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

Steppenwolf’s Visiting Company Initiative provides the opportunity for other Chicago theater companies to present work in all three of our theaters. These residencies are supported by the artists and staff at Steppenwolf. In creating relationships with Visiting Companies, Steppenwolf enriches the artistic dialogue among its artists and audiences.

We are very pleased to announce our two visiting company productions for the 2006/2007 season. The first offering is a co-production between Rivendell Theatre Ensemble and Teatro Vista.  Elliott (A Soldier’s Fugue) by Quiara Alegria Hudes will perform in the Garage Theatre from November 2nd thru December 10th. The play traces the legacy of war through three generations of a Puerto Rican family, as seen through a woman’s lens. Elliot, a young marine, has returned home from Iraq with a Purple Heart, the memory of his first kill and the pain of his physical wounds.

The second offering, presented by 500 Clown, will be seen in the Upstairs Theatre. The company will be remounting two previously produced productions, 500 Clown Macbeth and 500 Clown Frankenstein. In 500 Clown Macbeth, three clowns descend upon a stage to perform Shakespeare’s Scottish Play. Infected by ambition, they compete for the role of Macbeth. In the process, the clowns destroy the text, the set, and eventually each other. In 500 Clown Frankenstein, three clowns arrive onstage to tell the story of Frankenstein. Challenging costumes, poor lighting, difficult language and an ornery table prevent them from properly telling Mary Shelley’s classic tale. The result is the creation of unexpected horror. The shows will run in repertory from June 14th thru July 29th, 2007.

We look forward to welcoming this talented and diverse group of artists to Steppenwolf!