Theater Wit Set To Partner with Three Resident Companies in a New Facility

Artistic Director Jeremy Wechsler has announced the resident theatre roster for Theater Wit's new facility at 1229 W Belmont for the 2010-2011 season. Shattered Globe, Stage Left and Bohemian Theatre Ensemble will all be permanent residents in the new space, using it for productions starting in 2010 and moving forward.

The Resident Company program is an innovative space sharing program developed by Theater Wit. The program's goals are to provide companies not only with a permanent base of operations, but help distinguish and define the new theatre venue as a consistent home for some of Chicago's most respected Off-Loop theatres. Under the resident theatre program, all four theatres will cooperate in determining season schedules, share common facilities and rehearsal space and contribute to the day to day operations of the building.

"The resident theatre program is one of the best aspects of our new building venture," said Wechsler. "Under this program, we not only give back to the larger artistic community by providing key companies with a permanent home to expand into, but we also insure consistency of programming for our patrons. The three theatres joining us bring their entire variety of audiences and artistic vision into what promises to be one of the exciting venues on the Off-Loop scene."

The building renovation is a complete rehab of the existing building, formerly operated by Bailiwick Repertory. It will include three theatres of 99 seats with a full compliment of computerized lighting and sound equipment, office space and a wine and coffee bar. Currently budgeted at approximately $1.2M, construction is expected to start this month for an opening by spring of 2010.

Under the Resident Company program, all four theatres will consolidate audience relations, box office and some marketing operations in the new facility, overseen by Theater Wit staff. In an effort to reach out and build all audiences, the theatres will share attendance information, co-produce promotional materials and participate in a flexible pass program so the patron can pick and choose shows from any of the available programming in the building over the course of a season. "Under the current economic climate, I think the best way we can all prosper as arts organizations is to consolidate our efforts," argues Wechsler. "None of us believe that theatre is in competition with itself. The best inducement to see another play is to have just experienced a great evening in the theatre. We can all provide that for one another. Each entity will maintain it's own organizational identity and staff apart from the building staff to keep every one of the companies a unique and vibrant contributor to Chicago's rich artistic culture."

THEATER WIT (http://www.theaterwit.org) was founded in 2004 as a theatre devoted to producing new works of humor and intelligence. Under Artistic Director Jeremy Wechsler, Theater Wit has presented Chicago premieres of six plays (two by Chicago writers) in addition to popular holdiday programming such as The Santaland Diaries. in the last four years, Theater Wit has been nominated and won multiple Jeff awards, ended up on multiple "Best of Year" lists, won critical acclaim and built a significant producing organization.

BOHEMIAN THEATRE ENSEMBLE (www.bohotheatre.com) was founded in the fall of 2003 to create a company that incorporated a solid business approach, respect for the artist and the creative process, as well as adherence to a spirited mission, including the tenants of the Bohemian - Truth, Beauty, Freedom, and Love - from which BoHo believes all art arises. Its mission is to create theatre that incorporates the arts as a whole, further defining the Bohemian as anyone who secedes from conventionality in life and art - An ideal that is fully apparent in the selections BoHo has come to be known for, namely, unique and eclectic seasons, incorporating productions that span the classics to contemporary with both musical and straight-play offerings. Its acceptance into the Chicago theatre landscape is evident as BoHo, its productions, and its actors have been honored with 7 Jeff Awards and 5 After Dark Awards since its inception.

Founded in 1991, SHATTERED GLOBE THEATRE was born out of a small group of Chicago theatre artists who joined forces to stage a single production, Adam Langer's Backstage Pass. Inspired by the positive reception of the show and the powerful dynamic experienced in their collaboration, the artists formed Shattered Globe Theatre and took up residence in a tiny storefront at 2856 N. Halsted Street. Since that time, SGT has produced more than 50 plays, garnering an impressive 42 Jeff Awards, 93 Jeff Award Nominations, and the acclaim of critics and audiences alike for such productions as The Manchurian Candidate; Judgment at Nuremberg; The House of Blue Leaves; Dealer's Choice; Coyote on a Fence; Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf; Come Back Little Sheba; Suddenly, Last Summer; Requiem for a Heavyweight; A Taste of Honey; The Glass Menagerie and most recently The Little Foxes. SGT presents an eclectic mix of shows that speak to our times and inspire social discourse, Chicago premieres of works by national and international writers and new takes on America's best loved classics. The company remained in residence at its original storefront location until 1999 and has been a resident company of the Greenhouse Theater Center.

Founded in 1982, STAGE LEFT THEATRE (http://www.stagelefttheatre.com) is committed to nurturing voices for the American theatre by developing and producing plays that raise debate and challenge perspectives on political and social issues. Through a full subscription season and Downstage Left, one of Chicago's most prolific new play development programs, Stage Left strives to bring high-quality new work and world premieres to the Chicago stage. Over the last seven years, the Joseph Jefferson Committee has honored Stage Left world premieres with six nominations and three awards for Best New Work.

 

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