Shannon Matesky News

Chicago Slam Works combines the art forms of poetry, comedy, storytelling, music and creative non-fiction into one action-packed slam competition - 'The LitMash'. Presented on the first Monday of the month, the May 5 'The LitMash' features Ian Belknap among others. Tickets are $8 and can be purchased at the door. 'The LitMash' is at the Haymarket Pub and Brewery, 737 W. Randolph Street. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. and the performance starts at 8 p.m. For more information visit www.ChicagoSlamWorks.com.

Pivot Arts launches its second annual celebration of innovative performance events, May 28 - June 14, throughout Chicago's Uptown, Edgewater and Rogers Park neighborhoods. The PIVOT ARTS FESTIVAL serves to bring audiences together for unique performance events. This year the festival's focus highlights the intersection between the performing arts and science. Tickets go on sale for "Art Meets Science" April 20, with a range of free events and entrance fees no higher than $15 per event. To purchase tickets and for complete festival information, visit www.pivotarts.org/festival or call 773.609.0782.

The recount of the Stonewall Riots, 'Hit the Wall,' originally produced by The Inconvenience, will return to Chicago with the majority of its original ensemble cast and artistic team in a triumphant remount presented by the Chicago Commercial Collective, running April 22 to June 29 at the Greenhouse Theater, 2257 N. Lincoln Avenue. Tickets ($20 - $55) are on sale now. The press performance will be Wednesday, April 30, at 8 p.m.

THE INCONVENIENCE is pleased to announce the addition of its first Artistic Associates. LORI CROSTHWAIT, SHANNON MATESKY and BRANDON MOORHEAD have been outstanding collaborators and supporters of The Inconvenience for years and we are proud to welcome them into our family.

Next on stage as part of the Steppenwolf for Young Adults' (SYA) season is the world premiere of How Long Will I Cry?: Voices of Youth Violence by Miles Harvey. How Long Will I Cry? is directed by Edward Torres as part of the citywide, season-long Now Is The Timeinitiative with Chicago Public Library and other local cultural organizations. Public performances of How Long Will I Cry? are March 2, 4, 9, 18 and 23 in Steppenwolf's Upstairs Theatre (1650 N Halsted St). How Long Will I Cry? also tours select Chicago Public Library branches and partner locations, March 11 - 16, 2013. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the production in the photos below!

Performances of Steppenwolf Theatre Company's fourth annual Garage Rep began February 15, 2013, featuring Bailiwick Chicago's See What I Wanna See, Buzz22 Chicago's She Kills Monsters and Theatre Seven of Chicago's BlackTop Sky. Under the leadership of Steppenwolf Associate Producer Jacob Padron, these innovative storefront companies perform in rotating repertory for a ten-week run through April 21, 2013. BroadwayWorld has a first look at BLACKTOP SKY below!

Performances of Steppenwolf Theatre Company's fourth annual Garage Rep began February 15, 2013, featuring Bailiwick Chicago's See What I Wanna See, Buzz22 Chicago's She Kills Monsters and Theatre Seven of Chicago's BlackTop Sky. Under the leadership of Steppenwolf Associate Producer Jacob Padron, these innovative storefront companies perform in rotating repertory for a ten-week run through April 21, 2013. BroadwayWorld has a first look at SHE KILLS MONSTERS below!

Performances of Steppenwolf Theatre Company's fourth annual Garage Rep began February 15, 2013, featuring Bailiwick Chicago's See What I Wanna See, Buzz22 Chicago's She Kills Monsters and Theatre Seven of Chicago's BlackTop Sky. Under the leadership of Steppenwolf Associate Producer Jacob Padron, these innovative storefront companies perform in rotating repertory for a ten-week run through April 21, 2013. BroadwayWorld has a first look at SEE WHAT I WANNA SEE below!

Next on stage as part of the Steppenwolf for Young Adults' (SYA) season is the world premiere of How Long Will I Cry?: Voices of Youth Violence by Miles Harvey. How Long Will I Cry? is directed by Edward Torres as part of the citywide, season-long Now Is The Time initiative with Chicago Public Library and other local cultural organizations. Public performances of How Long Will I Cry? are March 2, 4, 9, 18 and 23 in Steppenwolf's Upstairs Theatre (1650 N Halsted St); the press performance is on March 4 at 7:30pm; tickets for public performances are available through Audience Services (1650 N Halsted St), 312-335-1650 and steppenwolf.org. School performances are Tuesday - Friday at 10am and are on sale now through SYA Education Assistant Lauren Sivak at 312-654-5643.

Next on stage as part of the Steppenwolf for Young Adults' (SYA) season is the world premiere of How Long Will I Cry?: Voices of Youth Violence by Miles Harvey. How Long Will I Cry? is directed by Edward Torres as part of the citywide, season-long Now Is The Time initiative with Chicago Public Library and other local cultural organizations. Public performances of How Long Will I Cry? are March 2, 4, 9, 18 and 23 in Steppenwolf's Upstairs Theatre (1650 N Halsted St); the press performance is on March 4 at 7:30pm; tickets for public performances are available through Audience Services (1650 N Halsted St), 312-335-1650 and steppenwolf.org. School performances are Tuesday - Friday at 10am and are on sale now through SYA Education Assistant Lauren Sivak at 312-654-5643.

Performances of Steppenwolf Theatre Company's fourth annual Garage Rep are scheduled to begin February 15, 2013, featuring Bailiwick Chicago's See What I Wanna See, Buzz22 Chicago's She Kills Monsters and Theatre Seven of Chicago's BlackTop Sky.

Steppenwolf Theatre Company is pleased to announce The After Party, a line-up of late-night, cross-genre performances Thursday nights during Garage Rep 2013, starting March 7. Curated by Steppenwolf Associate Producer Jacob Padrón, The After Party includes performances by Salonathon; experimental rock trio, Paper Mice; genre-bending classical musicians, Spektral Quartet; solo performer and spoken word artist Shannon Matesky; Route 66 Theatre Company; comedy-variety show, The City Life Supplement; and soul dance party, Windy City Soul Club. The After Party performances are in The Steppenwolf Garage (1624 N Halsted St) at 11pm, following Thursday evening Garage Rep performances; full schedule below. Tickets ($5) are on sale now through Audience Services (1650 N Halsted St), 312-335-1650 and steppenwolf.org.

Chicago Slam Works (CSW) presents 'Dead or Alive Battle Royale of Slam Poetry Supremacy for All Eternity' ('Dead or Alive') today, December 5, 12 and 19, 2012 at the Raven Theatre, 6157 N. Clark St. Directed by Artistic Director J.W. Basilo, 'Dead or Alive' presents some of the greatest poets of history to compete with Chicago's finest modern poets in a mock slam. Performances are at 8 p.m. Tickets are $14 and free parking is available.

Steppenwolf for Young Adults' 2012/13 season continues with How Long Will I Cry?: Voices of Youth Violence by Miles Harvey, directed by Edward Torres, with artistic consulting by Kelli Simpkins in Steppenwolf's Upstairs Theatre (1650 N Halsted St). Presented as part of the citywide Now Is The Time initiative, How Long Will I Cry? features Charles Gardner, Tara Mallen, J. Salome Martinez, Jr., Shannon Matesky, Jesse David Perez, Gabriel Ruiz, Mark Smith, Mark Ulrich and Celeste Williams. How Long Will I Cry? runs February 26 - March 9, 2013; the press performance is on March 4 at 7:30pm. Performances Tuesday through Friday are reserved for school groups only; public performances are scheduled on March 2, 4 and 9. Single tickets and tickets for school groups are currently on sale. Following the run at Steppenwolf, How Long Will I Cry? will tour to seven Chicago Public Library branches with free workshops for the public to follow each performance; visit steppenwolf.org for the schedule and locations.

Chicago Slam Works (CSW) presents 'Dead or Alive Battle Royale of Slam Poetry Supremacy for All Eternity' ('Dead or Alive') on December 5, 12 and 19, 2012 at the Raven Theatre, 6157 N. Clark St. Directed by Artistic Director J.W. Basilo, 'Dead or Alive' presents some of the greatest poets of history to compete with Chicago's finest modern poets in a mock slam. Performances are at 8 p.m. Tickets are $14 and free parking is available.

Just in time for the final showdown for the White House, Pine Box Theater patriotically presents ElectionFest 2012, twelve bold, ten-minute plays exploring the issues driving the divide in today's political landscape and the upcoming election, written by some of the country's most exciting theatrical voices. The four-night festival will be presented October 22-23 & 29-30, 2012 at Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont Ave., Chicago. Tickets are currently available at www.theaterwit.org or by calling the Theatre Wit Box Office at (773) 975-8150.

Just in time for the final showdown for the White House, Pine Box Theater patriotically presents ElectionFest 2012, twelve bold, ten-minute plays exploring the issues driving the divide in today's political landscape and the upcoming election, written by some of the country's most exciting theatrical voices. The four-night festival will be presented October 22-23 & 29-30, 2012 at Theatre Wit, 1229 W. Belmont Ave., Chicago. Tickets are currently available at www.theatrewit.org or by calling the Theatre Wit Box Office at (773) 975-8150.