Jess McLeod News

During last night's Season Release Bash at Filament Theater, Artistic Director and Co-Founder Michael Patrick Thornton proudly announced The Gift Theatre's 2019 Season will include: a revival of John Patrick Shanley's Pulitzer and Tony Award-winning drama DOUBT: A PARABLE directed by Ensemble Member John Gawlik and featuring Ensemble Members Jennifer Glasse, Maryann Thebus and Michael Patrick Thornton (February 27 - March 31) and the Chicago premiere of Hansol Jung's WOLF PLAY, directed by guest artist Jess McLeod (October 18 - November 24). The Gift's 17th season will also include a soon-to-be-announced third production (July 12 - August 18).

Haven Theatre is pleased to announce casting for its fourth DIRECTORS HAVEN, the company's ever-growing initiative annually showcasing the talents of three rising directors. The 2018 productions are helmed by Charlotte Drover, Airos Sung-En Medill and Dani Wieder.

Sideshow Theatre Company is pleased to announce its 2018-19 Season, launching this fall with the world premiere of J. Nicole Brooks' dazzling new play HeLa, directed by artistic director Jonathan L. Green and presented in partnership with the Greenhouse Theater Center.

The Gift Theatre is pleased to welcome Jennifer Glasse as its newest Ensemble member. Glasse has appeared in The Gift's world premieres of Hang Man and A Life Extra Ordinary. 

This fall, Goodman Theatre presents its New Stages Festival-a free annual celebration and discovery of new plays by some of the country's finest established and emerging playwrights. Audiences experience a first look at seven new works-including three fully staged developmental productions (performed in repertory) There's Always the Hudson by Paola Lazaro-Muñoz; Felons and Familias by Sandra Delgado; Graveyard Shift by Korde Arrington Tuttle. In addition, four staged readings appear during the last weekend of the festival (October 4-7) including The Wizards by Ricardo Gamboa; Between Covers by Sarah Schulman; Birthday Candles by Noah Haidle; and Cressida on Top by Paula Vogel.

Haven Theatre is pleased to present its fourth DIRECTORS HAVEN, the company's ever-growing initiative annually showcasing the talents of three rising directors.

The Gift Theatre is pleased to announce casting for the Midwest premiere of Tony Award-winning playwright and ensemble member David Rabe's* COSMOLOGIES, directed by Artistic Director Michael Patrick Thornton*. 

Victory Gardens Theater Artistic Director Chay Yew, Managing Director Erica Daniels and Director of New Play Development Skyler Gray announce the lineup for the 10th Anniversary IGNITION Festival of New Plays, including Prosthesis by Robert Askins; Untitled Road Trip Play by Lauren Yee; White History by Dave Harris; How to Defend Yourself by Lily Padilla; Seeing Eye by Nick Malakhow; and The First Deep Breath by Lee Edward Colston II. The 2018 Festival runs August 3 -5, 2018 at Victory Gardens Theater, located at 2433 N Lincoln Avenue.

Victory Gardens Theater announces the lineup for the 10th Anniversary IGNITION Festival of New Plays, including Prosthesis by Robert Askins; Untitled Road Trip Play byLauren Yee; White History by Dave Harris; How to Defend Yourself by Lily Padilla; Seeing Eye by Nick Malakhow; and The First Deep Breath by Lee Edward Colston II. The 2018 Festival runs August 3 -5, 2018 at Victory Gardens Theater, located at 2433 N Lincoln Avenue.

Northlight Theatre, under the direction of Artistic Director BJ Jones and Executive Director Timothy J. Evans, announces its 44th season, opening withCurve of Departure by Rachel Bonds and directed by BJ Jones. The season continues with the World Premiere of Mansfield Park, Kate Hamill's new adaptation of Jane Austen's classic tale of social satire, directed by Stuart Carden; followed by Christina Ham's Nina Simone: Four Women,directed by Kenneth L. Roberson; and the World Premiere of Landladies (previously titled The Janice), written by Sharyn Rothstein and directed by Jess McLeod. Closing out the season is Into the Breeches! by George Brant and directed by Jessica Thebus.

A Red Orchid Theatre announces its 26th Season, including the Chicago premieres of Small Mouth Sounds by Bess Wohl, directed by Ensemble Member Shade Murray, and featuring Ensemble Members Jennifer Engstrom and Larry Grimm, and Fulfillment Center by Abe Koogler, directed by Jess McLeod, and featuring Ensemble Members Steve Haggard and Natalie West. The 2018-2019 Season will conclude with The Killing Game by Eugene Ionesco, directed by Ensemble Member Dado, featuring Ensemble Members Lance Baker, Mierka Girten and Doug Vickers, with design by Ensemble Member Mike Durst.

The Gift Theatre is pleased to continue its 17th season with William Shakespeare's HAMLET. Directed by guest artist Monty Cole, this production of the Bard's great tragedy will crack open the mind of one of western drama's most fascinating and complex characters. HAMLET will play June 1 - July 29, 2018 at 4802 N. Milwaukee Ave. in Chicago's Jefferson Park neighborhood. Single tickets and season subscriptions are currently available by calling the Gift's box office at (773) 283-7071 or visiting thegifttheatre.org. 

Lyric Opera of Chicago and the Chicago Urban League's collaborative program, EmpowerYouth! Igniting Creativity through the Arts, is excited to present Empower, an original opera developed with local African-American high-school students. Tickets are $10-20 and are available here for the one-night-only performance, which will take place Thursday, May 31 at 7:00pm at the Lyric Opera House. 

Join The Gift Theatre for a line-up of local writers, actors and musicians at giftLit, an evening of stories, wine and entertainment in the grand tradition of a Parisian salon on Tuesday, May 1, 2018 at 8 pm at Community Tavern, 4038 N. Milwaukee Ave. in Chicago's Jefferson Park neighborhood. May giftLit writers include Maggie Andersen, Katherine Bourne, Sherman Edwards and Shaina Warfield. Tickets, priced at $10, are currently available at thegifttheatre.org. Advance reservations are highly recommended.

The Gift Theatre is pleased to launch its 17th season with the world premiere of Stacy Osei-Kuffour's haunting and often-humorous drama HANG MAN, directed by guest artist Jess McLeod, playing March 2 - April 29, 2018 at 4802 N. Milwaukee Ave. in Chicago. Single tickets and season subscriptions are currently available by calling the Gift's box office at 773-283-7071 or visiting thegifttheatre.org. 

Goodman Theatre announces Jo Cattell as the recipient of the 2017/2018 Michael Maggio Directing Fellowship, an honor reserved for early-career Chicago-based directors. Cattell will gain complete access to the artistic process at the Goodman, including the opportunity to assist on a Goodman production-from early research and design through the casting and rehearsal process to the opening. The annual fellowship was established in 2002 to honor the memory and artistry of Goodman Associate Artistic Director Michael Maggio (1951 - 2000) who directed a total of 22 productions at the Goodman and more than 60 productions around the country.

The Gift Theatre is pleased to launch its 17th season with the world premiere of Stacy Amma Osei-Kuffour's haunting and often-humorous drama HANG MAN, directed by Jess McLeod, playing March 2 - April 29, 2018 at 4802 N. Milwaukee Ave. in Chicago. Single tickets and season subscriptions are currently available by calling the Gift's box office at 773-283-7071 or visiting thegifttheatre.org. The press opening is Thursday, March 8 at 7:30 pm.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) presents Short Shakespeare! A Midsummer Night's Dream-a 75-minute abridgment of William Shakespeare's riotous tale of mismatched love among mischievous fairies, young lovers, and an amateur theatrical troupe of local workers.

The Gift Theatre is pleased to announce casting for its world premiere of Stacy Amma Osei-Kuffour's haunting and often-humorous drama HANG MAN, directed by Jess McLeod.

Victory Gardens Theater announces Jess McLeod and Aaron Todd Douglas as the 2018 Next Generation Fellows. Beginning in February 2018, the Next Generation Fellowship will provide comprehensive mentorship, requisite training, and experience for these future leaders of color, preparing them to helm arts institutions or departments on the national and local level. The program is made possible by a generous grant from The Field Foundation of Illinois.