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Dead Writers Theatre Collective BIO

Founded in 2011, Dead Writers Theatre is an exciting theatre company creating a unique place for the exploration and resurrection of classic and traditional theatre techniques. At Dead Writers, theatrical writing shares equal billing with theatrical presentations.



The Company produces plays by or about dead writers in a highly detailed and authentic manner, and trains artists how to do the same. While the most obvious manifestation of this is the beautifully dressed sets and costumes, the Company is also committed to honoring each dead writer’s own contemporary experience and from the era in which they lived and wrote; adding an emphasis on the writer’s voice—with integrity to their words, worlds and wisdom.

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Dead Writers Theatre Collective News


Jeff Awards 2017 Non-Equity Nominations Announced


The Jeff Awards announced, via a special video presentation, a total of 127 nominations in 26 categories for the 44th Annual Non-Equity Jeff Awards for productions that opened between April 1, 2016, and March 31, 2017.  Hosting the video presentation were Alexis Roston and Lillian Castillo, who will be this year's Mistresses of Ceremonies at the Awards event on June 5 at The Athenaeum.

Dead Writers Theatre Collective to Launch 2017-18 Season with ANGEL STREET (GASLIGHT)


The Dead Writers Theatre Collective is thrilled to announce the first show of its 2017-2018 season, Angel Street (Gaslight) by Patrick Hamilton. The show will be a continuation of the Collective's chamber series set in the small intimate space of Stage 773. The show is four performances only April 6-9, with a preview night on April 5. Tickets are now on sale and available at deadwriters.net.

Dead Writers Theatre Collective to Present OH, COWARD!


Dead Writers Theatre Collective, which began the 2016 season with a highly praised production of The Importance of Being Earnest, opens the second offering of the musical revue, Oh, Coward!, on August 26 at The Athenaeum Theatre.

Dead Writers Collective Presents OH, COWARD!


Dead Writers Theatre Collective presents an elegant yet intimate celebration of Noel Coward's life, work and times with Oh, Coward! This sumptuous two-act musical revue runs August 26 through September 18 at The Athenaeum Theatre. "This was one of the last Noel Coward shows staged during his lifetime," states DWTC Artistic Director Jim Schneider. "Originally devised for Off-Broadway by Roderick Cook, it's a wonderful cabaret approach.  It features two men and a woman covering Coward's favorite songs and scenes from his plays and musicals."  

Dead Writers Collective's OH, COWARD! Showcases the Man & His Music


?Dead Writers Theatre Collective presents an elegant yet intimate celebration of Noel Coward's life, work and times with Oh, Coward! This sumptuous two-act musical revue runs August 26 through September 18 at The Athenaeum Theatre. "This was one of the last Noel Coward shows staged during his lifetime," states DWTC Artistic Director Jim Schneider. "Originally devised for Off-Broadway by Roderick Cook, it's a wonderful cabaret approach.  It features two men and a woman covering Coward's favorite songs and scenes from his plays and musicals." 

Dead Writers Theatre Collective to Present OH, COWARD!


Dead Writers Theatre Collective, which began the 2016 season with a highly praised production of The Importance of Being Earnest, opens the second offering of the musical revue, Oh, Coward!, on August 26 at The Athenaeum Theatre.

Dead Writers Collective Opens OH, COWARD! at Athenaeum Theatre


 Dead Writers Theatre Collective who began the 2016 season with a highly praised production of The Importance of Being Earnest, opens the second offering of the musical revue, Oh, Coward!, on August 26 at The Athenaeum Theatre. "Our 'Mad about the Boy' theme actually comes from one of the songs in this revue," states Collective Artistic Director Jim Schneider. "We're celebrating love, all kinds of love, and this cabaret style production of Noel Coward's sophisticated work is the perfect second course. We will close our season this fall taking dramatic look at tragic love with The Heiress."

Saints Award $125,000 to Chicago Performing Arts Groups for 2016


The Saints, Chicago's Volunteers for the Performing Arts, have announced that it is awarding $125,000 in grants to 28 performing arts groups in the Chicago metropolitan area for 2016.

Dead Writers Theatre Collective to Stage THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST


Dead Writers Theatre Collective brings a new level of appreciation to the Oscar Wilde classic, The Importance of Being Earnest, opening July 1 at The Athenaeum Theatre. "To showcase this classic concoction of whipped cream and razor blades, we're juxtaposing the subversive deceit of Wilde's classic while also emphasizing the love story of the two couples," states Collective Artistic Director Jim Schneider. "We're literally staging it in a series of Victorian Valentines -- complete with costumes that are a little over-the-top as they were in Wilde's original production."

Dead Writers Collective to Open Season With THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST


Dead Writers Theatre Collective opens its 2016 season with a clear look back at the Oscar Wilde classic, The Importance of Being Earnest. It opens July 1 at The Athenaeum Theatre. "It's the perfect choice to launch our 'Mad About The Boy' theme," states Collective Artistic Director Jim Schneider. "We're celebrating the good and bad side of love - all kinds of love. Our other two shows include a cabaret style production of Noel Coward's sophisticated work in Oh, Coward! and a dramatic look at tragic love with The Heiress. All three shows will be considered for a Jeff Award Recommendation."

Dead Writers Theatre Collective Announces New Season and Director's Club


The 2016 season for the Dead Writers Theatre Collective at the Athenaeum Theatre will include "The Importance of Being Earnest" directed by Jim Schneider on July 1-July 31, "Oh, Coward" directed by Charlie Marie McGrath on August 26--September 18, and "The Heiress" directed by Jim Schneider on August 29-October 23.

PFP to Stage Chicago Premiere of TEN DOLLAR HOUSE


Pride Films & Plays is excited to announce casting for the Chicago premiere of Ten Dollar House by Rick Kinnebrew and Martha Meyer which will be directed by Michael D. Graham, and running at Piccolo Theatre in Evanston from January 7 to 31. The press opening is Saturday, January 9 at 7:30 pm.

Dead Writers Theatre Stages THE JUDAS KISS This Weekend


Dead Writers Theatre Collective presents four performances of the Oscar Wilde bio-play, The Judas Kiss, this weekend, August 6 through 8 at the Stage 773 Cabaret, 1225 West Belmont Avenue in honor of the recent Supreme Court ruling on gay marriage. 'We want to celebrate through raising funds to support theater, yet we also want to remember those who came before,' says director Jim Schneider. 'Oscar Wilde was a founding father of the gay movement and this play encapsulates his sacrifice.'

Dead Writers Theatre to Stage THE JUDAS KISS, 8/6-8


Dead Writers Theatre Collective presents four performances of the Oscar Wilde bio-play, The Judas Kiss, on August 6 through 8 at the Stage 773 Cabaret, 1225 West Belmont Avenue in honor of the recent Supreme Court ruling on gay marriage. 'We want to celebrate through raising funds to support theater, yet we also want to remember those who came before,' says director Jim Schneider. 'Oscar Wilde was a founding father of the gay movement and this play encapsulates his sacrifice.'

Twenty-One Illinois Theaters Donate Tickets as Prizes for BroadwayWorld Chicago's 2015 Tony Awards Viewing Party: You're Invited!


Here's an Updated List of the Twenty-One Illinois Theaters Donating Tickets as Prizes for BroadwayWorld Chicago's 2015 Tony Awards Viewing Party. And You're Invited!

BroadwayWorld Chicago's 2015 Tony Award Viewing Party Announced!


BroadwayWorld Chicago is excited to announce details for our annual Tony Award Viewing Party, when Chicago's theater community (professionals and fans alike) will come together to enjoy the televised broadcast of the 69th Annual Tony Awards from New York. The biggest night of the year for live theater is a great chance to root for your favorites, glimpse a colleague in the audience, plan your future theatrical experiences, or just enjoy the company of like-minded folks from all across the Chicagoland area.

Dead Writers Theatre Collective Opens 2015 Season with LADY WINDEMERE'S FAN Tonight


Dead Writers Theatre Collective opens their season with Oscar Wilde's four-act comedy of morals 'Lady Windermere's Fan,' directed by Dead Writers Artistic Director Jim Schneider at Stage 773 located at 1225 W. Belmont Ave., April 17-June 7. Previews are April 17-21; press opening is Wednesday, April 22.

Pride Films and Play to Present MEN ON THE VERGE OF A HIS-PANIC BREAKDOWN


Pride Films and Plays celebrates Pride with a 20th Anniversary Production of Guillermo Reyes' classic one-man show, Men On The Verge Of A His-Panic Breakdown. This hilarious collection of monologues features PFP Artistic Associate Nelson Rodriguez directed by Sandra Marquez. Performances are at the Apollo Studio Theater, 2540 N. Lincoln. Tickets will be on sale starting April 15 at 773 935 6100 or www.ticketmaster.com.

Dead Writers Theatre Collective to Open 2015 Season with LADY WINDERMERE'S FAN


Dead Writers Theatre Collective opens their season with Oscar Wilde's four-act comedy of morals "Lady Windermere's Fan," directed by Dead Writers Artistic Director Jim Schneider at Stage 773 located at 1225 W. Belmont Ave., April 17-June 7. Previews are April 17-21; press opening is Wednesday, April 22.

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