The Ruckus Announces the Season 4 Reading Series

The Ruckus Theater has announced their Season 4 Reading Series, showcasing three plays by three playwrights in three days-all developed with The Ruckus.

Five years after its premiere, Ruckus Artistic Director Allison Shoemaker steps back to into the mysterious world of the the company's inaugural Chicago production. Heist Play, a black comedy written by Ruckus co-founder and emeritus company member Mitch Vermeersch, deconstructs the film noir formula and turns archetypes inside out, and will be read on Sun. April 28th. The following day, Mon., April 30th, Ruckus Company Member Brian Ruby will direct Ruckus Ensemble Member Kevin Lambert's new comedy Days of Yore, which follows a rag-tag group of would-be knights as they work backstage at a "Medieval Times"-inspired dinner and tournament venue. The last day of the Season 4 Reading Series features playwright and Ruckus artist-in-residence Brooke Allen's The Deer, directed by Allison Shoemaker. The Deer follows a brother and sister as they confront mortality, examine the ties that bind us both to the world and each other, and encounter a deer that will profoundly change their lives. Both Days of Yore and The Deer were partially developed through The Ruckus' artist-in-residence program, which aims to provide Chicago playwrights, actors, and designers with creative and administrative support as they make new work. Heist Play, Days of Yore, and The Deer will be performed at The Side Project Theater (1439 W. Jarvis) April 28-30, 2013. Performances will begin at 7:30pm and will be followed by a talk-back with the cast, director, and a rotating guest dramaturg. Tickets are pay-what-you-can, with all proceeds going directly to the artists involved. A complete performance schedule including dates, times, and ticket prices appear at the end of this release.

The cast of Heist Play includes Ruckus Associate Artistic Director Joshua Davis, Ruckus Literary Manager Derek Van Barham, Ruckus Ensemble Members Catherine Bullard, Kevin Lambert, and Karie Miller, and guest artists Neal Starbird, Mike Steele, and Christine Vrem-Ydstie. Stage directions will be read by Ruckus Ensemble Member Stevie Chaddock Lambert, and the guest dramaturg for the evening will be playwright/performer Jayita Bhattacharya (Curious Theatre Branch).

The cast of Days of Yore includes Ruckus Literary Manager Derek Van Barham, Ruckus Ensemble Member Dan Caffrey, and guest artists Chris Acevedo, Randall Colburn, McKenzie Gerber, Dan Meisner, and Josh Philo. Stage directions will be read by Ruckus Company Member Ruth McCormack, and the guest dramaturg for the evening will be playwright/performer Gwen Tulin (Brain Surgeon Theater).

The cast of The Deer includes Ruckus Publicity Manager Elise Mayfield, Ruckus Ensemble Member Daniel Caffrey, Ruckus artist-in-residence Julie Cowden, and guest artists Nick Freed, Dennis Frymire, and Mike Tepeli. Stage directions will be read for Ruckus Ensemble Member Catherine Bullard, who will also serve as the evening's guest dramaturg.

Performance Schedule

April 28, 2013 April 29, 2013 April 30, 2013

Heist Play Days of Yore The Deer

7:30pm 7:30pm 7:30pm

The Side Project Theater The Side Project Theater The Side Project Theater

Pay-what-you-can Pay-what-you-can Pay-What-You-can

Tickets may be purchased at the door or online at brownpapertickets.com.