David Schmitz News

Steppenwolf Theatre Company welcomes Karena Fiorenza Ingersoll as General Manager. Fiorenza Ingersoll brings more than a decade of experience as a leader and producer in the performing arts.

Steppenwolf Theatre Company announced today that ensemble member of 24 years Mariann Mayberry passed away this morning after a long, private battle with cancer. She left the world peacefully in the company of family and friends who love her deeply.

This year's celebration and tribute concert honors Chicago's arts heroes: Common, Jeanne Gang, Kerry James Marshall, Steppenwolf Theatre Company and 25 “Rising Star” youth honorees in Millennium Park on Monday, August 28   The Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) will honor four of Chicago's arts heroes for their contributions to the city's cultural landscape at the 4th annual Fifth Star Honors presented by Allstate Insurance Company. The free event celebrates the 2017 honorees with electrifying performances and moving tributes on August 28, at 6:30 p.m., in Millennium Park.

Steppenwolf's LookOut Series, now in its second year, announces a thrilling variety of artists for their fall lineup with talent hailing from as far as Cuba and Mexico to our own Chicago community. Since launching in June 2016, the LookOut Series has hosted more than 600 artists in 162 performances of 73 unique engagements, entertaining over 8,300 patrons in Steppenwolf's 1700 Theatre.

By popular demand Steppenwolf's LookOut Series extends its rock 'n' roll production of the solo play, How To Be A Rock Critic (Based on the Writings of Lester Bangs) by award-winning theatre artists Jessica Blank and Erik Jensen, starring Erik Jensen (The Walking Dead, Mr. Robot) as Lester Bangs and directed by Jessica Blank (Made in Jersey, The Namesake). Described as "a fascinating window into one of the last century's most compelling and fearless critics," (Chicago Tribune), the 80-minute production continues for three additional performances through July 29, 2017 in the 1700 Theatre, situated behind Front Bar: Coffee & Drinks (drinks permitted in the theater).

Steppenwolf Theatre Company announces a change in the casting of the LookOut Series Concert Reading of Standup Shakespeare. This event, which is a benefit concert reading for the theatre, will still feature the extraordinary talent of Steppenwolf co-founder Jeff Perry and Broadway legend Alice Ripley. Joining them will be Grammy and Clio Award-winning Opera singer Thomas Young, who was in the original Off-Broadway production directed by Mike Nichols and is featured on the Standup Shakespeare cabaret review album recorded in 1995.

Steppenwolf Theatre Company announces complete casting for the first two shows of its 2017/18 season: The Rembrandt by Jessica Dickey, directed by Hallie Gordon and Steppenwolf for Young Adults' production of The Crucible by Arthur Miller, directed by Jonathan Berry.

Steppenwolf Theatre Company presents the Chicago premiere production of Hir, a subversive comedy by celebrated playwright, actor, singer-songwriter and performance artist Taylor Mac. Directed by Steppenwolf Artistic Producer Hallie Gordon, the cast features ensemble members Francis Guinan (Arnold) and Amy Morton (Paige) with Em Grosland (Max) and Michael Holding (Isaac).

Steppenwolf Theatre Company announces the complete cast for Hir, a Chicago premiere by celebrated playwright, actor, singer-songwriter and performance artist Taylor Mac.

A petition urging Chicago theater companies to stop inviting Weiss to productions was posted on Change.org on June 13th by the Chicago Theater Accountability Coalition. As of this writing, the petition has received more than 3,690 signatures.

Steppenwolf's LookOut Series is excited to announce a surprise summer performance of Standup Shakespeare: A Concert Reading with music by Ray Leslee, book by Kenneth Welsh and words by Shakespeare, of course. This event, which is a benefit concert reading for the theatre, showcases the extraordinary talent of Steppenwolf co-founder Jeff Perry alongside Broadway legends Norm Lewis and Alice Ripley.

Steppenwolf Theatre Company has announced the addition of three members to its Board of Trustees, Caryn Harris, Cari B. Sacks and Bryan Traubert, under the leadership of Board Chair Eric Lefkofsky.

Steppenwolf Theatre Company presents the world premiere production ofPass Over by Antoinette Nwandu, directed by Danya Taymor. A provocative and hilarious riff on Waiting for Godot, the complete cast features ensemble member Jon Michael Hill (Moses), Julian Parker (Kitch) and Ryan Hallahan (Mister). Pass Over runs June 1 - July 9, 2017 in the Upstairs Theatre, 1650 N Halsted St. Press performances are Saturday, June 10 at 3pm and Tuesday, June 13 at 7:30pm. Tickets ($20-$89) are available through Audience Services at 312-335-1650 or steppenwolf.org. Note: There are a limited number of $30 seats for all performances located in the first front two rows of the theatre with code "CLOSEUP."

Mayor Rahm Emanuel and The Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) will honor four Chicago artists and institutions for their contributions to the city's cultural landscape at the 4th annual Fifth Star Honors presented by Allstate Insurance Company.

Steppenwolf Theatre Company Artistic Director Anna D. Shapiro announced today the addition of Glenn Davis to the world-renowned ensemble.

Steppenwolf Theatre Company presents the Chicago premiere production of Hir, a subversive comedy by celebrated playwright, actor, singer-songwriter and performance artist Taylor Mac. Directed by Steppenwolf Artistic Producer Hallie Gordon, the cast features ensemble members Francis Guinan (Arnold) and Amy Morton (Paige) with Em Grosland (Max) and Michael Holding (Isaac).

Steppenwolf's LookOut Series has announced their summer lineup, which will feature a three week run of the acclaimed solo play, How To Be A Rock Critic (Based on the Writings of Lester Bangs) by Jessica Blank and Erik Jensen, the award-winning writers of The Exonerated and Aftermath. The show will run July 6 - July 22 in Steppenwolf's 1700 Theatre (1700 N Halsted St); the press performance is Friday, July 7 at 8pm.

By popular demand, Steppenwolf Theatre Company extends its critically acclaimed world premiere production of Linda Vista by Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning playwright and ensemble member Tracy Letts, directed by Dexter Bullard. The production continues for seven additional performances, through May 28, 2017.

BroadwayWorld is saddened to report that Martha Lavey, ensemble member and former Steppenwolf Artistic Director, passed away today due to complications from a stroke suffered last Wednesday, April 19.

Steppenwolf Theatre Company has shared that Artistic Director Anna D. Shapiro is one of three celebrated artists to be invited into an expanded relationship with the Center Theatre Group (CTG) in Los Angeles. CTG Artistic Director Michael Ritchie announced today Shapiro, as well as Matthew Bourne and Danai Gurira, will be Associate Artists with the company.