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

As summer draws to a close, and we begin a new season, I’m reminded of ways in which the challenges of doing something truly different and new may be severe, but the rewards compensate in equal measure. As I write, downstairs in our rehearsal room Frank Galati is hard at work on a brand new piece, Kafka on the Shore, which promises to be a moving and thrilling experience. Just a few weeks ago, our First Look Rep concluded successfully, with Jason Wells‘ play Perfect Mendacity already scheduled for a world premiere production at the Asolo Theatre in Florida this Spring, and some percolating world premiere interest for the other two plays from the Rep as well.

Something else happened at the end of the summer that could have significant impact on Chicago, and particularly on playwrights in Chicago, for years to come. A former agent at a highly respected agency in NY has moved to Chicago and started her own company to represent clients based here. There has not been, to my knowledge, a licensed agency representing playwrights in Chicago for many, many years. Particularly encouraging is this agent’s interest in identifying Chicago playwrights and exporting their work nationally and internationally. Imagine a Chicago where playwrights not only come to gain experience, exposure and collaborative relationships they then leave behind for the greener pastures of New York or Los Angeles, but instead come to do all those things and stay. They sustain a life and career in the theater living and writing here, because someone is working hard everyday to ensure they are getting the national attention and remuneration they deserve. In a season when many eyes turned to Chicago as a theater city, particularly with respect to a community that generates and supports new work, it’s a beautiful notion. No doubt this agent will find challenges, but a tip of the hat to her for doing something new and very much needed.

This entry was posted by Edward Sobel on Friday, September 12th, 2008 at 8:57 am and is filed under Kafka on the Shore, First Look Rep (08). You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.