TimeLine Theatre Company will offer three special events connected to its world premiere production of My Kind of Town by John Conroy, directed by Nick Bowling. My Kind of Town has been highly recommended by both the Chicago Tribune (”A long-in-the-works drama that gripped its audience on Saturday night … wholly compelling”) and Chicago Sun-Times (”A vitally important piece of political theater … provocative [and] entirely riveting”). My Kind of Town is now playing through July 29, 2012 at TimeLine Theatre, 615 W. Wellington Ave., Chicago.

All special events listed are free and open to the public, unless otherwise indicated. For more details, please visit timelinetheatre.com/my_kind_of_town/events.htm.

MY KIND OF TOWN: A DISCUSSION OF POLICE TORTURE IN CHICAGO
Tuesday, May 22, 2012 from 6 – 7:30 pm (reception to follow)
Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts
915 East 60th Street, Chicago, on the University of Chicago campus

This event will feature diverse perspectives on and experience with the Chicago police torture scandal that has plagued the city over the past three decades. Confirmed panelists include former Chicago police superintendent Richard Brzeczek; journalist and playwright John Conroy; Craig Futterman, founder of the Civil Rights and Police Accountability Project at the University of Chicago; and People’s Law Office founding partner G. Flint Taylor. The discussion will be moderated by WBEZ’s Kelly Kleiman. The evening will include a brief excerpt from the play My Kind of Town performed by the cast as a spark for discussion, as well as an opportunity for audience questions, and will be followed by a reception.

Co-sponsored by the Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts, TimeLine Theatre Company and the University of Chicago Master of Arts Program in the Humanities.

Admission is free but reservations are recommended. Call the TimeLine Theatre Box Office at 773.281.8463 x6 or email boxoffice@timelinetheatre.com.

SUNDAY SCHOLARS SERIES
Sunday, June 10, 2012 from 4 – 5:30 pm
Wellington Avenue United Church of Christ Sanctuary, next door to TimeLine Theatre 615 W. Wellington Avenue, Chicago

Each TimeLine Theatre production features this free post-show panel discussion with experts on the themes and issues of the play. For My Kind of Town, the Sunday Scholars Series panel will feature Rob Warden of Northwestern University’s Center for Wrongful Convictions, accompanied by some of the men who have been wrongfully convicted due to torture.

Tickets for the 2 p.m. performance of My Kind of Town that day are $42 and are subject to availability. Sunday Scholars Series attendees need not attend the performance to attend the discussion. Admission to the discussion is free but reservations are recommended. For tickets to the show/discussion or reservations for the discussion only, call the TimeLine Theatre Box Office at 773.281.8463 x6 or email boxoffice@timelinetheatre.com.

A CONVERSATION WITH PLAYWRIGHT JOHN CONROY AND RICK KOGAN
Monday, June 25, 2012 from 6 – 7:30 pm
Chicago Cultural Center, Claudia Cassidy Theatre
78 E. Washington Street, Chicago

Veteran investigative journalist John Conroy has covered the Chicago police torture scandal for more than 20 years, challenging public indifference to become one of the leading voices drawing attention to the charges. Rick Kogan of WGN 720AM Radio and the Chicago Tribune will join Conroy for a wide-ranging conversation about the development of Conroy’s first play, My Kind of Town.

Admission is free but reservations are recommended. Call the TimeLine Theatre Box Office at 773.281.8463 x6 or email boxoffice@timelinetheatre.com.

TimeLine would also like to call the public’s attention to an event scheduled at the Wellington Avenue United Church of Christ related to the themes of My Kind of Town:

7TH ANNUAL ELIZABETH I. BENSON AWARD
Saturday, June 9, 2012 at 6 pm
Wellington Avenue United Church of Christ
615 W. Wellington Avenue, Chicago

This benefit event will honor Citizens Alert and Mary Powers for their 45 years of dedication to police accountability. The evening includes a reception and silent auction at 6 pm, with a program and awards ceremony with master of ceremonies Lydia Talbot at 7:30 pm. The program will include highlights from Peace Production’s new film To Turn a Blind Eye, music by Voices and the Wellington Choir, and appearances by some of those who have worked with Citizens Alert in their quest for police accountability. Tickets for this benefit event are $50; students/limited income tickets are $35. For tickets visit waucc.org or call 773.935.0642. All proceeds benefit Citizens Alert and the Wellington Avenue United Church of Christ.

About My Kind of Town

TimeLine Theatre Company, named one of the nation’s top 10 emerging professional theatres by the American Theatre Wing, founder of the Tony Awards®, presents the world premiere of My Kind of Town by John Conroy, directed by Nick Bowling, now through July 29, 2012 at TimeLine Theatre, 615 W. Wellington Ave., Chicago.

My Kind of Town is a passionate, groundbreaking new drama revolving around one imprisoned man’s fight for justice, inspired by the stories of numerous victims, police officers, prosecutors and families whose lives have been poisoned by allegations of police torture over the past three decades. With interlocking storylines that humanize the play’s issues of corruption and responsibility, My Kind of Town sets the stage for a new conversation about today’s culture of law and order.

The performance schedule is Wednesdays and Thursdays at 7:30 p.m., Fridays at 8 p.m., Saturdays at 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. (except no performance on 6/24). Tickets are $32 (Wednesday – Friday) or $42 (Saturday & Sunday). Student and group rates are available.

To purchase tickets or for more information, call the TimeLine Theatre Box Office at 773.281.8463 x6 or visit timelinetheatre.com.

Online Film Festival Slated for July 15 – August 30, 2012

Los Angeles, CA (BlackNews.com) — Urban Victory Network Inc.(UVN) today launched a new online delivery platform for global black film at www.urbanvictory.com. Michael Eastman, CEO of Urban Victory, believes the movie industry is long overdue for a black film revolution leveraging the latest online technologies. “Many excellent films that premiere at regional and international black film festivals never get distribution beyond the festivals. America and the world are being deprived of some really fantastic films,” says Eastman, a Harvard University and Harvard Law graduate.

Urban Victory aims to change that. “We will host an online film festival this summer and at the conclusion of the festival offer filmmakers 70% of net revenue on our ad supported and subscriber distribution platforms,” says Eastman. UVN has issued a call for film submissions for their online film festival scheduled to start in July. Filmmakers may submit short films(less than 40 minutes) for the festival for free until May 15 at urbanvictory.com or on Withoutabox. After that, they will be charged a modest fee to make a submission.

Filmmakers who submit films and are accepted for the festival will have the opportunity to win up to $2000 in prize awards. UVN will also give away a pair of regional black film festival passes to three lucky online subscribers to the festival worth up to $200 for providing feedback and input on the films featured.

Films by or about African Americans and people of the African descent rarely make it to the big screen. Last year, only six of the top 300 grossing films were produced by black filmmakers. Eastman continues, “With the advent of digital video cameras and editing, production of film by African Americans, Africans, Afro-Brazilians, and Afro-Caribbean people has exploded. Nigeria, the largest African country, has the second largest film industry in the world in terms of annual film production (2400 films), placing it ahead of the U.S. and behind India.”

“Online audiences will be blown away by the superb quality of these films that typically only get an audience at the 40 or so black film festivals held worldwide every year,” says Eastman, who has worked in the online media space for the last 15 years, including three years founding and managing startups and five years at RealNetworks, the company that pioneered the development of online distribution technologies for audio and video.

ABOUT URBAN VICTORY NETWORK

Urban Victory Networks is building the world’s premier source for finding and enjoying global black film. They make it easy for filmgoers around the world to enjoy the best black films from Los Angeles to New York, Rio to Kingston, and from Capetown to Cairo. From July 15, 2012 to August 30, 2012, they are inviting filmmakers from around the world to show off their best creative work at our online shorts film festival. After the Festival, filmmakers approved by their Screening Committee who sign the Filmmakers Agreement get free hosting of their film and earn 70% of net revenues generated by their film on UVN. All are invited to join the Global Black Film Revolution on UVN. For more details, visit www.urbanvictory.com

Photo Caption: Michael Eastman, Urban Victory Network CEO

 For the first time, Teatro Luna goes beyond its trademark devised projects to produce a play by a Latina playwright outside their ensemble.

Written and directed by Diane Rodriguez, the first preview show is Sunday, May 6th.

The play features Amanda DeLaGuardia, Miranda Gonzalez, Sandra Marquez, Madrid St. Angelo, and Isabel Quintero.

Previews: May 6 at 3:00 pm and 6:00 pm | May 7 & 9 at 7:30 pm

Opening May 10 at 7:30 pm | Reception to follow featuring music by Las Bompleneras

Runs through June 17, 2012

Playing at THE VIADUCT 3111 N. Western Ave.

Living Large in a Mini Kind of Way, a new work by top Latina artist of the American Theatre Diane Rodriguez, launches a new adventure for Teatro Luna–a firm commitment to producing single-author plays in addition to their trademark devised projects, writtenby Latina writers outside of their artistic collective. With this World Premiere the Ladies of Luna are not afraid to ask: What would you do if you didn’t have a social security number? How far would you go for 9 precious digits that could change your life?

Chicago’s all-Latina Theatre continues its 11th season dedicated to issues of Immigration, Race, and Borders with a story of two sets of Mexican-American sisters; one assimilated into US mainstream culture, the other still struggling with their immigration status. Mingling a sassy comedy with a thought-provoking atypical immigration drama, Obie award winning Rodriguez illuminates pressing, universal issues about identity and privilege. Based on a real-life story, Luna brings it’s unique blend of humor and honesty to this hilarious and sharp exploration of the American Dream.

ABOUT DIANE RODRIGUEZ
Schooled in activist art, Diane Rodriguez is an acclaimed American theatre artist based in Los Angeles. She has directed and developed the new work of some of the most prominent new playwrights in the last fifteen years including Nilo Cruz, Lynn Nottage, and Migdalia Cruz, among many others.

With Luis Alfaro, Rodriguez co-wrote Los Vecinos: A Play for Neighbors and The Ballad of Ginger Esparza. For ten years, she was a resident artist and Director of the Latino Theatre Initiative at the Mark Taper Forum in Los Angeles. Currently, she is Associate Producer and Director of New Play Production for the Center Theatre Group. In 2007, she won an Off-Broadway OBIE Award in performance (Best Ensemble). She was awarded a NEA/TCG Early Career Director Development Award in 1998, and in 2003 as well as 2007 she was awarded a TCG/NEA New Generations Mentorship grant. She received a Directors/Choreographers Foundation Award in 1997 to support the direction of her play Los Vecinos.

Can’t wait for opening night? Check out the links below!

Purchase your tickets today: bit.ly/tixforlivinglarge

Living Large Blog: http://livinglargeatteatroluna.tumblr.com/

Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/405747146122120/

First Video Teaser Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uPoDWRm-XW0

Three Chicago institutions unite artists and youth in a season-long, citywide call to action against youth violence and intolerance

CHICAGO, IL – Heads of the Chicago Public Library, Facing History and Ourselves and Steppenwolf Theatre Company announced a season-long initiative to inspire a citywide conversation about making positive change in our communities to stop the trend of youth violence and intolerance. These three Chicago institutions have joined forces for Now Is The Time (NITT), a themed initiative throughout 2012/13 linking major projects at each institution, including the Fall 2012 One Book, One Chicago selection, Markus Zusak’s The Book Thief, a staged adaptation of Zusak’s book at Steppenwolf Theatre Company, and a major Facing History and Ourselves exhibit titled “Choosing to Participate.”

Each institution, through these major projects and under the Now Is The Time umbrella, will focus outreach and programming on questions of social activism and civic responsibility, particularly among Chicago’s youth. Also engaging in related programming will be DePaul University students and more than 15 Chicago-area theater companies, along with additional organizations to be announced later. The citywide project was announced during a press conference this morning at the Chicago Public Library.

“Violence involving young people has become all too common in our society,” said Mayor Rahm Emanuel.  “It’s time for all of us, in every community, to come together to talk about ways to resolve our differences without violence and how to treat each other with respect.  I applaud these three institutions and the funders of this initiative for creating the space for us to do just that, especially with our young adults.”

“In recent years, violence towards youth has become overwhelming. As theater artists working in schools, the teens we work closely with in the classroom are scared to be outside in their neighborhoods or face torment at school from bullying,” commented Hallie Gordon, Artistic and Educational Director, Steppenwolf for Young Adults.  “As artists, we have a unique opportunity to help teens give voice to this epidemic. We encourage our civic partners and other cultural organizations to join us—now is the time.”

The initial roster of Now Is The Time projects includes:

August 27 – November 11, 2012: Facing History and Ourselves brings the powerful multimedia exhibit Choosing to Participate to the Chicago Public Library’s Harold Washington Library Center. This free exhibit encourages young people to recognize the importance of a democratic society through installations about people whose stories illustrate courage, initiative and compassion—including a display about local unsung heroes making a difference in Chicago.

Summer 2012 – Winter 2013: YOUmedia, a teen learning space housed at the Chicago Public Library, will use the themes of NITT for workshops on digital media creation, developing teens’ skills in critical thinking, creativity and tangible digital media skills, all the while engaging them in this conversation on civic responsibility.

October 2012: Markus Zusak’s The Book Thief is the Fall 2012 selection for One Book, One Chicago. The award-winning 2006 novel explores young people’s choices and their potential as civic participants. The author will visit the Chicago Public Library and participate in events with the public, with teachers and librarians, and with high school students.

October 16 – November 11, 2012: In Fall 2012, Steppenwolf Theatre Company will produce a stage adaptation of The Book Thief, adapted by Heidi Stillman, directed by Hallie Gordon, as part of the theater’s Steppenwolf for Young Adults program, combining play production with educational components to enhance arts education for young audiences, as well as their teachers and families.

February – March 2013: Oral histories about youth violence, collected from across the city by DePaul University students, will be used to create a play at Steppenwolf, curated by Professor Miles Harvey. Traveling to libraries in different communities across the city, each reading will be followed by a teen-led workshop.

September 2012 – May 2013: More than 15 of Chicago’s finest theater companies are also involved in NITT through their unique commitment to the campaign, Now Is The Time to A.C.T: Affect Change through Theater. Confirmed participating companies include: About Face Theatre, American Theatre Company, Lookingglass Theatre Company, Victory Gardens Theater, Writers’ Theatre, Chicago Shakespeare Theater, Congo Square Theatre, Free Street Theater, A Red Orchid Theatre, Northlight Theatre, Adventure Stage Chicago, Chicago Children’s Theatre, The House Theatre of Chicago, Storycatchers Theatre, Lifeline Theatre, Raven Theatre and more. These companies have all pledged to focus their 2012/13 programming on issues of youth violence and will present productions, panel discussions and teen-centered community events in conjunction with NITT. A youth council will be drawn from teen members at each participating theater company.

“One Book, One Chicago has a 10 year history of bringing together Chicagoans of diverse backgrounds to discuss issues around a specific piece of literature.  While The Book Thief is set 70 years ago, sadly the topics it addresses are very much alive today:  intolerance and violence.  Now Is The Time offers all of Chicago a wonderful opportunity to create, as the Dalai Lama recently called for, ‘a century of dialogue.’  The Library is proud to partner with Steppenwolf Theatre Company and Facing History and Ourselves to start that conversation,” said Chicago Public Library Commissioner Brian Bannon.

“Facing History and Ourselves is thrilled to bring an exhibit to Chicago that examines the impact of racism and injustice and the consequences of choices we make every day to help build inclusive or exclusive communities,”  said Bonnie Oberman, Chicago director of Facing History and Ourselves. “We know that the privilege of partnering with the Chicago Public Library and the Steppenwolf Theatre means that thousands of Chicagoans will have access to a citywide conversation around issues critically important to all of us.”

The goal of Now Is The Time is to spur youth activism and creative self-expression around the themes of social responsibility and civic engagement. Youth involved in NITT will participate in skill-building around their interests such as design, spoken word, music, film, writing, performance and digital media creation which they can share with fellow citizens via the Now Is The Time website. Participating youth will be better prepared for the demands of citizenship by being supported to think critically, to empathize, to recognize moral choices, and to make their voices heard.

Now Is The Time provides ample opportunities for additional program partners, large and small, from around the Chicago area. Throughout 2012/13, NITT’s call to action will inspire themed activities from organizations engaged in theater arts, youth work, digital media, education; participants connect via the NITT website, nowisthetimechicago.org.  

Now Is The Time is funded by the Hive Learning Network, an initiative of the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation; and the Smart Chicago Collaborative fund of the Chicago Community Trust.

ABOUT THE PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS

Since first opening its doors to the public in 1873, the Chicago Public Library has maintained its status of one of the City’s most democratic of institutions — providing all Chicagoans with a free and open place to gather, learn, connect, read and be transformed. The more than 70 locations of the Chicago Public Library are at the forefront of providing innovative library services, technologies and tools Chicagoans need to achieve their personal goals and to establish the City’s role as a competitive force in the global marketplace. Through its rich and current book collections, state of the art technology and cultural and public partnerships, the Chicago Public Library is a thriving, engaged leader in Chicago’s diverse neighborhoods. Throughout its 139-year history, the Chicago Public Library has always encouraged Chicagoans of all ages to make reading a priority. Since the fall of 2001, One Book, One Chicago has encouraged Chicagoans of all backgrounds and ages to read the same book at the same time, and come together to discuss a great piece of literature. The Fall 2012 One Book, One Chicago is presented by the Chicago Public Library, the Chicago Public Library Foundation, Allstate and BMO Harris. For additional information, visit chicagopubliclibrary.org.

Facing History and Ourselves is a leader in history and civic education. For more than 35 years, the international education organization has been linking the past to the moral and ethical questions of our time through a rigorous examination of the root causes of antisemitism, racism, and other hatreds. The overarching goal is to help young people understand the importance of their choices in building a just, inclusive society and to empower them to be active, informed, compassionate citizens in their schools and communities. Facing History’s quality resources, professional development, and public forums provide opportunities for students and adults to explore the connections between history and their own lives. Facing History reaches 1.9 million students each year through a network of 50,000 educators. In 2009, the Facing History and Ourselves website received more than 700,000 visits from people in 215 countries, with 2.6 million page views. The Chicago office of Facing History and Ourselves celebrated its 20^th Anniversary in 2010. More information is available at facinghistory.org.

Steppenwolf Theatre Company is one of the nation’s leading ensemble theaters, producing annually up to 16 productions and nearly 700 performances, readings and other events in its three Chicago theater spaces—the 515-seat Downstairs Theatre, the 299-seat Upstairs Theatre and the 80-seat Garage Theatre. Formed in 1976 by a collective of actors, Steppenwolf has grown into an ensemble of 43 actors, writers and directors. Artistic programming at Steppenwolf includes a five-play Subscription Season, a two-play Steppenwolf for Young Adults season and three repertory series: First Look Repertory of New Work, Garage Rep and Next Up. While firmly grounded in the Chicago community that has been its home for 36 years, nearly 40 original Steppenwolf productions have enjoyed success both nationally and internationally, including Off-Broadway, Broadway, London, Sydney and Dublin. Steppenwolf has the distinction of being the only theater to receive the National Medal of Arts, in addition to numerous other prestigious honors including a Pulitzer Prize for ensemble member Tracy Letts’ August: Osage County, an Illinois Arts Legend Award and nine Tony Awards. Martha Lavey is the Artistic Director and David Hawkanson is the Executive Director. Nora Daley is Chair of Steppenwolf’s Board of Trustees.

For additional information, visit steppenwolf.org, facebook.com/steppenwolftheatre and twitter.com/steppenwolfthtr.

OUR STORIES FILMS to produce movie based on hit reality show “Basketball Wives”

The Untitled Film will be Produced by Tracey E. Edmonds of Our Stories Films, an RLJ Company

 Los Angeles, CA (BlackNews.com) — Bob Johnson, Founder and Chairman of The RLJ Companies and Tracey E. Edmonds, President and COO of Our Stories Films announced plans to produce their new film based on the hit reality show Basketball Wives.

The film will be loosely based on the lives of Basketball Wives star and fan favorites Shaunie O’Neal and her friends, and will follow the life of a young woman and her boyfriend as the couple deals first hand with relocation following his NBA draft and the tests and trials that come with being together in professional sports.

“We’re proud that we’ve been successful in demonstrating the talent and creativity among our African American actors, writers, and directors,” says producer Tracey E. Edmonds. “Going much further than the series, the film will have the ability to dig deeper into the personal challenges that couples face while living in the world of professional sports. It promises to be rich and unpredictable in story and will feature empowered characters that will be relatable to a broad audience,” she concludes.

“I am delighted about the new production from Our Stories Films,” says Bob Johnson. “Tracey continues to be a top producer in Hollywood and has a vision for bringing together top talent, writers and actors, as proven by the success of Jumping the Broom. I’m looking forward to the release and development of our new project and to bringing this hit show to an audience nationwide.”

About The RLJ Companies:
Founded by Robert L. Johnson, The RLJ Companies is an innovative business network that provides strategic investments in a diverse portfolio of companies. Within The RLJ Companies portfolio, Johnson owns or holds interests in businesses operating in hotel real estate investment trust, private equity, financial services, asset management, insurance services, automobile dealerships, sports and entertainment, and video lottery terminal (VLT) gaming. The RLJ Companies is headquartered in Bethesda, MD, with affiliate operations in Charlotte, NC; Little Rock, AR; Los Angeles, CA; San Juan, PR; and Monrovia, Liberia. Prior to founding The RLJ Companies, Johnson was founder and chairman of Black Entertainment Television (BET). For more information, visit www.rljcompanies.com.

Our Stories Films, LLC:
Our Stories Films is the first African American owned film production studio that produces theatrical motion pictures that showcase the talents of African Americans on both sides of the camera and in the creative process. Founded in 2006, Our Stories Films is headquartered in Hollywood, CA, and targets underserved, urban audiences within the family and urban comedy genre with a production budget of $5M–$7M per film. In May 2011,Our Stories Films in collaboration with TriStar, a Sony Pictures Entertainment company, produced and released Jumping the Broom, which debuted number three during the opening box office weekend. For additional information, visit www.ourstoriesfilms.com

Photo Caption: Tracey E. Edmonds, President & COO, Our Stories Films

Second annual partnership with Northwestern University features three plays in rotating repertory in the Steppenwolf Garage, June 5-24, 2012

CHICAGO, IL – This June, Steppenwolf Theatre Company continues its commitment to Chicago’s next generation of theater artists with the second annual Next Up: three productions presented in rotating repertory, June 5 – 24, 2012 in The Steppenwolf Garage (1624 N Halsted St). Next Up is presented in collaboration with Northwestern University’s MFA programs in Direction and Design, and features the work of graduates of those programs with casts of professional Chicago actors: Life and Limb by Keith Reddin, directed by Emily Campbell; South of Settling by Emily Schwend, directed by Adam Goldstein; and The Glass Menagerie by Tennessee Williams, directed by Laley Lippard. The directors and designers make their Steppenwolf debut under the mentorship of Steppenwolf staff and artists, including ensemble member Anna D. Shapiro and scenic designer Todd Rosenthal—both members of the Northwestern faculty—as well as Steppenwolf Associate Artistic Director Erica Daniels.

“In the Garage Theatre, Steppenwolf sets out to cultivate young artists and multigenerational audiences. Next Up offers a unique way for us to do this—in concert with theater’s roots as a guild-based craft in which emerging artists learn from experienced practitioners,” comments Steppenwolf Artistic Producer Rebecca Rugg. “For Steppenwolf, this project is a natural extension of a strong association with local universities, whose stream of graduates continually feeds Chicago’s vibrant theater ecology.”

Steppenwolf Theatre Company’s Second Annual Next Up 

 Life and Limb by Keith Reddin, directed by Emily Campbell

June 5 – 24, 2012 in The Steppenwolf Garage (1624 N Halsted St)

 Life and Limb features Audrey Francis as Doina; Chris Froseth as Tod; Roman Harris-MacDonald as Chris; Tom Hickey as Sam, Eric and Jerry; Jürgen Hooper as Franklin; Leonard Kraft as Grandfather; and Grace Rex as Effie. The creative team includes Scenic Designer Courtney O’Neill, Costume Designer Sally Dolembo, Lighting Designer Will Kirkham, Props Master Katie McDermott, Casting Director Erica Daniels, Stage Manager Rose Packer and Assistant Directors Matthew Moynihan, Sophie Rich and Abby Williamson. 

Wounded in Korea, Franklin returns home minus an arm and a future. With zero prospects for work and a faltering marriage, he struggles to regain his life. When he finally lands a job, Franklin finds himself working for a sadistic manufacturer of artificial limbs. Deadpan, cold-blooded and comic, Life and Limb is not your typical veteran’s story.

“For my entire adult life our country has been at war. Men and women my age fight in battles I do not see, and endure wounds I hurt to imagine,” comments director Emily Campbell. “Life and Limb brings war home and into the lives of two young people brimming with hope and dreams. Like many of us, they are banking on the promise of a better future. But trauma touches them and their love strains under the burden. We live in a nation at war and I believe we must be aware of the price.”

South of Settling by Emily Schwend 

directed by Adam Goldstein
June 6 – 23, 2012 in The Steppenwolf Garage (1624 N Halsted St) 

South of Settling features Joey deBettencourt as Paulie Wheaton; Keith Kupferer as Irwin Deckhouse; Jeff Trainor as Randall; Janet Ulrich Brooks as Kate Deckhouse; and Nicole Wiesner as Amy. The creative team includes Scenic Designer Sarah Watkins, Costume Designer Kelsey Ettman, Lighting Designer Rebecca Jeffords, Props Master Sarah Burnham, Casting Director Erica Daniels, Stage Manager Jon Nook and Assistant Director Jeff Meyer.

Kate and Irwin Deckhouse’s quiet, orderly life turns topsy-turvy with the surprise arrival of Kate’s long estranged cousin Amy and her brand new husband Randall. Deckhouse hospitality is put to the test as family secrets are unlocked and hard truths confronted. South of Settling explores how much our dreams and desires are shaped by others, for better or worse.

“One of my biggest challenges is learning to accept and move on from things that I can’t fix. I suspect that many of us often let brokenness, damage, baggage, loss and suffering prevent us from truly living our lives. Or we endlessly attempt to stabilize that over which we actually have no control,” says director Adam Goldstein. “South of Settling encourages us to view the things that can damage us not just as something to fear or regret, but as opportunities to embrace a life fully lived.”

The Glass Menagerie by Tennessee Williams

directed by Laley Lippard

June 7 – 24, 2012 in The Steppenwolf Garage (1624 N Halsted St)

 The Glass Menagerie features Leah Karpel as Laura Wingfield; Kathy Scambiatterra as Amanda Wingfield; Brett Schneider as Jim O’Connor; and Aaron Roman Weiner as Tom Wingfield. The creative team includes Scenic Designer William Boles, Costume Designer Sally Dolembo, Lighting Designer Rebecca Jeffords, Props Master Sarah Burnham, Casting Director Erica Daniels, Stage Manager Cassie Wolgamott, Assistant Director Jacob Watson and Dramaturg Joseph Pindelski. 

“The Glass Menagerie is a great American play that treats the working class with poetic nobility. It is also a story of family during an economic and spiritual crisis that is eerily mirrored in contemporary America,” notes director Laley Lippard. “The darker issues of sexuality, economic servitude and the illusions of ‘the dream,’ seen in a classic play, have a particular power to penetrate our imaginations.”

Performance Schedule

Next Up plays Tuesday through Friday at 8pm; Saturday at 1pm, 5pm and 9pm; and Sunday at 4pm and 8pm. The complete schedule is as follows:

Life and Limb                                             South of Settling                                     The Glass Menagerie        

Tuesday, 6/5 at 8pm*                                   Wednesday, 6/6 at 8pm*                           Thursday, 6/7 at 8pm*

Friday, 6/8 at 8pm                                       Saturday, 6/9 at 5pm**                              Saturday, 6/9 at 9pm**

Saturday, 6/9 at 1pm**                                 Sunday, 6/10 at 8pm                                Sunday, 6/10 at 4pm

Wednesday, 6/13 at 8pm                             Thursday, 6/14 at 8pm                              Tuesday, 6/12 at 8pm

Saturday, 6/16 at 5pm                                 Saturday, 6/16 at 9pm                              Friday, 6/15 at 8pm

Sunday, 6/17 at 8pm                                   Sunday, 6/17 at 4pm                                Saturday, 6/16 at 1pm

Thursday, 6/21 at 8pm                                 Tuesday, 6/19 at 8pm                               Wednesday, 6/20 at 8pm

Saturday, 6/23 at 9pm                                 Friday, 6/22 at 8pm                                  Saturday 6/23 at 5pm

Sunday, 6/24 at 4pm                                   Saturday, 6/23 at 1pm                              Sunday, 6/24 at 8pm

Tickets to Next Up ($15 – $20) are on sale now through Audience Services (1650 N Halsted St), by phone at

312-335-1650 and at steppenwolf.org. Passes to all three plays are available for $45. Steppenwolf is located near all forms of public transportation and is wheelchair accessible. Street and lot parking are available.

Support for Next Up comes through the “Leading for the Future Initiative,” a program of the Nonprofit Finance Fund, funded by the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation. OptionsHouse is the Garage Series Sponsor.

Steppenwolf Theatre Company is America’s longest standing, most distinguished ensemble theater, producing nearly 700 performances and events annually in its three Chicago theater spaces—the 515-seat Downstairs Theatre, the 299-seat Upstairs Theatre and the 80-seat Garage Theatre. Formed in 1976 by a collective of actors, Steppenwolf has grown into an ensemble of 43 actors, writers and directors. Artistic programming at Steppenwolf includes a five-play Subscription Season, a two-play Steppenwolf for Young Adults season and three repertory series: First Look Repertory of New Work, Garage Rep and Next Up. While firmly grounded in the Chicago community, nearly 40 original Steppenwolf productions have enjoyed success both nationally and internationally, including Off-Broadway, Broadway, London, Sydney and Dublin. Steppenwolf has the distinction of being the only theater to receive the National Medal of Arts, in addition to numerous other prestigious honors including an Illinois Arts Legend Award and nine Tony Awards. Martha Lavey is the Artistic Director and David Hawkanson is the Executive Director. Nora Daley is Chair of Steppenwolf’s Board of Trustees. For additional information, visit steppenwolf.org, facebook.com/steppenwolftheatre and twitter.com/steppenwolfthtr.

TimeLine Theatre Company, named one of the nation’s top 10 emerging professional theatres by the American Theatre Wing, founder of the Tony Awards®, presents the world premiere of My Kind of Town by John Conroy, directed by Nick Bowling, May 11 – July 29, 2012 (previews May 1 – 10) at TimeLine Theatre, 615 W. Wellington Ave., Chicago.

My Kind of Town puts a human face on the police torture scandal that has plagued Chicago for more than three decades. Veteran investigative journalist John Conroy covered the story, challenging public indifference to become one of the leading voices drawing attention to the charges. My Kind of Town is his passionate, groundbreaking new drama revolving around one imprisoned man’s fight for justice, inspired by the stories of numerous victims, police officers, prosecutors and families whose lives have been poisoned by the allegations. With interlocking storylines that humanize the play’s issues of corruption and responsibility, My Kind of Town sets the stage for a new conversation about today’s culture of law and order.

My Kind of Town is John Conroy’s first play. The script previously was developed with assistance from Steppenwolf Theatre Company, Northwestern University’s School of Law, 16th Street Theatre, Writer’s Bloc, and film and theatre director John Hancock. Early readings and development were reported on by the Chicago Reader, Time Out Chicago and The New York Times, which wrote: “In the tradition of history and morality plays … Mr. Conroy turned to theater as a means of provocation and catharsis.”

The cast of My Kind of Town features Ora Jones, A.C. Smith, Chris Boykin, Charles Gardner, Carolyn Hoerdemann, Maggie Kettering, Danica Monroe, Trinity P. Murdock and TimeLine Company Member David Parkes. Beginning June 22, TimeLine Associate Artist Mildred Marie Langford will replace Ora Jones.

“As a journalist, I’ve learned the hard way that what serves the page often doesn’t serve the stage,” Conroy said. “But I am pleased to have the opportunity to present this story in a new way, a way that might reach, provoke, and inspire audiences to examine their consciences and consider their responsibilities.”

“It has been an honor to collaborate with John Conroy over the last two years developing My Kind of Town,” Artistic Director PJ Powers said. “As a reporter John has uncovered so many painful truths about our beloved city, and he has beautifully used those stories as inspiration for a bold new play. What I admire most is that he has illuminated very complex issues of law enforcement in a way that should make every citizen question our beliefs, convictions and, ultimately, our complicity.”

My Kind of Town is supported in part by The Pauls Foundation. Additional support is provided by The Elizabeth F. Cheney Foundation.

To purchase tickets or for more information, call the TimeLine Theatre Box Office at 773.281.8463 x6 or visit timelinetheatre.com.

Skellefteå, North Sweden – The Blackyoumentary, which garnered views in excess of 1.2 million on YouTube Channel, will air a new installment every Thursday, showing a different aspect of Skellefteå, North Sweden from the perspective of a first time visitor.

Promo clips of The Blackyoumentary were first released on YouTube (Channel: www.youtube.com/BigSteveFromEngland) in August of 2011.The short teasers have since spread with viral appeal, garnering views in excess of 1.2 million. A new installment airs every Thursday, each exploring a different aspect of Skellefteå, North Sweden from the perspective of first time visitor, Big Steve, a British native of Afro-Caribbean descent.

Skellefteå is a small town located in the Swedish Lapland, hidden approximately 500 miles north of Stockholm near the Polar Circle. It offers the best of nature: lush forests, winding rivers, crystal blue lakes, and miles of white sand beaches. It boasts clean, unpolluted streets, low crime, and vast opportunity. This quaint, family-oriented community is home to a population of roughly 72,000 friendly locals.

Steve Babb, nicknamed “Big Steve” for his muscular 6-foot 4-inch frame, was a health club manager, residing in Milton Keynes, about 49 miles north-west of London. He had remained in England his entire life, before deciding to travel. When friend, Craig Dixon, suggested he visit the Swedish Lapland, Steve adamantly refused at first, stating, “I’m a black man. I don’t like snow.”

Craig Dixon saw this refusal as an opportunity to change Steve’s mind and the minds of so many other skeptics. He again invited Big Steve to Skellefteå, with an offer to have the whole experience documented on film. This swayed Babb’s decision. After visiting Skellefteå and interacting with the locals with camera crew in tow, Big Steve now considers relocating.

The spoiler-free teasers only offer a hint of what’s to come. The Blackyoumentary will be an eight part series, containing all new footage of Big Steve and his adventures in the Swedish Lapland. Viewers have the unique opportunity to share in Big Steve’s introduction to cross country skiing, snowboarding, ice fishing and many of the town’s other attractions.

This travelogue is produced and directed by Filip Burman, Victor Gidlof, and Oscar Bystrom. The three film students and Skellefteå residents, ranging in age from twenty (20) to twenty-three (23), feel the town is a great place to live and a great place to visit, despite the lack of public awareness. “All we hear are the negatives,” says Craig Dixon spokesman for The Blackyoumentary. “People ask, ‘Why do you live in North Sweden? Isn’t it dark as night six months of the year? Doesn’t it have the highest suicide rate?’ They don’t realize this is a great place.” With the help of Big Steve, the team hopes to shatter misconceptions by showcasing their homeland and the true beauty of the North Sweden experience.

Since airing on YouTube, the previews have proved popular, reaching 1400 cities, throughout 170 countries in just four months without paid promotion. The Blackyoumentary is currently being edited for cable television by Swedish company Viking North. Episodes are slated to premier in the summer of 2012. For a preview of Big Steve’s first day in Sweden, visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oXAEc0Suwmc.

Free performance is part of the Citywide Centennial Celebration of Legendary Chicago Journalist Studs Terkel 

CHICAGO, IL – Steppenwolf Theatre Company hosts a one-night-only performance of Will the Circle Be Unbroken: Death, Rebirth, and Hunger for a Faith, excerpted from the stage adaptation by Derek Goldman, from the book by Studs Terkel on Monday, May 21 at 7pm. The staged reading is directed by Artistic and Educational Director of Steppenwolf for Young Adults Hallie Gordon, and features thirteen actors and three vocalists. Steppenwolf hosts the performance with the Studs Terkel Centenary Committee as part of a citywide celebration of Terkel’s birth. Born on May 16, Pulitzer Prize-winning author and oral historian Louis “Studs” Terkel was a Chicago television pioneer who, after being blacklisted during the McCarthy hysteria of the 1950s, carved out an illustrious career as the nation’s pre-eminent radio interviewer for nearly half a century at WFMT in Chicago. Will the Circle Be Unbroken: Death, Rebirth, and Hunger for a Faith is on May 21, 2012 at 7pm in Steppenwolf’s Downstairs Theatre (1650 N Halsted St). The performance is FREE though tickets are required and available May 1 at 11am in person through Audience Services (1650 N Halsted) or by phone at 312-335-1650; tickets are not available online. Limit 2 tickets per person.

“Studs was a great friend to Steppenwolf, where we have performed adaptations of both Division Street and Will the Circle Be Unbroken,” recalls Steppenwolf Artistic Director Martha Lavey. “Studs has also appeared numerous times on the Steppenwolf stage as a part of our Traffic series, including his one-man performance as Dalton Trumbo. We are honored to help celebrate the centenary of a great Chicagoan and a great American voice.”

The cast of Will the Circle Be Unbroken includes Steppenwolf ensemble members Ian Barford (Dr. Gary Slutkin/Bob Gates), Robert Breuler (Dr. John Barrett/Kurt Vonnegut), Ora Jones (Helen Sclair/Mamie Mobley), Martha Lavey (Matta Kelly) and Alan Wilder (Quinn Brisben/Ed Reardon) with Anthony Fleming III (Delbert Lee Tibbs), Justin Hayford (Himself), Rick Kogan (Studs Terkel), L. J. Slavin (Doc Watson), Mary Ann Thebus (Uta Hagen), Guy Van Swearingen (Tom Gates), Andrew White (Marc Levinson/Randy Buescher) and Dennis Zacek (William Herdegen). Robert Reddrick is the Musical Director; the vocalists will be announced at a later date.

An unabashedly left-wing activist in such causes as the peace, labor and civil rights movements, Studs Terkel died at the age of 96 in October 2008, just four days before Barack Obama was elected the first African American president. In early 2012, a loose-knit group of Terkel’s friends, neighbors, associates and admirers formed the Studs Terkel Centenary Committee to recognize Studs and his wife, Ida Goldberg Terkel, who also would have turned 100 on May 9 of this year.

The committee, headed by longtime Terkel colleague and friend Tony Judge, is organizing a re-dedication of the Division Street Bridge, which was originally named for Terkel twenty years ago. Division Street: America, published in 1966, was Terkel’s first book of oral history. The bridge re-dedication ceremony is scheduled for Saturday, May 12 and will feature a live music performance by the marching band Mucca Pazza.

For additional information about the Studs Terkel Centenary Committee and other Chicago events celebrating Terkel’s birth, contact Tony Judge at tjudge@judgecompany.com, or visit studsterkel.org, facebook.com/studsterkel100 or twitter.com/studsterkel100.

Steppenwolf Theatre Company is America’s longest standing, most distinguished ensemble theater, producing nearly 700 performances and events annually in its three Chicago theater spaces—the 515-seat Downstairs Theatre, the 299-seat Upstairs Theatre and the 80-seat Garage Theatre. Formed in 1976 by a collective of actors, Steppenwolf has grown into an ensemble of 43 actors, writers and directors. Artistic programming at Steppenwolf includes a five-play Subscription Season, a two-play Steppenwolf for Young Adults season and three repertory series: First Look Repertory of New Work, Garage Rep and Next Up. While firmly grounded in the Chicago community, nearly 40 original Steppenwolf productions have enjoyed success both nationally and internationally, including Off-Broadway, Broadway, London, Sydney and Dublin. Steppenwolf has the distinction of being the only theater to receive the National Medal of Arts, in addition to numerous other prestigious honors including an Illinois Arts Legend Award and nine Tony Awards. Martha Lavey is the Artistic Director and David Hawkanson is the Executive Director. Nora Daley is Chair of Steppenwolf’s Board of Trustees. For additional information, visit steppenwolf.org, facebook.com/steppenwolftheatre and twitter.com/steppenwolfthtr.