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

Each summer for the last four years we have undergone an experiment, or really series of experiments, in an attempt to answer some questions facing our field. Is it possible to provide a nurturing environment for new work? Is it possible to have a writer-driven process within a large institutional theater? Is it possible to create a system that offers the intensity and goal- orientation of rehearsals with the process-orientation of play development? Is it possible to allow non-practitioners access to what we actually do; to make an environment in which they are supportive, educated, enthusiastic participants and not disruptive intruders into a previously private sanctuary. Is it possible to communicate effectively the ways in which what we are doing is an experiment and needs to be treated with a clear eye and special care?

We call this series of experiments the First Look Repertory of New Work, and First Look 101.

Each year three playwrights, three directors, three dramaturgs, four designers, some fifteen actors, a half dozen stage managers, and many others offer their talents to us and to each other in service of these questions, and of their own art.

We are lucky to have a fifth summer in this series, and some of the primary artistic participants will be:

Ensemble member Eric Simonson, who has written a play called Honest, which he will also direct.

Playwright Laura Eason, whose previous experience with First Look was her adaptation of When the Messenger is Hot, and who will team again with director Jessica Thebus to work on Sex with Strangers.

Playwright Laura Jacqmin, Chicago-based and recent winner of the Wendy Wasserstein award. Her play Ski Dubai will be directed by Lisa Portes. Lisa previously directed Mia McCullough’s play Spare Change in First Look.

We invite you to become part of this adventure — be it by joining our 101-ers, coming to see the developmental productions and other events, or just reading this blog, on which we will have updates and insights about this year’s program.

This entry was posted by Edward Sobel on Thursday, March 26th, 2009 at 12:06 pm and is filed under First Look Rep (09). 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.