Kelli Simpkins News

Culture Project's Women Center Stage 2013 Festival, off to an extremely successful start that began July 8, will present the staged reading of SPILL tonight July 22, a new play about the Deepwater Horizon / BP oil spill, written and directed by Leigh Fondakowski, and created in collaboration with visual artist Reeva Wortel, with dramaturgy by Sarah Lambert, Kelli Simpkins, and Ms. Wortel. The one-night only performance is set for 8:00pm at Lynn Redgrave Theater at Culture Project (45 Bleecker Street).

Culture Project's Women Center Stage 2013 Festival (Allan Buchman, Founder & Artistic Director), off to an extremely successful start that began July 8, has added the staged reading of SPILL, a new play about the Deepwater Horizon / BP oil spill, written and directed by Leigh Fondakowski, and created in collaboration with visual artist Reeva Wortel, with dramaturgy by Sarah Lambert, Kelli Simpkins, and Ms. Wortel. The one-night only performance is scheduled for Monday, July 22, 2013 at 8:00pm at Lynn Redgrave Theater at Culture Project (45 Bleecker Street).

Next on stage as part of the Steppenwolf for Young Adults' (SYA) season is the world premiere of How Long Will I Cry?: Voices of Youth Violence by Miles Harvey. How Long Will I Cry? is directed by Edward Torres as part of the citywide, season-long Now Is The Timeinitiative with Chicago Public Library and other local cultural organizations. Public performances of How Long Will I Cry? are March 2, 4, 9, 18 and 23 in Steppenwolf's Upstairs Theatre (1650 N Halsted St). How Long Will I Cry? also tours select Chicago Public Library branches and partner locations, March 11 - 16, 2013. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the production in the photos below!

Next on stage as part of the Steppenwolf for Young Adults' (SYA) season is the world premiere of How Long Will I Cry?: Voices of Youth Violence by Miles Harvey. How Long Will I Cry? is directed by Edward Torres as part of the citywide, season-long Now Is The Time initiative with Chicago Public Library and other local cultural organizations. Public performances of How Long Will I Cry? are March 2, 4, 9, 18 and 23 in Steppenwolf's Upstairs Theatre (1650 N Halsted St); the press performance is on March 4 at 7:30pm; tickets for public performances are available through Audience Services (1650 N Halsted St), 312-335-1650 and steppenwolf.org. School performances are Tuesday - Friday at 10am and are on sale now through SYA Education Assistant Lauren Sivak at 312-654-5643.

Next on stage as part of the Steppenwolf for Young Adults' (SYA) season is the world premiere of How Long Will I Cry?: Voices of Youth Violence by Miles Harvey. How Long Will I Cry? is directed by Edward Torres as part of the citywide, season-long Now Is The Time initiative with Chicago Public Library and other local cultural organizations. Public performances of How Long Will I Cry? are March 2, 4, 9, 18 and 23 in Steppenwolf's Upstairs Theatre (1650 N Halsted St); the press performance is on March 4 at 7:30pm; tickets for public performances are available through Audience Services (1650 N Halsted St), 312-335-1650 and steppenwolf.org. School performances are Tuesday - Friday at 10am and are on sale now through SYA Education Assistant Lauren Sivak at 312-654-5643.

The world-premiere production of the Goodman-commissioned Teddy Ferrara by Pulitzer Prize finalist Christopher Shinn is directed by Evan Cabnet. This stirring exploration of an on-campus tragedy features Liam Benzvi (Gabe), Patrick Clear (University President), Rashaad Hall (Nicky), Ryan Heindl (Teddy Ferrara), Christopher Imbrosciano (Jay), Jax Jackson (Jaq), Dev Kennedy and Fawzia Mirza (Campus Police), Paloma Nozicka (Jenny), Adam Poss (Drew), Josh Salt (Tim), Kelli Simpkins (Ellen) and Janet Ulrich Brooks (University Provost). BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast onstage below!

Rehearsals are underway for the world-premiere production of the Goodman-commissioned Teddy Ferrara by Pulitzer Prize finalist Christopher Shinn, praised as 'among the most provocative and probing of American playwrights today' (The New York Times). Evan Cabnet directs this stirring exploration of an on-campus tragedy with a cast that includes Liam Benzvi (Gabe), Patrick Clear (University President), Rashaad Hall (Nicky), Ryan Heindl (Teddy Ferrara), Christopher Imbrosciano (Jay), Jax Jackson (Jaq), Dev Kennedy and Fawzia Mirza (Campus Police), Paloma Nozicka (Jenny), Adam Poss (Drew), Josh Salt (Tim), Kelli Simpkins (Ellen) and Janet Ulrich Brooks (University Provost). The design team includes Jenny Mannis (Costume Designer), Keith Parham (Lighting Designer), Lee Savage (Set Designer) and Richard Woodbury (Sound Designer). Rehearsal photos, headshots and bio information can be found in the Press Room. Teddy Ferrara runs February 2 - March 3, 2013 in the Owen Theatre (opening night is Monday, February 11). Tickets ($14 - $45; subject to change) are now on sale and are available at GoodmanTheatre.org/Teddy, by phone at 312.443.3800 or at the box office (170 North Dearborn).

Goodman Theatre announces casting for the world-premiere production of Teddy Ferrara by Pulitzer Prize finalist Christopher Shinn, praised as 'among the most provocative and probing of American playwrights today' (The New York Times) and noted as having 'his finger firmly on both the political and dramatic pulse of our times" (The Telegraph). A Goodman Theatre Commission-and part of the Goodman's 2011 New Stages festival-Teddy Ferrara, directed by Evan Cabnet, explores what happens when a tragedy sparks a movement--and the truth gets lost along the way.

Steppenwolf for Young Adults' 2012/13 season continues with How Long Will I Cry?: Voices of Youth Violence by Miles Harvey, directed by Edward Torres, with artistic consulting by Kelli Simpkins in Steppenwolf's Upstairs Theatre (1650 N Halsted St). Presented as part of the citywide Now Is The Time initiative, How Long Will I Cry? features Charles Gardner, Tara Mallen, J. Salome Martinez, Jr., Shannon Matesky, Jesse David Perez, Gabriel Ruiz, Mark Smith, Mark Ulrich and Celeste Williams. How Long Will I Cry? runs February 26 - March 9, 2013; the press performance is on March 4 at 7:30pm. Performances Tuesday through Friday are reserved for school groups only; public performances are scheduled on March 2, 4 and 9. Single tickets and tickets for school groups are currently on sale. Following the run at Steppenwolf, How Long Will I Cry? will tour to seven Chicago Public Library branches with free workshops for the public to follow each performance; visit steppenwolf.org for the schedule and locations.

The Jeff Awards Committee announced 197 nominations in 34 categories for Chicago Equity theatrical productions, which opened between August 1, 2011, and July 31, 2012. The Jeff Awards judges attended opening nights of 118 Equity productions offered by 55 producing organizations. From these openings, 96 productions were 'Jeff Recommended,' which made them eligible for award nominations.

The Jeff Awards Committee today announced 197 nominations in 34 categories for Chicago Equity theatrical productions, which opened between August 1, 2011, and July 31, 2012. The Jeff Awards judges attended opening nights of 118 Equity productions offered by 55 producing organizations. From these openings, 96 productions were 'Jeff Recommended,' which made them eligible for award nominations.

Teatro Vista's board of directors announced today that ensemble member Ricardo Gutierrez will step into the role of Artistic Director on March 1, 2013, when Edward Torres, founder and current Artistic Director, will step aside to focus on an increasingly busy schedule of independent directing projects both in Chicago and nationally.

Steppenwolf Theatre Company Artistic Director Martha Lavey announced today additional casting for the 2012/13 Subscription and Steppenwolf for Young Adults seasons. Will Allan, Keith Kupferer and Lusia Strus join previously announced ensemble members Alana Arenas, Mariann Mayberry and Molly Regan, completing the cast of the season opener, Good People. The cast of the Steppenwolf for Young Adults production of The Book Thief features ensemble member Francis Guinan with Patrick Andrews, Amy J. Carle, Rob Fagin, Rae Gray, Dennis William Grimes, Nikki Klix, Ian Knox, Anthony-Jon LeSage, Clancy McCartney, Andy Monson, Mark Ulrich and Nicole Wiesner. Other additions to the 2012/13 slate include Sandra Delgado, Sandra Marquez, John Ortiz and Gary Perez in The Motherf**ker with the Hat, and Cheryl Lynn Bruce, Glenn Davis and Jacqueline Williams in Head of Passes. Edward Torres has also signed on to direct the Steppenwolf for Young Adults production of How Long Will I Cry?: Voices of Youth Violence (previously titled Oral Histories) with Artistic Consultant Kelli Simpkins.

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.

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.

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.

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.

About Face Theatre and The Hypocrites are proud to present THE WOYZECK PROJECT-a festival headlined by productions of WOYZECK by Georg Büchner, adapted and directed by Sean Graney and the world premiere of PONY by Sylvan Oswald, directed by Bonnie Metzgar. PONY/WOYZECK will run in repertory April 10 through May 22, 2011 at the Chopin Theatre, 1543 W. Division St. THE WOYZECK PROJECT will also feature a number of exciting art and humanities events curated from open submissions. Tickets for PONY/WOYZECK are currently available at www.thewoyzeckproject.com or (866) 811-4111.

About Face Theatre and The Hypocrites are pleased to present THE WOYZECK PROJECT, a city-wide festival celebrating the classic proletariat tale.