Pictured: Jonathan Berry 

Steppenwolf for Young Adults has announced the two plays and directors that will make up its 2018/19 season.

The season starts with THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHTTIME, the Tony Award-winning play adapted by Simon Stephens based on the book by Mark Haddon, and directed by Steppenwolf Artistic Producer Jonathan Berry. Following in the spring will be the world premiere of RADICAL by Matthew-Lee Erlbach, inspired by the book “White American Youth” by Christian Picciolini, and directed by SYA Artistic Director Hallie Gordon. Commissioned by Steppenwolf, RADICAL will also tour juvenile justice facilities after its run at the theater.

The season explores the question “When you feel lost, how do you find your way?” “I am thrilled that Steppenwolf for Young Adults will present two plays in conversation about two young people on transformative journeys discovering what they are capable of and the depths (and heights) to which they’re prepared to go,” shares Gordon.

Steppenwolf for Young Adults 2018/19 Season (from the press release): 

THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHTTIME
Adapted by Simon Stephens
Based on the book by Mark Haddon
Directed by Jonathan Berry
October 5 – October 27, 2018
In the Downstairs Theatre
*The October 27th 3 pm performance will be a Relaxed/Sensory-Friendly performance. For more information email [email protected].

Based on the critically acclaimed book by Mark Haddon,THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHTTIME focuses on Christopher, a young boy on the autism spectrum with an extraordinary brain and an exceptional talent for mathematics. When the neighbor’s dog Wellington is found dead, Christopher launches an investigation into the mystery surrounding the dog’s murder. As he searches for the truth on his first ever excursion by himself, he uncovers surprises about himself and his family, exploring the hidden secrets and challenges in everyday life.

RADICAL
By Matthew-Lee Erlbach
Inspired by the book White American Youth by Christian Picciolini
Directed by SYA Artistic Director Hallie Gordon
March 2 – March 16, 2019
In the Upstairs Theatre

After a swastika is spray-painted at their school, a diverse group of students and teachers wrestle with how to bring to the stage a memoir about a reformed white power skinhead. As the provocative material ignites questions of race, representation and redemption, their collaboration explodes open their own biases and notions about whose stories get to be told in America.

“Because the source material for RADICAL stems from a memoir of a once white power skinhead, we anticipate that creating this charged work will be an emotional and challenging experience for both the audiences who see it and the artists who create it. We also feel it is important to confront the reality that every day in our country, young people are being recruited into violent hate movements fueled by white supremacy groups,” shares Gordon.

RADICAL was commissioned by Steppenwolf for Young Adults.

Following its three-week run at Steppenwolf and working in collaboration with Storycatchers Theatre, Steppenwolf Education will tour its production of RADICAL for a week to three Juvenile Justice Facilities in Illinois. This will be the third tour collaboration between Steppenwolf and Storycatchers Theatre.

For additional information visit steppenwolf.org.