Ilesa Duncan News

Lifeline Theatre presents 27th Annual Fillet of Solo Festival, a two-week festival of storytelling performances featuring Jonathan Pitts, Nestor Gomez, and more creative artists.

Pegasus Theatre Chicago has announced the authors and plays being presented at the 37th Annual Young Playwrights Festival, January 4 - 28, 2024 at Chicago Dramatists, 798 N. Aberdeen.

Lifeline Theatre is accepting submissions from BIPOC writers for a stage adaptation workshop.

Lifeline Theatre and Artistic Director ILesa Duncan announce the casting for the revival of ensemble member John Hildreth's adaptation of Kurt Vonnegut's classic Cat's Cradle.

Lifeline Theatre has revealed its 2023-24 season of Big Stories, Up Close. It’s an exciting year of unforgettable stories brought to life, from beloved classics to modern titles.

Lifeline Theatre will welcome Addoris Davis as Production Manager and John Craig as Operations Manager, beginning in May 2023.  Reporting to Artistic Director Ilesa Duncan and working in partnership with the Operations Manager, Davis will be responsible for managing the overall production of all of Lifeline’s programming.  

Pegasus Theatre Chicago, currently presenting Gonna Be Somebody community outreach and post-performance events in support of Lifeline Theatre and Pegasus’ co- production of From the Mississippi Delta, by Dr. Endesha Ida Mae Holland and directed by ILesa Duncan, has announced a call for submissions for its 37th Annual Young Playwrights Festival, slated for January 2024 production.

​​​​​​​Pegasus Theatre Chicago has announced Gonna Be Somebody community outreach and post-performance events in support of Lifeline Theatre and Pegasus' co- production of From the Mississippi Delta, by Dr. Endesha Ida Mae Holland and directed by ILesa Duncan.

Over the next five months, Desi Moreno-Penson and Brandon Zang will work in tandem with members of Lifeline Theatre's artistic ensemble along with a small creative team of their choosing to develop their world premiere stage adaptations, culminating in a small-scale public presentation of their works in process in July 2023 (dates forthcoming).

Lifeline Theatre presents From the Mississippi Delta, based on the autobiography of and written by Dr. Endesha Ida Mae Holland.

Pegasus Theatre Chicago, now producing the 36th Annual Young Playwrights Festival through January 28, has announced that it has been approved by the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) to receive a Grants for Arts Projects award of $20,000. This grant will support the Young Playwrights Festival.

Pegasus Theatre Chicago is proud to announce the authors and plays being presented at the 36th Annual Young Playwrights Festival, Wednesday, Jan. 4 - Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, at Chicago Dramatists, 765 N. Aberdeen.

Lifeline Theatre welcomes Paige Keedy as Production Manager, Nathan Crawford as Operations Manager/Accessibility Coordinator, and Merissa Stewart as Education Director, beginning in Summer 2022.  Reporting to Artistic Director Ilesa Duncan and working in partnership with the Operations Manager, Keedy will be responsible for managing the overall production of all of Lifeline's programming. 

Lifeline Theatre announced their 2022-23 season of Big Stories, Up Close. It’s a monumental year of unforgettable stories brought to life, from beloved classics to modern titles. The 2022-23 MainStage season features the Midwest premiere sequel Miss Holmes Returns, followed by a retelling of Dr. Endesha Ida Mae Holland’s From the Mississippi Delta.

Lifeline Theatre is presenting Middle Passage directed by Lifeline Artistic Director Ilesa Duncan April 25 – June 5 at Lifeline Theatre, 6912 N. Glenwood Ave. 

Lifeline Theatre has selected two incredible playwrights to take part in its inaugural Adapting to Stage Developmental Workshop and Showcase. Over the next 5 months, Sandra Jackson-Opoku and Tanuja Devi Jagernauth will work in tandem members of Lifeline Theatre’s artistic ensemble along with a small creative team of their choosing to develop their world premiere stage adaptations, culminating in a small-scale public presentation of their works in process in July 2022 (dates forthcoming).

Pegasus Theatre Chicago, currently hosting the 35th Annual Young Playwrights Festival, streaming through February 6, has been approved for a $20,000 Grants for Arts Projects award to support the Young Playwrights Festival 2023.

Pegasus Theatre Chicago has announced the authors and plays being presented at the 35th Annual Young Playwrights Festival, streaming Jan. 6 - Feb. 6, 2022 and a virtual opening night ceremony, Sunday, Jan. 9 at 2 p.m. CST.

Pegasus Theatre Chicago has announced the authors and plays being presented at the 35th Annual Young Playwrights Festival, streaming Jan. 6 - Feb. 6, 2022 and a virtual opening night ceremony, Sunday, Jan. 9 at 2 p.m. CST.

As Lifeline Theatre concludes its 38th season, long-time Managing Director Allison Cain has announced she will transition out of her leadership role in Fall 2021.  “It has been an honor and a privilege to serve the artistic mission and vision of Lifeline Theatre,” Cain said. “The pride I have in this organization and its people is immense.”