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Willow James

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Willow James BIO

Willow James is a Chicago-based artist, producer, teaching artist & DJ who centers his work around exploring Black identity, new works and theatre as activism. He is Co-Artistic Director & Resident Sound Designer at Artemisia Theatre, a Teaching Artist with Court Theatre, and represented by Dream Team Talent Agency. Chicago: The Hero Within (Chicago Shakespeare Theater), Chlorine Sky (Steppenwolf Theatre), Fairview (Definition Theatre). Regional: The Royale (American Players Theatre), Black Book (NAATC), The Magnolia Ballet (Alleyway Theatre & Phoenix Theatre Indianapolis). He is a proud member of USITT, TSDCA & IATSE Local 2. willow-james.org | IG: @worksbywillow

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Video: Scene from Goodman's THE PENELOPIAD


Get a first look at this spirited scene from THE PENELOPIAD by Margaret Atwood starring Jennifer Morrison (Once Upon a Time, House) in an all-new video.

Review: THE PENELOPIAD at Goodman Theatre


Goodman Theatre Artistic Director Susan V. Booth puts her own spin on Margaret Atwood’s decidedly feminist tale THE PENELOPIAD. As with her famous novel THE HANDMAID’S TALE, Atwood uses THE PENELOPIAD as a device to convey the horrors and abuse committed against women. Atwood’s points are valid and mirror the gender inequalities and abuse women still experience now (the original novella was penned in 2005). But THE PENELOPIAD’s feminist argument isn’t revelatory. Instead of providing truly new insight or perspective, the play rather reinforces existing (though rightfully undeniable) points. 

Video: First Look at Jennifer Morrison & More in Goodman's THE PENELOPIAD


Get a first look at Goodman Theatre's world premiere of The Penelopiad by Margaret Atwood starring Jennifer Morrison (Once Upon a Time, House) in an all-new video.

Video: Choreographer JoAnn Hunter On Goodman Theatre's THE PENELOPIAD


Watch Choreographer JoAnn Hunter talk about her collaboration with Artistic Director Susan V. Booth on The Penelopiad. 'I wanted the movement to help enhance storytelling...' she says in an all-new video.

Writers Theatre Adds Performances For THE BAND'S VISIT


Writers Theatre has announced an additional week of performances to the run of The Band’s Visit, featuring music and lyrics by David Yazbek, book by Itamar Moses, and based on the screenplay by Eran Kolirin.

Video: Jennifer Morrison & More on THE PENELOPIAD at Goodman Theatre


Watch as the cast of The Penelopiad by Margaret Atwood starring Jennifer Morrison (Once Upon a Time, House) talk about the production's world premiere in Chicago. Watch the all-new video!

Review: THE BAND'S VISIT at Writers Theatre


Director Zi Alikhan has gifted Chicago audiences with a production of THE BAND'S VISIT whose talent and creative execution equal---and may even exceed---those of the Broadway and touring productions. It runs through March 17 at Writers Theatre in Glencoe.

Jennifer Morrison to Lead All-Women Cast of THE PENELOPIAD at Goodman Theatre


Goodman Theatre is presenting The Penelopiad by Margaret Atwood. See who is starring and learn how to purchase tickets!

Cast Set for ANTIGONE at Court Theatre


Court Theatre has revealed the cast for 'Antigone,' a timely masterwork by Sophocles. Directed by Gabrielle Randle-Bent and featuring Nicholas Rudall's translation, this production concludes Court Theatre's Oedipus Trilogy.

Definition Theatre Announces 2024 Season


Definition Theatre announces two world premiere plays as part of its 2024 season. The company has also added stage and production manager Julie Jachym and Sound Designer Willow James to the ensemble and welcomes media producer and host Troy Pryor to its artistic advisory board. 

Photos: First Look At THE BAND'S VISIT At Writers Theatre


Writers Theatre, under the leadership of Executive Director Kathryn M. Lipuma and Artistic Director Braden Abraham, continues its 2023/24 Season with The Band’s Visit, featuring music and lyrics by David Yazbek, book by Itamar Moses, and based on the screenplay by Eran Kolirin. See photos from the production. 

Review: THE BAND'S VISIT at TheatreSquared


What did our critic think of THE BAND'S VISIT at TheatreSquared?

Congo Square Theatre's Digital Offerings THE CLINIC: Season 3, and THE BLACKSiDE: Season 4 Available Now


The Clinic, Congo Square Theatre Company's (Congo Square) popular old-school radio drama, culminates with its third and final season with all episodes now available online.

TheatreSquared and Writers Theatre Present THE BAND'S VISIT Regional Premiere


The Band's Visit, the musical sensation that swept the Tony Awards after its Broadway debut, will have its regional premier October 11 at TheatreSquared.

VIDEO: First Look at THE NACIREMA SOCIETY at Goodman Theatre


Get a first look at Goodman Theatre's production of The Nacirema Society, now on stage through October 15th.

Review: THE NACIREMA SOCIETY at Goodman Theatre


It seems fitting that Goodman Theatre opens new Artistic Director Susan V. Booth’s inaugural season with THE NACIREMA SOCIETY, a play that’s about coming out to society. This Chicago premiere marks a continuation of Booth’s long-standing relationship with celebrated Black playwright Pearl Cleage. THE NACIREMA SOCIETY takes the form of an extended farce, following the incredibly wealthy Dunbar family in 1964 Montgomery, Alabama. In this light-hearted (if not always legitimately laugh-out-loud) comedic play, Cleage draws heavily from classic farce conventions. As the centennial event of matriarch Grace Dubose Dunbar’s beloved Nacirema Society, Montgomery’s organization for Black young women, dawns — and she awaits her own granddaughter Grace’s coming out — the antics become more and more heightened as family secrets come to light.

Cast and Creative Team Set For TWELFTH NIGHT at Chicago Shakespeare Theater 


Chicago Shakespeare Theater has announced the cast and creative team for the upcoming production of William Shakespeare’s romantic comedy Twelfth Night. Learn more about who is starring in the production here!

Artemisia Theatre Premieres A HIT DOG WILL HOLLER In Chicago


Artemisia Theatre, Chicago's feminist theatre dedicated to empowerment of women and female-identifying people through outstanding performances, is excited to announce its Fall production, 'A Hit Dog Will Holler.' 

Cast Set For THE NACIREMA SOCIETY at the Goodman Theatre


Goodman Theatre’s 2023/2024 Season—Susan V. Booth’s first to curate as new Artistic Director—begins with works by Pearl Cleage, Atlanta’s first Poet Laureate and Booth’s longtime creative collaborator and friend. Learn more about the cast here!

Goodman Theatre, Paramount Theatre & More Nominated for 2022-2023 Equity Jeff Awards


Discover the nominations for the 55th Anniversary Jeff Awards for Equity Theater! Find out who made the cut and get ready for the highly anticipated awards ceremony.

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