Steppenwolf's Professional Leadership Fellows Present CRAFTING A COHORT

Steppenwolf Theatre Company's 2017/18 Multicultural Fellows are proud to present Crafting a Cohort, a free event that aims to unite people of color and members of the queer community (POC/Queer Folx) in various levels of theatre career tracks by providing a space for discussion and connection.

This event is curated by the 2017/18 Steppenwolf Multicultural Fellows cohort. The Steppenwolf Professional Leadership Program Fellowship is for early-career people of color working in various theatre disciplines and provides paid professional development opportunities both in and out of Steppenwolf Theatre. Jackie Taylor, Executive Artistic Director of Black Ensemble Theatre, will deliver the keynote address. This event takes place on Monday, April 30th from 7-9pm at the Merle Reskin Garage (1624 N. Halsted St.). Admission is free and snacks and drinks will be provided. RSVP at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1dx4yebZCY7WgoGlB4tmlY-wGWvx-M7LTn9CPcMwdZJA/viewform?edit_requested=true)

"How can we foster community amongst POC/Queer Folx within the theatre when we are often 'the only one' at an institution? One of the most impactful parts of our fellowship has been that we are six people of color who were brought together to form a cohort inside an institution. The working connections and emotional support that we have been able to provide each other has been invaluable. So we wanted to share that experience with all of you, and build a city-wide cohort for artists of color and queer artists in Chicago. Individually we can accomplish so much, but together we are unstoppable," shares Artistic Apprentice and Multicultural Fellow Regina Victor.

Crafting a Cohort provides a space for discussion and connection to unite POC/Queer Folx in various levels of theatre career tracks across the Chicago theatre community. Executive Artistic Director of Black Ensemble Theatre Jackie Taylor will deliver the Keynote Address, which will be followed by discussion groups aimed at uniting professionals of different disciplines from producing to designing. Crafting a Cohort is a free event hosted by the 2017/18 Steppenwolf Multicultural Fellows. This event will center the experiences of POC and queer artists and the unique challenges they face in the workplace, but allies are welcome.

The 2017/18 Steppenwolf Multicultural Fellows include Shelby Edwards (Theatre Mgt. Apprentice & Multicultural Fellow), Estrellita Edwell (Production Mgt. Apprentice & Multicultural Fellow), Am'Ber Montgomery (Education Apprentice & Multicultural Fellow), Rio Raggazone (Electrics Apprentice & Multicultural Fellow), Jacqueline Saldana (Stage Mgt. Apprentice & Multicultural Fellow) and Regina Victor (Artistic Apprentice & Multicultural Fellow).

The Steppenwolf Professional Leadership Program Fellowship is a professional development program for early-career people of color interested in working in theatre. Fellows hold an apprenticeship in their department of interest while being given additional paid professional development opportunities both in and out of Steppenwolf Theatre. Fellows are individuals with clear professional goals and an interest in the continued development of the American theatre. Through hands-on experience, independent and collective learning projects, mentorship, and career-guidance, Fellows are given the tools to become insightful new voices in the field. Learn more about Steppenwolf's Professional Leadership Program at steppenwolf.org/education/professional-leadership-programs.

Steppenwolf Theatre Company is the nation's premier ensemble theater. Formed by a collective of actors in 1976, the ensemble represents a remarkable cross-section of actors, directors and playwrights. Thrilling and powerful productions from Balm in Gilead to August: Osage County-and accolades that include the National Medal of Arts and 12 Tony Awards-have made the theater legendary. Steppenwolf produces hundreds of performances and events annually in its three spaces: the 515-seat Downstairs Theatre, the 299-seat Upstairs Theatre and the 80-seat 1700 Theatre. Artistic programming includes a seven-play season; a two-play Steppenwolf for Young Adults season; Visiting Company engagements; and LookOut, a multi-genre performances series. Education initiatives include the nationally recognized work of Steppenwolf for Young Adults, which engages 15,000 participants annually from Chicago's diverse communities; the esteemed School at Steppenwolf; and Professional Leadership Programs for arts administration training. While firmly grounded in the Chicago community, nearly 40 original Steppenwolf productions have enjoyed success both nationally and internationally, including Broadway, Off-Broadway, London, Sydney, Galway and Dublin. Anna D. Shapiro is the Artistic Director and David Schmitz is the Executive Director. Eric Lefkofsky is Chair of Steppenwolf's Board of Trustees. For additional information, visit steppenwolf.org, facebook.com/steppenwolftheatre, twitter.com/steppenwolfthtr and instagram.com/steppenwolfthtr.

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