John Michael DiResta News

'Body of Words' by Vincent Sessa is set in a rented bungalow on a deserted stretch of beach on a summer night into morning. Two strangers meet -- a rugged, powerful middle-aged man and a young, athletic man who might be a student. A sexual contract is established between them but suspicion and violence ensue. Yet by morning an inseparable bond has joined the men together and they are changed forever. The play is evocative of the homecoming of Odysseus. The author, Vincent Sessa, is known for profoundly nuanced plays about men and women in personal, often political struggle. Theater for the New City will present the play's premiere run today, January 1 to 25, 2015, directed by John Michael DiResta.

'Body of Words' by Vincent Sessa is set in a rented bungalow on a deserted stretch of beach on a summer night into morning. Two strangers meet -- a rugged, powerful middle-aged man and a young, athletic man who might be a student. A sexual contract is established between them but suspicion and violence ensue. Yet by morning an inseparable bond has joined the men together and they are changed forever. The play is evocative of the homecoming of Odysseus. The author, Vincent Sessa, is known for profoundly nuanced plays about men and women in personal, often political struggle. Theater for the New City will present the play's premiere run January 1 to 25, 2015, directed by John Michael DiResta.

The Hangar Theatre is pleased to announce the shows for its upcoming Wedge Series. These four shows will be under the direction of the Drama League Directing Fellows, and will feature members of the Hangar Theatre Lab Company. Each year the Hangar offers free admission to Hangar patrons and all community members to its Wedge Series of cutting edge performances. These shows take place under the Hangar Tent, which is transformed into a unique performance venue for each Wedge show. Performances begin 15 minutes after the scheduled Mainstage performances tonight, June 19, and June 20, as well as July 3, 4, 17, 18, 24, and 25. Wedge performances are open to all ages; however they may contain mature language and situations that may not be suitable for all children.

The Hangar Theatre is pleased to announce the shows for its upcoming Wedge Series. These four shows will be under the direction of the Drama League Directing Fellows, and will feature members of the Hangar Theatre Lab Company. Each year the Hangar offers free admission to Hangar patrons and all community members to its Wedge Series of cutting edge performances. These shows take place under the Hangar Tent, which is transformed into a unique performance venue for each Wedge show. Performances begin 15 minutes after the scheduled Mainstage performances on June 19 and 20, and July 3, 4, 17, 18, 24, and 25. Wedge performances are open to all ages; however they may contain mature language and situations that may not be suitable for all children.

Tony and Olivier Award winning producers, Stewart F. Lane and Bonnie Comley hosted a dinner in honor of the 2014-2015 Directors Project fellows on Tuesday, May 13th. The Directors Project fellows are in New York city for an intensive week-long orientation program which includes a series of events and opportunities to speak with theatre professionals. The orientation culminated with the Drama League Awards Luncheon on Friday, May 16th at the Marriott Marquis. Scroll down for photos!

The Drama League have announced the stage directors who have been selected as the 2014 Fellows of The Drama League Directors Project: Zi Alikhan, Melissa Crespo, John Michael DiResta, Ellie Heyman, Lavina Jadhwani, Michael Leibenluft, Michael Osinki, Hannah Ryan, Teya Sugareva, Caitlin Sullivan, and Emma Weinstein.

Rising Phoenix Repertory continues its acclaimed CINO NIGHTS series with MIDDLE VOICE CINO, with Four new short plays by Steve DiUbaldo, Catya McMullen, Alec Silberblatt, and Emily Zemba, directed by John Michael DiResta and Jenna Worsham. Fully produced on half a shoestring and performed, warts and all, one night only, tonight, September 29th at 8:00 p.m.

Rising Phoenix Repertory continues its acclaimed CINO NIGHTS series with MIDDLE VOICE CINO, with Four new short plays by Steve DiUbaldo, Catya McMullen, Alec Silberblatt, and Emily Zemba, directed by John Michael DiResta and Jenna Worsham. Fully produced on half a shoestring and performed, warts and all, one night only, Sunday, September 29th at 8:00 p.m.

Performances of Steppenwolf Theatre Company's season-concluding, Chicago-premiere production of Belleville by Amy Herzog begin June 27. Obie Award-winning director Anne Kauffman-who staged the play's acclaimed world premiere at Yale Repertory Theatre in 2011 and earlier this season Off-Broadway at New York Theatre Workshop-makes her Steppenwolf debut directing ensemble members Alana Arenas and Kate Arrington with Chris Boykin andCliff Chamberlain. Belleville begins previews tonight, June 27, 2013 (Opening night is July 7 and runs through August 25 in Steppenwolf's Downstairs Theatre (1650 N Halsted St). Tickets ($20 - $78) are on sale now.

Performances of Steppenwolf Theatre Company's season-concluding, Chicago-premiere production of Belleville by Amy Herzog begin June 27. Obie Award-winning director Anne Kauffman-who staged the play's acclaimed world premiere at Yale Repertory Theatre in 2011 and earlier this season Off-Broadway at New York Theatre Workshop-makes her Steppenwolf debut directing ensemble members Alana Arenas and Kate Arrington with Chris Boykin andCliff Chamberlain. Belleville begins previews June 27, 2013 (Opening night is July 7 and runs through August 25 in Steppenwolf's Downstairs Theatre (1650 N Halsted St). Tickets ($20 - $78) are on sale now.

Following the sold out performances and overflow crowds for its first year and a half of Cino Nights presentations (including new plays by Gary Sunshine, Mando Alvarado, Courtney Baron, Florencia Lozano,Kristen Palmer, Emily DeVoti, Lucy Thurber, Jessica Dickey, Adam Szymkowicz, Laura Eason, Daniel Reitz, Megan Mostyn-Brown, Dael Orlandersmith, Keith Reddin, Crystal Skillman, and Charlotte Miller), Rising Phoenix Rep continues the series on April 22nd at 7 p.m. with Casual Encountersby Brooke Berman.

Following the sold out performances and overflow crowds for its first year and a half of Cino Nights presentations (including new plays by Gary Sunshine, Mando Alvarado, Courtney Baron, Florencia Lozano,Kristen Palmer, Emily DeVoti, Lucy Thurber, Jessica Dickey, Adam Szymkowicz, Laura Eason, Daniel Reitz, Megan Mostyn-Brown, Dael Orlandersmith, Keith Reddin, Crystal Skillman, and Charlotte Miller), Rising Phoenix Rep continues the series on April 22nd at 7 p.m. with Casual Encountersby Brooke Berman.

Following the sold out performances and overflow crowds for its first year of Cino Nights presentations (including new plays by Gary Sunshine, Mando Alvarado, Courtney Baron, Florencia Lozano, Kristen Palmer, Emily DeVoti, Lucy Thurber, Jessica Dickey, Adam Szymkowicz, Laura Eason, Daniel Reitz, Megan Mostyn-Brown, Dael Orlandersmith, Keith Reddin, and Crystal Skillman), Rising Phoenix Rep continued the series on March 25h with Favorites by Charlotte Miller.

Rising Phoenix Rep continues the Cino Nights series on March 25 at 7 p.m. with FAVORITES at eventh Street Small Stage, 43 East Seventh Street.

Rising Phoenix Rep continues the Cino Nights series on March 25 at 7 p.m. with FAVORITES at eventh Street Small Stage, 43 East Seventh Street.

MCC Theater (Robert LuPone, Bernard Telsey, Artistic Directors; William Cantler, Associate Artistic Director; Blake West, Executive Director) today announced its annual FreshPlay Festival of new plays by members of the youth company. The FreshPlay Festival merges the voices and creativity of urban youth with the experience of professionals, creating provocative, innovative and fresh theater. This year, the FreshPlay Festival will focus on the workshop process with ten original plays penned by MCC Theater Youth Company playwrights. These young writers will work with a roster of professional directors, actors and peers from the Youth Company's Acting Lab.

MCC THEATER (Robert LuPone, Bernard Telsey, Artistic Directors; William Cantler, Associate Artistic Director; Blake West, Executive Director) has announced its annual FreshPlay Festival of new plays by members of the youth company.

MCC THEATER (Robert LuPone, Bernard Telsey, Artistic Directors; William Cantler, Associate Artistic Director; Blake West, Executive Director) has announced its annual FreshPlay Festival of new plays by members of the youth company.