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

Only moments ago I finished reading a book called Harriet Jacobs: A Life by Jean Fagin Yellin.

Things you may not know about Harriet Jacobs:

-Harriet never saw her grandmother again after she escaped to the north.
-Harriet never forgave Master Norcom for his horrific treatment of her and her family.
-Harriet escaped to the north and did find both of her children.
-Harriet’s book was first published in the United States in 1861, then went to London and got another publishing deal for her book abroad.
-Harriet’s son traveled with her brother to California and Australia.
-Harriet’s freedom was bought by a friend for $300.
-Harriet’s brother becomes a public speech maker and avid abolitionist leader who was on the same bill with Frederick Douglass at speaking events.
-Harriet’s daughter got educated and had aspirations of being a teacher.
-Harriet and her daughter started a school in the south called THE JACOBS SCHOOL.
-Harriet and her daughter worked to clothe, feed, and counsel refugees from the Civil War, open several boarding houses for both whites and black public officials, and travel between the north and south trying to help establish rights for free black folks and women.
-Harriet had to return to being a house servant, even as an elderly woman, so that she and her daughter could live.
-Harriet gets breast cancer at the end of her life, and survives!
-Harriet’s daughter nurses her mother until her mother dies, and continues to serve in the field of education, which was her mother’s dream for her life. (more…)

On Friday, February 15, 2008 at 4:20 pm, we lost a very dear friend and integral part of our Harriet Jacobs team. Kim Forbes, our assistant stage manager, died suddenly from complications associated with a previously undiagnosed case of leukemia. Kim was kind, generous, always smiling, always helpful, with a great sense of humor, and probably the cutest naturally blushed cheeks I’ve ever seen.

As a cast, we’ve been sad. Lots of us have cried. But tears aren’t enough. This young woman had just turned 30 only weeks ago, and seemed to be at the beginning of her life. The weekend of shows following the official announcement of her death were sad for us. It seemed like every moment of each performance was pregnant with a deeper sadness. Every time I’d turn a corner or pick up a prop, I’d see Kim’s shining face. (more…)

Dramaturgy is awesome! The thing I love most about working as a dramaturg on a play like Harriet Jacobs, is that I get to combine all of the things I love most about dramaturgy: production research, new-play development and working as a teaching artist in schools.

Last week I had the opportunity to visit with students at my alma mater, Carl Sandburg High School in Orland Park, for a post-show discussion. I spoke with them about Harriet Jacobs’ life as an abolitionist and activist after she escaped to the North and the legacy the students hoped to leave with their own families, communities and the world at large. After they completed a quick writing exercise, they shared their thoughts about Harriet Jacobs and their theater-going experience. Check out what these amazing students had to say: (more…)

Watch a video feature of the Harriet Jacobs creative team in rehearsal.

Where’s the one place in Chicago teenagers can see a play for $15 and chat intelligently with the actors in a private setting about what they just saw? Steppenwolf’s MaTEENe series, of course! As you may have heard, or seen (our poster crews are spread out across the city), the series is definitely and officially up and running. Our first event was centered on Good Boys and True and was a great success; especially considering it took place during winter vacation! Many of the participants were first-time theatergoers and loved the show, and almost all expressed an interest in returning for the Harriet Jacobs event on February 9.

Steppenwolf artistic apprentice Michael Vinson also attended our first event. While most of us were relaxing with our pizza and Pepsi, Michael was armed with a digital camera, video camera, and a MacBook. Much of his time was spent taking pictures and recording the council’s thoughts on Steppenwolf for Young Adults, the MaTEENe series, and theater itself. Listen to the result. You’ll find out who theater really belongs to. (more…)