Steppenwolf, Northlight and Victory Gardens Receive Edgerton Grant

Steppenwolf, Northlight and Victory Gardens Receive Edgerton Grant

The one-time grants range from $5,000 to $75,000 awards and totaling $580,000, allow productions extra time in the development and rehearsal of new plays with the entire creative team, helping to extend the life of the play after its first run.

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Spiel Chicago Episode Five: Sindy Castro

Spiel Chicago Episode Five: Sindy Castro

This week, Smyra interviewed with Sindy Castro, actress and arts educator here in Chicago.

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Inside The New Colony’s Unique and Effective Devising Process

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.

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Black Theatre Alliance Announces 2016 Nominees

Black Theatre Alliance Announces 2016 Nominees

The nominees for the 22nd Annual Black Theater Alliance/Ira Aldridge Awards have been announced.

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Chicago Opera Theater to Perform at Southport’s Historic Music Box

Chicago Opera Theater to Perform at Southport’s Historic Music Box

Music Box Theatre  For the first time, Chicago’s iconic Music Box Theatre—located in the Southport Corridor—will host a classical live performance when Chicago Opera Theater debuts the Chicago premiere of Frank Martin’s 1942 THE LOVE POTION (LE VIN HERBE). Martin’s adaptation of the medieval legend of Tristan and Isolde chronicles the...

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How Casting Directors Can Change the World

How Casting Directors Can Change the World

One former performer’s experience with inclusive casting helps change the perceptions of her students years later.

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Stage Fright Solutions: Acceptance, Preparation and Confidence

Stage Fright Solutions: Acceptance, Preparation and Confidence

Acceptance, preparation, and confidence make up therapist Bill Harrison’s three-part antidote to stage fright.

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Hank Boland Steps Down at Strawdog, 3-Person Committee Takes His Place

Hank Boland Steps Down at Strawdog, 3-Person Committee Takes His Place

Strawdog Theatre Company announced today that Artistic Director Hank Boland is stepping down. Boland will retain his affiliation as a Strawdog Ensemble Member, and will serve as an artistic consultant on Strawdog’s upcoming 29th season. A new “Artistic Vision Committee” comprised of Strawdog ensemble members Heath Hays, Anderson Lawfer and...

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Chicago’s HAMILTON has its A. Burr, G. Washington, & Ensemble

Chicago’s HAMILTON has its A. Burr, G. Washington, & Ensemble

Tony Award nominee JOSHUA HENRY will lead the Chicago company of HAMILTON as Aaron Burr.

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Hedy Weiss Responds to IN THE HEIGHTS Casting Controversy

Hedy Weiss Responds to IN THE HEIGHTS Casting Controversy

Now, on a Huffington Post piece titled Why White Actors Should Not Be Cast In Latinx Roles—On Broadway Or Off, Weiss has made her first response to the casting issue in the comments section, saying “Do you think Jonathan Pryce should be banned from playing Shylock because he is not Jewish? Do you think you should only recruit murderers in Cook County jail to play Macbeth? It is called acting.”

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