Red Tape Theatre Announces Upcoming Season

Red Tape Theatre Company has announced the line up for Season Nine: Empires Collapsing, described as "three powerful plays reflecting on our changing social and political landscape."

In December 2009, Greece admits its debts have reached 300 billion Euros- the highest in modern history. As the European Central Bank scrambles to keep Greece afloat, member countries experience crippling debt and the Euro-Zone crisis threatens to destroy the European Union. On December 18, 2010, a Tunisian activist lights himself on fire. This event instigates a wave of intense civil uprisings across the Middle East that comes to be known as The Arab Spring. On September 17, 2011, thousands of protesters descend on Zuccotti Park in New York's financial district speaking out against wealth inequality and government corruption. The movement sweeps across the U.S. sparking ongoing protests nationwide.

Leaders forced from power. Alliances shaken. Populations that can't be silenced. The powers, systems and structures that we trust, rely on and perpetuate are failing us. Empires are collapsing.

Red Tape Theatre Company Season Nine: Empires Collapsing

The Skriker
By Caryl Churchill
Directed by Erik Hoff
September 13 to October 20

A haunting fairytale by Caryl Churchill, directed by Eric Hoff, director of The Inconvenience’s critically-acclaimed production of Hit the Wall. An ancient shapeshifter, hell-bent on destroying the lives of two impressionable young mothers, unleashes an army of folklore creatures. THE SKRIKER is Churchill’s visionary exploration of global ecology, gender and modern urban life through striking imagery and storytelling.

Stadium Devildare
By Ruth Margraff
Directed by Karen Yates
January 17 to February 24

“In ancient gladiator style, and based on polls from viewers like yourselves, we have relocated our most patriotic finale to one of America's actual war zones. During these events you will witness five of your favorites battle to defeat each other for the highest honor.” Don't miss the sporting event of the year as Reiko throws down with the boys for the ultimate prize, which has nothing to do with a trophy. Karen Yates directs this Chicago premiere by local playwright Ruth Margraff. STADIUM DEVILDARE questions love, power and loyalty against the backdrop of world war.

Lear
By Young Jean Lee
Directed by James D Palmer
May 9 to June 23

It’s King Lear. But there’s no King Lear. Experimental playwright and Doris Duke Artist Award winner Young Jean Lee has penned a whimsical and psychologically disturbing look at a world in which the pater familias is noticeably absent. The children are left to run the show but they must first overcome their anxiety and regret. As the story goes off the rails, Big Bird arrives to help us make sense of the madness. This is James D Palmer’s return to Lee’s work after CHURCH/PULLMAN, WA, one of Time Out Chicago’s Top Ten Plays of 2011.

About Red Tape Theatre:
Red Tape Theatre Company, now in its ninth season, is committed to the creation of new and experimental work. Red Tape’s plays invite our audiences to reimagine their world. Red Tape’s work serves a vital purpose in our community: to arrest attention and create empathy. Our ensemble collaborates with playwrights, musicians, dancers, and visual artists on our three annual productions. This work is supported by our Fresh Eyes Playwrights Workshop and the Chicago Fringe Artist Networking Night, both of which are produced annually. Red Tape is housed in St. Peter’s Episcopal Church. The unique performance space allows us to continually reinvent the audience/artist relationship.

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