Spiel Chicago Episode Six: Burlesque Part 2.3
This week we bring you part two of our interview with three local burlesque producers.
Spiel Chicago Episode Five: Sindy Castro
This week, Smyra interviewed with Sindy Castro, actress and arts educator here in Chicago.
Inside The New Colony’s Unique and Effective Devising Process
“Our process can feel mysterious,” says Stephanie Shum, Managing Director, “It can manifest in so many different ways—this crazy musical, this weird comedy, this drama.” With their education programs, The New Colony aims to open up their process.
Spiel Chicago Episode Four: Burlesque
On this week’s Spiel Chicago, Smyra revisits an interview from 2015 with three burlesque producers.
Spiel Chicago Episode Three: Eileen Tull
Eileen Tull Welcome to Spiel Chicago, the podcast taking you behind the scenes of storefront theatre in Chicago. My name is Smyra Yawn and my guest this week is Eileen Tull, comedian, writer, solo performer, and producer. I spoke with Eileen after I saw her latest one-woman show Bad Dates,...
Broken Nose Theatre: Setting Goals and Carving an Identity
In the Chicago storefront scene, there’s always a new company debuting—and another one disbanding. It’s hard to peg which fresh collectives have begun an exciting trajectory and which will flame out after a handful of shows.
No Stakes Announces ‘Actor Initiative’
Artistic Director Erin Shea Brady says “we’re opening up a door to actors who want to explore roles outside of their traditional “type”. We want to know – what is the role you want to learn from? Where do you want to go from here? How can this role help you learn the thing you need to learn to get to your next step?”
5 Years of Chicago Women’s Funny Festival
Photo courtesy of 5’10 Club. The CHICAGO WOMEN’S FUNNY FESTIVAL returns for its fifth year at Stage 773 in the Lakeview neighborhood. Led by Stage 773 Director of Operations, Jill Valentine, and Chicago actor/comedian Liz McArthur, the festival is a unique opportunity to feature and celebrate female performers in all...
Babes With Blades 16/17 Season Explores Women on the Battlefront
THE PROMISE OF A ROSE GARDEN boot camp/first rehearsal. Photo by Elyse Dawson Babes With Blades Theatre Company, the long-standing all-female stage combat focused ensemble, is slated to open their 19th season with THE PROMISE OF A ROSE GARDEN by Dustin Spence, winner of their JOINING SWORD & PEN playwriting competition,...
Jonathan Berry—The Epitome of a Chicago Director
I’d like to take you back to 2008. Eight years ago, 34-year-old director Johnathan Berry had major profiles in both Time Out Chicago and the Chicago Tribune, heralding him as the epitome of a Chicago theater director. Time Out called that upcoming season “A Berry Year,” and for good reason. The soft-voiced, genial craftsman was about to embark on four Chicago premieres, including his first Equity production at Remy Bumppo, The Marriage of Figaro. On the Shore of the Wide World at Griffin would mark the first of several plays by Olivier and Tony Award-winning British playwright Simon Stephens directed by Berry.