Author: iboozer

A LIE OF THE MIND

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As Raven Theatre puts it: “The full moon over the highway. A pay phone call in the middle of the night. And a terrible act of violence that forever changes the trajectory of eight people’s lives. Sam Shepard’s A Lie of the Mind follows two families, connected by marriage, as they grapple with the pain and fear of loving and living. Famous for his imagery, language, and tour-de-force roles for actors, Shepard’s plays dig deep into the ideas of family, destiny, and American idealism. Raven’s production, directed by Azar Kazemi, deepens the questions at the heart of the play by layering an Immigrant story on top of the already searing critique of the American Dream at the heart of this American Classic.”

TTS Faculty Azar Kazemi is the Director! Current TTS Student, soon to be alumni Emma Burkey (BFA Directing, 2025) is the Assistant Director. TTS Faculty Member Kristina Fluty is the Intimacy Coordinator, & Martine-Key Green Rogers, [Our Dean], is the Dramaturg.

A Lie Of The Mind, Closes March 29th 2025, at Raven Theatre.

You Can Find Access To Tickets Here!

ENGLISH!

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As Roundabout Theatre Puts It: “Written by Sanaz Toossi and directed by Knud Adams, “English is a wonder, with unfailing wit, grace, and compassion” (Greg Evans, Deadline). Set in an Iranian classroom where four adult students and their teacher leapfrog through a linguistic playground, this is a funny, stunning triumph about the universal foibles of language and miscommunication. “The result is exquisite.” (Adam Feldman, Time Out New York).”

TTS Faculty Member Yasmin Zacaria Mikhaiel has been the EDI &Education Consultant on the production.

English Closes March 2nd 2025 at The Roundabout Theatre in New York City.

You Can Find Information About Tickets Here!

 

A Slow Air

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As Steep Theatre Put’s It: “A pair of estranged siblings are brought together through a remarkable string of events to reckon with memories of lives lived together and apart.”

TTS Alumni Kendra Thulin (MFA Acting, 1996) is performing as Morna!

Critics Said: “Thulin and Moore have worked together countless times in Chicago and you can tell. They both are excellent here under Robin Witt’s careful direction.” Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune

“Astonishing…a subtly remarkable tour de force under Robin Witt’s discerning and sensitive direction…Moore and Thulin exemplify what fine acting looks like….Steep keeps the bar on theater excellence in Chicago sky high.” Mitchell Oldham, Stage And Cinema

“a piece of artwork…the superior acting producing a jointure between the audience and the principals that is deep and riveting.” Debra Davy, Splash Magazine

A Slow Air closes March 1st 2025 at The Edge Off Broadway.

You Can Find Ticket Information Here!

AMC+ Feature!

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As Reel Chicago Put’s It: “XL Fest has announced a collaboration to showcase emerging filmmakers on AMC+, the premium streaming bundle from AMC Networks featuring an extensive lineup of popular and critically acclaimed programming from AMC, BBC America, IFC and SundanceTV and full access to targeted streaming services Shudder, Sundance Now and IFC Films Unlimited.”

TTS Alumni TJ Harris‘ (MFA Acting, 2021), Film Cottage Grove is now Streaming on AMC+. They are a Producer, Actor and member of the Production Company (InstinctiVision Films).

Cottage Grove, as put by TJ: “Is set in the parking lot of a Chicago Southside grocery store, Emmanuel struggles to communicate with his stroke-afflicted and estranged father, Senior, and at the same time, stay true to himself.”

Written & Directed by George Ellzey Jr. (CDM ’22)

You Can Find More Info About The Film Here!

 

10-Minute Play Celebration!

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As The Fresh Fruit Festival Puts It:  “Over 1 Week: March 24-30, 2025 up to 24 LGBTQ shorts will compete during three evenings of performances, with cash awards each night and a chance to participate in our Main Stage Festival later in the season.”

TTS Alumni (BFA Acting 2013) Gregory Marlow’s, ten minute play was selected to be a part of the festival!

Lets All Celebrate!

Waitress!

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As Paramount Theatre Puts It: “Full of romance and the joy of an uninhibited fling, Waitress challenges the story of a pregnant woman trapped in a small town between the life she’s living and the life she wants. Her customers, co-workers, and the town’s handsome new doctor may all offer her conflicting recipes for happiness, but only Jenna can do the soul-searching to decide for herself what the right ingredients are for her own happiness. Want to know her secret recipe?

Based on the 2007 film by the same name, with lyrics and music by Grammy Award winner and Tony Award nominee, Sara Bareilles. Nominated for four Tony Awards including Best Musical and Best Original Score!”

Waitress [Book by JESSIE NELSON Music and Lyrics by SARA BAREILLES Based upon the motion picture written by ADRIENNE SHELLY], Closes March 30th 2025 at The Paramount Theatre.

TTS Alumni Include: Ian Paul Custer (Playing Earl).

You Can Find Tickets Here!

the love object

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As The Story Theatre Put’s It: On the eve of Ramona’s sold-out stadium tour, her best friend and trusted assistant Paula announces she is leaving to pursue her own artistry. Fearing the loss of her closest confidante, Ramona reveals that a sex tape she made is about to be released, tainting her image (and ticket sales) forever. Will Paula stay and clean up Ramona’s mess one more time or finally escape the oppressive celebrity machine for good? A contemporary adaptation of Euripides’ Hippolytus, the love object examines the hyper-sexualization of women celebrities, the power struggles of interracial friendship and the tragedies of late-stage capitalism, all through the bubblegum veneer of an early 2000s pop superstar.

TTS ALUMNI INCLUDE: Cat Christmas (BFA ACTING)

the love object closes: Nov. 3rd 2024

Tickets Can Be Found Here!

OH, HAPPY DAY!

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As Steep Theatre puts it:

An unanswered question rings through the halls of St. Boniface High School: “Who will help me?” Happy Days Are Here (Again), a World Premiere commission by Steep ensemble member Omer Abbas Salem, examines man-made “divine” power, who wields it, and if they should be trusted.

“one of the most powerful new Chicago plays of this year, heck, most any year.” Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune

“[a] uniformly fine cast…Kazemi’s sharp direction…Salem’s play also may well enrage you (or re-enrage you) about an evil problem that continues to dog religious institutions, Catholic or otherwise.” Kerry Reader, Chicago Reader

TTS Alumni/ Staff INCLUDE: John Duncan (BFA 24) , Rich Adrian Lazatin (BFA 24) , Azar Kazemi (Faculty)

Happy Days Are Here (Again) Closes Oct. 27th at The Steppenwolf Space

Living Newspaper Festival

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As Jackalope puts it: It’s the 15th Annual! This year’s Living Newspaper Festival features five original 10-minute plays from a thrilling lineup of local and national playwrights – presented together in one electric evening at Jackalope Theatre in the Broadway Armory.

TTS Alumni Include: DeVaughn Loman (BFA ACTING 24), & one of the Playwrights Ike Holter.

Living Newspaper Festival Closes Sept. 16th 2024

Tickets Can Be Found Here.

The Late Show With Stephen Colbert

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Improv actor and comic Stephen Colbert flexes the hosting muscles he honed over nearly 1,500 episodes of the popular and critically celebrated “The Colbert Report” at the helm of this long-running late-night talk show.

TTS ALUMNI INVOLVED: Casey Campbell ( BFA ACTING O6) Voice Over Work

” For the last 2 and a half years, I have been the voice over for the Comedy Cold Opens for the show (ie, fake trailers, commercials or PSA’s).”

You Can Find The Late Show With Stephen Colbert HERE

(Live in Chicago during the DNC)