Theatre Artistic Director Tosha Fowler says of the partnership, 'With admiration for Stage Left's longevity and the exciting opportunities they provide to artists through their strong commitment to mission, we at Cor are thrilled to announce a collaboration of theatre that is bound to leave you breathless. Combining Stage Left's strength with our fearless aesthetic, Fornes' poetically primal voice, and Carlos Murillo's passionate vision, What of the Night is going to be our biggest leap yet.' Finally, the company will present LeapFest, its annual developmental festival featuring workshop productions of new plays, at a time to be announced later.

American Blues Theater, Chicago's second oldest Equity Ensemble, under the continued leadership of Producing Artistic Director Gwendolyn Whiteside, announce the submission period for the 2017 National Blue Ink Playwriting Award. Playwrights are invited to submit one (1) manuscript for consideration. The winner will have the opportunity to further develop their script with American Blues Theatre. The submission period runs July 1 - August 31, 2016. Submissions are accepted via email at BlueInk@AmericanBluesTheater.com.

Theatre Communications Group (TCG), the national organization for theatre, is pleased to announce the recipients of the latest round of Global Connections. Supported by The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, Global Connections encourages reciprocity and cultural exchange through two programs: ON the ROAD grants to foster new relationships with international colleagues; and IN the LAB grants to further pre-existing international collaborations. Now in its fifth year, the Global Connections program awarded a total of $70,000 to ten projects in this year's cycle, with over $700,000 awarded to date.

Jackalope Theatre Company, under the leadership of Artistic Director Gus Menary and Managing Director Nate Silver, announces its 2016/17 season. The company's 9th season features three productions: a world premiere, a U.S premiere, and a Midwest premiere. The season begins with the U.S premiere of Octagon by Kristiana Rae Colon, directed by Tara Branham, continues with the world premiere of The Snare by Samantha Beach, directed by Jackalope Associated Producer Elana Boulos, and concludes with the Midwest premiere of Ideation by Aaron Loeb, directed by Jackalope Artistic Director Gus Menary.

TTKD Productions presents the world premiere of TWISTED KNOTS, written by Chicago Dramatists' Network Playwright Dale Danner and directed by Tara Branham, playing at the Royal George Cabaret Theatre, 1641 N. Halsted Street, tonight, May 4, through June 12.

Stage Directors and Choreographers Society announced the release of a Diversity and Inclusion Statement of Commitment at Monday's semi-annual membership meeting.

TTKD Productions presents the world premiere of TWISTED KNOTS, written by Chicago Dramatists' Network Playwright Dale Danner and directed by Tara Branham, playing at the Royal George Cabaret Theatre, 1641 N. Halsted Street, May 4 - June 12.

American Blues Theater, Chicago's second oldest Equity Ensemble, under the continued leadership of Producing Artistic Director Gwendolyn Whiteside, has named Nathan Alan Davis the winner of the 2016 National Blue Ink Playwriting Award. Davis' play, The Wind and the Breeze, was selected from a pool 449 submissions. As part of the award, Davis receives a $1000 cash prize and the opportunity to further develop his script with American Blues Theater. Lisa Portes will direct a staged reading of The Wind and the Breeze on April 10, 2016 at 2:00pm at the Greenhouse Theater Center, 2257 N Lincoln Ave.

Artistic Director Blake Robison announced the Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park's 2016-17 season today with a richly layered collection of world premieres, a joyously entertaining musical, adaptations of beloved novels, a comedy-tinged detective caper, new and classic dramas, a salute to a bestselling Ohio author and the return of The Second City with a holiday-themed revue. The Playhouse is celebrating its 57th season as the region's preeminent professional theatre and Robison's fifth season as artistic director.

American Blues Theater, under the continued leadership of Producing Artistic Director Gwendolyn Whiteside, announces the lineup for its 2016 - 2017 Season, "Define Yourself."

El Fuego 'Fueling The American Theatre With Latina/o Plays' Launches to Support Theatermakers CHICAGO - The Latina/o Theatre Commons (LTC), an active initiative of HowlRound, proudly announces that all 12 playwrights presented at July's Carnaval 2015 are being produced by 18 different theater companies across the United States over the next three years.

Northlight Theatre, under the direction of Artistic Director BJ Jones and Executive Director Timothy J. Evans, presents the Pulitzer Prize-winning play You Can't Take It With You, continuing Northlight's 41st Season. You Can't Take It With You, directed by Devon de Mayo, runs November 6 - December 13, 2015 at Northlight Theatre, 9501 Skokie Blvd in Skokie.

 The Theatre School at DePaul University's 2015-2016 season features two world premiere productions, reimagined classics, contemporary pieces, and engaging entertainment for the whole family.  Productions for the general public will continue for the third full season at The Theatre School's award-winning new facility in Lincoln Park, and Chicago Playworks for Families and Young Audiences will continue to welcome young people and their families to the historic Merle Reskin Theatre in the South Loop.

The Latina/o Theatre Commons (LTC) proudly welcomes powerhouse directors paired with eight playwrights for the groundbreaking Carnaval 2015-a theatre festival of New Latina/o work at The Theatre School at DePaul University, 2350 N. Racine, Chicago, this weekend, July 23-25.

The Latina/o Theatre Commons (LTC) proudly announces the roster of powerhouse directors paired with eight playwrights for the groundbreaking Carnaval 2015-a theatre festival of New Latina/o work at The Theatre School at DePaul University, 2350 N. Racine, Chicago, July 23-25.

The Latina/o Theatre Commons (LTC), in collaboration with Emerson College's HowlRound, a commons by and for people who make performance, announces the 2015 Carnaval of New Latina/o Work (Carnaval 2015) showcasing 12 new works by Latina/o playwrights from across the U.S., July 23-25, 2015 in Chicago.

Where does art belong and who gets to make it? Acclaimed playwright Idris Goodwin and Louder Than a Bomb creator Kevin Coval asked these questions in Steppenwolf for Young Adult's recent production of This is Modern Art (Based on True Events). This is Modern Art represents the true story of Chicago graffiti crew MUL, depicting the events leading up to and following their decision to carry out the biggest graffiti bomb of their career on the modern wing of the Art Institute of Chicago. This is Modern Art asked audiences to start a revolution, and the Chicago theatre community did- more than anyone expected.

Where does art belong and who gets to make it? Acclaimed playwright Idris Goodwin and Louder Than a Bomb creator Kevin Coval asked these questions in Steppenwolf for Young Adult's recent production of This is Modern Art (Based on True Events). This is Modern Art represents the true story of Chicago graffiti crew MUL, depicting the events leading up to and following their decision to carry out the biggest graffiti bomb of their career on the modern wing of the Art Institute of Chicago. This is Modern Art asked audiences to start a revolution, and the Chicago theatre community did- more than anyone expected.

Steppenwolf for Young Adults (SYA) presents This Is Modern Art (based on true events) written by acclaimed playwright and hip-hop artist Idris Goodwin (Blackademics, How We Got On) and 'Louder Than A Bomb' founder Kevin Coval. Directed by Lisa Portes, this world premiere production concludes SYA's 2014/15 season, which explores the theme, 'Create a Movement: The Art of Revolution.' This Is Modern Art (based on true events) runs now through March 14, 2015 in the Downstairs Theatre. The press performance is today, February 28 at 3pm. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!