Victory Gardens to Offer Backstage Peek at World Premiere of COCKED

Victory Gardens Theater announces Backstage at the Biograph: Breathing Life into a New Play. This behind-the-scenes event focuses on Cocked by Sarah Gubbins, directed by Joanie Schultz, running February 12 - March 13, 2016. Backstage at the Biograph: Breathing Life into a New Play examines the process of developing and staging a world-premiere production. Backstage at the Biograph: Breathing Life into a New Play is Thursday, February 4, 2016 at 7:00 p.m. at Victory Gardens Biograph Theater, 2433 N. Lincoln Avenue.

From reading a first draft to opening night, new plays are always changing and evolving. What does the collaborative process of developing new work look like from the point of view of the actors? Get a first-hand look at the actors' perspective of working on a new play, from last minute script alterations to full-blown plot changes, and what it takes to realize Sarah Gubbins' Cocked at this open rehearsal kick-off party with the actors of Cocked and director Joanie Schultz. Then, enjoy a complimentary reception and mingle with the cast and creative team to get the inside scoop on the process.

This event is free and open to the public. Space is limited and an RSVP is required. For more information visit www.victorygardens.org/backstage.

Backstage at the Biograph is sponsored by Whole Foods Market DePaul and Pork Shoppe.

Upcoming Backstage at the Biograph Events:

Hillary and Clinton
March 24, 2016
Reimagining Hillary

The House that Will Not Stand

June 2, 2016
Costume Design: Dressing the Women of 1836

About Cocked

Attorney Taylor and her journalist girlfriend Izzie live a comfortable life in Andersonville. Their apartment, relationship and strong anti-gun beliefs are shattered when Taylor's troubled brother Frank crashes, uninvited, into their lives. As secrets and betrayals rise to the surface, the line between self-defense and safety is blurred.

Cocked will feature Patrese D. McClain (Izzie), Kelli Simpkins (Taylor) and Mike Tepeli (Frank).

About Victory Gardens Theater

Under the leadership of Artistic Director Chay Yew and Managing Director Christopher Mannelli, Victory Gardens is dedicated to artistic excellence while creating a vital, contemporary American Theater that is accessible and relevant to all people through productions of challenging new plays and musicals. With Victory Gardens' first new Artistic Director in 34 years, the company remains committed to the development, production and support of new plays that has been the mission of the theater since its founding, continuing the vision set forth by Dennis Zacek, Marcelle McVay, and the original founders of Victory Gardens Theater.

Victory Gardens Theater is a leader in developing and producing new theatre work and cultivating an inclusive Chicago theater community. Victory Gardens' core strengths are nurturing and producing dynamic and inspiring new plays, reflecting the diversity of our city's and nation's culture through engaging diverse communities, and in partnership with Chicago Public Schools, bringing art and culture to our city's active student population.

Since its founding in 1974, the company has produced more world premieres than any other Chicago theater, a commitment recognized nationally when Victory Gardens received the 2001 Tony Award for Outstanding Regional Theatre. Located in the Lincoln Park neighborhood, Victory Gardens Biograph Theater includes the Zacek-McVay Theater, a state-of-the-art 259-seat mainstage and the 109-seat studio theater on the second floor, named the Richard Christiansen Theater.

In 2012, Victory Gardens appointed new Ensemble Playwrights Philip Dawkins, Marcus Gardley, Samuel D. Hunter and Tanya Saracho, for seven-year residencies. The Playwrights Ensemble Alumni includes Claudia Allen, Lonnie Carter, Steve Carter, Gloria Bond Clunie, Dean Corrin, Nilo Cruz, Joel Drake Johnson, John Logan, Nicholas Patricca, Douglas Post, James Sherman, Charles Smith, Jeffrey Sweet and Kristine Thatcher.