The New Colony Celebrates 5 Years in Chicago

In just five short years, The New Colony has established itself as "one of Chicago's essential off-Loop companies" (Chicago Tribune). Through the premiere of fifteen world premiere plays and musicals, devised through an open, collaborative process, The New Colony has cultivated a diverse audience of theatergoers eager to have a voice in the storytelling.

Only one year ago, The New Colony had its first show Off-Broadway with 5 Lesbians Eating a Quiche's addition to the Soho Playhouse's 2012-2013 season. After winning the "Best Overall Production" at the New York International Fringe Festival, Ben Brantley of The New York Times exclaimed that the show's "raw and magnetic dementia seems destined to attract a cult following." And he turned out to be right. 5 Lesbians is now licensed and published through Samuel French and has seen productions in seventeen states and counting.

Never one to rest on its laurels, here is what TNC has been up to all year long:

- Down & Derby had its world premiere in Lakeview in November '12. Lots of ladies on roller skates and only a few bruises!

- The Bear Suit of Happiness had its world premiere in Lincoln Square in February '13 and was remounted at Theater on the Lake in June '13.

- A restructuring of the company occurred with Evan Linder appointed as Co- Artistic Director, Stephanie Shum chosen as Managing Director and Sarah Gitenstein named Associate Artistic Director.

- The Warriors, TNC's 2011 show about the Jonesboro School Shootings, received new readings at Victory Gardens and Playhouse on the Square in Memphis. Proceeds went to the families of the victims of Sandy Hook Elementary.

- The New Colony's residency at the University of Chicago saw the development of reWILDing Genius where it received a workshop production. reWILDing Genius will receive its world premiere as part of Steppenwolf's 2014 Garage Rep Series.

- The New Colony launched its first Associate Company Intensive and welcomed eight new associate members to its ensemble of 41. Their new show The Terrible Magic of Gertie Lazarus will premiere on December 5th at Collaboraction.

- Script Comes Last, TNC Films first documentary which chronicles the workshops, rehearsals and production of our 2011 Chicago staging of 5 Lesbians Eating a Quiche, received its world premiere at the United Film Festival in New York City in May of 2013.

- B-Side Studio, produced in collaboration with The Inconvenience, is a play/webseries/sitcom rolled into one. It had its world premiere at the University of Chicago in September '13. Its first episode saw over 2,000 views online in less than 10 days.

COMING UP...

Kate and Sam Are Not Breaking Up (November 5-December 14, 2013)
By Joel Kim Booster
Directed by Sarah Gitenstein

Currently running at Collaboraction, Kate and Sam explores what happens when Hollywood's hottest young couple has decided to split up for good. As the media erupts in speculation and their fanbase begins to dissolve, one man decides to take matters into his own hands. Kidnapped by the fanboy from hell the pair is faced with a choice- rekindle their dead relationship or suffer the consequences.

reWILDing Genius (February 14-April 20, 2014)
By Andrew Hobgood and Megan Johns Directed by Andrew Hobgood

Premiering as part of Steppenwolf's 2014 Garage Rep, reWILDing Genius looks at what happens when an Uptown Chicago loft becomes a breeding ground for young minds looking to change the world. Self- identified geniuses, cybervigilantes, hacktivists and anarchists cast off the laws of the land as they attempt to alter Humanity's fate. But as they plot against enemies and build complex data schemes, reWILDing Genius asks how far is too far in our quest to save us from ourselves.

Orville and Wilbur Did It! (Summer 2014)
By David Zellnik
Directed by Andrew Hobgood

Acclaimed New York playwright David Zellnik (Yank!) spent June of 2013 workshopping this hilarious new show with The New Colony's ensemble. This R-rated comedy tackles sex, drugs, body issues, credit card scams, small town racism and much more: all in the touring van of the Americans Did It! Theatre Company's new children's musical about the Wright Brothers. As the actors and their stage manager make their way through the Midwest performing "Orville and Wilbur Did It!", they come to realize what the life of an actor is all about.

About The New Colony: The New Colony, the 2011 recipient of the Broadway In Chicago Emerging Theater Award, strives to contribute original material to the American artistic canon and develop a new kind of theater going audience. Through collaboration with emerging artists of all disciplines, The New Colony continually develops new work and fresh perspectives. With the goal of exploring enticing subject matter and the common language of experience, The New Colony will cultivate the next generation of arts supporters.

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