The Hypocrites Go Non-Profit, Open Ticket Pledges for ARISTOPHANESATHON

Today, The Hypocrites announced an exciting phase of maturation for the organization. A whole new non-profit business model leading to a stronger connection with our audiences and therefore more successful art being brought into the world.

As opposed to a traditional season of shows, The Hypocrites will operate on a project basis and secure all production expenses before each individual show is programmed. The capital for our productions will be obtained mostly through negotiated contracts with partner organizations but we are also creating a new system for funding self-produced show while testing audience viability, called Ticket Pledges.

Additionally, The Hypocrites have invited thirty incredibly talented actors to be a part of our Ensemble. The Ensemble is comprised of a mix amazing performers from our twenty-year history who will be collaborating with Sean Graney to develop material for future programming. Instead of using the title Artistic Director, Sean Graney will become the Lead Artist. Kelli Strickland, the former Executive Director, will continue as a contracted advisor working closely with Sean. The Hypocrites Board of Directors remains energized and committed to the new business plans.

For the first production under the Ticket Pledge system, the Hypocrites announce The Aristophanesathon, Sean Graney's follow-up to All Our Tragic, a four-and-a-half-hour adaptation that combines the eleven surviving plays of the Old Comedy Greek Playwright Aristophanes. This play exists in the same universe as All Our Tragic, but also acts as a stand-alone piece. The cast of six will feature Hypocrites Ensemble members Breon Arzell, Sasha Smith and Tien Doman.

The ticket pledge link is now live at www.the-hypocrites.com/hypocrites-21.

Additionally, the Mercury Theater Chicago will present The Hypocrite's production of Dracula with a press opening on October 21, 2017. Among the small cast will be Hypocrites Ensemble Members Rob Mclean, Isa Arciniegas and Janelle Villas.

The Hypocrites will also be touring their popular Gilbert & Sullivan adaptations featuring many Ensemble members and longtime artistic collaborators.

"We are extremely excited to announce these changes to our organization that will lead to stronger, more successful art being brought into the world. We want to make theater for audiences. Therefore, we are making the audiences a central part of the dialogue for programming each show," said Sean Graney, The Hypocrites.

"This decision just makes good business sense. This way, the business side of the company will always be operating in the black without reliance on surpluses in sales goals or fundraising to plug any revenue holes," said Kelli Strickland, The Hypocrites.

The Hypocrites Ensemble: Aja Wiltshire, Amanda Raquel Martinez, Breon Arzell, BrittneyLove Smith, Dana Omar, Deanna Myers, Doug Pawlik, Eduardo Xavier Curley-Carrillo, Elle Walker, Emjoy Gavino, Erin Barlow, Geoff Button, Greg Hardigan, Isa Arciniegas, Janelle Villas, Jennifer Grace, Joel Rodriguez, John Taflan, Kate Carson-Groner, Kurt Ehrman, Lauren Vogel, Leslie Ann Sheppard, Matt Kahler, Maximillian Lapine, Mechelle Moe, Rob McLean, Sasha Smith, Shawn Pfautsch, Tien Doman and Tina Muñoz Pandya.

The Ensemble is managed by Justine Palmisano and Miranda Anderson. You can meet the full ensemble at hypocrites.blog.

How the Ticket Pledge System Works:

- When the Hypocrites have a project for consideration, they will post the description of the proposed show online and ask for a set number of ticket pledges that will cover all production costs. Patrons may either Purchase a ticket or Pledge to Purchase a ticket. The Ticket-Pledge window will remain open for ten weeks. When a patron makes a Pledge to purchase a ticket, we will collect the patron's name and email, but no credit card information.

- We will also be accepting tax-deductible donations that will be go toward covering the cost of the production.

- Once a show reaches its Critical-Interest number of ticket pledges we will officially program the show and the patrons will be contacted to make purchasing arrangements.

- If a proposed show does not reach its minimum amount of ticket pledges, it means that community interest is low and the company will not pursue that project. If a patron made a Pledge, then no transaction will occur. If a ticket is Purchased during the Ticket-Pledge window, but the show does not amass critical interest, the purchase costs will be reimbursed, minus $4 for each ticket to cover outside processing fees. But again, there is no financial risk for Pledges.

- Once greenlighted, the show will operate like a traditionally programmed production and sell tickets on top of the already purchased pledges. If demand keep escalating, we can add additional performances.

Artistic Director Sean Graney created The Hypocrites in 1997. The company is currently run by Graney and Executive Director Kelli Strickland. One of Chicago's premier off-Loop theater companies, The Hypocrites specializes in mounting bold productions that challenge preconceptions and redefining the role of the audience. The company has a reputation in Chicago for creating exciting, surprising, and deeply engaging theater as it re-interprets classics and tackles ambitious new works.

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