Pictured: Playwright Caridad Svich

20% Theatre Company Chicago announced the company’s 15th season today. The season includes Caridad Svich’s SPARK, the Chicago Premiere of SPACE GIRL by Mora V. Harris and a new work by Emily Dendinger, NO HOME FOR BEES.

The season will be performed as part of the inaugural Social Change Residency at Collaboraction Studios, which provides discounted space and resource sharing to a Chicago theater company whose mission is to use theatre to incite change around a critical social issue. “This residency is a turning point in the lifespan of 20% Theatre,” says Artistic Director Lindsay A. Bartlett. “Joining forces with Collaboraction validates that our work is really changing the landscape of theatre and how we have conversations about gender parity.”

20% will host its annual new play development workshop, The DarkRoom, on December 1st and 2nd, 2017, featuring two plays, one from a current undergraduate playwright and the second from a playwright who identifies as early-career. The company has also announced Asha McAllister as the 2017-2018 Playwright in Residence.

20% Theater Company Chicago’s 2017-2018 Season (from the press release):

DarkRoom: New Play Development Workshop
December 1st & 2nd, 2017

SPARK
January 20th – February 24th, 2018
By Caridad Svich. Directed by Denise Yvette Serna

Three sisters living in the US are caught in the mess of a recent war’s aftermath. When their soldier sister finally returns home, the family of little economic means must find a way to make do and carry on leaning on the strength of their family. A contemporary US story of faith, love, war, trauma, and a bit of healing.

SPACE GIRL
April 21st – May 26th, 2018
By Mora V. Harris. Directed by Emma Couling

SPACE GIRL follows the plight of Arugula Suarez, who just wants to fit in. But it’s not easy when you’re a 16 year old lesbian alien from the planet Zlagdor. In an alien world where the only things that make sense are Roller Derby and salad, Arugula and her father, Nancy, must find out what it means to be human before time runs out for Planet Earth. Space Girl, was a 2016/17 finalist in the Alliance/Kendeda Graduate Playwriting Competition and was produced by the Weird Sisters Theatre Project in Atlanta, GA.

NO HOME FOR BEES
July 6th – August 4th, 2018
By Emily Dendinger. Directed by Jess Hutchinson

Sixteen-year-old Suz is trying to get reacquainted with her father after he is released from a five-year prison stint. However, when she discovers why he was incarcerated, she is forced to ask herself what constitutes an unforgivable act. In an exploration of sex and deviance, No Home For Bees investigates the repercussions of the desires we struggle to control.

All performances at Collaboraction Studios, 1579 N Milwaukee Ave.