2-13-09
Jobs and Benefits
As winter goes into what feels like the 50th week, some theatres are getting ready for spring by saying hello and goodbye in the personnel department.
Lifeline Theatre adds longtime ensemble member Robert Kauzlaric as marketing director and Lea Pinsky as director of education. Meantime, managing director Angelo Barone has left Lifeline and nonprofit theatre to join the finance team at Howard Brown Health Center, and Frances Limoncelli, who previously served as director of marketing and education coordinator, now works as marketing director for Amble Resorts (though she will continue as a Lifeline artistic associate—her adaptation of Dorothy L. Sayers’ Busman’s Honeymoon opens in May). The search is on for a new managing director.
BackStage Theatre Company announces a search for a new artistic director, which is currently an unpaid position. Interested? Send a resume, cover letter, and two letters of recommendation to: BackStage Theatre, Attn: Artistic Director Search, 7518 N. Ridge Blvd., Chicago, IL 60645, or e-mail backstagead@mail.com.
Jenny Topolosky has left her job as an account executive with Margie Korshak Inc. Topolosky reports that she plans to take some time off before her next career move. Anne Kletzker and Michelle Molise are taking over Topolosky’s clients. Decidedly smaller than the Broadway in Chicago Korshak accounts, but no less dedicated to musicals, Village Players Theatre in Oak Park also has a new marketing director in Liz Johnson, who takes over from Christopher Pazdernik.
Stage Left named an octet of talent to its artistic ensemble. The new members are: Usman Ally, Scott Bishop, Kate Black, Melanie Derleth, Ian Maxwell, Erin Myers, Ashley Nelson and Zev Valancy. The company’s next production, The Day of Knowledge by Jeff-winning ensemble playwright David Allan Moore, opens Feb. 24th and traces the aftermath of an event very similar to the 2004 Beslan school massacre, when Chechen terrorists took hundreds of children hostage, leaving 186 dead after Russian troops stormed the school.
Marc Robin, longtime freelance director and choreographer for oodles of Chicago area companies, including Marriott’s Theatre in Lincolnshire, accepted the position of artistic director for the Fulton Theatre in Lancaster, PA, where he has served as interim AD since October 2008, when Fulton’s former artistic director, Michael D. Mitchell, passed away from cancer.
What, more awards for August: Osage County? Looks likely. The Steppenwolf behemoth has been nominated for four Olivier Awards for the London production, including Tracy Letts for best new play, Deanna Dunagan for best actress, Todd Rosenthal for best set, and best company performance—the first time the Oliviers have included a category for ensemble.
Goodman Theatre became the first two-time winner of the Joyce Award, given by the Joyce Foundation to support the development of new work. The $50,000 grant will be used for Quiara Alegria Hudes’ new play, tentatively entitled The Jibaro Play, and slated to premiere in Goodman’s 2011 season. Hudes wrote the libretto for In the Heights, and her play Elliot, a Soldier’s Fugue was a 2007 Pulitzer finalist. Goodman also announces a new creative partnership with Austria’s Linz Festival, Joan Dark, which premieres next September at the Goodman (see article on international theatre).
Congrats to Malik Gillani, executive director of Silk Road Theatre Project, named a 2009 Trust Fellow by the Chicago Community Trust. As an emerging leader in the arts category, Gillani will receive up to $30,000 to use toward professional development.
It’s the season of love, so try a little tenderness and support some worthwhile causes and companies. (And in this economy, it’s no surprise that we’re top-heavy with benefits this month!) On V-Day, the Neo-Futurists present Too Much Love: 30 Plays About Love in 60 Sweet Minutes. Tickets are $20 and the proceeds go to the Children’s Organ Transplant Association. The performance is “inspired by and dedicated to the journey of Jack Benjamin, the son of ensemble members Sean Benjamin and Noelle Krimm.” Reservations recommended at www.neofuturists.org.
Trap Door Theatre unveils “Romania Mania!” on Feb. 21 at Phyllis’ Musical Inn, 1800 W. Division. Tickets are $10 and proceeds help the company fund their second tour of Romania. Fittingly, Romanian playwright Matei Visniec’s play, Horses at the Window, is next up for the Trappists in March. Info at www.trapdoortheatre.com.
Decidedly more upscale is Remy Bumppo’s annual benefit, “The Play’s the Thing,” also on Feb. 21 at the Grand Piazza, 1431 W. Taylor St. Deanna Dunagan will be on hand, and guests can have their picture taken with the Remy Bumppo vet (no word on whether she’ll be holding her Tony Award aloft). Tickets are pricey at $175 for individuals, with tables for 10 running $1,750 to $5,000. (We think it would be fine for any bankers who got bailout money to spread the wealth to the arts, by the way!) Call 773/244-8119 for information.
Apple Tree Theatre hosts a Valentine’s-themed benefit, “Funny Valentine: An Evening with Ross Lehman and Friends,” tonight. Tickets are $40. The benefit is part of Apple Tree’s “Orchard Series,” which runs all month. On Feb. 14, Ben Hollis of “Wild Chicago” presents “What’s It Like to Be You: Love & Marriage.” Call 847/432-4335 or visit www.appletreetheatre.com.
Award-winning solo performer Arlene Malinowski retires her hit show What Does the Sun Sound Like?, about growing up the hearing daughter of deaf parents. The final performances, presented as part of Victory Gardens’ Access Project Crip Slam Series, run Feb. 15-16 at the Victory Gardens Biograph. Call 773/871-3000 or 773/871-1682 TTY.
The White Airplane? No, it’s not about that U.S Airways jet in the Hudson. Chicago playwright Darren Callahan, who suffered a one-time seizure, followed by a battery of confounding tests involving sleep deprivation, attempts to capture that “somnambulistic blur” in his play, presented by Polarity Ensemble Theatre Feb. 16-March 22 at the company’s new home at the Josephinum Academy, 1500 N. Bell (onetime home for the Keyhole Players).
Finally, those who were pleased that President Obama mentioned nonbelievers in his inaugural address might want to see out-and-proud atheist Jamie Kilstein. The New York-based comedian provides a humorous glimpse at godlessness Feb. 15-21 at the Lakeshore.
Send news tips, but please make sure they’ve been fully vetted, to kerryreid@comcast.net.