Lookingglass Brings Home 2011 Regional Theatre Tony Award

The American Theatre Wing's Tony Awards presented Lookingglass Theatre the prestigious 2011 Regional Theatre Tony Award. The award was presented to Lookingglass on Sunday, June 12, at the 65th annual Tony Awards at the Beacon Theatre in New York City. The Company's Ensemble Members and artistic leadership will bring the Award home to Lookingglass Theatre today, Monday, June 13, where it will be installed in the lobby and remain on display indefinitely.

One of the most coveted honors in the entertainment industry, the Regional Theatre Tony Award honors a non-profit professional regional theatre company in the United States that has displayed a continuous level of artistic achievement contributing to the growth of theater nationally. It is awarded by The Broadway League and the American Theatre Wing based upon a recommendation by the American Theatre Critics Association. Lookingglass is the fifth Chicago theater to be recognized with this award.

"Lookingglass' work-both onstage and in the classroom--has always been about finding new ways to see ourselves and each other; to reflect back the human experience, whether illuminated by great, classic works of literature or by today's emerging artists and playwrights," says Artistic Director Andrew White. "This award is an acknowledgement that Chicago is the most vibrant theater town in America, from the institutions to the storefront theaters from which we spring, and the continued flowering of new work that grows up out of the Chicago pavement on a daily basis. It speaks to the incredible, diverse community of gifted artists, as well as the enormous community of open-minded and open-hearted theater-goers and supporters who value the creation of new work, the importance of taking artistic risks, and the unique power of ensemble theater."

Now in its 23rd season, Lookingglass, under the guidance of Artistic Director Andrew White, Executive Director Rachel Kraft, Producing Artistic Director Philip R. Smith, Artistic Director of New Work Heidi Stillman, a 22-member artistic ensemble, 15 artistic associates, 11 production affiliates, an administrative staff and a dedicated board of directors led by Lisa Naparstek Green, is home to a multi-disciplined ensemble of artists who create story-centered theatrical work that is physical, aurally rich and visually metaphoric.

The Lookingglass Ensemble includes: Eva Barr, Mara Blumenfeld, J Nicole Brooks, David Catlin, Thomas J Cox, Larry DiStasi, Christine Mary Dunford, Laura Eason, Raymond Fox, Joy Gregory, Doug Hara, David Kersnar, John Musial, Daniel Ostling, David Schwimmer, Joey Slotnick, Philip R Smith, Heidi Stillman, Tracy Walsh, Andy White, Temple Williams III, and Mary Zimmerman. 

Since its founding in 1988 by eight Northwestern University students, Lookingglass has staged 55 world premieres at 23 venues across Chicago, and garnered 52 Joseph Jefferson Awards and Citations. Lookingglass' work has been produced in 14 cities, including New York City, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Seattle, Berkeley, Philadelphia, Princeton, Hartford, Kansas City, Washington D.C., St. Louis, Syracuse, Louisville and Baltimore. Lookingglass has collaborated with a wide array of Chicago institutions, including Steppenwolf, Goodman, Museum of Contemporary Art, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Silverguy Productions, Millennium Park, Northwestern University, Children's Memorial Hospital, Natya Dance, The Actors Gymnasium, The Old Town School of Folk Music and Chicago Children's Choir.

In 2001, the City of Chicago and the State of Illinois endorsed Lookingglass' acclaimed artistry and bright future with space located in the heart of the Magnificent Mile shopping district inside Chicago's historic Water Tower Water Works. The highly visible new venue was designed to allow Lookingglass to present its work in its configurable black-box theatre, changing the stage and seating orientation as needed for each production. Inaugurated on June 14, 2003, Lookingglass' home is a vibrant asset to Chicago's cultural landscape. 

Two productions in 1990-Mary Zimmerman's The Odyssey and David Schwimmer's The Jungle-cemented Lookingglass' reputation for producing its unique brand of literary, visual and physical productions created collaboratively by the company of artists. Other seminal literary adaptations include Metamorphoses, (subsequent Tony Award-winning production), Argonautika (also national tour), Hard Times (also national tour) and 1984. Landmark physical work includes Lookingglass Alice and Hephaestus: A Greek Mythology Circus Tale. Lookingglass is also known for producing topical work with important socially relevant themes; examples include Studs Terkel's Race, Eye of the Beholder, Black Diamond, and Trust. As a cultural citizen of Chicago, Lookingglass also looks to its hometown for inspiration, evident in adaptations of Race, The Jungle, Nelson Algren, The Richard Nickel Story, and the upcoming productions of The Great Fire and Eastland.

Lookingglass Originals have been produced in Chicago and across the United States. Most recently, The Arabian Nights, adapted and directed by Ensemble Member Mary Zimmerman, played at Berkeley Repertory Theatre, Washington DC's Arena Stage and Kansas City Rep in 2011. In its most recent tour, Lookingglass Alice, adapted and directed by Ensemble Member David Catlin, played at The Actors Theatre of Louisville; Syracuse Stage and The ALLIANCE THEATRE in Atlanta. Around The World in 80 Days, adapted and directed by Ensemble Member Laura Eason, recently played at Centerstage in Baltimore and at Kansas City Repertory.

In addition to developing and presenting ensemble work, Lookingglass Education and Community programs encourage creativity, teamwork and confidence with thousands of community members each year. Programs include a Studio Class Series, with programs for ages 18 months to 18 years and focuses on a collaborative approach to storytelling and theatre; Summer Camps at four Chicagoland locations for ages 5-18; programs for educators, including residency programs, workshops, school matinees and professional development workshops; and the Young Ensemble, an audition-based program designed to develop new work in a process that mirrors the artistic process of the Lookingglass Ensemble.

Lookingglass' 2010-11 season concludes with the World Premiere of The Last Act Of Lilka Kadison (June 1-July 24, 2011), an original story about a spirited woman in the twilight of her life, written by Nicola Behrman, Abbie Phillips and Ensemble Members David Kersnar, Heidi Stillman and Andrew White, directed by David Kersnar. The 24th season includes the World Premiere of The Great Fire (beginning September 21, 2011), written and directed by Ensemble Member John Musial; Mr. Rickey Calls a Meeting (beginning January 4, 2012), by Ed Schmidt, directed by Ensemble Member J. Nicole Brooks; and the World Premiere Musical Eastland (June 6, 2012), written by Andrew White with music by Artistic Associate Andre Pluess and Ben Sussman, directed by Amanda Dehnert.

For additional information about Lookingglass, www.lookingglasstheatre.org.

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