Jess McLeod News

The Gift Theatre continues its 2019 Season with the Chicago premiere of Hansol Jung'sWOLF PLAY, a messy, funny and disturbing theatrical experience grappling with a wolf, a puppet, and a very prickly problem: What is a family? What do we need from them, today? Is it very different from the things humans have needed from families before?

Haven Theatre, newly rebranded as "Haven," announces its 2019-20 Season, kicking off this fall with its fifth consecutive DIRECTORS HAVEN, three short plays showcasing the talents of early career directors, each with razor-sharp and inspiring visions for their work and our industry. Helming this year's productions are Lauren Katz, Aaron Mays and AJ Schwartz.

Lyric Unlimited, the branch of Lyric Opera of Chicago devoted to education, community engagement, and new artistic initiatives, is excited to announce its latest original opera for young audiences, Earth to Kenzie. Written by composer Frances Pollock with librettist Jessica Murphy Moo, and directed by Jess McLeod, this new opera was created specifically for kids ages 7-12.

A Red Orchid Theatre announces its 27th Season, kicking off the with world premiere of Grey House by Ensemble Member Levi Holloway, directed by Ensemble Member Shade Murray (October 10 December 1, 2019). The season continues with the Chicago premiere of Do You Feel Anger? By Mara Nelson-Greenberg, directed by Ensemble Member Jess McLeod (January 16 March 8, 2020), and concludes with the Chicago Premiere of The Moors by Jen Silverman, directed by Marti Lyons (April 23 June 14, 2020). Subscriptions to the 27th Season are on sale now and can be purchased by calling the box office at 312-943-8722 or visiting www.aredorchidtheatre.org.

The Gift Theatre continues its 2019 Season with the Chicago premiere of Hansol Jung's WOLF PLAY, a messy, funny and disturbing theatrical experience grappling with a wolf, a puppet, and a very prickly problem: What is a family? What do we need from them, today? Is it very different from the things humans have needed from families before?

A Red Orchid Theatre announces the addition of eight new members to the Artistic Ensemble: Karen Aldridge, Myron Elliott-Cisneros, Levi Holloway, Travis A. Knight, Jess McLeod, Sadieh Rifai, Grant Sabin, and Steve Schine. A Red Orchid also welcomes two Resident Stage Managers Stephanie Heller and Christa van Baale.

The Gift Theatre announces casting for its Chicago premiere of Hansol Jung's WOLF PLAY, a messy, funny, and disturbing theatrical experience grappling with a wolf, a puppet, and a very prickly problem: What is a family? What do we need from them, today? Is it very different from the things humans have needed from families before?

The Gift Theatre is pleased to announce the final play of its 2019 Season: the Chicago premiere of Leah Nanako Winkler's dark comedy KENTUCKY, directed by ensemble member Chika Ike, playing October 17 - November 17, 2019 at Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont Ave. in Chicago.

American Blues Theater, under the continued leadership of Artistic Director Gwendolyn Whiteside, announces the lineup for its 2019 - 2020 Season, "Then & Now".

A Red Orchid Theatre presents the Chicago Premiere of Fulfillment Center by Abe Koogler, directed by Jess McLeod, and featuring Ensemble Member Natalie West, Artistic Associate Steve Schine, Jose Nateras, and Toya Turner. Fulfillment Center runs January 31 - March 24, 2019 at A Red Orchid Theatre, 1531 N Wells in Chicago. Press performances are scheduled for Saturday, February 9, 2019 at 3:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

Goodman Theatre announces Sydney Chatman as the recipient of the 2019 Michael Maggio Directing Fellowship, an honor reserved for early-career Chicago-based directors. Chatman will gain complete access to the artistic process at the Goodman-from early research and design through the casting and rehearsal process to the opening night. 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 18th season with a revival of John Patrick Shanley's Pulitzer and Tony Award-winning drama DOUBT: A PARABLE, presented as a part of Steppenwolf's LookOut Series.

The Gift Theatre is pleased to present TEN 2019, the company's annual season kick-off festival of ten world premiere ten-minute pieces by The Gift and guest artists, curated by Artistic Director Michael Patrick Thornton and Associate Artistic Directors Paul D'Addario and Emjoy Gavino. TEN will play January 10 - 20, 2019 at 4802 N. Milwaukee Ave. in Chicago's Jefferson Park neighborhood. Tickets for TEN are free for Gift subscribers and $10 for the general public. Tickets are currently available by calling the Gift's box office at 773-283-7071 or visiting thegifttheatre.org.

Northlight Theatre, under the direction of Artistic Director BJ Jones and Executive Director Timothy J. Evans, continues its 2018-19 season with the World Premiere of Landladies, written by Sharyn Rothstein and directed by Jess McLeod. Landladies runs March 14 - April 20, 2019 at Northlight Theatre, 9501 Skokie Blvd in Skokie. The press opening is scheduled for Friday, March 22, 2019 at 8pm. 

Sideshow Theatre Company continues its 2018-19 season with the Midwest premiere of Wolfram Lotz' shocking and surreal satire THE RIDICULOUS DARKNESS, translated by Daniel Brunet and directed by artistic associate Ian Damont Martin*, playing March 24 - April 28, 2019 at Victory Gardens Richard Christiansen Theater, 2433 N. Lincoln Ave. in Chicago.

The Gift Theatre is pleased to launch its 18th season with a revival of John Patrick Shanley's Pulitzer and Tony Award-winning drama DOUBT: A PARABLE, presented as a part of Steppenwolf's LookOut Series. Directed by Ensemble Member John Gawlik and featuring an all-ensemble cast, DOUBT will play February 27 - March 31, 2019 at Steppenwolf's 1700 Theatre, 1700 N. Halsted St. in Chicago.

A Red Orchid Theatre presents the Chicago Premiere of Fulfillment Center by Abe Koogler, directed by Jess McLeod, and featuring Ensemble Member Natalie West, Artistic Associate Steve Schine, Jose Nateras, and Toya Turner. Fulfillment Center runs January 31 - March 24, 2019 at A Red Orchid Theatre, 1531 N Wells in Chicago.  Press performances are scheduled for Saturday, February 9, 2019 at 3:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Tickets for Fulfillment Center go on sale December 17, 2018 at 12:00pm.

The Gift Theatre is pleased to conclude its 17th season with the Midwest premiere of Tony Award-winning playwright and ensemble member David Rabe's* COSMOLOGIES, directed by Artistic Director Michael Patrick Thornton*, playing October 19 - December 9, 2018 at 4802 N. Milwaukee Ave. in Chicago's Jefferson Park neighborhood.

The Gift Theatre is pleased to present its 17th annual benefit, Gift Gala 2018: The Next Chapter, an evening of literature and libations, Wednesday, November 14, 2018 from 6 pm - 9:30 pm at one of Chicago's most exciting new cultural institutions: American Writers Museum

The Gift Theatre is pleased to conclude its 17th season with the Midwest premiere of Tony Award-winning playwright and ensemble member David Rabe's* COSMOLOGIES, directed by Artistic Director Michael Patrick Thornton*, playing October 19 - December 9, 2018 at 4802 N. Milwaukee Ave. in Chicago's Jefferson Park neighborhood.