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…)

Last week a small auditorium at the Blackstone Library felt like the emotional cauldron of John and Elizabeth Proctor’s Salem kitchen, thanks to the transformative power of live theater. Hyde Park lived up to its reputation as an active cultural community when 50 residents turned up to see a reading and to talk about the message and the meaning of The Crucible. The actors provided fuel for a conversation that covered everything from how the fear of change impacts a community to questions about who profits from fear. The event was part of the One Book, One Chicago Steppenwolf Partnership. The panel gathered to talk about The Crucible on this night included young activist and broadcaster Silvia Rivera of Radio Arte, Waldo Johnson from a little neighborhood school known as the University of Chicago and the ever youthful Dr. Quentin Young.

Silvia Rivera was eloquent in her comments about fear of immigrants. She also reminded the audience of the uncanny similarity, in her view, between Judge Danforth’s words about “being with the court or against it” and the Presidents comments on the war in Iraq. (more…)

What will the other ensemble members think?
Do they really look at me as a peer?
What if I go up? (Again)
Will I do justice to this play?
Will I do justice to Steppenwolf?
Will other members of the theatergoing community feel the energy that this play is putting out?
Will people see the story, or only the casting choices?
Did I bite off more than I could chew with this role?
Does the Black Duck serve food after 10:30pm?

A lot of questions (okay, not 20), all of which I had as recently as this past Sunday night, almost halfway through the run–as well as just before the read through at the first rehearsal (save for the Black Duck question, which was Sunday). The truth is, while I feel relatively confident every night, I have anxiety before every performance, and before every scene. (more…)

The first night we young girls in The Crucible were booed at curtain call, it came as a bit of a shock. Yes, we understood it was for the characters not directed toward us as actors, but it was definitely a new experience. When I walked into the opening night party and was immediately greeted by a total stranger passionately chanting “Liar, Liar, pants on fire!” all I could do was laugh. After about the tenth person told me, “God, you were EVIL,” or “Damn, you were a cold bitch,” (and these are friends, by the way), I began to take pride in such reactions.

It’s not that I want people to think that Abigail is evil- I don’t think she is at all. Since I’m playing her, I’m invested in her point of view and feel a great deal of sympathy for every terrible happening she’s weathered in her seventeen lonely years. But such extreme responses do show us that the story is being told in a very provocative way and inciting strong emotional reactions. Score. (more…)

For the past few months I’ve been working with Annie Tully of the Chicago Public Library on a series of community readings for One Book, One Chicago. The plan was to have a reading of a scene and then a panel discussion about what play with a focus on Us. vs. Them and the dangers of fear. When I was a working journalist, I always enjoyed producing townhall meetings because if people care enough to come they usually have something interesting to say.

Last night’s event at the Avalon Branch of the library did not disappoint. Mary Williams, the Branch Manager, welcomed about 25 enthusiastic guests to the impressive new facility at 8148 S. Stony Island. Actors James Houton, Lori Meyer and Ericka Ratcliff captivated the crowd with a 15 minute reading from our production of The Crucible. The scene provided a look at the troubled relationship between John and Elizabeth Proctor and their foreboding upon first learning about the trials going on in the village from their new servant. Then, former state senator Alice Palmer and journalist and businessman Lee Walker shared their perspectives on what the play meant to them. (more…)