Regina Victor News

This visceral American classic serves as the 1920s chapter of August Wilson's epic American Century Cycle. What begins as a routine recording session becomes more strained as tensions rise between the members of a blues band and the owners of the recording studio. The white producers mean to exploit the talents of the band especially the gifted and impulsive Levee but when Ma insists on having things her way, tensions are enflamed and the play builds to an unexpected and searing climax.

Writers Theatre, under the leadership of Artistic Director Michael Halberstam and Executive Director Kathryn M. Lipuma, continues its 2018/19 season with August Wilson's Ma Rainey's Black Bottom, directed by Writers Theatre Resident Director Ron OJ Parson. Ma Rainey's Black Bottom runs February 6 - March 17, 2019 in the Alexandra C. and John D. Nichols Theatre at 325 Tudor Court, Glencoe. The Press Opening is Wednesday, February 13 at 7:30 p.m.

 Steppenwolf Theatre Company gathered with 300 leaders from Chicago's business and civic communities for the 10thAnniversary Steppenwolf Women in the Arts fundraising luncheon to honor OBIE, Helen Hayes and NAACP Award-winning actor and playwright Danai Gurira on December 10, 2018 at the Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel, 221 N Columbus Dr. Ms. Gurira was also recently appointed a United Nations Goodwill Ambassador, focusing on gender equality and women's rights. Author of the hit play, Familiar, which is currently running through January 13, 2019 in Steppenwolf's Downstairs Theatre, Ms. Gurira was joined by Steppenwolf Artistic Director Anna D. Shapiro and Steppenwolf Education Manager Jared Bellot for a warm and candid conversation about her impressive acting career on-screen and on-stage, her award-winning plays and her impact as an activist and philanthropist.

Writers Theatre, under the leadership of Artistic Director Michael Halberstam and Executive Director Kathryn M. Lipuma, continues its 2018/19 season with August Wilson's Ma Rainey's Black Bottom, directed by Writers Theatre Resident Director Ron OJ Parson.  Ma Rainey's Black Bottom runs February 6 - March 17, 2019 in the Alexandra C. and John D. Nichols Theatre at 325 Tudor Court, Glencoe. The Press Opening is Wednesday, February 13 at 7:30 p.m.

Rescripted is thrilled to announce the second session of The Key: Young Critics Mentorship Program, beginning September 18 and hosted this year at Steppenwolf Theatre, 1650 N. Halsted. Regina Victor, founder of the online arts journalism platform Rescripted and entertainment critic Oliver Sava, created the 10-week training program for Chicago youth in arts criticism. In league with The Chicago Inclusion Project, The Key successfully launched last year at Greenhouse Theater Center with its first group of young writers learning the skills and industry knowledge needed to pursue careers in arts criticism. 

Now in rehearsals, Steppenwolf Theatre Company presents the Chicago premiere production of The Roommate by Jen Silverman, directed by Tony Award Winner Phylicia Rashad. Ensemble members Ora Jones and Sandra Marquez star in this celebration of female friendship and midlife renaissance.

Steppenwolf Theatre Company's 2017/18 Multicultural Fellows are proud to present Crafting a Cohort, a free event that aims to unite people of color and members of the queer community (POC/Queer Folx) in various levels of theatre career tracks by providing a space for discussion and connection.

TimeLine Theatre Company announces casting and other details for the world premiere of TO CATCH A FISH by Brett Neveu, directed by Ron OJ Parson, May 3 - July 1, 2018 (previews 4/25 - 5/2) at TimeLine Theatre, 615 W. Wellington Ave., Chicago. Press Night is Wednesday, May 2 at 7:30 p.m. For tickets and information, visit timelinetheatre.com or call (773) 281-8463 x6.

Sideshow Theatre Company is pleased to announce the newest playwrights chosen for its annual "The Freshness Initiative," the company's commissioning and new play development program, now in its fourth year. The 2018 Freshness Initiative will feature PRO-AM, written by Brynne Frauenhoffer and directed by Regina Victor and LORCA PLAY written by Ariel Zetina and directed by artistic director Jonathan L. Green. Free readings of the productions will be presented in July 2018 at Victory Gardens Theater. Sideshow world premieres developed through "The Freshness Initiative" include Kristiana Rae Colon's Tilikum, Philip Dawkins' The Happiest Place on Earth and Calamity West's Give It All Back.

The New Colony is pleased to announce its sell-out world premiere THE LIGHT is adding three additional weeks of performances, extending through February 25, 2018 at The Den Theatre (2B), 1333 N. Milwaukee Ave. in Chicago's Wicker Park neighborhood. Tickets for all performance are currently available at www.thenewcolony.org.

Writers Theatre, under the leadership of Artistic Director Michael Halberstam and Executive Director Kathryn M. Lipuma, presents A Moon for the Misbegotten, written by Eugene O'Neill and directed by WT Resident Director William Brown. A Moon for the Misbegotten runs February 7 March 18, 2018 in the Alexandra C. and John D. Nichols Theatre at 325 Tudor Court, Glencoe. The Press Opening is Wednesday, February 14 at 7:30 p.m.

The New Colony is pleased to conclude its ninth season with the world premiere of Loy Webb's gripping romantic drama THE LIGHT, directed by Toma Langston, playing January 5 February 4, 2018 at The New Colony's resident home, The Den Theatre, 1333 N. Milwaukee Ave. in Chicago's Wicker Park neighborhood. Tickets are currently available at www.thenewcolony.org. The press opening is Monday, January 8 at 7:30 pm.

The New Colony is pleased to announce an added production for its ninth season, the world premiere of Loy Webb's THE LIGHT, directed by Toma Langston, playing January 5 February 4, 2018 at The New Colony's resident home, The Den Theatre, 1333 N. Milwaukee Ave. in Chicago's Wicker Park neighborhood. Tickets go on sale Monday, December 4 at www.thenewcolony.org. The press opening is Monday, January 8 at 7:30 pm.

The New Colony will conclude its ninth season with the world premiere of Loy Webb's gripping romantic drama THE LIGHT, directed by Toma Langston, playing January 5 - February 4, 2018 at The New Colony's resident home, The Den Theatre.

Steppenwolf Theatre Company presents the world premiere production of BLKS by award-winning poet and playwright Aziza Barnes and directed by Nataki Garrett. An uproarious and frank play, the acclaimed Chicago-based cast features ensemble member Namir Smallwood (Justin /Sosa/Dominican Dude) with Leea Ayers (June), Nora Carroll (Octavia), Celeste Cooper (Imani), Danielle Davis (Ry) and Kelly O'Sullivan (That Bitch on the Couch/White Woman). BroadwayWorld has a sneak peek at the company in rehearsal below!

Steppenwolf Theatre Company presents the world premiere production of BLKS by award-winning poet and playwright Aziza Barnes and directed by Nataki Garrett. An uproarious and frank play, the acclaimed Chicago-based cast features ensemble member Namir Smallwood (Justin /Sosa/Dominican Dude) with Leea Ayers (June), Nora Carroll (Octavia), Celeste Cooper (Imani), Danielle Davis (Ry) and Kelly O'Sullivan (That Bitch on the Couch/White Woman). BroadwayWorld has a sneak peek at the company in rehearsal below!

The New Colony is pleased to announce an added production for its ninth season, the world premiere of Loy Webb's THE LIGHT, directed by Toma Langston, playing January 5 February 4, 2018 at The New Colony's resident home, The Den Theatre, 1333 N. Milwaukee Ave. in Chicago's Wicker Park neighborhood. Tickets go on sale Monday, December 4 at www.thenewcolony.org. The press opening is Monday, January 8 at 7:30 pm.

Greenhouse Theater Center's Artistic Director Jacob Harvey is pleased to announce The Key: Young Critics Mentorship Program, a training program for Chicago youth in arts criticism created by national online arts platform Rescripted, The Chicago Inclusion Project and entertainment critic Oliver Sava and hosted by the Greenhouse. Launching this fall, the ten-week initiative for youth ages 16 - 20 will include arts criticism workshops and lectures with the program's creators, as well as guest speakers from all facets of the Chicago theater community. Students will attend Chicago theater productions throughout the fall season, write original critiques, undergo one-on-one editing sessions and create personal blogs to host their writing portfolio and multimedia reviews. Select critiques will also be published on Rescripted. 

Walkabout Theater Company is celebrating summer with A PERSEPHONE PAGEANT, an outdoor spectacle performance weaving together mythic tales of nature gods and true stories of environmental justice. Join Walkabout as it travels from Chicago's Rainbow Beach to the North Shore with a family-friendly, immersive performance exploring the Great Lakes, their history with Chicago and the great victories and challenges associated with their preservation.  

Walkabout Theater Company is celebrating summer with A PERSEPHONE PAGEANT, an outdoor spectacle performance weaving together mythic tales of nature gods and true stories of environmental justice. Join Walkabout as it travels from Chicago's Rainbow Beach to the North Shore with a family-friendly, immersive performance exploring the Great Lakes, their history with Chicago and the great victories and challenges associated with their preservation.