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

What an exciting way to start the school year - with a protest! It’s funny, I have lived in Chicago for over fifteen years and I don’t remember a school year starting without some kind of controversy. Because I work with Chicago Public Schools and I have two children in the public school system, I know something about the disparity in funding throughout the Chicagoland area. We paid $250.00 for school supplies that go to the kids’ classrooms and $120 in registration fees at our public school. Not everyone can afford this, so whether you agree or not about children missing the first couple days of school to protest, you have to admit, it did bring much needed attention to the challenges of funding education.

Lindsey Barlag, our new Education Associate, was at New Trier High School interviewing students and parents during the symbolized registration at the school. Here is what she had to say about it:

“The atmosphere at New Trier High School was electric with a sea of 2,000 orange shirts - students, parents and community leaders - filing out of buses. I came to observe, participate and listen. I wasn’t sure what to expect of the day, and I left inspired and moved. A group of New Trier parents stood posed, waving signs of welcome and clapping as the buses pulled up. School officials were ready with water and registration tables. Shouting from the buses, I heard calls of “We love you New Trier.” After over 1,000 students were symbolically registered at New Trier, a rally was held at a local nature preserve. Lunch was served to everyone, and the crowds cheered as Reverends, politicians and community members spoke for the need for change. The protest led by Reverend Meeks was organized, empowering and a testament to community strength. However one might feel personally about the school boycott, it is clear that there is a lack of equality in funding that translates directly to the quality of education our students receive across Illinois. Being at the protest first hand, I felt the call to action. It was a demonstration that was well thought out with care and succeeded in bringing attention to this important issue.” (more…)

For those of you who look forward to Steppenwolf’s Young Adult season, you may remember my last blog post when I just couldn’t decide what it was going to be? Well I am ready to announce the season!

We are opening with Tennessee Williams‘ The Glass Menagerie directed by our very own Yasen Peyankov and starring one of my personal favorite Chicago actresses Alana Arenas, (remember her from The Bluest Eye?). This Glass Menagerie will be with an all African-American cast.

Our second production will be Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck and directed by Michael Patrick Thornton. Last time this play was done here it was starring John Malkovich , John Mahoney, Joan Allen, Jeff Perry, Gary Sinise and Glenne Headly, wow! Unfortunately scheduling does not allow for them to return and reprise their roles. But you never know you may just catch the next wave of amazing newcomers to the Steppenwolf stage. (more…)

So here I sit at my desk, at Steppenwolf – a desk piled high books and scripts, surrounded by people talking theatre. I’m feeling a bit anxious. Why? I’m trying to finalize my Steppenwolf for Young Adults season for 2008-2009. Maybe you’re asking: how tough can that be? Picking two plays for high school students?

I have had many suggestions, tons of them, in fact – from people like Sean Graney, Michael Patrick Thorton, Lisa Portes, Michael Rhod, my staff and colleagues, on and on. I have given scripts to our Young Adult Council to read and get feedback. Still I sit.

Why? Why the difficulty? Why the indecision? Because programming for SYA is not a straight-up artistic decision. (more…)