John Olson
Latest News on John Olson:
CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG Opens At Gallery Theater (Nov 13, 2024)
Experimental Chamber Music Performance SHE'S BUOYANT To Have World Premiere In October (Sep 17, 2024)
Cast Set for Open Space Arts' SUNSETS: TWO ACTS ON A BEACH (Jan 12, 2024)
CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG Opens At Gallery Theater (Nov 13, 2024)
Experimental Chamber Music Performance SHE'S BUOYANT To Have World Premiere In October (Sep 17, 2024)
Cast Set for Open Space Arts' SUNSETS: TWO ACTS ON A BEACH (Jan 12, 2024)
BIO
Founder and President of Hatmaker Theatrical Productions, producer of The New Colony's FRAT, John is a high school theater geek finally embracing his roots. After a career in advertising agencies serving clients both well and little-known, John has turned his marketing talents to the theatre world, handling marketing responsibilities for Bailiwick Chicago’s F***king Men by Joe DiPietro and the US Premiere of Departure Lounge. He is also Marketing Manager for Polarity Ensemble Theatre and a member of the Bailiwick Chicago collective. He is an Associate Editor of The Sondheim Review, which explains the funny name he came up with for his company. He also reviews Chicago theater for TalkinBroadway.com, for whom he reviewed FRAT in 2009. A fraternity member himself, he chose FRAT as his first theatrical production project.
Photos
News
CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG Opens At Gallery Theater
Gallery Theater of McMinnville, Oregon has announced the opening of its final 2024 season show, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, on Friday, November 22, 2024.
Gallery Theater of McMinnville, Oregon has announced the opening of its final 2024 season show, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, on Friday, November 22, 2024.
Experimental Chamber Music Performance SHE'S BUOYANT To Have World Premiere In October
María Dolores A. Matienzo has announced the world premiere of she’s buoyant, a 75-minute post-minimalist aleatoric composition for violin, synthesizers, percussion, piano, tape, and voice, on October 26-27, 2024 at Base: Experimental Arts + Space in Seattle, Washington.
María Dolores A. Matienzo has announced the world premiere of she’s buoyant, a 75-minute post-minimalist aleatoric composition for violin, synthesizers, percussion, piano, tape, and voice, on October 26-27, 2024 at Base: Experimental Arts + Space in Seattle, Washington.
Cast Set for Open Space Arts' SUNSETS: TWO ACTS ON A BEACH
Classic gay drama 'Sunsets: Two Acts on a Beach' will be opening on February 2 at Open Space Arts.
Classic gay drama 'Sunsets: Two Acts on a Beach' will be opening on February 2 at Open Space Arts.
Julia Jacklin Shares Cover of Roland S. Howard's 'Shivers'
Julia Jacklin reveals an extraordinary cover of Roland S. Howard’s “Shivers,” putting her inspired and breathtaking spin on the track originally recorded by Howard and Nick Cave’s band The Boys Next Door. Jacklin’s glassy vocals drive the song, paying tribute to the raw emotion of the original while giving it a new breath of life with her sound.
Julia Jacklin reveals an extraordinary cover of Roland S. Howard’s “Shivers,” putting her inspired and breathtaking spin on the track originally recorded by Howard and Nick Cave’s band The Boys Next Door. Jacklin’s glassy vocals drive the song, paying tribute to the raw emotion of the original while giving it a new breath of life with her sound.
Wolf Eyes Announce 'Dreams In Splattered Lines' LP
Wolf Eyes (the Michigan-based experimental sound and visual art collective currently led by Nate Young and John Olson) announced Dreams In Splattered Lines, their first widely-distributed non-compilation album in six years. It includes 'Engaged Withdrawal,” “My Whole Life,” & “Days Decay' from the upcoming full-length.
Wolf Eyes (the Michigan-based experimental sound and visual art collective currently led by Nate Young and John Olson) announced Dreams In Splattered Lines, their first widely-distributed non-compilation album in six years. It includes 'Engaged Withdrawal,” “My Whole Life,” & “Days Decay' from the upcoming full-length.
Two Stephens College Conservatory Faculty Star in National Tour
Stephens College Conservatory for the Performing Arts faculty John Hemphill and Lisa Brescia are starring in the Dear Evan Hansen Broadway national tour. Brescia plays Heidi Hansen and Hemphill plays Larry Murphy.
Stephens College Conservatory for the Performing Arts faculty John Hemphill and Lisa Brescia are starring in the Dear Evan Hansen Broadway national tour. Brescia plays Heidi Hansen and Hemphill plays Larry Murphy.
Reboot's 'The Golem: Rescored' Coming Soon to Vinyl
Reboot is releasing a vinyl record this month, featuring new scores of The Golem film by Scott Amendola, Steven Drozd (The Flaming Lips) and Steve Berlin (Los Lobos, The Flesh Eaters) / Threshing Floor (Alan Licht, Gretchen Gonzales Davidson, Rebecca Odes, John Olson, Nate Young) / Meg Baird, and more.
Reboot is releasing a vinyl record this month, featuring new scores of The Golem film by Scott Amendola, Steven Drozd (The Flaming Lips) and Steve Berlin (Los Lobos, The Flesh Eaters) / Threshing Floor (Alan Licht, Gretchen Gonzales Davidson, Rebecca Odes, John Olson, Nate Young) / Meg Baird, and more.
Amber Mandley Appointed as PrideArts' Managing Director
The Board of Directors of PrideArts, the Uptown-based theatre company focused on presenting queer stories on live stages and virtual platforms, has appointed Amber Mandley as Managing Director, a new position.
The Board of Directors of PrideArts, the Uptown-based theatre company focused on presenting queer stories on live stages and virtual platforms, has appointed Amber Mandley as Managing Director, a new position.
Review Roundup: HELLO, DOLLY! on Tour, What Did Critics Think?
'It only takes a moment' for America to fall in love with 'Hello, Dolly!' as the national tour is entertaining audiences across the U.S. with this classic tale. Check out what the critics are saying in the reviews from various tour stops below!
'It only takes a moment' for America to fall in love with 'Hello, Dolly!' as the national tour is entertaining audiences across the U.S. with this classic tale. Check out what the critics are saying in the reviews from various tour stops below!
ALL THAT HE WAS Benefit Concert Set For March At Pride Arts Center
ALL THAT HE WAS 25th Anniversary Benefit Concert and cast announced for March 11, 2019 at Pride Arts Center.
ALL THAT HE WAS 25th Anniversary Benefit Concert and cast announced for March 11, 2019 at Pride Arts Center.
FLIES! THE MUSICAL! World Premiere Comes to Pride Arts Center
In a twisted mash-up of WAITING FOR GUFFMAN and GLEE, FLIES! THE MUSICAL! follows the drama kids from Lovely Valley Performing Arts Magnet High School. The students are left behind in an abandoned forest preserve during a "research" retreat for an unauthorized teacher-written musical production of LORD OF THE FLIES.
In a twisted mash-up of WAITING FOR GUFFMAN and GLEE, FLIES! THE MUSICAL! follows the drama kids from Lovely Valley Performing Arts Magnet High School. The students are left behind in an abandoned forest preserve during a "research" retreat for an unauthorized teacher-written musical production of LORD OF THE FLIES.
Pride Arts Center Theatre for Young Audiences Announced a Puppet Playdate with Grandma D
Pride Arts Center (PAC)'s Theatre for Young Audiences series, which began in July with 'Pride Ever After,' will continue with a new show in August.
Pride Arts Center (PAC)'s Theatre for Young Audiences series, which began in July with 'Pride Ever After,' will continue with a new show in August.
New Documentary Series PLAYING BY THE RULES: ETHICS AT WORK Set for THIRTEEN
PLAYING BY THE RULES: ETHICS AT WORK, a new three-part documentary series, explores the vital role of ethical decision making in contemporary business practices.
PLAYING BY THE RULES: ETHICS AT WORK, a new three-part documentary series, explores the vital role of ethical decision making in contemporary business practices.
New Documentary PLAYING BY THE RULES Explores Rise & Fall of Enron, Premieres January
To this day, the Enron collapse remains a case study in how quickly bad business ethics can bring down a company. Enron's employees lost billions of dollars in retirement savings as the company's stock rapidly lost value.
To this day, the Enron collapse remains a case study in how quickly bad business ethics can bring down a company. Enron's employees lost billions of dollars in retirement savings as the company's stock rapidly lost value.
John Olson Pens New Book, IN ADVANCE OF THE BROKEN JUSTY
In Advance of the Broken Justy is a grievance against everything inimical to nuance and subtlety and delicacy and charm. It's a Phone: fervent attempt to reclaim a quality of attention that has been threatened to near extinction by rampant techno-narcissism. Attention, as defined by William James, “implies withdrawal from some things in order to deal effectively with others, and is a condition which has a real opposite in the confused, dazed, scatterbrained state which in French is called distraction, and Zerstreutheit in German.” Zerstreuitheit, according to Olson, is a supervisor's sour gaze. It's mandatory overtime. It's having to work for a living. It's the buzz of an alarm clock dissipating a pleasant dream. It's a playground bully. It's a motorcycle gang at a rock concert. It's a cop spraying capsaicin in an elderly woman's face. It's a loud party next door when you're in bed and have to get up early to go to a job you hate. It's endless war. It's the nagging ever-present worry about climate change and corporate predation and the death of value. It's cancer. It's chemotherapy. It's Syria and Gaza and Israel and wrecked Iraq. It's smartphones, the erosion of the commons, and the obliviousness of one's fellow citizens. It's rudeness and insanity and fascism and a boot in the face. It's a neighbor's power saw ripping a quiet afternoon in half.
In Advance of the Broken Justy is a grievance against everything inimical to nuance and subtlety and delicacy and charm. It's a Phone: fervent attempt to reclaim a quality of attention that has been threatened to near extinction by rampant techno-narcissism. Attention, as defined by William James, “implies withdrawal from some things in order to deal effectively with others, and is a condition which has a real opposite in the confused, dazed, scatterbrained state which in French is called distraction, and Zerstreutheit in German.” Zerstreuitheit, according to Olson, is a supervisor's sour gaze. It's mandatory overtime. It's having to work for a living. It's the buzz of an alarm clock dissipating a pleasant dream. It's a playground bully. It's a motorcycle gang at a rock concert. It's a cop spraying capsaicin in an elderly woman's face. It's a loud party next door when you're in bed and have to get up early to go to a job you hate. It's endless war. It's the nagging ever-present worry about climate change and corporate predation and the death of value. It's cancer. It's chemotherapy. It's Syria and Gaza and Israel and wrecked Iraq. It's smartphones, the erosion of the commons, and the obliviousness of one's fellow citizens. It's rudeness and insanity and fascism and a boot in the face. It's a neighbor's power saw ripping a quiet afternoon in half.
Photo Flash: FringeNYC's 2015 Shows Ring the NASDAQ Closing Bell
The New York International Fringe Festival (FringeNYC), the largest multi-arts festival in North America, kicks off its 19th Annual Festival tomorrow, August 14, running through August 30, 2015. This year, festival productions including SHAKE THE EARTH, ELEPHANTS AND OTHER WORLDLY DILEMMAS and THE GAP among other rang the NASDAQ closing bell today to commemorate the festival's August 14th opening. Scroll down for photos!
The New York International Fringe Festival (FringeNYC), the largest multi-arts festival in North America, kicks off its 19th Annual Festival tomorrow, August 14, running through August 30, 2015. This year, festival productions including SHAKE THE EARTH, ELEPHANTS AND OTHER WORLDLY DILEMMAS and THE GAP among other rang the NASDAQ closing bell today to commemorate the festival's August 14th opening. Scroll down for photos!
ELEPHANTS AND OTHER WORLDLY DILEMMAS to Play FringeNYC
The New York International Fringe Festival is pleased to present ELEPHANTS AND OTHER WORLDLY DILEMMAS, a new comedy written by Dina Laura, directed by Peter Zachari and starring Dina Laura, John Olson and Matt Stapleton, at the 19th annual New York International Fringe Festival. Performances run Saturday, August 15 @ 4:30 pm, Thursday, August 20 @ 8:45 pm, Saturday, August 22 @ noon, Wednesday, August 26 @ 7 pm and Saturday, August 29 @ 7 pm at The Steve & Marie Sgouros Theatre, located at 115 MacDougal Street, 3rd floor (West 3rd and Bleecker; subways: 1 to Christopher Street or A, B, C, D, E, F, M to West 4th Street). Tickets will be available online at www.fringenyc.org from July 17.
The New York International Fringe Festival is pleased to present ELEPHANTS AND OTHER WORLDLY DILEMMAS, a new comedy written by Dina Laura, directed by Peter Zachari and starring Dina Laura, John Olson and Matt Stapleton, at the 19th annual New York International Fringe Festival. Performances run Saturday, August 15 @ 4:30 pm, Thursday, August 20 @ 8:45 pm, Saturday, August 22 @ noon, Wednesday, August 26 @ 7 pm and Saturday, August 29 @ 7 pm at The Steve & Marie Sgouros Theatre, located at 115 MacDougal Street, 3rd floor (West 3rd and Bleecker; subways: 1 to Christopher Street or A, B, C, D, E, F, M to West 4th Street). Tickets will be available online at www.fringenyc.org from July 17.
THE BOOK OF MERMAN Extends at Apollo Theater Studio
Pride Films and Plays world premiere production of The Book of Merman will extend past its previously announced closing of April 5th through Spring, the company announced today. The new musical comedy by Jeff Award-winning author Leo Schwartz transferred to the Apollo Theater Studio, 2540 N. Lincoln, Chicago on February 26th after a sold out run at Mary's Attic in Andersonville in January and February and will continue its run at the Apollo Theater Studio. Cast members Libby Lane, Sam Button-Harrison and Dan Gold will continue in the show.
Pride Films and Plays world premiere production of The Book of Merman will extend past its previously announced closing of April 5th through Spring, the company announced today. The new musical comedy by Jeff Award-winning author Leo Schwartz transferred to the Apollo Theater Studio, 2540 N. Lincoln, Chicago on February 26th after a sold out run at Mary's Attic in Andersonville in January and February and will continue its run at the Apollo Theater Studio. Cast members Libby Lane, Sam Button-Harrison and Dan Gold will continue in the show.
Judith Light Leads WONDERFUL - A NEW PLAY Reading Today
Rob Hinderliter and Dominick LaRuffa, Jr. of R&D Theatricals (All the Way, On The Town, An American In Paris) are presenting an invitation-only reading of WONDERFUL -- A NEW PLAY today, February 26. Directed by Andy Sandberg (Application Pending, The Last Smoker in America), WONDERFUL is written by playwrights Craig Ricks and John Olson.
Rob Hinderliter and Dominick LaRuffa, Jr. of R&D Theatricals (All the Way, On The Town, An American In Paris) are presenting an invitation-only reading of WONDERFUL -- A NEW PLAY today, February 26. Directed by Andy Sandberg (Application Pending, The Last Smoker in America), WONDERFUL is written by playwrights Craig Ricks and John Olson.
Will Swenson & Carla Gugino to Join Judith Light in Industry Reading of WONDERFUL - A NEW PLAY
Rob Hinderliter and Dominick LaRuffa, Jr. of R&D Theatricals (All the Way, On The Town, An American In Paris) announced today that Carla Gugino (Desire Under the Elms, Watchmen) and Tony nominee Will Swenson (Hair, Les Miserables) complete the casting for an invitation-only reading of WONDERFUL - A NEW PLAY on February 26. Directed by Andy Sandberg (Application Pending, The Last Smoker in America), WONDERFUL is written by playwrights Craig Ricks and John Olson.
Rob Hinderliter and Dominick LaRuffa, Jr. of R&D Theatricals (All the Way, On The Town, An American In Paris) announced today that Carla Gugino (Desire Under the Elms, Watchmen) and Tony nominee Will Swenson (Hair, Les Miserables) complete the casting for an invitation-only reading of WONDERFUL - A NEW PLAY on February 26. Directed by Andy Sandberg (Application Pending, The Last Smoker in America), WONDERFUL is written by playwrights Craig Ricks and John Olson.
Videos