Glenn Davis Joins Steppenwolf Theatre Company Ensemble

Steppenwolf Theatre Company Artistic Director Anna D. Shapiro announced today the addition of Glenn Davis to the world-renowned ensemble.

A critically acclaimed actor, Davis recently appeared in Steppenwolf's production of The Christians by Lucas Hnath as Pastor Joshua. Additional Steppenwolf productions include The Brother/Sister Plays, Head of Passes (both directed by ensemble member Tina Landau and written by ensemble member Tarell Alvin McCraney), as well as A Lesson Before Dying.

Currently, Glenn Davis is developing several film and television projects with his Production Company, 4th and Long Productions, whose partners include fellow ensemble members Tarell Alvin McCraney and Jon Michael Hill, among others. Next season he will appear in Steppenwolf's production of You Got Older.

"Glenn is a bright, talented and committed artist, whose ongoing relationships with so many members of our company make him a perfect addition. He has been an integral part of the Steppenwolf family for many years-we have seen him grow and thrive here and we are all thrilled to finally make it official," says Artistic Director Anna D. Shapiro.

On joining the ensemble Glenn Davis shares, "I grew up in Chicago. I took my first acting class with Austin Pendleton at The School at Steppenwolf. He was the first to tell me I was talented and convinced me that I could do this for a living. I remember being invited by Terry Kinney to sit in on rehearsals for One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest and watching Gary Sinise, Amy Morton, K. Todd Freeman and the entire cast 'going for broke'. I saw these actors working in a way that was very unique. They were working on one instinct, 'get to the truth by any means'. I wanted to work in that way. I see it as my responsibility as an artist to get to the truth by any means."

"It is an honor to be a member of this extraordinary group of artists. My start was here at Steppenwolf and I have considered it my unofficial residence for many years. It brings me great joy to now truly call it home," adds Davis.

In addition to his frequent work at Steppenwolf and other Chicago area theatres, Glenn Davis starred in the Broadway production of Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo opposite Robin Williams (also Kirk Douglas Theatre, Mark Taper Forum). His Off-Broadway credits include Wig Out! (Vineyard Theatre, directed by Tina Landau). Other regional credits include Caligula, Polaroid Stories, Vassa Zheleznova (Williamstown Theatre Festival); Wig Out! (Sundance Institute, Theatre Lab). International credits include Edward II, The Winter's Tale and As You Like It (The Stratford Festival) as well as Othello at The Shakespeare Company. He's also known for his television appearances in 24, The Unit, Jericho, and The Good Wife. He received his BFA from The Theatre School at DePaul University (formerly the Goodman School of Drama) and was the first African-American to graduate from the Birmingham Conservatory for Classical Theatre at The Stratford Festival.

Formed by a collective of actors in 1976, the Steppenwolf ensemble has grown to 49 members who represent the best in American Theatre. Since 2015, Audrey Francis, Sandra Marquez, Caroline Neff and Namir Smallwood have also been welcomed into the ensemble.

Steppenwolf ensemble members include: Joan Allen, Kevin Anderson, Alana Arenas, Randall Arney, Kate Arrington, Ian Barford, Robert Breuler, Gary Cole, Glenn Davis, Kathryn Erbe, Audrey Francis, K. Todd Freeman, Frank Galati, Francis Guinan, Moira Harris, Jon Michael Hill, Tim Hopper, Tom Irwin, Ora Jones, Terry Kinney, Tina Landau, Martha Lavey, Tracy Letts, John Mahoney, John Malkovich, Sandra Marquez, MariAnn Mayberry, Tarell Alvin McCraney, James Vincent Meredith, Laurie Metcalf, Amy Morton, Sally Murphy, Caroline Neff, Bruce Norris, Austin Pendleton, Jeff Perry, William Petersen, Yasen Peyankov, Martha Plimpton, Rondi Reed, Molly Regan, Anna D. Shapiro, Eric Simonson, Gary Sinise, Namir Smallwood, Lois Smith, Rick Snyder, Jim True-Frost and Alan Wilder.

Steppenwolf Theatre Company is the nation's premier ensemble theater. Formed by a collective of actors in 1976, the ensemble has grown to 49 members who represent a remarkable cross-section of actors, directors and playwrights. Thrilling and powerful productions from Balm in Gilead to August: Osage County-and accolades that include the National Medal of Arts and 12 Tony Awards-have made the theater legendary. Steppenwolf produces hundreds of performances and events annually in its three spaces: the 515-seat Downstairs Theatre, the 299-seat Upstairs Theatre and the 80-seat 1700 Theatre. Artistic programming includes a seven-play Season; a two-play Steppenwolf for Young Adults season; Visiting Company engagements; and LookOut, a multi-genre performances series. Education initiatives include the nationally recognized work of Steppenwolf for Young Adults, which engages 15,000 participants annually from Chicago's diverse communities; the esteemed School at Steppenwolf; and Professional Leadership Programs for arts administration training. Steppenwolf's own Front Bar: Coffee and Drinks serves coffee, cocktails with food provided by Goddess & Grocer. While firmly grounded in the Chicago community, nearly 40 original Steppenwolf productions have enjoyed success both nationally and internationally, including Broadway, Off-Broadway, London, Sydney, Galway and Dublin. Anna D. Shapiro is the Artistic Director and David Schmitz is the Executive Director. Eric Lefkofsky is Chair of Steppenwolf's Board of Trustees. For additional information, visit steppenwolf.org, facebook.com/steppenwolftheatre, twitter.com/steppenwolfthtr and instagram.com/steppenwolfthtr.

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