Photo Flash: Steppenwolf's NEXT UP

Steppenwolf Theatre Company is pleased to announce its inaugural NEXT UP: three productions showcasing Chicago's next generation of artists, presented in rotating repertory May 31 - June 19, 2011 in The Steppenwolf Garage, 1624 N. Halsted St. NEXT UP is presented in collaboration with Northwestern University's MFA programs in Direction and Design, and will feature the work of graduates of those programs with casts of professional Chicago actors.

The directors and designers make their Steppenwolf debut under the mentorship of Steppenwolf staff and artists, including ensemble member Anna D. Shapiro and scenic designer Todd Rosenthal-both members of the Northwestern faculty-as well as Steppenwolf Casting Director Erica Daniels and Director of Artistic Development Polly Carl.

"The Steppenwolf/Northwestern collaboration for NEXT UP is an exciting experiment in large institutions integrating and supporting the work of young theatre makers," comments ensemble member Anna D. Shapiro, head of Northwestern University's MFA Directing Program. "Of course, Steppenwolf has a long and storied history of doing just that-but this multi-year mentor/mentee experience is really a reimagining of the university/regional Theatre Partnership. I am so proud to be a part of it," adds Shapiro.

NEXT UP includes:

Animals Out of Paper
By Rajiv Joseph, directed by Jaclynn Jutting
Featuring Amy J. Carle, Derek Hasenstab and Adam Poss
May 31 - June 19, 2011

In the wake of her recent divorce, origami artist Ilana has barricaded herself in her studio-surrounded by paper cranes and Chinese take-out boxes. Her seclusion is interrupted by Andy, an energetic high school teacher, and his student prodigy Suresh, who urge Ilana back into the world. Animals Out of Paper is a funny, poignant play about the collision of mismatched people and the complicated ways we hurt, heal and love those around us.

Where We're Born
By Lucy Thurber, directed by Brad Akin
Featuring Audrey Francis, Shane Kenyon, Max Lesser, Tim Musachio and Caroline Neff
June 1 - 18, 2011

Lily's home from college, back in the working-class community that raised her. Her old crowd lives in a rhythm of hard work, and hard partying, and Lily is somehow out of the loop since she left for school. Her beloved cousin Tony and his friends are wisecracking and familiar, but sometimes dangerous. Lily must confront her attractions to both Tony and Tony's girlfriend Franky and choose between familiar life in a small town or the unknown future privileges of a college education. In this marvelous portrait of a contemporary, rurAl Small town, Lily's choices are more difficult than they appear.

Venus
By Suzan-Lori Parks, directed by Jess McLeod
Featuring Carolyn Hoerdemann, Mildred Marie Langford, Jeff Parker, Michael Pogue, Ann Sonneville and John Stokvis
June 2 - 19, 2011

In 1810, a young black woman named Saartje Baartman traveled from South Africa to England in search of fame and riches. She ended up notorious as the "Hottentot Venus," a sideshow novelty billed as having the "biggest bottom in the world." With a brilliant mix of vaudeville, spectacle and poetry, Pulitzer Prize-winner Suzan-Lori Parks puts her own slant on the story of this provocative figure in a masterpiece of unsettling drama.

The design teams for the NEXT UP include Scott Davis and Emily Tarleton (scenic design), Mekey Guberinic and Emily Tarleton (costume design), Nastassia Jimenez (lighting design) and Andre Pluess (sound design). Additional credits include: Erica Daniels (casting) and Jonathan Nook, Tess Lauchaire and Cassie Wolgamott (stage managers).

Performance schedule:
NEXT UP plays Tuesdays through Sundays at 8 pm; Saturdays and Sundays at 2 pm. The complete schedule is as follows:

Animals Out of Paper Where We're Born Venus
Tuesday, 5/31 at 8 pm Wednesday, 6/1 at 8 pm Thursday, 6/2 at 8 pm
Friday, 6/3 at 8 pm Saturday, 6/4 at 8 pm Sunday, 6/5 at 8 pm
Saturday, 6/4 at 2 pm Sunday, 6/5 at 2 pm Tuesday, 6/7 at 8 pm
Wednesday, 6/8 at 8 pm Thursday, 6/9 at 8 pm Friday, 6/10 at 8 pm
Saturday, 6/11 at 8 pm** Sunday, 6/12 at 8 pm** Saturday, 6/11 at 2 pm**
Sunday, 6/12 at 2 pm Tuesday, 6/14 at 8 pm Wednesday, 6/15 at 8 pm
Thursday, 6/16 at 8 pm Friday, 6/17 at 8 pm Saturday 6/18 at 8 pm
Sunday, 6/19 at 8 pm Saturday, 6/18 at 2 pm Sunday, 6/19 at 2 pm

** Press performances

Single tickets for the NEXT UP will go on sale Friday, April 15, 2011. Tickets cost $20 per performance, with a pass to all three plays available for $45. Tickets will be available at www.steppenwolf.org, 1650 N. Halsted St. or at 312-335-1650.

The press performances will be held Saturday, June 11 at 2 pm (Venus) & 8 pm (Animals Out of Paper) and Sunday, June 12 at 8 pm (Where We're Born).

The Steppenwolf Garage is dedicated to new plays, new artists and new audiences. It provides artists the opportunity to present their work with the scale, space and resources it merits. For audiences, it creates an opportunity to see the new, provocative work emerging from Chicago's diverse and vibrant theatre scene.

Support for NEXT UP comes through the "Leading for the Future Initiative," a program of the Nonprofit Finance Fund, funded by the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation.

Steppenwolf is located near all forms of public transportation and is wheelchair accessible. Street and lot parking are available.

Steppenwolf Theatre Company, Chicago, IL (Martha Lavey, Artistic Director; David Hawkanson, Executive Director) is one of the nation's leading ensemble theatres, producing up to 16 productions each year in its three Chicago theater spaces - including programming dedicated to the development of new plays and theatre for young adults. Steppenwolf's productions have enjoyed success both nationally and internationally, including off-Broadway, Broadway, London, Sydney and Dublin. Formed in 1976 by a collective of actors, Steppenwolf has grown into an ensemble of 43 actors, writers and directors. For additional information, visit www.steppenwolf.org, www.facebook.com/SteppenwolfTheatre and www.twitter.com/SteppenwolfThtr.

Photo Credit: Michael Brosilow

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