The Ruckus' Fifth Season to Include HEIST PLAY & THE DEER

Following a successful fourth season with productions at Theater Wit and the Athenaeum Theatre, The Ruckus Theater is proud to announce its fifth season in Chicago. Artistic Director Allison Shoemaker and Associate Artistic Director Joshua Davis release today a season of five new plays and workshops. First, Artistic Director Allison Shoemaker takes the helm of a revamped version of The Ruckus' first Chicago production, Heist Play. Through a workshop and development process in 2013, this production has undergone significant rewrites by playwright Mitch Vermeersch and will be performed at The Side Project (Oct. 12- Nov. 10, 2013). The Spring production, The Deer, is penned by Chicago playwright Brooke Allen (Ruby Wilder) and will be directed by Eric Hoff (Hit the Wall). The Deer will be performed at Collaboraction (March 30-April 27, 2014). Additionally, The Ruckus will present three works-in-progress in the late Spring of 2014, including new work Home After Dark by Will Bishop and two pieces to be devised by the company. Further details regarding The Ruckus: Season 5, including casting and ticket information, will be announced in the coming weeks. Please visit www.ruckustheater.org for more information.

"It's thrilling to revisit Heist Play with just a little more age, a little more grit, behind it," said Artistic Director, Allison Shoemaker. "We've grown over the last five years, and the play in which we're enveloped is a very different one than the play which so gripped us in 2009. The Deer, a gorgeous, haunting little palace of a play, speaks to us as well, touching on the kinds of experiences that link us all. We're terribly excited to have Mitch back, and to be working with Brooke and Eric on these plays that we love so."

Mitch Vermeersch (Heist Play - Playwright) hails originally from Clintonss Township, Michigan. He has a BA in Creative Writing from Western Michigan University and sometimes a beard. In 2007 he was a member of the National Theater Institute's Theatermakers Program at the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center in Waterford, CT. His plays have been produced at Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo College, The Black Hills Theater in Grand Rapids, MI, and The Hygienic Art Park in New London, CT. In addition to Heist Play, Mitch helped develop past Ruckus Theater Productions Tell It, Speak It, Think It, Breathe It and 15 Minutes. He was around for the foundation of The Ruckus Theater and is thrilled to be working with his brave old buddies once again.

Brooke Allen (The Deer - Playwright) is a graduate of the Creative Writing program at Webster University. Playwriting credits include; Ruby Wilder(Not Waiting Productions, 2008 / New York International Fringe Festival, 2010 / Tympanic Theatre 2012), House Work (Not Waiting Productions, 2007 / 2010 Semi-Finalist for the Leah Ryan's Fund for Emerging Women Writers), and Viewfinders (HealthWorks Theatre, 2006). Brooke was the first Playwright in Residence for Red Tape Theatre last year and her show, The Life and Death of Madame Barker can be seen on that stage this October. Other credits include "Mortified" (Former Chicago Producer/ Performer), "You're Being Ridiculous" (Performer), "Guts And Glory" (Performer) and "Redacted" (Creator/Performer, Ruckus Theatre, 2011-2012).

Eric Hoff (The Deer - Director) is a director, dramaturg, and producer. With playwright Brooke Allen, Eric directed Ruby Wilder. In autumn 2013 he will direct Brooke's The Life & Death of Madam Barker with Molly Brennan & John Fournier. Off-Broadway: Hit The Wall at Barrow Street Theatre; About A Woman Named Sarah at 59E59. Chicago: Hit The Wall at Steppenwolf Garage; What's the T? at About Face Theatre; The Skriker at Red Tape; The Woyzeck Project at About Face Theatre. Eric has developed new plays across the country with Goodman Theatre, About Face Theatre, Playwrights Horizons, Clubbed Thumb, New York Theatre Workshop, and Illyrian Players. Coming soon: REVIVAL, a dance party/performance art event on the Pritzker Pavilion stage in Millennium Park; Mammoth Orange, a short film which Eric wrote and directed. Eric splits his time between Chicago and New York City.

The Ruckus welcomes several new members to their merry band this season. New company members include Jennifer Roehm as Casting Director, Catherine Bullard as Social Media Director, and Jessica Reese as Resident Dramaturg. Casey Bentley (Tympanic Theatre Company) and Susan Myburgh (Tympanic Theatre Company) join the company as the newest members of the ensemble.

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