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THEATER About Face airing festival with Black LGBTQ+ artists
About Face Theatre is launching its 25th season with Kickback—an online festival of 10 newly commissioned short plays and performances by Black LGBTQ+ artists, inspired by the Rebuild Foundation's collections at the Stony Island Arts Bank. ...
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Black Ensemble Theater's 'Holiday' event Dec. 18-25
The Black Ensemble Theater is celebrating the 2020 holiday season with The Black Ensemble Virtual Holiday Extravaganza, written and directed by Producing Managing Director Daryl D. Brooks. Filmed from the performers' homes and the theater, the ...
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Billy Masters
"Will you issue pardons before leaving office? Will you be issuing a pardon for yourself?"—A reporter asked El Presidente this question after the traditional pardoning of the Thanksgiving turkeys. And by turkey, we don't mean anyone ...
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'The Prom' out Dec. 11 on Netflix
The Prom—a musical-comedy film directed by Ryan Murphy and adapted by Chad Beguelin and Bob Martin (from their and Matthew Sklar's 2018 Broadway musical of the same name)—will be out on Netflix on Dec. 11. The ...
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THEATER Harry Lennix to direct Dec. 13 reading of 'Mercy'
Northlight Theatre will present an Interplay New Play Development Program reading of Mercy, written by Felicia Oduh and directed by Harry Lennix (known for his acting roles on TV shows such as The Blacklist and Billions ...
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Play development series seeks new plays authored by artists of color
--From a press release
(Chicago, IL) Calling all bold, imaginative new plays authored by artists of color for Future Labs—Goodman Theatre's newest artistic program to develop works authored and directed by Black, Indigenous, Latinx, AAPI and other artists of co ...
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About Face Theatre starts 25th season with Kickback online short play fest
--From a press release
CHICAGO (Nov 9, 2020) — About Face Theatre kicks off its landmark 25th season with KICKBACK, an online festival of newly commissioned short plays and performances by Black LGBTQ+ artists, inspired by the Rebuild Foundation's collections ...
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THEATER
Lookingglass to present 'Her Honor Jane Byrne' on Nov. 26, 28
Lookingglass Theatre Company, in collaboration with WBEZ 91.5 Chicago, will present a world-premiere audio play of Her Honor Jane Byrne, written and directed by Ensemble Member and Mellon Playwright in Residence J. Nicole Brooks. Her Honor ...
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MUSICALS 1997 version of Anyone Can Whistle out Dec. 4
On Sunday, Dec. 4, Jay Records will release a 1997 recording of the musical Anyone Can Whistle, which originally had music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim as well as a book by Arthur Laurents. The production ...
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Hell in a Handbag to present Rip Nelson Holiday Quarantine Special
CHICAGO (November 12, 2020) — Hell in a Handbag Productions celebrates the holidays with the return of America's favorite funnyman, Rip Nelson (Ed Jones*), in the star-studded world premiere of ...
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THEATER Pride Arts artistic director resigns; PFP keeps Zak
Two controversial developments have occurred at Pride Arts (in which Pride Films & Plays, PFP, is the main tenant). According to a letter from PrideArts President Cheri Tatar that Windy City Times obtained, PFP Artistic Director ...
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THEATER Andre De Shields to help celebrate youth Dec. 9
Andre De Shields—a Grammy-, Emmy- and Tony-winning actor, director and educator, and the 2019 "Triple Crown" winner for his portrayal of Hermes in Hadestown—will be the keynote speaker of the Victory Gardens Theater event "Voices of ...
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Theater community to offer online plays, musicals, dance, comedy for holidays
--From a press release
Chicago, IL (November 10, 2020)— The Chicago theater community will produce a wide variety of online festive plays, musicals, dance and comedy offerings this Holiday season. Theatre venues in Chicago and across the world remain closed ...
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A Red Orchid Theatre appoints Travis Knight, Sadieh Rifai to new positions
--From a press release
CHICAGO, IL—A Red Orchid Theatre announces the appointments of Ensemble Member Travis Knight as Associate Artistic Director and Ensemble Member Sadieh Rifai as Artistic Development Coordinator. Ensemble member Shade Murray ...
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Theater excellence honored with 52nd annual Equity Awards
--From a press release
Nov. 9, 2020 — CHICAGO — In its 52nd annual celebration of theater excellence, the Jeff Awards has recognized 39 recipients for the 2020 awards, selected from among 142 theater artist nominees across 30 artistic and ...
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The African American Arts Alliance announces 2020 Black Excellence Awards
--From a press release
Chicago, IL—The African American Arts Alliance (AAAA) will host the 20th annual Black Excellence Awards, an evening celebrating Black artists, Black voices, and Black stories across artistic disciplines, on November 10, 2020 at 7pm. The 2020 ...
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OUTspoken Storytelling to host tales from LGBTQ perspectives Nov. 10
--From a press release
Another exciting OUTspoken Storytelling Night will offer the perspective of four Chicagoans telling life's stories from their LGBTQ+ viewpoint or that of their close friends and relatives, Tuesday, Nov. 10, starting at 7 p.m. on Zoom. ...
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American Blues Theater to present 19th production of It's a Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago
--From a press release
CHICAGO, IL — American Blues Theater will produce its 199h Annual Production of It's a Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago! from Frank Capra's film and directed by Artistic Director Gwendolyn Whiteside with musical direction by Michael Mahler ...
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THEATER REVIEW Being Earnest
Playwright book and lyrics by Paul Gordon, music by Paul Gordon and Jay Gruska At Skylight Music Theatre online at SkylightMusicTheatre.org. Tickets: $25. Runs through Dec. 31, 2020. Two things to remember when proposing to transform a ...
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Every Waiting Heart to be produced as streaming audio drama
--From a press release
CHICAGO — EVERY WAITING HEART, the full-length play by Lauren Ferebee that was planned pre-COVID for a fully staged production in June 2020, will be produced as an audio drama streaming for an open-ended run and ...
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Michelle Lauto to host Jeff Awards Nov. 9
--From a Jeff Awards press release
Oct. 28, 2020 — Chicago — Award-winning actress and singer Michelle Lauto is host of this year's Jeff Awards celebrating Equity theater in a virtual program scheduled to stream Monday, Nov. 9, 2020. With theater stages ...
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Arts + Public Life announces 2020/2021 resident theatre company
--From a press release
(Chicago, IL Arts + Public Life (APL), an initiative of UChicago Arts, and Definition Theatre Company (DTC) announce Definition as the resident theatre company for Fall 2020/Winter 2021 at the Green Line Performing Arts Center, 329 ...
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THEATER A War of the Worlds
Playwright: Adapted by Mack Gordon and Corey Bradberry from the novel by H.G. Wells At: Theatre In the Dark online at TheatreInTheDark.com . Tickets: Suggested donation of $20-$25 Runs through: Nov. 21 Nothing makes an imperialist ...
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Writers Theatre plans expanded season with digital programming, changes to live programming
--From a press release
Glencoe, IL—Writers Theatre Artistic Director Michael Halberstam and Executive Director Kathryn M. Lipuma announce changes to the company's 2020/21 Season, to include additional digital programming and updates to previously announced ...
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About Face Theatre announces 25th season of new work, digital performances
--From a press release
CHICAGO — About Face Theatre is excited to announce plans for its landmark 25th anniversary season. Featuring new and original works, the company will focus on using digital streaming and online tools for most of the ...
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Virtual reading of Boys Don't Wear Lipstick Nov. 9
--From a press release
Emerging Artist Theatre and Red Spear Productions will present a virtual reading of the award-winning Boy's Don't Wear Lipstick on Monday, Nov. 9 at 8 p.m. celebrating its 20th anniversary. The play is written by Brian ...
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'Jagged Little Pill,' 'Moulin Rouge!' lead Tony nods
The nominations for the 2020 Tony Awards were revealed Oct. 15. The Alanis Morissette musical Jagged Little Pill led with 15 nominations, earning at least one nomination in every eligible category (including six for the show's ...
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'Manual Cinema's Christmas Carol' running Dec. 3-20
Tickets are now on sale for the world premiere of Manual Cinema's Christmas Carol, a live streaming adaption of Charles Dickens's holiday classic created specifically for the 2020 holiday season. ...
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Goodman Theatre offers A Christmas Carol, an audio play, free
(Chicago, IL) This holiday season, as indoor performances remain suspended due to COVID-19, Goodman Theatre produces A Christmas Carol as an audio play directed by Jessica Thebus. Offered free for all audiences, the 43rd annual production ...
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Black Lives, Black Words holding virtual events in October, November
Black Lives, Black Words—an international initiative that provides local Black creatives with an artistic platform—is bringing its "Plays for the People" virtual series to a close with two more plays in October and November. On Oct. ...
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'Twisted Tales of Poe' Oct. 26-31
Just in time for Halloween, AstonRep Theatre Company launches its 2020-21 season with a free streaming radio broadcast of Twisted Tales of Poe, based on Tales of Edgar Allan Poe, adapted by Philip Grecian and directed ...
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Interrobang launching season with 'The Spin'
Interrobang Theatre Project (ITP) is launching its 11th season with The Spin, a virtual dark comedy ripped from the headlines, written and directed by Spenser Davis and commissioned by ITP. The plot is described as follows: ...
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Hell in a Handbag to celebrate Halloween by streaming
Airport 1970something
--From a press release
CHICAGO (Oct. 9, 2020) — Hell in a Handbag Productions once again takes on the classic 1970s disaster film genre with a totally ridiculous twist! Airport 1970SOMETHING is a parody that celebrates the popular '70s Airport ...
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Victory Gardens Theater announces StudentsFirst Virtual Showcase
--From a press release
Chicago, IL—Victory Gardens Theater announces the Voices of Tomorrow: Their World on Stagefundraising event on Dec. 9, 2020 at 7:00 p.m. The virtual event will showcase powerful and moving spoken word and artistic works created by ...
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THEATER Run the Beast Down
Playwright: Titas Halder At: Strawdog Theatre online at Strawdog.org . Tickets: Free with donation . Runs through: Oct. 25 Tottenham was once a quiet semi-rural suburb north of London where Charlie's parents lived in a bungalow ...
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'Women of Broadway' series starts Oct. 24
Northlight Theatre is one of a select group of nonprofit arts organizations participating in the three-part virtual concert series "Live from the West Side: Women of Broadway." The series will feature two-time Tony Award winner Patti ...
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Black Ensemble's 'BE Gala' Oct. 16
The Black Ensemble Theater, led by Founder and CEO Jackie Taylor, will celebrate 44 years of musical theater with its BE Gala, with the theme "The Legacy Continues: Together We Are the Change, A Musical Celebration ...
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African American Arts Alliance to hold auditions, workshop
Sponsored by the African American Arts Alliance (AAAA) and in celebration of Black Arts Month this October, several Black theaters of Chicago will partner for a united audition for Black theater artists. The free, three-day event ...
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STREAMING THEATER REVIEW We're Gonna Die
Playwright: Young Jean Lee At: Theatre Y, streaming online at Theatre-Y.com. Tickets: Free. Runs through: Oct. 25 "To be, or not to be" may have once been a dilemma to beguile wealthy Danish princes, but the ...
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STREAMING THEATER REVIEW Broadway by the Decade
Playwright: Various composer & lyricists At: Streaming on Vimeo. Tickets: PorchlightMusicTheatre.org; $15-$50. Runs through: Oct. 25 Most musical-theater fans will get a kick out of this well-produced and very well-sung ...
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The Most Important LGBTQ+ Plays
"A gay play?" playwright Robert Patrick wrote, "Is that a play that sleeps with other plays of the same sex?" We think a gay play reveals one of three things in a significant way: (1) how ...
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THEATER REVIEW Rastus and Hattie
Playwright: Lisa Langford At: 16th Street Theater online, at 16thStreetTheater.org. Tickets: Free, with donation . Runs through: Oct. 24 Content warning: Rastus and Hattie includes racist caricatures, racism and violence. ...
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League of Chicago Theatres highlights creative approaches to Fall 2020 Theatre
--From a press release
Chicago, IL — Theatre venues in Chicago and across the world remain closed due to the COVID 19 pandemic while the industry in Chicago has developed creative ways to connect with audiences. Chicago theatre artists and ...
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Ruth Bader Ginsburg films out Sept. 25
As a tribute of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg's life and legacy, Focus Features and Magnolia Pictures will be re-releasing On the Basis of Sex and RBG—both films about Ginsburg—Friday, Sept. 25 in theaters, ...
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THEATER REVIEW We're Gonna Die
Playwright: Young Jean Lee At: Theatre Y, streaming online at Theatre-Y.com . Ticketsfree. Runs through: Oct. 4 "To be, or not to be" may have once been a dilemma to beguile wealthy Danish princes, but the ...
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'Under the Stars with Handbag' drive-in fest through Sept. 19
Hell in a Handbag Productions is hosting "Under the Stars with Handbag: A Drive-In Festival," which is running Fridays and Saturdays through Sept. 19 at The Red Box Workshop, 4242 W. Bryn Mawr Ave., at 7:30 ...
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THEATER REVIEW Pride and Prejudice: A Virtual Play
Playwright: Adapted by Christina Calvit from the novel by Jane Austen At: Streaming online at LifelineTheatre.com . Tickets: Free with donation. Runs through: Oct. 4 For starters, what we've got are two wealthy young bachelors, two ...
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'Iconic: A Broadway Hits Cabaret' on Sept. 25, 27
Oil Lamp Theater has announced the first event in its Onstage and Outdoors: A Live Performance Series—" Iconic: A Broadway Hits Cabaret." The shows will take place Friday, Sept. 25 at 7 p.m.; and Sunday, Sept. ...
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Jeff Awards to be online this fall
The 52nd annual Jeff Awards, recognizing theater excellence among Equity theater productions, will be presented this fall as an online program. In preparation for this program, the 2020 Equity nominations will be publicly announced Tuesday, Sept. ...
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Closet Play virtual benefit concert leads PrideArts virtual season
--From a press release
CHICAGO - PrideArts Artistic Director Donterrio Johnson today announced a four - show virtual fall season called REIGNITE! that will look to the 17th and 19th Centuries for inspiration. The season will open with a benefit ...
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STREAMING
THEATER REVIEW The Pursuit of Happiness: A BoHo Exploration of Freedom
Playwright: Scripted by the artists and curated by Sana Selemon At: Streaming online at BoHoTheatre.com Tickets: free with donation . Runs through: Open run The projected shuttering of theater facilities for the remainder of the year ...
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American Blues marking 35 years on Sept. 4 with 'Blue Bash'
American Blues Theater, under the continued leadership of Artistic Director Gwendolyn Whiteside, announced the 2021 Blue Bash, a fundraiser celebrating 35 Years Strong. The interactive celebration with live performances by ...
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Mishkan Chicago to host High Holiday events Sept. 12-28
Local Jewish spiritual community Mishkan Chicago, 4001 N. Ravenswood Ave., is merging ancient ritual with film, theater and music production to create unique programming for the 2020 Jewish New Year amid the COVID-19 pandemic. On Sept. ...
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Congo Square Theatre Company announces 2020-2021 Season including digital
--From a Congo Square press release
CHICAGO (August 25, 2020)—Congo Square Theatre Company (Congo Square), one of the nation's premier African American theatres, is proud to announce its full 21st Season of programming for 2020-2021. Kicking ...
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Deeply Rooted launches 25th-anniversary season
Deeply Rooted Dance Theater which diversifies the aesthetics of contemporary dance by uniting modern, classical, U.S. and African-American traditions in dance and storytelling announced initial plans for Deeply 25: Beyond Dance ...
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'Under the Stars with Handbag' drive-in festival thru Sept. 19
Hell in a Handbag Productions is hosting "Under the Stars with Handbag: A Drive-In Festival," which is running Fridays and Saturdays through Sept. 19 at The Red Box Workshop, 4242 W. Bryn Mawr Ave., at 7:30 ...
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Tony Awards to be held virtually
The Tony Awards, having put its 74th annual ceremony on hold earlier this year, will head online in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, Playbill reported. The Broadway League and the American Theatre Wing, co-presenters of ...
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Sideshow announces new artistic leadership
Sideshow Theatre Company Artistic director Jonathan L. Green announced he will step down this fall after helming the company for 13 years. Green will be succeeded by ensemble member and Artistic Director-elect Regina Victor (a onetime ...
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STREAMING THEATER REVIEW Bad Dates
Playwright: Theresa Rebeck At: Online. Tickets: $25-$50; OilLampTheater.org. Runs through: Aug. 23 Fashion being an integral element in romantic fiction, we are not surprised to first discover our heroine in her boudoir, readying herself for a ...
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'Making Sweet Tea': Out NU dean talks about new documentary
Performer and Northwestern University Dean E. Patrick Johnson discussed his new film and the importance of reclaiming storytelling agency in a virtual Q&A Lambda Legal hosted Aug. 9. Johnson, dean of Northwestern University's School of Communication, ...
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Goodman Theatre unveils 2021 season, "Whenever" Memberships"
(Chicago, IL) Artistic Director Robert Falls and Executive Director Roche Schulfer announce "Our Next Act"—Goodman Theatre's 2021 Season of eight plays on its two stages (the 856-seat Albert Theatre and ...
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Hyde Park Art Center reopening Sept. 1
Hyde Park Art Center, 5020 S. Cornell Ave., will reopen its doors for limited exhibition hours starting Tuesday, Sept. 1. The reopening will feature the Artists Run Chicago 2.0 exhibition, celebrating the work of 50 artist-run ...
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Illinois Arts Council Agency announces open-deadline grants
The Illinois Arts Council Agency (IACA) has announced the release of fiscal year 2021 guidelines and application materials for its open deadline programs: Artstour & Live Music, Short-term Artists Residency, and Individual ...
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STREAMING THEATER REVIEW Bad Dates
Playwright: Theresa Rebeck At: Online. Tickets: $25-$50; OilLampTheater.org . Runs through: Aug. 23 Fashion being an integral element in romantic fiction, we are not surprised to first discover our heroine in her boudoir, readying herself for ...
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Lookingglass hosting 'Eastland' watch party Aug. 20
Lookingglass Theatre Company will host a one-night watch party of Eastland: An Original Musical Watch Party, on Thursday, Aug. 20, at 7 p.m. It's a free online public fundraiser of the production in support of Lookingglass ...
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American Blues kicks off reading series Aug. 7 with 'A Shot'
American Blues Theater (ABT), under the leadership of Artistic Director Gwendolyn Whiteside, announced "The Room"—a brand-new reading series that brings original work, plays in development and new stories to Chicago ...
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Fellowship for local Black theater artists announced
The League of Chicago Theatres announced The Samuel G. Roberson Jr. Resident Fellowship, a grant to fund a residency for early to mid-career Black theater artists based in Chicago for a one-year partnership with a Chicago-area ...
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STREAMING
THEATER REVIEW Alas: A Monologue from Matei Visniec's Cabaret of Words
Playwright: Matei Visniec, translation by Daniela Silindean. At: Trap Door Theatre streaming online . Tickets: TrapDoorTheatre.com; $10 suggested donation. Runs through: Sept. 4 Romania's location amid the quasi-feudal Balkan states ...
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About Face Theatre names new associate artistic director
About Face Theatre (AFT) welcomes Mikael Burke to its staff in the role of associate artistic director to lead AFT's education and new work development programs. Burke has been working with AFT since 2016, when he ...
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Greenhouse Theater stops creating shows
Greenhouse Theater Center co-owner William Spatz said July 27 that he no longer intends to produce theater at the multi-space Lincoln Park venue at 2257 N. Lincoln Ave., formerly the home of the Victory Gardens Theater ...
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Oil Lamp Theater hosting drive-in premiere Aug. 7
Oil Lamp Theater Executive Director Jay Pastucha and Associate Artistic Director Stephen Smith announced Bad Dates, which will premiere Friday, Aug. 7, 6 and 8:30 p.m., in the parking lot of Our Lady of Perpetual Help ...
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Ruth Bader Ginsburg exhibit extended
The Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center has extended the run of its exhibit "Notorious RBG: The Life and Times of Ruth Bader Ginsburg" through Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021. Based on the New York Times best-selling ...
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'Women Take the Stage' concert event Aug. 26
On Wed., Aug. 26, at 8 p.m. CT, top musicians, activists and feminist icons will gather for "Women Take the Stage"—a free virtual concert and rally to increase votes by and for women before the November ...
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STREAMING THEATER REVIEW Groups of Ten or More People
Playwright: Gaby Labotka and Zach Barr At: Littlebrain Theatre streaming online. Tickets: Facebook.com/LittlebrainTheatre/ . Runs through: Open run The forays into digital playmaking, Zoom-grid scenic design and headshot acting engendered ...
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'Christmas Bingo: Summer Edition' online through July
Christmas Bingo: Summer Edition—written by Vicki Quade, one of the creators of the hit comedy Late Nite Catechism—is streaming through Friday, July 31. A portion of every ticket sold will go to help the Daughters of ...
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