Dexter Bullard News

Continuing with its new 'incite change' mission, Collaboraction presents SKETCHBOOK: 2049, a rapid-fire, raucous festival of 17 world premiere theatre pieces ranging from under a minute to 20 minutes in length, all set in a positive post-apocalypse and reflective of contemporary society's current challenges. Collaboraction's annual SKETCHBOOK festival is Collaboraction at its best: breaking down the walls that divide theater, music, visual art, video and the internet. Selected from hundreds of submissions, SKETCHBOOK once again brings together the collective talents of more than 150 pioneering and established directors, designers, actors, musicians and artists from Chicago and around the country for two jaw-dropping programs packed with creativity, experimentation and celebration.

Continuing with its new 'incite change' mission, Collaboraction presents SKETCHBOOK 14: 2049 with 18 world premiere theatre pieces addressing a wide range of contemporary social issues. Collaboraction's 14th annual SKETCHBOOK festival will transport audiences to 2049, a post-apocalyptic world of regeneration and birth, where 18 shows from the past are being staged to remember the way we were before the Revolution.

Schmoes Knows, who scooped the recent Tim Burton/BEETLEJUICE sequel news last week, claims that sources have confirmed that Paul Rudd and Rashida Jones are finalizing their deals to lead Edgar Wright's upcoming film, following Henry Pym, 'a brilliant scientist who invented a substance that allowed him to change his size.' Jones would play Janet Van Dyne, later known as The Wasp.

Sources have confirmed that the duo will be meeting with Marvel execs and Wright an additional time before any deal is offered. The publication also reports that an additional actor may also be approached, though a name was not given.

Profiles Theatre continues its 25th Anniversary Season with the Midwest premiere of Wrecks by Resident Artist Neil LaBute, directed by Guest Artist Jason Gerace and featuring acclaimed Chicago actor John Judd. The production runs October 3 - November 17, 2013 at The Alley Stage, 4147 N. Broadway.

Join a live studio audience on the set of a '70s-style sitcom as The Inconvenience, The New Colony and the University of Chicago's Theater and Performance Studies Program team up to co-produce the world premiere of B-SIDE STUDIO, co-written by Inconvenience Resident Writer Ike Holter and New Colony Co-Artistic Director Evan Linder and directed by Nicholas J. Carroll, Andrew Hobgood and Gus Menary. B-SIDE STUDIO is performed on Fridays and Saturdays at 9/8c (that's 8 pm in Chicago, meathead!) from tonight, September 13 - October 12, 2013 at The Logan Center for the Arts, 915 E. 60th St. in Chicago.

Steppenwolf Theatre Company's eighth annual First Look Repertory of New Work features three developmental productions of new plays presented in rotating repertory now through August 25, 2013 in the Garage Theatre (1624 N Halsted St). Check out photos from the productions below!

Performances begin today for Steppenwolf Theatre Company's eighth annual First Look Repertory of New Work, featuring three developmental productions of new plays presented in rotating repertory today, July 29 - August 25, 2013 in the Garage Theatre (1624 N Halsted St).

Performances begin in three weeks for Steppenwolf Theatre Company's upcoming eighth annual First Look Repertory of New Work, featuring three developmental productions of new plays presented in rotating repertory July 29 - August 25, 2013 in the Garage Theatre (1624 N Halsted St). First Look 2013 includes: Annie Bosh is Missing by Janine Nabers, directed by Shade Murray; Buena Vista by Edith Freni, directed byensemble member Tim Hopper; and The Gospel of Franklin by Aaron Carter, directed by Robert O'Hara. Scroll down for a sneak peek at Annie Bosh, Buena Vista and The Gospel of Franklin in rehearsal!

Join a live studio audience on the set of a '70s-style sitcom as The Inconvenience, The New Colony and the University of Chicago's Theater and Performance Studies Program team up to co-produce the world premiere of B-SIDE STUDIO, co-written by Inconvenience Resident Writer Ike Holter and New Colony Co-Artistic Director Evan Linder and directed by Nicholas J. Carroll, Andrew Hobgood and Gus Menary. B-SIDE STUDIO is performed on Fridays and Saturdays at 9/8c (that's 8 pm in Chicago, meathead!) from September 13 - October 12, 2013 at The Logan Center for the Arts, 915 E. 60th St. in Chicago. The press performances are Friday, September 13 at 8 pm and Saturday, September 14 at 8 pm.

Join a live studio audience on the set of a '70s-style sitcom as The Inconvenience, The New Colony and the University of Chicago's Theater and Performance Studies Program team up to co-produce the world premiere of B-SIDE STUDIO, co-written by Inconvenience Resident Writer Ike Holter and New Colony Co-Artistic Director Evan Linder and directed by Nicholas J. Carroll, Andrew Hobgood and Gus Menary. B-SIDE STUDIO is performed on Fridays and Saturdays at 9/8c (that's 8 pm in Chicago, meathead!) from September 13 - October 12, 2013 at The Logan Center for the Arts, 915 E. 60th St. in Chicago. The press performances are Friday, September 13 at 8 pm and Saturday, September 14 at 8 pm.

Performances begin in three weeks for Steppenwolf Theatre Company's upcoming eighth annual First Look Repertory of New Work, featuring three developmental productions of new plays presented in rotating repertory July 29 - August 25, 2013 in the Garage Theatre (1624 N Halsted St).

Beginning in April, 2013, 1812 Productions will present the world premiere comedy It's My Party: The Women and Comedy Project, created and directed by 1812 Productions' Artistic Director, Jennifer Childs, and featuring a diverse ensemble of Philadelphia actresses. A production which will use physical comedy, storytelling, and music in a one-of-a-kind theatrical event, the creative process for It's My Party: The Women and Comedy Project began in 2010 with two questions: how do women use comedy and how does that usage change as they age. With these pointed inquiries as her guides, Ms. Childs embarked on three inclusive and ongoing initiatives which, together, would form the core of the Project.

The Annual Awards for Excellence in the Arts recognize distinguished artists and visionaries who have proven their dedication, talent, and leadership in support of the arts. All proceeds from the event directly benefit The Theatre School Scholarship Fund, supporting students from all over the nation who come to train at the school.

Beginning in April, 2013, 1812 Productions will present the world premiere comedy It's My Party: The Women and Comedy Project, created and directed by 1812 Productions' Artistic Director, Jennifer Childs, and featuring a diverse ensemble of Philadelphia actresses. A production which will use physical comedy, storytelling, and music in a one-of-a-kind theatrical event, the creative process for It's My Party: The Women and Comedy Project began in 2010 with two questions: how do women use comedy and how does that usage change as they age. With these pointed inquiries as her guides, Ms. Childs embarked on three inclusive and ongoing initiatives which, together, would form the core of the Project.

Fox Valley Repertory opens their 2013 theater series with Joe DiPietro's comedic game of clue, full of twists, turns and deception in the comedy mystery, The Art of Murder. Directed by Jason W. Gerace, performances will take place at the Pheasant Run Resort Mainstage (4051 E. Main St., St. Charles, IL; box office 630-584-6342).

Fox Valley Repertory opens their 2013 theater series with Joe DiPietro's comedic game of clue, full of twists, turns and deception in the comedy mystery, The Art of Murder. Directed by Jason W. Gerace, performances will take place at the Pheasant Run Resort Mainstage (4051 E. Main St., St. Charles, IL; box office 630-584-6342).

GRACE star Paul Rudd visited with Matt Lauer of NBC's TODAY show yesterday morning. The talented actor discussed why he decided that now was the time to get back to Broadway instead of continuing with his busy movie career. Check out the appearance below!

GRACE star Paul Rudd delivered last night's Top Ten list on CBS's 'Late Show With David Letterman.' The list focused on an unfortunate event that took place at Grace's Cort Theatre last week, when a sickened audience member vomited from the balcony. Below, check out the Broadway star sharing the 'Top Ten Thoughts That Went Through Paul Rudd's Mind When An Audience Member Vomited' on last night's show!

“We should not do a show more often,” quipped Ryan Silverman as he an Jill Paice took in the appreciative applause of the Town Hall audience before even singing a note of the Broadway musical they were expected to star in this season, Rebecca.  Host Scott Siegel had just recapped the story of the show's numerous delays, fake investors, missing funds and the fact that an estimated 150 theatre professions had either turned down work or stopped seeking immediate employment because of their expectation to be working on Broadway by Christmas.