Halena Kays News

For the first time in 25 years, The Neo-Futurists open the doors to a group of six word-playing, art-slinging and talent-oozing Artistic Associates. These six artists have been regulars around The Neo-Futurarium for years and the Neos are finally making honest artists out of them. The new Artistic Associates are: Anthony Courser, Clifton Frei, Evan Hanover, Halena Kays, Molly Plunk, and John Szymanski.

Steppenwolf for Young Adults is pleased to announce casting for the upcoming production of William Golding's Lord of the Flies. Halena Kays directs a cast featuring William Burke, Spencer Curnutt, Lane Flores, Rudy Galvan, Ryan Heindl, Cale Manning, Brendan Meyer, Lance Newton,Ty Olwin, Adam Shalzi and Dan Smeriglio in Nigel Williams's stage adaption of Golding's classic novel. Lord of the Flies runs October 16 - November 10, 2013.

Steppenwolf for Young Adults (SYA) has announced its 2013/14 season: William Golding's Lord of the Flies, adapted for the stage by Nigel Williams, directed by The Hypocrites Artistic Director Halena Kays; and the Chicago premiere of Leveling Up by Deborah Zoe Laufer, directed by Steppenwolf for Young Adults (SYA) Artistic and Educational Director Hallie Gordon. Tickets to William Golding's Lord of the Flies are on sale now.

The Chicago Park District's Theater on the Lake: The Chicago Summer Theater Festival kicks off its 61st anniversary with a USO dance before the first of eight encore presentations from artistically diverse Chicago theater companies June 12 - Aug. 11, 2013. Each production will be performed for five evenings only at the theater at Fullerton Avenue and Lake Shore Drive.

Summer 2013 will bring a wealth of new works to Chicago stages, closing out this season with some of the most exciting theater in the country, and holding Chicago's place as a leader on the national scene. Offerings from the city's more than 200 producing theaters includes a range of special summer programming, featuring everything from the latest musicals and highly anticipated world premieres to updated classics.

Newcity publishes The Players 2013: The 50 People Who Really Perform in Chicago this week. Alternating each year between on-stage artistic achievement and behind-the-scenes power, The Players 2013 lists the most powerful individuals in the city's theater, dance, comedy and opera.

The World Premiere of 'Waiting for Pierrot' marks the end of a nearly ten year hiatus of commedia dell'arte artists Allison Latta and Noel Williams as they resurrect their beloved commedia dell'arte characters in a two person show that brings a refreshing twist of a classic tale of nothingness. Inspired by lawsuits, gender wars, and Rita Hayworth these two ladies create an evening of masks, improvisation, audience participation, and physicality that will leave their audience laughing, crying, and wondering why you aren't supposed to say vagina. 'Waiting for Pierrot' premieres at the Vittum Theatre, tonight, November 13th -28th, 2012.

The Neo-Futurists announce a one week extension of 44 Plays for 44 Presidents, directed by Halena Kays. Three shows have been added beyond the original closing date of November 10: Thursday, November 15; Friday, November 16; and Saturday, November 17. All extension performances start at 7:30 p.m.

The Chicago Park District's Theater on the Lake: The Chicago Summer Theater Festival at Fullerton Avenue and Lake Michigan announces the new co-artistic curators to select the 2013 season: Halena Kays, artistic director of The Hypocrites, and Joanie Schultz, freelance opera and theater director.

The World Premiere of 'Waiting for Pierrot' marks the end of a nearly ten year hiatus of commedia dell'arte artists Allison Latta and Noel Williams as they resurrect their beloved commedia dell'arte characters in a two person show that brings a refreshing twist of a classic tale of nothingness. Inspired by lawsuits, gender wars, and Rita Hayworth these two ladies create an evening of masks, improvisation, audience participation, and physicality that will leave their audience laughing, crying, and wondering why you aren't supposed to say vagina. 'Waiting for Pierrot' premieres at the Vittum Theatre, November 13th -28th, 2012.

The Chicago Neo-Futurists get presidential in 44 Plays for 44 Presidents. The show opens tonight, October 6 at 7:30 p.m. at The Neo-Futurarium, 5153 N. Ashland.

The Chicago Neo-Futurists get presidential in 44 Plays for 44 Presidents. The show opens Saturday, October 6 at 7:30 p.m. at The Neo-Futurarium, 5153 N. Ashland.

Nominations for the Chicago-based Non-Equity Jeff Awards were announced today; Theo Ubique leads with 14 nominations

The Jeff Awards today announced 124 nominations in 25 categories for Non-Equity Jeff Awards for productions that opened between April 1, 2011, and March 31, 2012. The Non-Equity Awards honor excellence in Chicago theatres not under a union contract. Jeff Awards judges covered opening nights of 154 productions offered by 71 Non-Equity producing organizations. The judges recommended 64 of those shows, making them eligible for Non-Equity Jeff Award nominations. Thirty-two theatre companies received nominations.

The Neo-Futurists announce their 24th season to include 44 Plays for 44 Presidents, part of a nation-wide festival curated by Andy Bayiates, Analog by Kurt Chiang, and The Miss Neo-Futurist Pageant by Megan Mercier. Also on the books is another great year of the smash hit, Too Much Light Makes The Baby Go Blind.

Due to overwhelming demand, The Neo-Futurists announce three extra performances of their holiday hit, Burning Bluebeard.

Due to overwhelming demand, The Neo-Futurists announce three extra performances of their holiday hit, Burning Bluebeard.

Celebrate Christmas with a tragic holiday tale turned hauntingly beautiful homage to life, inspired by the true story of the Iroquois Theatre fire of 1903.

Celebrate Christmas with a tragic holiday tale turned hauntingly beautiful homage to life, inspired by the true story of the Iroquois Theatre fire of 1903.

Chicago Dramatists and About Face Theatre are proud to co-produce the world premiere of THE KID THING by Chicago Dramatists Resident Playwright and About Face Theatre Artistic Associate Sarah Gubbins. Directed by Joanie Schultz, THE KID THING will preview September 1st, open September 9th and 10th and run through October 16th at Chicago Dramatists, 1105 W. Chicago Ave. Recently, the Theatre Communications Group (TCG), the national organization for theatre, has named THE KID THING as one of 19 theatre recipients of the second round of The Edgerton Foundation New American Play Awards for 2011. The prestigious grant will fund the extension of the development and rehearsal period of the new play.