Steppenwolf for Young Adults Announces Cast of THE COMPASS

Steppenwolf for Young Adults (SYA) has announced the complete cast for the world premiere of The Compass, a groundbreaking, interactive performance that explores the intersection of technology and decision-making. Devised and directed by Michael Rohd, this innovative production gives audience members the opportunity to determine the fate of those on stage.

The cast of The Compass features ensemble member Tim Hopper with Cheryl Lynn Bruce, Ariana Burks, Cruz Gonzalez-Crudel, Johnathan Nieves and Sean Parris. Completing the cast as facilitators are Bryan Bosque, Jasmin Cardenas, Melissa Du'Prey, Krystel McNeil, Abby Pajakowski, Emilio Robles, Alejandro Tey and Lindsey Barlag Thornton.

At the center of The Compass is a trial, determining the fate of a young person who used an app to make a life-altering decision. In this play, every show will end differently, depending on what you, the audience, decide. Join us as we navigate the question: When someone else, or something else, tells you what to do, what exactly are you responsible for?

The Compass runs February 24 - March 12, 2016 in the Downstairs Theatre; the press performance is on Saturday, February 27 at 3pm. Public performances are scheduled for Saturday, February 27 at 3pm and 7:30pm; Friday, March 4 at 7:30pm; Saturday, March 5 at 3pm; Friday, March 11 at 7:30pm; and Saturday, March 12 at 3pm. School performances are Tuesday through Friday at 10am and are reserved for school groups only. Single tickets to public performances ($20; $15 with student I.D.) are available through Audience Services (1650 N Halsted St), 312-335-1650 and steppenwolf.org.

Over the past two seasons, SYA has hosted a series of free events, titled Project Compass, aimed at engaging multigenerational theater audiences to dialogue about what goes into making a decision and how we are each guided by our own moral compass. The feedback from these events has played a major role in the structure and content of The Compass.

"For more than a year we've been interviewing experts, conducting cross-generational workshops, inviting other artists to respond to the theme with their own short works-all of this research has pushed and pulled at our core concept in key ways. The show has been truly impacted by these interactions and encounters, which I find exciting," shares Michael Rohd.

"While The Compass is a conversation about technology, decision-making and young people, at its heart is one young woman figuring out how to be true to herself, and make her way in a complicated and often unsafe world," added Rohd.

Michael Rohd is founding artistic director of Sojourn Theatre, a 15-year-old ensemble-based company. He is on faculty at Northwestern University and author of the widely translated book Theatre for Community, Conflict, and Dialogue. His work with Sojourn, other theaters, arts councils, municipal/regional government bodies and in non-arts sector settings around the nation focuses on social practice, civic practice and capacity-building projects through collaboratively designed arts-based event, engagement and participation strategies. He leads the Center for Performance and Civic Practice, where current projects include Chicago's Civic Practice Lab and The Catalyst Initiative, a national program supported by The Andrew Mellon Foundation. He is currently the Doris Duke artist-in-residence at Chicago's Lookingglass Theatre Company.

The production team for The Compass includes Courtney O'Neill (scenic design), Carolyn Rose Sullivan (costume design), JR Lederle (lighting design), Rick Sims (sound design) and Joseph A. Burke (projections) and David Masnato (content creator). Additional credits include Cassie Calderone (stage manager) and Jessamyn Fuller (casting).

The Scene, an event specifically for teens, and curated by the Young Adult Council takes place Saturday, February 27 at 758 W North Ave. following the 7:30pm performance. For tickets or more information, call 312-335-1650 or contact Steppenwolf for Young Adults Education Assistant Jared Bellot at jbellot@steppenwolf.org.

Steppenwolf Theatre Company is a participant in the Audience (R)Evolution Program, funded by the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation and administered by the Theatre Communications Group, the national organization for the professional not-for-profit American theatre.

Major foundation support for Steppenwolf for Young Adults is provided by Allstate Insurance Company, Alphawood Foundation, JPMorgan Chase, Paul M. Angell Family Foundation, Polk Bros. Foundation and United Airlines. Steppenwolf for Young Adults is also supported in part by contributions from The Crown Family, Sage Foundation, Lloyd A. Fry Foundation, Northern Trust Company, Field Foundation of Illinois, Dr. Scholl Foundation, the Helen Brach Foundation, ITW Foundation, Siragusa Foundation, Robert and Isabelle Bass Foundation, Inc. and Daniel F. and Ada L. Rice Foundation; as well as Steppenwolf Associates, a community of dynamic young professionals.

Steppenwolf for Young Adults is a citywide partner of the Chicago Public Schools (CPS) School Partner Program.

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