The Collective Unconscious News

The ladies of CLLAW are celebrating their 'Sweet 16' - but there's nothing sweet about these gals! The Chicago League of Lady Arm Wrestlers are flexing their forearms once again at CLLAW XVI on Friday, June 7 at 10 pm with a return to the super colossal Logan Square Auditorium, 2539 N. Kedzie Ave. in Chicago. Brought to you by Sideshow Theatre Company, CLLAW's 16th match will feature fearsome lady arm wrestlers decked out in over-the-top outfits, a cash bar, shady referees and audience participation all wrapped into one wild, crazy, theatrical event. Chicago bands The Black Laces and The Lucky Shiners will take the stage to rock out the evening. All proceeds from CLLAW XVI will benefit Sideshow Theatre and this match's partner charity, C4 - Community Counseling Centers of Chicago.

Sideshow Theatre Company continues its 2012/13 season with the Chicago premiere of MARIA/STUART by Jason Grote, directed by Marti Lyons, playing now through May 5, 2013 at Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont Ave. in Chicago. MARIA/STUART features the work of Sideshow Ensemble member Nate Whelden (Stuart) and Artistic Associate Scottie Caldwell (Hannah) with Mary Anne Bowman, Ann James, Susan Monts-Bologna and Jennifer Joan Taylor. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast onstage below!

Shortly after many children all over Houston had hunted lawns for eggs and other treats that the mythical Easter Bunny delivered this past Sunday, I had a delightful conversation with composer Marty Regan and librettist Kenny Fries for Houston Grand Opera (HGO)'s 50th World Premiere, THE MEMORY STONE. We discussed the new opera, looking into its creation, meaning, and cultural significance. As we talked about THE MEMORY STONE, it became abundantly clear that this particular opera is most deserving of being HGO's magical 50th World Premiere and that it will be one that audiences should not miss.

Sideshow Theatre Company continues its 2012/13 season with the Chicago premiere of MARIA/STUART by Jason Grote, directed by Marti Lyons, playing tonight, March 30 - May 5, 2013 at Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont Ave. in Chicago.

Stop by the BPA Gallery this April for "Refined Raw," an exhibit of abstract paintings by Amos Staffler Edwards. "Refined raw" describes a mixed-medium process created on Bainbridge Island, and this collection features elements reminiscent of encaustic and glass work, oil, and watercolor. The nuanced combination of color, texture, and depth of focus encourages viewers to travel off the path of the linear and meander the realm of the visceral…through time and the collective unconscious where words can't reach. The pieces are living and will subtly patina over time, becoming richer with age and bearing witness to our lives. For more information and to view more of the artist's work, visit online at www.byamos.com.

Cupid's got nothing on these gals! Spend Valentine's Day Weekend with the ladies of CLLAW! The Chicago League of Lady Arm Wrestlers are flexing their forearms once again at CLLAW XV today, February 16, 2013 at their super colossal new venue, the Logan Square Auditorium, 2539 N. Kedzie Ave. in Chicago. Brought to you by Sideshow Theatre Company, CLLAW's 15th match will feature fearsome lady arm wrestlers decked out in over-the-top outfits, an open bar, shady referees and audience participation all wrapped into one wild, crazy, theatrical event. All proceeds from CLLAW XV will benefit Sideshow Theatre and its partner charity, Girl's Rock! Chicago. Check out photos of some of the competitors below!

Cupid's got nothing on these gals! Spend Valentine's Day Weekend with the ladies of CLLAW! The Chicago League of Lady Arm Wrestlers are flexing their forearms once again at CLLAW XV on Saturday, February 16, 2013 at their super colossal new venue, the Logan Square Auditorium, 2539 N. Kedzie Ave. in Chicago. Brought to you by Sideshow Theatre Company, CLLAW's 15th match will feature fearsome lady arm wrestlers decked out in over-the-top outfits, an open bar, shady referees and audience participation all wrapped into one wild, crazy, theatrical event. All proceeds from CLLAW XV will benefit Sideshow Theatre and its partner charity, Girl's Rock! Chicago. Check out photos of some of the competitors below!

Sideshow Theatre Company continues its 2012/13 season with the Chicago premiere of MARIA/STUART by Jason Grote, directed by Marti Lyons, playing March 30 - May 5, 2013 at Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont Ave. in Chicago.

The Chicago League of Lady Arm Wrestlers (CLLAW) are flexing their forearms and conjuring up some wicked good fun this fall at CLLAW-O-WEEN today, October 13, 2012 at O'Malley's Liquor Kitchen, 3551 N. Sheffield Ave. in Chicago. Get a taste of the event in the photos below!

The Chicago League of Lady Arm Wrestlers (CLLAW) are flexing their forearms and conjuring up some wicked good fun this fall at CLLAW-O-WEEN on Saturday, October 13, 2012 at O'Malley's Liquor Kitchen, 3551 N. Sheffield Ave. in Chicago. Get a taste of the event in the photos below!

Sideshow Theatre Company kicks off its 2012/13 season with the American premiere of the mythological mash-up IDOMENEUS by Roland Schimmelpfennig, translated by David Tushingham and directed by Sideshow Artistic Director Jonathan L. Green. Featuring the largest cast in Sideshow's history, this tidal wave of theatrical storytelling plays now through September 23, 2012, at the DCASE Storefront Theater, 66 E. Randolph St. in Chicago. Get a first look at the cast onstage in the photos below!

Today, the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE), in partnership with the Chicago Office of Tourism and Culture (COTC), announced the Fall 2012 Season at both DCA Theater venues: the DCA Storefront Theater, 66 E. Randolph Street, and the DCA Studio Theater in the Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington Street.

BAX/Brooklyn Arts Exchange has announced the WORKS IN PROGRESS SHOWCASE featuring BAX Artists-in-Residence.

BAX/Brooklyn Arts Exchange has announced the WORKS IN PROGRESS SHOWCASE featuring BAX Artists-in-Residence.

BAX/Brooklyn Arts Exchange has announced the WORKS IN PROGRESS SHOWCASE featuring BAX Artists-in-Residence.

UWM Peck School of the Arts announces upcoming events and workshops.

Theater for the New City presents world premiere of Shulman's first puppet play November 10 to December 4.

Fiercely idiosyncratic and refreshingly impassioned, actress and performance artist Roslyn Hart is entirely her own entity unto herself - and with this year's previous hit solo show, SHELLS, and, now, next week's NEVER SLEEP ALONE, she is carving out a distinctively hip and edgy corner of the new 21st century theatre world as she takes her unique one-woman-shows around the world - and, always, back to New York. Talking all aspects of her new dating seminar-style spoof show, NEVER SLEEP ALONE, as well as its origins and inspirations - an engagement that defies description and which arrives with ample audience participation opportunities; as Hart is wont to offer so that all involved may relish her uproarious responses - Hart and I delve into the deep, dark depths of the dating pool in 2011 and discuss the finer aspects of the densely detailed characters she creates in her solo spotlight shows, new and old. Additionally, Hart also shares exciting news about SHELLS being developed into a television comedy, as well as her experience appearing earlier this year on HBO's BORED TO DEATH. Plus, what audiences can expect from NEVER SLEEP ALONE and the future appearances she may make as her freshly-born alter-ego, sexual psychologist and music therapist Dr. Alex Schiller - and much, much more!