Chicago Shakespeare Theater to Celebrate Life of Bernie Sahlins, 9/30

Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) and The Second Cityannounce today the celebration of the magical life of Bernie Sahlins on Monday, September 30, 2013 at 6:30 p.m. in the Courtyard Theater of Chicago Shakespeare Theater on Navy Pier, 800 East Grand Avenue.

Bernie Sahlins is recognized as a founder of the world-renowned The Second City, which not only established Chicago's calling as the home of improvisational theater, but also spawned the careers of a long list of actors and comedians. He served as the longtime director and producer of this storied center for training and performance and he was the co-creator of "SCTV", the Canadian TV comedy series that grew out of The Second City in Toronto.

A Renaissance man with a multi-faceted career, Sahlins' appreciation of a broad range of theater is reflected in a host of endeavors including co-founding The InterNational Theatre Festival of Chicago with his wife, Jane Nicholl Sahlins, and the founding of The Lithuanian International Theater Festival. He also directed and/or produced numerous shows in Chicago, New York, Los Angeles, London and Toronto. At the center of the flowering Off-Loop theater movement in Chicago, Sahlins supported and encouraged young artists and remained a prolific presence in the Chicago theater community throughout his life.

Having touched the lives of countless artists and theater professionals, known as an accomplished artist in his own right, a savvy businessman, a consummate storyteller and devoted friend, Sahlins' legacy will be celebrated in tributes by family, friends, and colleagues.

Biography for Bernard Sahlins (1922-2013):
Director, author and producer Bernard Sahlins is the founder of the world-renowned The Second City, where he also served as a longtime director and producer. Sahlins also co-founded The InterNational Theatre Festival of Chicago and The Lithuanian International Theater Festival, and has directed and/or produced various shows in Chicago, New York, Los Angeles, London and Toronto. He is also the co-creator and producer of "SCTV." Sahlins' directing credits include his own adaptation of The Mysteries for the Court Theatre; The Wasteland for the Chicago Humanities Festival & The Arts Club; The Cure at Troy performed at Steppenwolf Theater; The Shoemakers Holiday, The Knight of the Burning Pestle and The Burial at Thebes performed at Chicago Shakespeare Theater, and multiple readings for the Poetry Foundation, among myriad other productions. He has written and directed several works, including See the Light for the Museum of Science & Industry; The History of Comedy, Part 2 for the University of Chicago; andA Woman for All Seasons, Jane Addams, and Dylan Thomas for the Chicago Humanities Festival. He has been a consultant for the Lithuanian Ministry of Culture and the Lithuanian National Theatre, The Disney Company, The Market Theatre: Johannesburg, The Museum Campus, USIS: Rumania, Lithuania, The University of Chicago arts programs and The British Council. He is the author of Days and Nights at The Second City: A Memoir. Sahlins is the recipient of The Sergel prize for playwriting, The University of Chicago Professional Achievement Award, The Chicago Drama League's Professional Achievement Award, Joseph Jefferson Awards for directing and professional achievement, The Illinois Arts Alliance "Legend" award, and the Improv Festival Achievement Award. He served on the Advisory Board of the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs, the Board of Directors for The Arts Club of Chicago, and the Board of Directors for the DePaul School of Drama.

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