PJ Paparelli News

Steppenwolf Education and Nicholas Senn High School Senior Drama Ensemble are proud to present a student-devised performance exploring the planning and pressures inherent in youth-driven social justice activism and leadership.

The American Theater Company has announced that it will close its doors following the end of the run of WE'RE GONNA BE OKAY. Read a statement from the American Theater Company Board of Directors below:

Today American Theater Company announced that it was shutting its doors after 33 years. Under the direction of late Artistic Director PJ Paparelli, American Theater Company made its name as one of the most groundbreaking and well-regard storefront theaters in Chicago. Among other productions, ATC staged the world premieres of Ayad Akhtar's Pulitzer Prize winner Disgraced and Stephen Karam's The Humans. In ATC's most recent era, Artistic Director Will Davis staged innovative pieces with a clear and unique vision. I have many fond memories of seeing productions at ATC, and below are some of my favorites. Farewell, American Theater Company. Chicago will miss you dearly.

Steppenwolf's LookOut series is proud to present The Yard's production of columbinus by the United States Theatre Project, written by Stephen Karam and PJ Paparelli. Directed by Mechelle Moe and performed by The Yard's 15 young-person ensemble, columbinus runs Thursday, May 3 - Saturday, May 26 in the 1700 Theatre.

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. 

Steppenwolf's LookOut Series is pleased to announce their exciting Spring 2018 Lineup, which will feature LookOut Visiting Company The Yard's production of columbinus, by the United States Theatre Project, written by Stephen Karam and PJ Paparelli, directed by Mechelle Moe, performed by The Yard's 18 young-person based Ensemble. columbinus is a docu-drama that probes the psychological warfare of alienation, hostility and social pressure that goes on in high schools across America.

Actor Bennett Saltzman is a new member of Group rep in NoHo, but has already played two leads in a row in the last two plays. He has been critically and publically praised for Lost in Yonkers and the current Midsummer Night's Dream. Saltzman talks about his young past and about his love for his craft. Tell us about yourself. Where you were born and grew up and how your love of theatre began.

The Gift Theatre will present OPEN SEASON, the inaugural production of 4802, The Gift's new play research and development wing, written and performed by Adithi Chandrashekar and directed by Mara Stern.

The Gift Theatre will present OPEN SEASON, the inaugural production of 4802, The Gift's new play research and development wing, written and performed by Adithi Chandrashekar and directed by Mara Stern.

The Banning of Mexican American studies in the Tucson School District was just one more of the many recent attacks on education in Arizona.  Highly regarded by the community that embraced the program, it was successful in keeping both students and families engaged in the relearning of ancient native knowledge and philosophy that otherwise is unknown by most Americans.  Data shows that the program was also successful in improving graduation rates, test scores and preparing students for higher education.

American Theater Company's (ATC) Youth Ensemble presents a 50-minute abridgement by Jess McLeod and Sarah Slight of the critically acclaimed The Project(s)-a documentary play on Chicago's public housing conceived, co-written and originally directed by ATC's late Artistic Director PJ Paparelli and co-written by Joshua Jaeger-July 14 - 23, 2017. Directed by Monty Cole, the production features Youth Ensemble members Latrel Crawford, Danielle Jean-Baptiste, Alex King, Li Luzietti, Jenna Makkawy, Liliana Mastroianni, Azalia Resendiz, Keenya Riley, Ireon Roach, Leah Schiffman, Leojae Steward, and Ervin Tobar. The Youth Ensemble is meeting with Chicago public housing residents originally interviewed for the play, in order to learn more about the documentary theater-making process and help with character development prior to performing the piece.

American Theater Company (ATC) opens the world premiere of Dan Aibel's T. tonight, Thursday, May 25. The competitive ice skating saga is directed by Margot Bordelon and features Guy Massey (Al), Leah Raidt (T.), ensemble member Tyler Ravelson (Jeff), Kelli Simpkins (Joanne) and Nate Whelden (Shawn).  

American Theater Company's (ATC) Youth Ensemble presents a 50-minute abridgement by Jess McLeod and Sarah Slight of the critically acclaimed The Project(s)-a documentary play on Chicago's public housing conceived, co-written and originally directed by ATC's late Artistic Director PJ Paparelli and co-written by Joshua Jaeger-July 14 - 23, 2017. Directed by Monty Cole, the production features Youth Ensemble members Latrel Crawford, Danielle Jean-Baptiste, Alex King, Li Luzietti, Jenna Makkawy, Liliana Mastroianni, Azalia Resendiz, Keenya Riley, Ireon Roach, Leah Schiffman, Leojae Steward, and Ervin Tobar. The Youth Ensemble is meeting with Chicago public housing residents originally interviewed for the play, in order to learn more about the documentary theater-making process and help with character development prior to performing the piece.

American Theater Company (ATC) is proud to announce its Season 33, which kicks off this October with the world premiere of Janine Nabers' Welcome to Jesus, directed by Artistic Director Will Davis, October 26-December 3, 2017.

American Theater Company (ATC) concludes its Season 32 with the world premiere of Dan Aibel's T., an exploration of the competitive ice skating saga between Nancy Kerrigan and Tonya Harding. Margot Bordelon directs a cast featuring Guy Massey (Al), Leah Raidt (T.), ensemble member Tyler Ravelson (Jeff), Kelli Simpkins (Joanne) and Nate Whelden (Shawn). T. runs from May 18-June 25, 2017 (press opening: Monday, May 22).

American Theater Company (ATC) and the National Public Housing Museum (NPHM) have announced a new partnership to co-create and pilot an educational curriculum in Chicago Public Schools based on ATC's critically acclaimed The Project(s) - a documentary play on Chicago's public housing conceived, co-written and directed by ATC's late Artistic Director PJ Paparelli and co-written by Joshua Jaeger.

American Theater Company's (ATC) Artistic Director Will Davis has announced Katie Klemme as ATC's new managing director, effective immediately. Klemme joins ATC in her new role after having been a resident stage manager with the company since 2008.

Chicago's Halcyon Theatre presents dirty butterfly by debbie tucker green, a co-production with Chicago's The Blind Owl. Artistic Director of The Blind Owl, Azar Kazemi, directs this U.S. Premiere. dirty butterfly runs now through December 10, 2016 at Halcyon Theatre (press opening Nov. 10), located in residence at Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church, 3253 W. Wilson Avenue, on Chicago's north side.

American Theater Company (ATC) has restructured its 2016-17 Season and will present three of four previously announced plays, with an updated production schedule.

American Theater Company (ATC) opens musical comedy Xanadu, the final production of its Legacy Season, this Sunday, June 5. Presented as a tribute to ATC's late Artistic Director PJ Paparelli-a not-so-secret fan of this camp classic-Xanadu is directed by Lili-Anne Brown and runs at ATC now through July 17, 2016. The production has music and lyrics by Jeff Lynne and John Farrar and a book by Douglas Carter Beane, based on the 1980 Universal Pictures film of the same title.