Profiles Theatre Presents Midwest Premiere Of BODY AWARENESS 5/14-6/27

Profiles Theatre concludes its 2009-2010 Season with the Midwest premiere of Body Awareness by Annie Baker, directed by Benjamin Thiem. The production runs May 14 - June 27, 2010, at Profiles Theatre, 4147 N. Broadway. Opening night is Thursday, May 20, 2010, at 8:00 p.m.

It's "Body Awareness" week on a Vermont college campus and Phyllis, the organizer, and her partner, Joyce, are hosting one of the guest artists in their home, Frank, a photographer famous for his female nude portraits. Both his presence in the home and his chosen subject instigate tension from the start. Phyllis is furious at his depictions, but Joyce is actually rather intrigued by the whole thing, even going so far as to contemplate posing for him. As Joyce and Phyllis bicker, Joyce's adult son, Jared, struggles to express himself physically with heartbreaking results.

Body Awareness received its lauded World Premiere at the Atlantic Theater Company in May 2008. It received a Drama Desk Nomination and Outer Critics Circle Nomination for Outstanding Play. Annie Baker is currently a member of the Ensemble Studio Theater's Youngblood Playwrights Group and she was one of only seven playwrights selected to participate in the 2008 Sundance Institute Theatre Lab.

The cast of Body Awareness features Profiles' ensemble members Eric Burgher (Graceland, Men of Tortuga) as Jared and Joe Jahraus (The Wonderful World of Dissocia, Things We Said Today) as Frank. The cast also includes Cheryl Graeff (The Mercy Seat, Graceland) as Phyllis and Barb Stasiw (The Wonderful World of Dissocia) as Joyce.

The designers are Thad Hallstein (set), Jessica Harpenau (lights), Melissa Ng (costumes), and Kevin O'Donnell (sound and original music). The assistant director is Darcy McGill.

Tickets for Body Awareness are $30 for Thursdays and $35 for Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Tickets are available by phone, (773) 549-1815, or online, www.profilestheatre.org. Performances are Thursdays-Saturdays at 8:00 p.m. and Sundays at 7:00 p.m.

Profiles Theatre is a not-for-profit professional theatre company founded in 1988 by five Eastern Illinois University alumni and has since been continually producing plays. Profiles brings new works to Chicago that illuminate the determination and resiliency of the human spirit. The company produces World, US and Midwest Premieres by new playwrights, as well as established writers whose work has been seen across the country and around the world. Profiles is particularly drawn to playwrights with a unique narrative style and use of language and the company takes pride in carefully selecting scripts that combine integrity with risk. Profiles Theatre is committed to producing plays that tell a story in a captivating way with productions that complement the ensemble and speak to its audience.

Parking is available for $10 - $11 at 4100 N. Clarendon (One block east of the theatre at the corner of Clarendon and Belle Plaine)
Ticket prices: Thursdays are $30, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays are $35; Students and Senior Citizens receive a $5 discount on all performances; Group rates are available.
Box Office: Buy online at www.profilestheatre.org or call (773) 549-1815

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