Steppenwolf Announces Casting for NEXT UP 2013

Steppenwolf Theatre Company has announced casting for the upcoming third annual Next Up, continuing Steppenwolf's commitment to Chicago's next generation of theater artists.

Next Up features three productions presented in rotating repertory, May 28 - June 16, 2013 in the Garage Theatre (1624 N Halsted St), in collaboration with Northwestern University's MFA programs in Direction and Design. Next Up 2013 showcases the work of graduates of those programs with casts of professional Chicago actors-including nine alumni of the School at Steppenwolf: Fat Pig by Neil LaBute, directed by David Prete; The Drunken City by Adam Bock, directed by Johnny Michael DiResta; and The Internationalist by Anne Washburn, directed by Erin Murray. The directors and designers make their Steppenwolf debut under the mentorship of Steppenwolf staff and artists, including ensemble member Anna D. Shapiro, director Jessica Thebus and scenic designer Todd Rosenthal-all of whom are members of the Northwestern faculty-as well as Steppenwolf Associate Artistic Director Erica Daniels.

Steppenwolf Theatre Company's Third Annual Next Up

Fat Pig
By Neil LaBute
Directed by David Prete
May 28 - June 16, 2013 in the Garage Theatre (1624 N Halsted St)

Fat Pig features Josh Bywater, Baize Buzan, Anne Joy and JJ Phillips.The creative team includes Chelsey Batson (scenic and costume design), Rebecca Barrett (lighting design), Kevin O'Donnell (sound design), Kathleen Petroziello (stage manager) and Brianna Parry (assistant stage manager).

How many insults can you hear before you have to stand up and defend the woman you love? Tom faces just that question when he falls for Helen, a bright, funny, sexy young woman who happens to be plus-sized-and then some. As Tom explains his new relationship to his shallow (although shockingly funny) co-workers, Fat Pig questions whether anyone can really see past the surface.

The Drunken City
By Adam Bock
Directed by Johnny Michael DiResta
May 29 - June 15, 2013 in the Garage Theatre (1624 N Halsted St)

The Drunken City features Audrey Francis, Emjoy Gavino, Andrew Goetten, Brian King, Darci Nalepa and Sean Parris. The creative team includes Yu Shibagaki (scenic designer), Stephanie Cluggish (costume design), Rebecca Barrett (lighting design), Kevin O'Donnell (sound design), Jonathan Nook (stage manager) and Mary Hungerford (assistant stage manager).

The sparkle of glittery pink cocktails lures three brides-to-be into the city for an epic bar crawl. After a stirring encounter with a handsome stranger, the evening takes a surreal turn that threatens the very future they came to celebrate. In the ups and downs of modern love, sometimes what looks like a drunken party foul might actually be a new beginning.

The Internationalist
By Anne Washburn
Directed by Erin Murray
May 30 - June 16, 2013 in the Garage Theatre (1624 N Halsted St)

The Internationalist features Tony Buzzuto, Amy J. Carle, Andrew Carter, John Gray, Nicholas Harazin and Kelly O'Sullivan. The creative team includes Stephanie Cluggish (scenic designer), Chelsey Batson (costume design), Rebecca Barrett (lighting design), Kevin O'Donnell (sound design), Michelle Medvin (stage manager) and Jennifer McClendon (assistant stage manager).

Lowell, an American on a business trip abroad, is met at the airport by a beautiful colleague. They spend the night together and he thinks he's in one of those great American movies with travel, romance, adventure and life-changing experience. The next day at the office he discovers that he's actually in one of those foreign films where nothing is as it seems, there is no moral, and most importantly: no subtitles.