League of Chicago Theatres' STOREFRONT PLAYWRIGHT PROJECT Set for Now thru 7/27
Following the success of last year's inaugural Storefront Playwright Project, the League of Chicago Theatres will again provide support and windowspace at Expo 72 for nearly 40 emerging and established playwrights to work on a current writing project in view of the public in collaboration with the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events. From a large screen in a window facing the sidewalk, the public will be able to read what the playwright is writing and watch the creation of the next great Chicago play in real time. The Storefront Playwright Project will take place at Expo72, 72 E. Randolph St., in downtown Chicago, today, July 2 - 27, 2013, Tuesdays through Saturdays, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The Storefront Playwright Project aims to support the playwriting community, increase awareness of emerging and established playwrights, and encourage audiences to engage more deeply with Chicago theatre and the creative process of writing a new play for the theatre. The League of Chicago Theatres will collect contact information from interested visitors who want updates on future developments of the playwrights' work.
"Last year, we were invigorated by the success of Write Out Front: A Playwright Happening in New York and decided to sponsor a similar program in Chicago. It was met with resounding success by playwrights and spectators," says Deb Clapp, Executive Director of The League of Chicago Theatres. "Chicago is the home to more world premiere plays than any other city. The Storefront Theatre Project gives us the opportunity to support our playwrights while giving visibility to playwrights, the art of playwriting and the active new play scene in Chicago."
Playwrights selected for the project receive a stipend of $50 per day for a four hour time slot (10 a.m. - 2 p.m. or 2 p.m. - 6 p.m.) and will be promoted through on-site signage and social media, as well as on ChicagoPlays.com. Participating playwrights already include ReGina Taylor, Scott Barsotti, Danny Bernardo, Seth Bockley, Randall Colburn, Philip Dawkins, Nambi E. Kelley, M.E.H. Lewis, Mia McCullough, Jon Steinhagen and many more.
The League of Chicago Theatres' Storefront Playwright Project is based upon Write Out Front: A Playwright Happening, created by playwright Micheline Auger. Write Out Front was held at New York's Drama Bookshop, from August 13 to September 1, 2012, and hosted 71 playwrights, over the three-week/142-hour period. The inaugural Storefront Playwright Project took place December 2012 in Chicago.
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