Steppenwolf Theatre Company Blog – Chicago Theater, World-Class Ensemble

My father-in-law was in a bad car accident three days ago. My husband watched it from our driveway, after we had all had a wonderful dinner together out in our garden. I was putting my daughter to bed, when I heard the screech of tires and metal on metal. Although my father-in-law went to the hospital in an ambulance, immobilized on a gurney, he did walk out four hours later under his own power.

We’ve been living with the heaviness in the middle of the body that comes after trauma. Every morning feels worse than the one before. There are mind numbing insurance forms to fill out, police reports, and every telephone conversation begins with reference to a claim number. In the evening, we pick broken glass out of the flower-beds. My mind bounces between “thank god” and “if only” like some unstable electron. (more…)

I love tech.

I know, I know — actors reading this are going to groan or roll their eyes, maybe both. Those to whom I’ve said this always get an “are you crazy?” look on their faces. For them, they say, it’s usually the most boring part of their process: very repetitious, very tedious; a long, long, long day.

But I’m not an actor; I’m a just a First Look 101er, a theatergoer with a passion for the theater and for learning more about the process to get that play on stage for me to see.

For me, who never had been privileged to be able to watch part of a tech rehearsal before the First Look 101 program was offered in 2006 — it’s beyond fascinating. To see the precision needed. To see the collaboration of all the tech staff among themselves, with the director, actors and playwright. To recognize the tedium the actors talk about: Over and over, they go through the motions/words of the scene being teched, in real time, in costume with props, so the sound and light directors can work their magic (more…)

Tranquillity Woods

Gary

When the Messenger Is Hot

View more pictures of the developmental productions.

Most of us understand the sense of relief that comes from finishing an important task or reaching a milestone in our life. I’m over the moon about the way Blues/Hip-Hop Intersection came together on July 30 at Millennium Park. Millennium Park’s Jay Pritzker Pavilion is beautiful from the audience and everything behind the scenes is top shelf as well. Before the show we had a meditative moment to express our intentions. I said let’s give people a show that will make everyone want to be kind to each other - at least for the next few days!

After the show I loved seeing friends with their teenaged grandchildren and shaking hands with people from as far away as Korea and Mexico City. Later, a few of us went to Ardiss on the south side to continue the fellowship and music and to dance, dance, dance. (more…)