Our new InkBlots series will let you in on the latest news, extensions, promotions, and rumors that didn’t make it into an article in the previous week. We’re dropping them every Saturday morning. Enjoy with brunch!

Second City Alums Launch Chicago-based Web Series

Second City alums Julie B. Nichols and Billy Bungeroth have announced the creation of the web series STUDIO B, a three-episode workplace comedy about a struggling Chicago recording studio trying to make a comeback while supporting its bizarre clientele. Featuring original music by Nichols, each episode follows a different musical act entering the studio to record what they hope will be their breakthrough hit, while the studio staff hopes it will keep them afloat.

Directed by Bungeroth, the series will feature local Chicago artists TJ Jagodowski as STUDIO B producer Peter “Push” Watts, Asia Martin as engineer Angela Cage, and Tien Tran, Jeff Murdoch and Max Thomas as the studio staff, with guest performances by hip-hop artist Marcel “Green Weedz” Wilks, stand-up from Odinaka Ezeokoli, members of the Second City’s Mainstage cast, and creator of Full Spectrum Features’ web series “The T,” Daniel Kyri.

The first season of STUDIO B will be released Monday, Oct. 22 at 10 p.m. on Vimeo, YouTube, and Instagram TV. A launch party is scheduled from 5 – 10 p.m. at The Joinery, 2533 W. Homer Street in Logan Square, for fans and supporters to gather and watch the series. The screening will begin at 7 p.m.

Steppenwolf Announces Change to 18/19 Season: 

Steppenwolf Theatre Company has announced it will produce the world premiere of MS. BLAKK FOR PRESIDENT co-written by ensemble members Tina Landau and Tarell Alvin McCraney.  Conceived and directed by Landau, this true and untold Chicago story will star Tarell Alvin McCraney in the lead role. MS. BLAKK FOR PRESIDENT will be produced in place of the previously announced production of McCraney’s WIG OUT!.

Meet Ms. Joan Jett Blakk as she sets off on her journey to run for President of the United States. Inspired by the true story of America’s first black drag queen presidential candidate, MS. BLAKK FOR PRESIDENT takes us into the heart and mind of one of Chicago’s most radical and influential citizens.

On the new show selection McCraney shares that “the Drag House culture that WIG OUT! embodies is at its core mutable; the play even says so in the beginning: ‘By the time the play is produced, assuming it would be produced, all of the language and song may be antiquated.’ This has become real true. AND THANK GOD FOR IT. I still hope to revisit and revise WIG OUT!, but for now Tina and I want to focus on something that is current and bold and allows me to use some tools that I haven’t exercised in a while; my acting. We couldn’t be more excited to bring MS. BLAKK FOR PRESIDENT to Chicago.”

For more information visit steppenwolf.org.

YAS! Fest Celebrates Young Chicago Artists

Mayor Emanuel and the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events have announced the lineup for the daylong YAS! Fest running Saturday, September 22 from 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Free and open to the public, YAS! Fest will feature thousands of young Chicago artists whose works will be showcased throughout the Millennium Park Campus and a finale that features hip-hop artist Desiigner. Opening for Desiigner’s mainstage performance is 19-year-old artist Ravyn Lenae, a graduate of Chicago High School for the Arts.

For more information and the most up-to-date festival schedule, visit cityofchicago.org.

Multi-Company FRANKENSTEIN Event

Lookingglass Theatre Company, Court Theatre, and Manual Cinema, Lifeline Theatre, and Remy Bumppo Theatre Company announce FRANKENSTEIN: Unearthed, an event exploring four productions of this classic tale coming to Chicago stages during the 2018-2019 season. FRANKENSTEIN: Unearthed takes place September 30, 2018 at 1:00 p.m. at Lookingglass Theatre Company. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased here.

Trap Door Welcomes New Associate Ensemble Members:

Trap Door Theatre has announced Maryam Abdi, Ty Easley, Miguel Long, David Lovejoy and Michael Mejia-Beal as the newest members of their associate ensemble.

The current associate ensemble includes Maryam Abdi, Ambrose Cappuccio, Ty Easley, Adam Huizenga, Sami Ismat, Logan Hulick, David Lovejoy, Miguel Long, Eddie Lynch, Michael Mejia-Beal, Josh Pennington, and Kelsey Shipley.

For more information on Trap Door Theatre visit trapdoortheatre.com.

Chicago Arts Access Announces Partnerships for 2018/19 Season and 1,000 Ticket Milestone:

Chicago Arts Access recently announced they’ve handed out 1,000 tickets to live art performance in Chicago and announced a full season of partnerships for 2018-19. These partnerships include free tickets to performances by Goodman Theatre, Firebrand Theatre, Jackalope, Prop Theater, Haven Theatre, Escape Artistry, TimeLine Theatre, Nothing Without A Company, and First Floor Theatre.

The 1,000 ticket milestone also coincides with Chicago Arts Access’ first outreach initiative – a collaboration with Urban Business League, Jackalope Theatre, and The Roustabouts to sponsor over 20 young people to attend Ike Holter’s The Light Fantastic free of charge in July.

Supported by sustaining donors, venue partners and patrons, Chicago Arts Access builds community and strives to “invite everyone to the arts.” Led by Tony Santiago and Dylan Toropov, over twenty venues and companies have partnered with CAA to date including Red Theatre, 2nd Story, 16th Street Theatre, Remy Bumppo, Lyric Opera, Pop Magic, (re)discovery theatre, Babes with Blades Theatre Company, Adventure Stage, Synapse Arts, Piven Theatre, Theatre Y, and For Youth Inquiry.

Pivot Arts Announces CHARGED SPACES/CHANGING BODIES

Pivot Arts will present CHARGED SPACES/CHANGING BODIES, a series of site-specific performances in two Uptown spaces in conjunction with Chicago Architecture Foundation’s Open House Chicago weekend. Performances are scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 11 through Sunday, Oct. 14.

CHARGED SPACES/CHANGING BODIES begins at the Institute for Cultural Affairs, 4750 N. Sheridan Rd., with “Notes on Territory,” written, choreographed and performed by Anna Martine Whitehead. Audiences are then led across the street to Lawrence House for “Les Chanteuses du Rien,” created and performed by Sara Zalek, Elaine Lemieux and Hanna Brock. The multi-disciplinary event concludes with “Five Stud Stud” by Carole McCurdy in the Lawrence House’s gym space. Audiences will be led by a guide through the spaces to witness the performances happening throughout each building.

For additional information, including reservations visit pivotarts.org.