Denise Yvette Serna News

Court Theatre has unveiled its 72nd season. The 2026/27 season will feature the American premiere of Winsome Pinnock’s Tituba, set in colonial Salem against the backdrop of the infamous witch trials, and more.

This fall, Lyric Opera of Chicago’s Opera in the Neighborhoods program will tour Katie: The Strongest of the Strong, a bold new opera for young audiences that celebrates the life and legacy of circus strongwoman Katie Sandwina.

Pivot Arts has announced the artists and projects featured in its 2025 Pivot Arts Festival, a curated collection of interdisciplinary performances presented in Chicago's Streeterville neighborhood.

The Aurora Women's Empowerment Foundation has committed a transformative $1 million gift for downtown Aurora's Paramount Theatre to support two of its cornerstone programs: Paramount's New Works department and the Paramount School of the Arts (PSA).

The Joseph Jefferson Awards in Chicago were presented on October 17, 2022, at Drury Lane in Oakbrook, IL. Winners included Kinky Boots; Good Night, Oscar; and more!

The New Coordinates, formerly The New Colony, will conclude its 2022 season with the world premiere of Kristin Idaszak’s heart- wrenching cliffhanger Last Ascent, directed by Denise Yvette Serna, playing October 15 – November 20, 2022 at The Den Theatre (2B).

Recognizing a strong return to the spotlight over the 2021-2022 Equity theater season, the Joseph Jefferson Awards in Chicago announced its nominations for theater excellence. This year’s nominees include 201 theater artists across 38 categories of excellence in theater production among shows from 43 companies.

The Joseph Jefferson Awards have announced this year's Equity nominations, including 201 theater artists across 38 categories.  The 54th anniversary Equity Jeff Awards will take place October 17, 2022, at Drury Lane in Oakbrook, IL. 

Rivendell Theatre Ensemble has announced its 2022 Fall line-up including the return of the Fresh Produce Festival: A Celebration of New Plays by Women; and the World Premiere of A Mile in the Dark by Emily Schwend, directed by RTE member Georgette Verdin, in a co-production with Interrobang Theatre Project.

The New Coordinates, formerly The New Colony, has announced casting for its world premiere of Kristin Idaszak's heart- wrenching cliffhanger Last Ascent, directed by Denise Yvette Serna, playing October 15 – November 20, 2022 at The Den Theatre (2B), 1331 N Milwaukee Ave. in Chicago.

Teatro Vista, Chicago’s leading Latine theater company, will return to the live stage this spring with Emmy-nominated artist Brian Quijada’s world premiere musical, Somewhere Over the Border, directed by Denise Yvette Serna.

The New Coordinates (TNC), formerly The New Colony, has announced its 2022 season, to presented at its resident home, The Den Theatre, 1331 N. Milwaukee Ave. in Chicago’s Wicker Park neighborhood.

Teatro Vista, Chicago’s leading Latine theater company, will return to the live stage this spring with Emmy-nominated artist Brian Quijada’s world premiere musical, Somewhere Over the Border, directed by Denise Yvette Serna.

Rivendell Theatre Ensemble (RTE), Chicago's only Equity theatre dedicated to producing new work with women at the core, announces 8:46 (Breathing Room), a new play festival of four commissioned plays each 8 minutes and 46 seconds long, in association with The Breath Project. 

Goodman Theatre's commitment to new work and emerging artists continues as dates are set for in-person readings of seven new works produced by Playwrights Unit members from the 2019/2020 and 2020/2021 cohorts.

Rivendell Theatre Ensemble, Chicago's only Equity theatre dedicated to producing new work with women at the core, has announced Denise Yvette Serna as the company's Associate Artistic Director. The newly created position is funded in part by Arts Work Fund.

Strawdog Theatre Company will conclude its all-virtual 33rd season with How Do We Navigate Space?, a series of original performances inspired by the events of 2020, from the pandemic to social justice.

Written by Karissa Murrell Myers* and directed by Denise Yvette Serna, How Do We Navigate Space? will stream daily March 8 – 28, 2021 from 12 pm (noon) to 12 am (midnight) CST.

Strawdog Theatre Company, under the leadership of Interim Artistic Director Kamille Dawkins* has announced its 33rd season, featuring four virtual productions:

Strawdog Theatre Company has announced its upcoming all-digital 2020-21 season. The company's 33rd season will be comprised of four virtual offerings.