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

The Crucible closed last Sunday, and it’s been one hell of a ride. Counting from the very first rehearsal and with understudies going on, we’ve had 3 different Judge Danforths, 3 Elizabeth Proctors, 2 Rev. Parises, and 2 Rev. Hales. You might think that kind of switching around would be exhausting or disorienting. Yes, it can be tiring. We’ve had more than a few “put-in” rehearsals (thankfully we’re always rewarded by delicious “put-in pies”). But for the most part, I think the cast changes have given the play fresh energy and forced us all to be better, more present actors.

After about 4 weeks into performing the play for an audience, 3 new folks came in and took on their roles with enormous courage. I admire them so much. I know that Austin has faced criticism for his performance, and I respect differing opinions. I personally found him to be one of the most intelligent, reactive, and inspiring actors with whom I have ever had the honor of sharing a stage. He and Fran both make you better just by working with them. They listen and respond with the kind of spontaneity most actors spend their whole lives trying to find. Their interpretations of the role were different because they are drastically different human beings, but I thought they were both brilliant. (more…)

I love Christmas. It’s always been my favorite holiday. Between the decorating, the food, the singing and dancing, the shopping, and still more food… what’s not to love? This year I was surprised, though, that the holiday spirit wasn’t hitting me, and I couldn’t figure out exactly why. Was it the difficulty of putting up The Nutcracker, by far the largest undertaking that The House has attempted to date? No. It’s always hard to put up new work — especially our work with all its technical spectacle and visual nuance. Was it the hidden grinch inside me, allowing the dreaded long lines at Macy’s and hours of work in the kitchen (not to mention the cleaning up after) to cloud my seasonal optimism? No, that wasn’t quite it either.

After we opened this past Saturday, it hit me. It’s because I miss my family. Not to get too personal on you, but my family has lost some pretty key players in the past year and a half, and the holidays have changed for me because of that. They still have candy, and magic, and Santa, and warm cocoa and fireplaces, and twinkling lights, but they also have loss. Deep loss. And I’m not the only one. There are a lot of families in this world who gleefully watch their children open presents as they mourn for someone whose presence is sorely missed. Making our Nutcracker helped me to identify that for myself. This play is about people who are having a hard time at Christmas. It’s not always cookies and bunnies all the time for everyone out there, and I’m proud that we acknowledge that. I’m also proud that in our story we persevere with lifted spirits by the end, as we all will and do in our personal lives. (more…)

On November 20, August: Osage County was scheduled to open on Broadway. It didn’t.

As many of you know by following the news, Broadway has been shut down by a strike by Local 1 of IATSE, the New York stagehands union, and a lock out by the Producers’ League. This is the first such strike in over a century of the two sides negotiating contracts.

The cast has been marooned in New York since previews ended on November 9. A further disappointment landed when renewed negotiations broke down on Sunday, guaranteeing that both our opening date and Thanksgiving would pass with the Imperial Theater darkened. (more…)

Fox News Chicago produces a segment called “I Love Chicago” where prominent Chicagoans are interviewed at their favorite Chicago location. World renowned chef, Charlie Trotter (photographed above during filming), chose Steppenwolf as his favorite place in the city. See what he has to say on Fox News this Friday, November 23rd, at 9pm.

Good Boys and True is in the initial phase of rehearsal. Often in this first step of the process, the actors, director, playwright and creative team sit together at a table, read scenes aloud and discuss them. To see more, step into the rehearsal room.