Photo Preview: Steppenwolf's SAMUEL J. AND K.

Steppenwolf for Young Adults presents the Midwest premiere of Samuel J. and K. by Mat Smart, directed by Ron OJ Parson. The production, featuring Cliff Chamberlain and Samuel G. Roberson, Jr., runs February 22 - March 13, 2011 in Steppenwolf's Upstairs Theatre, 1650 N. Halsted St. Weekday matinees (Tuesdays - Fridays) are reserved for school groups only, with weekend performances (Saturday and Sunday) available to the public. The press performance is Saturday, February 26, 2011 at 11 am.

Set in modern-day suburban Chicago, Samuel J. and K. follows the path of two brothers - one black and one white. In honor of Samuel K.'s college graduation, Samuel J. surprises his adopted brother with two round-trip tickets to his birthplace in Africa to explore his roots. As the brothers set out on a life changing journey from the basketball courts of Naperville to a small village in Cameroon, they confront long-buried issues of identity, race and family secrets. In this exciting Midwest premiere by Chicago native Mat Smart, the possibilities and boundaries of brotherhood are explored through an entirely new lens.

Naperville, Illinois native Mat Smart is a two-time recipient of the Jerome Fellowship from The Playwrights' Center in Minneapolis. His other plays include The Hopper Collection, The 13th of Paris and The Bebop Heard in Okinawa. He is a co-founder of Slant Theatre Project in New York City and an alumnus of the Soho Rep Writer/Director Lab. For Steppenwolf, Ron OJ Parson previously directed The Horn, Jesus Hopped the ‘A' Train and Wedding Band and appeared in One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest with Gary Sinise. He is a Resident Artist at Court Theatre and has also worked in Chicago at the Goodman Theatre, Victory Gardens Theater, Congo Square, Black Ensemble Theater, ETA, Chicago Theatre Company, Northlight Theatre, Writers' Theatre, Eclipse Theatre and UrbanTheater Company.

The Samuel J. and K. production team includes: Jack Magaw (sets), Melissa Torchia (costumes), J.R. Lederle (lights) and Kevin O'Donnell (sound). Beth Spencer is the Stage Manager.
Title: Samuel J. and K.
Playwright: Mat Smart
Directed by: Ron OJ Parson
Featuring: Cliff Chamberlain (Samuel J.) and Samuel G. Roberson, Jr. (Samuel K.)

Location: Steppenwolf Upstairs Theatre, 1650 N. Halsted St.
Dates: Regular Run: Feb. 22 - March 13
Press Performance: Saturday, Feb. 26 at 11 am
Public Performances: Saturdays and Sundays at 11 am (Note: There will not be a performance on Sunday, February 27)
Weekday matinee performances (Tuesdays - Fridays at 10 am) are available for school groups only.

Public Ticket Price: $20 on Saturdays, 2-for-1 on Sundays ($15 student tickets available via phone/box office only)
Audience Services: 1650 N. Halsted, St. (312) 335-1650
Online ticketing available at www.steppenwolf.org

Accessible Performances:
Sign language-interpreted performance: Saturday, March 12 at 11 am
Audio described performance with touch tour: Saturday, March 5: 9:30 am touch tour / 11 am curtain

For information on Steppenwolf for Young Adult weekday school performances, contact the SYA Education Associate at (312) 654-5639.

Steppenwolf for Young Adults' unique approach combines play production with educational components to enhance arts education for young audiences, as well as their teachers and families. SYA creates two full-scale professional productions each season specifically for teens. Working closely with the Chicago Public and metropolitan area schools and other community partners, SYA annually ensures access to the theater for more than 15,000 participants from Chicago's diverse communities. The initiative also includes post-show discussions with artists; classroom residencies led by Steppenwolf-trained teaching artists in more than 30 classrooms in 14 public high schools; professional development workshops for educators; and the Young Adult Council, an innovative year-round after school initiative that uniquely engages high school students in all areas of the theater's operations.

JPMorgan Chase & Co. is the Corporate Sponsor of Steppenwolf for Young Adults.

Target is the Sponsor of the Target 2-for-1 Sunday Matinees.

Steppenwolf is located near all forms of public transportation and is wheelchair accessible. Street and lot parking are available. Assistive listening devices are available for every performance in the Upstairs or Downstairs Theatres.

Committed to the principle of ensemble performance through the collaboration of a company of actors, directors and playwrights, Steppenwolf Theatre Company's mission is to advance the vitality and diversity of American theater by nurturing artists, encouraging repeatable creative relationships and contributing new works to the national canon. The company, formed in 1976 by a collective of actors, is dedicated to perpetuating an ethic of mutual respect and the development of artists through on-going group work. Steppenwolf has grown into an internationally renowned company of 43 artists whose talents include acting, directing, playwriting and textual adaptation. For additional information, visit www.steppenwolf.org, www.facebook.com/SteppenwolfTheatre and www.twitter.com/SteppenwolfThtr.

Samuel G. Roberson, Jr. and Cliff Chamberlain

Samuel G. Roberson, Jr. and Cliff Chamberlain