Erica Weiss News

Goodman Theatre announces Jess McLeod as the recipient of the 2016/2017 Michael Maggio Fellowship for Chicago-based directors. 

The Gift Theatre's artistic director Michael Patrick Thornton, co-founder William Nedved and associate artistic director Paul D'Addario have announced Tony Award-winning playwright David Rabe has joined the ensemble.

In Caitlin Parrish's new play THE BURIALS, Steppenwolf for Young Adults has found an informative and moving new play that tackles the realities of gun violence in schools with intensity and heart under the direction of Erica Weiss. Loosely based on the Greek tragedy ANTIGONE, THE BURIALS smartly addresses this topical issue from a personal and human perspective, which will allow school-aged audiences to engage with the material without ever feeling spoon-fed. THE BURIALS follows successful high school senior and social media lover Sophie Martin (the superlative Olivia Cygan), who has her world turned upside down when her younger brother Ben (a haunting Matt Farrabee) opens fire inside her school and kills 16 students and one teacher...using her father's guns. In the wake of this incident, Sophie, her younger sister Chloe (Becca Savoy) and their father, Ryan Martin (Coburn Goss)-an extremely conservative junior senator running for office-must process the experience under intense scrutiny from the public eye. In the case of Sophie and Chloe, they must also face their high school peers, who have been traumatized and some of whom look to the surviving Martin siblings to blame. When Mr. Martin decides to take a public stance advocating for the mandatory presence of guns in schools as a method of preventing future shootings, Sophie must decide if she will stand by her father-or if she will take a different stance.

Steppenwolf for Young Adults (SYA) begins its 2016/17 season with The Burials, a world premiere by acclaimed playwright Caitlin Parrish, directed by Erica Weiss. Inspired by the enduring Greek tragedy, Antigone, the production explores the aftermath of a mass shooting and how one family and one community respond to the tragedy in unique ways. SYA curates numerous workshops, residencies and post-show events to engage both students and adults in the conversation. BroadwayWorld has a sneak peek at the company of The Burials in rehearsal below!

Steppenwolf for Young Adults (SYA) begins its 2016/17 season with The Burials, a world premiere by acclaimed playwright Caitlin Parrish, directed by Erica Weiss. Inspired by the enduring Greek tragedy, Antigone, the production explores the aftermath of a mass shooting and how one family and one community respond to the tragedy in unique ways. SYA curates numerous workshops, residencies and post-show events to engage both students and adults in the conversation. 

Steppenwolf for Young Adults (SYA) begins its 2016/17 season with The Burials, a world premiere by acclaimed playwright Caitlin Parrish, directed by Erica Weiss. Inspired by the enduring Greek tragedy, Antigone, the production explores the aftermath of a mass shooting and how one family and one community respond to the tragedy in unique ways. SYA curates numerous workshops, residencies and post-show events to engage both students and adults in the conversation. Scroll down for a look at the show's artwork!

Steppenwolf for Young Adults (SYA) announces the complete cast for The Burials, a world premiere by Caitlin Parrish and the first production of SYA's 2016/17 season.

Steppenwolf for Young Adults (SYA) begins its 2016/17 season with The Burials, a world premiere by acclaimed playwright Caitlin Parrish, directed by Erica Weiss. Inspired by the enduring Greek tragedy, Antigone, the production explores the aftermath of a mass shooting and how one family and one community respond to the tragedy in unique ways. SYA curates numerous workshops, residencies and post-show events to engage both students and adults in the conversation.  BroadwayWorld brings you a first look below!

The Gift Theatre, Chicago's most intimate and pioneering Equity ensemble theatre, presents the world premiere of Melissa Ross' haunting and heartfelt mystery A Life Extra Ordinary. Ensemble member John Gawlik directs a cast featuring ensemble members Cyd Blakewell (Annabel), John Kelly Connolly (Bill), Paul D'Addario(Tom), Darci Nalepa (Polly), Lynda Newton (Grace), Jay Worthington (Jeff), and making his Gift Theatre debut, Rudy Galvan (Sam). A Life Extra Ordinary opens Today, October 6 at The Gift Theatre, 4802 N. Milwaukee Avenue. Press performance is onMonday, October 3 at 7:30PM.

Steppenwolf for Young Adults (SYA) begins its 2016/17 season with The Burials, a world premiere by acclaimed playwright Caitlin Parrish, directed by Erica Weiss. Inspired by the enduring Greek tragedy, Antigone, the production explores the aftermath of a mass shooting and how one family and one community respond to the tragedy in unique ways. SYA curates numerous workshops, residencies and post-show events to engage both students and adults in the conversation. BroadwayWorld has a sneak peek at the company of The Burials in rehearsal below!

Steppenwolf for Young Adults (SYA) begins its 2016/17 season with The Burials, a world premiere by acclaimed playwright Caitlin Parrish, directed by Erica Weiss. Inspired by the enduring Greek tragedy, Antigone, the production explores the aftermath of a mass shooting and how one family and one community respond to the tragedy in unique ways. SYA curates numerous workshops, residencies and post-show events to engage both students and adults in the conversation. 

Steppenwolf for Young Adults (SYA) begins its 2016/17 season with The Burials, a world premiere by acclaimed playwright Caitlin Parrish, directed by Erica Weiss. Inspired by the enduring Greek tragedy, Antigone, the production explores the aftermath of a mass shooting and how one family and one community respond to the tragedy in unique ways. SYA curates numerous workshops, residencies and post-show events to engage both students and adults in the conversation. Scroll down for a look at the show's artwork!

The Gift Theatre's Artistic Director Michael Patrick Thornton is proud to announce that 4802-the new play research and development wing of The Gift named after its storefront address located on N Milwaukee Ave in Jefferson Park-is now accepting applicants. In 4802, Chicago-based artists and artistic teams will be given residencies in the Gift Theatre's 40-seat storefront, providing dedicated tailor-made time, space, and support for their work. 

The Gift Theatre, Chicago's most intimate and pioneering Equity ensemble theatre, presents the world premiere of Melissa Ross' haunting and heartfelt mystery A Life Extra Ordinary. Ensemble member John Gawlik directs a cast featuring ensemble members Cyd Blakewell (Annabel), John Kelly Connolly (Bill), Paul D'Addario(Tom), Darci Nalepa (Polly), Lynda Newton (Grace), Jay Worthington (Jeff), and making his Gift Theatre debut, Rudy Galvan (Sam). A Life Extra Ordinary opens Thursday, October 6 at The Gift Theatre, 4802 N. Milwaukee Avenue. Press performance is onMonday, October 3 at 7:30PM.

EPISODE 11 is now available! Hear my conversation with playwright Jerre Dye whose play Distance is currently making its world premiere at Strawdog Theatre Company. We're joined by director Erica Weiss and cast member Janice O'Neill. Strawdog ensemble member, Mike Dailey, also discusses the company's recent move out of their home of 26 years.

Steppenwolf for Young Adults (SYA) begins its 2016/17 season with The Burials, a world premiere by acclaimed playwright Caitlin Parrish, directed by Erica Weiss. Inspired by the enduring Greek tragedy, Antigone,the production explores the aftermath of a mass shooting and how one family and one community respond to the tragedy in unique ways. SYA curates numerous workshops, residencies and post-show events to engage both students and adults in the conversation.

Strawdog Theatre Company is proud to announce the first production in its 2016 - 2017 season, the world premiere of Jerre Dye's Distance. Irene Radford (Janice O'Neill) has family. Caretakers too. But as her struggle with Alzheimers puts those she depends upon beyond her memory's reach, new bonds form between those she's leaving behind.

Strawdog Theatre Company is proud to announce the first production in its 2016 - 2017 season, the world premiere of Jerre Dye's Distance, August 25 - October 1, directed by Erica Weiss, performed at The Factory Theater, 1623 W. Howard.

Strawdog Theatre Company is proud to announce the first production in its 2016 - 2017 season, the world premiere of Jerre Dye's Distance, August 25 - October 1, directed by Erica Weiss, performed at The Factory Theater, 1623 W. Howard.

The Gift Theatre, Chicago's most intimate and pioneering Equity ensemble theatre, presents the world premiere of Melissa Ross' haunting and heartfelt mystery A Life Extra Ordinary. Ensemble memberJohn Gawlik directs a cast featuring ensemble members Cyd Blakewell (Annabel), John Kelly Connolly (Bill), Paul D'Addario (Tom), Darci Nalepa (Polly), Lynda Newton (Grace), Jay Worthington (Jeff), and making his Gift Theatre debut, Rudy Galvan (Sam). A Life Extra Ordinary opens Thursday, October 6 at The Gift Theatre, 4802 N. Milwaukee Avenue. Press performance is on Monday, October 3 at 7:30pm.