The Ruckus to Present COMMON HATRED, 6/22-7/22

The Ruckus Theater today announced its upcoming world premiere of Common Hatred. Devised and developed by a company of actors and writers during a six-month creation process in 2012, the script of Common Hatred is written by Calamity West and directed by Ruckus Ensemble Member Karie Miller. The cast of six is a motley crew of Ruckus regulars and Chicago theater favorites. Common Hatred is performed at The Side Project Theatre (1439 W. Jarvis) June 22-July 22, 2012. All performances are at 8:00pm. Preview tickets on June 21st are $10. General tickets are $15. A complete performance schedule including dates, times, and ticket prices appears at the end of this release.

“With this piece, we are all exploring something that touches us all and we’re really enjoying the ride,” says Ruckus Ensemble member and director Karie Miller. “The Ruckus is a company of collaborators and one of our big goals is to nurture both the project and the individuals creating it. I'm happy to note how much fun we're having, and how much trust you feel in the room.” “Devising is a terrifying, wonderful, strange beast, and this cast is tackling it more than ably,” added Artistic Director Allison Shoemaker. “The ensemble has created a rich, nuanced story, which simultaneously revels in and rejects its Chekhovian source material. It is at once contemporary and old-fashioned, experimental and traditional.”

Life is a story, but it’s not a short one. It has many acts, and they never quite end the way we predict.

Inside his late parents’ cherished home, Andrew (Neal Starbird) watches the wind blow through the trees, gnawing on a private worry, as his sister Olivia (Scottie Caldwell) prepares for a surprise birthday party–a party the guest of honor, their estranged brother, Sean (Michael Moran), would almost certainly rather avoid. Following the siblings, as well as a spouse, a friend, and an outsider through the seasons that follow, Common Hatred uncovers their harbored affections and waning dreams as they each try to understand what they truly desire, and why they never quite seem to get it.

Playwright Calamity West is a Chicago-based playwright. She received her BA in playwriting from Webster University and her MFA in playwriting from California College of the Arts in San Francisco. In Chicago, her plays have been seen with Chicago Dramatists, The Inconvenience, Jackalope Theatre Company, American Theater Company and at last, The Ruckus. This summer, Calamity’s newest work, The Gacy Play, will be produced by Sideshow Theatre Company.

Director Karie Miller is an interdisciplinary artist specializing in devised performance. Before Common Hatred, she spent two years developing Strangerland with Sideshow Theatre Company and was recently seen performing in 15 Minutes with The Ruckus at Rhinofest. Karie has worked with American Theatre Company, Steppenwolf Theatre Company, Genesis Ensemble, Redmoon, and Sojourn Theatre Company. With an MFA in Acting from the University of Virginia, Karie is now an Ensemble Member with The Ruckus, an Artistic Associate and staff member with Sideshow Theatre Company, and serves on the founding Board of Directors for CLAW USA, and Froghammer Shakespeare.

The cast of Common Hatred includes Catherine Bullard as Leigh; Scottie Caldwell as Olivia; Julie Cowden as Margaret; Ruckus literary manager Aaron Dean as Steve; Michael Moran as Sean; and Neal Starbird as Andrew. The creative team includes Technical Director and Set Designer Nicolas Shaw, Lighting Designer JAnna Weber, Costume Designer Kelsey Miller, Sound Designer Chris LaPorte, Dramaturg Autumn Shiley, Stage Manager Kaitlin Stewart, Production Manager Brian Ruby, Casting Director Timo Aker, Associate Artistic Director Joshua Davis, and Artistic Director Allison Shoemaker.

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