Sideshow Theatre Company has announced the newest playwrights chosen for its annual “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 Colón’s TILIKUM, Philip Dawkins’ THE HAPPIEST PLACE ON EARTH and Calamity West’s GIVE IT ALL BACK.

(top, l to r) Sideshow Theatre’s new ensemble members (top, l to r) Katy Carolina Collins and Elly Green, new artistic associates Brittany Ducksworth (2nd row, l to r) Michael Huey, Ian Martin, Gabrielle Randle and (bottom row, l to r) Ellen Willett and “The Freshness Initiative” playwrights Brynne Frauenhoffer and Ariel Zetina.

Sideshow also announced the addition of two new ensemble members, Katy Carolina Collins and Elly Green, as well as five new artistic associates, Brittany Ducksworth, Michael Huey, Ian Martin, Gabrielle Randle and Ellen Willett.

”We are so proud to deepen our relationships with these artists and to welcome them to the Sideshow family,” said artistic director Jonathan L. Green. “They are responsible for some of Sideshow’s—and Chicago’s—best work onstage in the last few years.”

For additional information on Sideshow Theatre Company visit sideshowtheatre.org.