Photo Flash: In Rehearsal for Steppenwolf's GARAGE REP 2015 - ANGRY F*GS, HEAT WAVE & 'MOTHER EARTH'

Steppenwolf Theatre Company begins performances for Garage Rep 2015 on February 20, 2015, which features Cold Basement Dramatics' production of Heat Wave, Pride Films and Plays' production of Angry Fags and Red Tape Theatre's production of The Walk Across America for Mother Earth. Scroll down for a sneak peek at the actors in rehearsal!

These innovative storefront companies will perform in rotating repertory under Steppenwolf's banner for ten weeks. Performances run February 20, 2015 - April 26, 2015 in the Garage Theatre (1624 N Halsted St). Press performances will take place on Saturday, March 7 at 1pm (Heat Wave); 4:30pm (The Walk Across America for Mother Earth) and 8pm(Angry Fags); and Sunday, March 8 at 1pm (Angry Fags); 4:30pm (Heat Wave); and 8pm (The Walk Across America for Mother Earth).

Steppenwolf Theatre Company's Garage Rep 2015 Lineup:

Cold Basement Dramatics presents

Heat Wave

By Steven Simoncic

Directed by Rinska Carrasco-Prestinary

Featuring Mykele Callicutt, Mike Cherry, Claudia DiBiccari, Emily Grayson, Arch Harmon, Zach Livingston, James McGuire, Carmen Molina, Abby Pierce, Paula Ramirez, Deanna Reed-Foster, Gary Simmers, Eric Staves, Preston Tate Jr. and Richard Traub

Chicago, 1995: An intense heat wave has gripped the city with temperatures soaring above 100 degrees. 739 people die, mostly people who are poor, elderly or minorities with nowhere to seek shelter. As the morgues overflow, the city's emergency response team is called into question. The Mayor's Office combats the criticism with a PR campaign that successfully turns the blame onto the victims and their families. As Chicago approaches the 20th anniversary of that summer, Heat Wave tells the story of the people who were made invisible, the hardworking citizens who fought to uncover the truth, and the resilient Chicago community that suffered, yet carried on. John Pagano is the Artistic Director of Cold Basement Dramatics. coldbasement.org

Pride Films and Plays presents

Angry Fags

By Topher Payne

Directed by Derek Van Barham

Featuring Dennis Frymire, Jude Hansen, Lisa Herceg, Joan McGrath, James Nedrud, Kelli Walker and Kevin Webb

Cooper and Bennett feel helpless and frightened when one of their friends is the victim of an assault outside a local bar. Then, they feel something new: pure, unfiltered rage. Their rage erupts into action amidst an intense political campaign as the best friends tread down a dark and hilarious path to rectify the wrong. Angry Fags is an Oscar Wilde-meets-Tarantino fever dream about how good ideas go bad, with fascinating forays into American politics, bomb building, and pistachios. "It doesn't get better. We have to MAKE it better." David Zak is theExecutive Director and Jude Hansen is the Producer for Angry Fags. pridefilmsandplays.com

Red Tape Theatre presents

The Walk Across America for Mother Earth

By Taylor Mac, with music by Ellen Maddow

Directed by Bonnie Metzgar with Artistic Consultant Eric Hoff

Featuring Breon Arzell, Nikos Brisco, Nick Combs, Sean Ewert, Alex Grelle, Luke Michael Grimes, WITCH HAZEL (Deven Casey, Imp Kid and Ariel Zetina) Ruth Margraff, Morgan McNaught, Sadie Rogers, Angelica Roque and Johnard Washington

Political activism meets bedazzled drag show in this story about two young friends who flee their suburban upbringing in "Real America" to join a ragtag group of activists on a protest march from D.C. to Nevada. On the road, the group attempts to establish a nomadic utopia, but the marchers continually find themselves divided by unrequited affections, indecision, and a secret hunger for power. Whimsically blending commedia dell'arte influences with song and dance, The Walk Across America for Mother Earth explores how the idea of community sometimes fails to unite us, and sometimes brings us together in the most unexpected ways. Meghan Reardon is the Associate Artistic Director, Josh Johnson is the Managing Director and JD Cannady is the Producing Director for Red Tape Theatre. redtapetheatre.org

Single tickets ($20) are now available through Audience Services (1650 N Halsted St), at 312-335-1650 and steppenwolf.org.

Photo Credit: Joel Moorman

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