David Schmitz News

Author Mark Larson reflects on his new book, Ensemble: An Oral History of Chicago Theater, in conversation with Deanna Dunagan, ensemble member Francis Guinan, and other artists to be announced. A book signing will follow in Front Bar. This event will be held Monday, October 14 at 7pm in Steppenwolf's 1700 Theatre.

Theatre Communications Group (TCG), the national organization for theatre, welcomes six new members to its board of directors: May Adrales, associate artistic director, Milwaukee Repertory Theater, Milwaukee, WI; John Fontillas, planner, architect, partner, H3, New York, NY; Angela Gieras, executive director, Kansas City Repertory Theatre, Kansas City, MO; Mara Isaacs, founder and executivecreative producer, Octopus Theatricals, New York, NY; Anthony Rodriguez, producing artistic director and co-founder, Aurora Theatre, Lawrenceville, GA; and Hana S. Sharif, artistic director, Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, St. Louis, MO. 

 Steppenwolf Theatre Company and LookOut announce conversations and events designed to enrich the experience of audiences around MS. BLAKK FOR PRESIDENT, a new work by ensemble members Tina Landau and Tarell Alvin McCraney. This series of events celebrates the real-life inspiration for this thrilling new work, Ms. Joan Jett Blakk aka Terence Alan Smith, the activists who were a part of the queer political movement of the era and those who carry on Ms. Blakk's legacy today through performance, celebration and activism.

MCC Theater announces the extension of the New York Premiere production of BLKS, written by Aziza Barnes, and directed by Robert O'Hara. Previously scheduled for a limited run through May 26, BLKS will now play through Sunday, June 2 at the The Robert W. Wilson MCC Theater Space

Playwrights Horizons (Artistic Director Tim Sanford, Managing Director Leslie Marcus) today announces that its 2019 Spring Gala will honor the beloved and prolific actress Lois Smith, a two-time Tony Award nominee whose six-decade career in theater, film, and television has included memorable performances in numerous Playwrights Horizons productions. The event will convene Playwrights Horizons' diverse community of writers, artists, and supporters on Monday, May 6 at 583 Park Avenue.

The acclaimed Steppenwolf ensemble and Board of Trustees host Gala 2019, an extraordinary evening celebrating over four decades of powerful and thought-provoking storytelling. Emceed by one of Hollywood's most in-demand actors, Armie Hammer (Sorry to Bother You, Call Me By Your Name), the party takes place on Saturday, May 11, 2019 at 6:30pm at a new location not far from the theater, Rockwell on the River (3057 N. Rockwell Ave). Golden Globe Winner James Franco (The Disaster Artist, 127 Hours) will be the guest auctioneer. Proceeds from the night generate essential resources to support the innovative new work on Steppenwolf's spaces and expansive education and community programs.

Steppenwolf Theatre Company welcomes Leelai Demoz as the new Associate Artistic Director. Leelai Demoz has had a varied career in the arts, on stage, in front and behind the camera.

Steppenwolf Theatre Company, the nation's premier ensemble theatre, proudly breaks ground today on the next phase of its multi-year campus expansion on Halsted Street in Chicago's Lincoln Park. The company unveiled plans for its new state-of-the-art theater building, which will embody the distinct vision of Steppenwolf as a Chicago theatre that is home to America's ensemble.

MCC Theater announced today the complete cast and creative team for the New York Premiere production of BLKS, written by Aziza Barnes, and directed by Robert O'Hara.

Steppenwolf Theatre Company, the nation's premier ensemble theatre, proudly breaks ground today on the next phase of its multi-year campus expansion on Halsted Street in Chicago's Lincoln Park. The company unveiled plans for its new state-of-the-art theater building, which will embody the distinct vision of Steppenwolf as a Chicago theatre that is home to America's ensemble.

Steppenwolf Theatre Company announced the 2019/20 Season today. With seven Steppenwolf main series productions and two Steppenwolf for Young Adults (SYA) productions, the 44th season brings together the talents of revered Steppenwolf legends and captivating new ensemble members in a powerful lineup that celebrates a dynamic range of exciting voices.

Tonight Center Theatre Group opens Steppenwolf Theatre Company's production of Linda Vista written by Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning ensemble member Tracy Letts, directed by Dexter Bullard, who also directed the world premiere at Steppenwolf. The production features Steppenwolf ensemble members Ian Barford, Tim Hopper, Sally Murphy and Caroline Neff with Chantal Thuy, Cora Vander Broek and Troy West.

Works & Process, the performing arts series at the Guggenheim,presents highlights from, Steppenwolf and the National Theatre: Downstate by Bruce Norrison Monday, January 28 at 7:30pm.

 Steppenwolf Theatre Company gathered with 300 leaders from Chicago's business and civic communities for the 10thAnniversary Steppenwolf Women in the Arts fundraising luncheon to honor OBIE, Helen Hayes and NAACP Award-winning actor and playwright Danai Gurira on December 10, 2018 at the Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel, 221 N Columbus Dr. Ms. Gurira was also recently appointed a United Nations Goodwill Ambassador, focusing on gender equality and women's rights. Author of the hit play, Familiar, which is currently running through January 13, 2019 in Steppenwolf's Downstairs Theatre, Ms. Gurira was joined by Steppenwolf Artistic Director Anna D. Shapiro and Steppenwolf Education Manager Jared Bellot for a warm and candid conversation about her impressive acting career on-screen and on-stage, her award-winning plays and her impact as an activist and philanthropist.

Steppenwolf Theatre Company is excited to announce the release of a new play resource called The Mix, which is a list comprised of new and under-produced plays that feature casts of intersectional and intersecting social identities and come with the recommendation of professionals in the field. The goal of this project is to assist in the collective effort to move toward a holistic, nuanced and equitable approach to diversity in the theatre. One writer, selected by a random drawing, will receive a no-strings-attached cash award of $3,000. The winner will be announced on Steppenwolf's social media channels on Wednesday, November 14, 2018 at 12noon CST. The Mix's full list of nominated plays is available online at www.steppenwolf.org/about-us/the-mix.

The Steppenwolf Associates, a group of highly motivated and passionate young professionals, kicked off the fall season hosting a theatrical evening, "Unlocked: From the Page to The Stage," on Saturday, October 27, 2018. The sold-out event sponsored by Ice Miller and Winston & Strawn LLP, was attended by 120 young professionals and raised more than $23,000 for Steppenwolf Education. Guests attending the event enjoyed food and beverages donated by Adobo Grill, BLVD, Candid Wines, CH Distillery, Hopewell Brewing Company and Vinci. To end the evening, guests attended a performance of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time followed by an after party at Front Bar.

Steppenwolf's LookOut Series has announced their Winter 2018-2019 lineup, giving audiences plenty of reasons to escape the cold with performances from hot, new acts and the return of LookOut favorites. Warm up with a drink at Front Bar and stay for an unforgettable night of live performance in Steppenwolf's 1700 Theatre. Since its inception, the LookOut series has featured the work of more than 1,000 artists from across Chicago, the country and the world in more than 300 performances.

Theatre Company welcomes Kara Henry as Director of Marketing and Communications. Henry most recently was an Executive Vice President at Leo Burnett Chicago, where her tenure included leadership on the KraftHeinz business as well as Kellogg's. Prior to Leo Burnett, Henry spent a significant stretch of her career with JWT in New York, London, Toronto and Hamburg, where she had global remits - including the launch and management of their Hamburg operation.

Steppenwolf Education welcomes the Young Adult Council Class of 2018-19. Now in its twelfth year, the Young Adult Council was started out of a need for a professional training program for young people in all aspects of theater, beyond just acting on stage.

Steppenwolf Education's Professional Leadership Programs (PLP) offer opportunities through Internships, Apprenticeships and Fellowships for students, graduates, and early-career professionals. Steppenwolf Theatre Company announces a change in name from the Steppenwolf Multicultural Fellowship to the Steppenwolf Fellowship, in addition to a restructuring of the program to include a 30-hour externship. The Fellowship cohort is made up of early career people of color who hold an apprenticeship in their department of interest at Steppenwolf and are given additional paid professional development seminars and externship opportunities. The externship allows Fellows the opportunity to explore more deeply their individual professional goals, make connections to theatre practitioners outside of Steppenwolf's walls and provide more opportunities for mentorship across the industry.