Podcasts about Victory Gardens Theater

Amidst the recent fallout at Victory Gardens Theater in Chicago, we examine the role of the Board of Directors and the changing relationship they have with theater administrators and staff. 

Small Fish Radio Theatre's 10th Anniversary Horror Show Retrospective presents CIDADA KILLERS by MJ Kelly, with a little help from his friends. This song debuted in our first horror show, A GRISLY FEAST, recorded LIVE at Victory Gardens Theater and presented as part of Victory Gardens Theater Crip Slam in October 2013. Featured Talent: Cat Dean, Joy Thorbjornsen-Coates, Michael Herzovi, and MJ Kelly.

*Dan Petrella of the Chicago Tribune goes through the list of lawsuits levied by GOP Attorney General candidate Tom DeVore. *Author David Maraniss previews his new book looking at the life and legacy of Jim Thorpe. *Theater Critic Chris Jones shares how the Victory Gardens Theater has decided to stop producing its own shows. *John wonders what led a Virginia country club to develop a menu with a very poorly timed them: 9/11. *Plus, Associate Producer and residential Bears expert Rachel Woodall breaks down how the Bears managed to top the 49ers.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

*Dan Petrella of the Chicago Tribune goes through the list of lawsuits levied by GOP Attorney General candidate Tom DeVore. *Author David Maraniss previews his new book looking at the life and legacy of Jim Thorpe. *Theater Critic Chris Jones shares how the Victory Gardens Theater has decided to stop producing its own shows. *John wonders what led a Virginia country club to develop a menu with a very poorly timed them: 9/11. *Plus, Associate Producer and residential Bears expert Rachel Woodall breaks down how the Bears managed to top the 49ers.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

James Sherman is a founding member of the Tony-winning Victory Gardens Theater's Playwrights Ensemble and his new play, Chagall in School, opens this weekend at Theater Wit in Chicago, in a production by the Grippo Stage Company, directed by Georgette Verdin. Chagall in School follows the the young artist Marc Chagall struggling to find his voice amidst political, cultural, and artistic revolution – which, not coincidentally, happened almost exactly 100 years ago – James discusses the impulse that led to the play's creation; how plays like Chagall in School come to be: the mixed message of people encouraging you to become a playwright after seeing you act; how the first draft of any play is simply the author improvising; the relationship between revolutions in painting and revolutions in acting; and finally, how the audience is the crucial – and final – component for a brand new play. (Length 20:37) (PICTURED: John Drea and Yourtana Sulaiman as Marc and Berta Chagall in James Sherman's Chagall In School, directed by Georgette Verdin, Grippo Stage Company.) The post Chagall In School appeared first on Reduced Shakespeare Company.

Adam Cohen, a good friend of Ben's family, died at the age of 29. Ben reflects. And then it's a Chicago Reader Special as managing editor Salem Collo-Julin and theater critic Kerry Reid talk about the latest issue. One thing leads to another as the conversation flows from Fritz to Kina to Prince to Precious to cullud watta, the sensational new play at the Victory Gardens Theater. Kerry says--run don't walk to see it!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Bonnie DeShong is a radio pioneer in Chicago. Her signature “Hey Baby” is part of her strong legacy as a co-host with some of the biggest names in Urban Radio, sharing her gifts, and speaking her mind. She reveals to Jeanne where her trademark greeting came from, the best advice she ever received from Chicago media legend Merry Dee, her philosophy for keeping it real, what it was like being a woman in a man's world for more than 30 years, and what questions she asks to center herself.  About Bonnie:  Bonnie “Hey Baby” DeShong has been an essential and irrepressible part of Chicago radio for more than 30 years. Her on-air career includes co-host, entertainment and/or traffic reporter for WGCI, WVAZ, and WSRB. She worked side-by-side with radio giants, Tom Joyner, Doug Banks, John Monds, and Tony Richards. Her TV credits range from “The Martin Lawrence Show,” to film critic for FOX-32 Chicago, guest co-host on ABC-7's “190 North,” and co-host of the city of Chicago's “CHICAGO WORKS” show. She currently writes entertainment articles for the Chicago/Gary Crusader newspaper and Chicagonow.com, along with hosting “Bonnie's Eye,” on Omni Channel 95.1 Chicago. She's also a theater actress, performing in several productions with The Chicago Theatre Company, Goodman Theater, Victory Gardens Theater, ETA, and more.  Twitter: @bonnieseyeInstagram: @bonnieseyeFacebook: Bonnie's Eye to the SkyYouTube: Bonnie's Eye to the SkyWebsite: https://bonnieseyetothesky.com/

After much turmoil which led to a change in artistic leadership, new artistic director Ken-Matt Martin shares his vision for what the future of Victory Gardens Theater performances will look like. His hopes and plans for his new role, what he looks for in new plays to be presented and why he might turn down […]

We have so much to talk about! From last night’s Verzuz (The Isley Brother’s & Earth, Wind, and Fire) to my upcoming show this weekend: The Black Monologues at Victory Gardens Theater. Press play now!

A discussion on pay equity with costume designers Christine Pascual and Elizabeth Wislar.   Christine is a member of On Our Team, an organization building pay and labor equity in the theatre industry, by requesting equitable pay and support for theatrical designers.   Elizabeth is a member of Costume Professionals for Wage Equity and the two organizations are calling on Playbill to require clear rates of pay for listings on their job site.   UPDATE: March 26, 2021 - Paybill begane requiring clear pay rates for job listings on their site in response to this public call to action.   Christine Pascual is a costume designer based in Chicago. She is the oldest of seven children whose parents immigrated to the US from the Philippines. She was nominated for a Hewes Design Award for notable effects in costumes for The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity at Victory Gardens Theater.   Christine Pascual Website: https://christinepascualcostumedesign.weebly.com/   Elizabeth Wislar is a Multi-Award Winning Costume Professional, a Large Scale Textile and Integrated Technology Artist, a Wage Equity Warrior, and Instructor. She spent twenty years as a freelance theatre artisan in Chicago and is now at the James Madison University as Assistant Professor of Costume Design.    Elizabeth Wislar Website: https://elizabethwislar.wixsite.com/mysite   On Our Team: https://onourteam.org/home   Costume Professionals for Wage Equity: http://cpfwe.org/   Instagram - @onourteam: https://www.instagram.com/onourteam/   Twitter - @On_Our_Team: https://twitter.com/On_Our_Team   Facebook - On Our Team: https://www.facebook.com/groups/482244235827175/   Playbill Job Board: https://www.playbill.com/job/listing   Bug - Play: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bug_(play)   How To Defend Yourself - Play: https://victorygardens.org/event/how-to-defend-yourself/   Victory Gardens - Theater in Chicago: https://victorygardens.org/   TikTok - Basketball Weight Room: https://www.tiktok.com/@sedonerrr/video/6941180880127888646?lang=en&is_copy_url=1&is_from_webapp=v2   Lift The Curtain - End Unpaid Arts Internships: https://www.facebook.com/groups/588849201770626/   Links from the Patreon only episode:   Favored Nations - Paying All Designers Equally: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Most_favoured_nation   ...   Interview by Ethan Steimel   Become a patron at: www.patreon.com/artisticfinance   www.artisticfinance.com www.patreon.com/artisticfinance instagram.com/artisticfinance   tiktok.com/artisticfinance twitter.com/ethansteimel facebook.com/artisticfinance youtube.com/artisticfinance  

Reset talks to Ken-Matt Martin about his work and values as a thespian.

We have an incredible guest for you today: Lanise Antoine Shelley!! I had the privilege of watching Lanise perform at Stratford Festival in Ontario, Canada years ago and have admired her work and journey ever since.    Lanise Antoine Shelley is a multi-passionate Haitian actress, director, playwright, podcast host and visual artist. You may know her from Chicago Fire, Chicago Med, Empire, Discovery World, and Stratford Shakespeare Festival's Macbeth HD.    She has had the immense pleasure of studying abroad six times while achieving a BFA from Cornish College of the Arts, MFA from ART/MXAT at Harvard University, certificate in classical theatre from the British American Drama Academy in Oxford, England. ​ Additionally, she was nominated for the Princess Grace Award, nominated for a Jeff award, nominated Best Leading Actress by the BTAA, and was Stratford Shakespeare Festival's Chicago Fellow 2016. As a director, she served as Victory Gardens Theater's Directors Inclusion Initiative Fellow 2019.    Learn how over the course of Lanise's prolific career many opportunities birthed out of intuitive pings, and how she routinely summoned the faith, took leaps and followed the calls along the way.    By the end of this episode, you will never show up to an audition without being donned in your finest attire!   You'll discover: How Lanise's vivid imagination as a child catapulted her into many artistic avenues Why Lanise prefers the terms intercountry, intercultural or interracial adoptee vs transracial  What Lanise encourages artists to do to allow themselves to absorb the world and apply it to their art Why Lanise dresses up for auditions (yes, you are Beautiful, Powerful, Gorgeous!) What artistic goal took her 9 years to manifest The 3 plays she performed in at Stratford Festival that blew her expectations  The biggest takeaways she got from studying at the Moscow Art Theatre  How she was inspired by a birth chart reading that ignited the trajectory of her podcast “When They Were Young” How she wrote and directed her play “Pretended” in quarantine Why Lanise is on a crusade to lift the fog and misconceptions on the fairytale centric qualities of adoption  How Lanise can talk so freely because of the healing work she has done    We explore all of this and SO much more!! Take a screenshot of this episode and tag @lantoines and @serabanda in your Instagram stories to let us know what you thought of this episode!   Lanise provides her own special #speechforthestage for us so be sure to stick to the end and incorporate these awesome trills into your routine.    Visit Lanise on facebook!   Check out Lanise's website!   Tune into When They Were Young: Amplifying Voices of Adoptees and check out @youngadoptee on Instagram!   Be sure to check out One Child Nation on Amazon.    Write me a wish letter and let me know what you want to discuss next! impulse@actortoartist.com   Join the International Ensemble on Instagram: @actortoartist   Grab my Free Energy Exercise to co-create your dream #actorslife!   Disclaimer: Your use of the content on this podcast, content on actortoartist.com, content on our social media or content from our email list is at your own risk. Actor to Artist does not guarantee any results from using this content and is for educational purposes only. It is your responsibility to do your own research, consult, and obtain a professional for your medical, psychological, legal, financial, health or other help that you may need for your situation.

Andrea Dymond is a Chicago-based freelance director, specializing in new work, Andrea was formerly Resident Director at Victory Gardens Theater. She directed 11 productions there, including 7 world premieres. Chicago credits include Tree, Year Zero, Blue Door, Free Man of Color, Shoes, and I Have Before Me a Remarkable Document…(Victory Gardens); Helen (Next); and Keep A Song In Your Soul, which she directed and developed with the Grammy Award-winning Carolina Chocolate Drops (Old Town School of Folk Music). Other regional credits include: the new musical, St. Heaven (Village Theatre) and Having Our Say (Madison Repertory). Recent credits include: Shepsu Aahku's Softly Blue (MPAACT) and Lynn Nottage's Mud River Stone, (Eclipse) In addition, Andrea's experience includes research and production dramaturgy, directing at new works festivals nationally; serving as thesis play advisor for MFA playwrights at Carnegie Mellon; and, directing at NNPN's MFA Playwrights Workshops, at the Kennedy Center. Andrea teaches directing, collaboration, text analysis, acting and new play development at Columbia College Chicago, where she recently directed a production of Blues for an Alabama Sky, by Pearl Cleage and Euripides's Hecuba, in the traditional style, with masks, and a singing and dancing Chorus.

In the final episode of Season One, Amanda and Warren have a conversation with the Finance and Administrative Associate at Victory Gardens Theater. Introducing, Rachel Kennedy! Hear us discuss the administrative side of theater, internships, and how where you're currently at can help launch you to where you want to be. Like our guest? Want to see and hear more from her? Go follow Rachel @raykayy15 on Instagram. Liked the intro/outro song? Of course you did. Go follow our crazy talented friend Patrick Cunningham on Spotify! --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/wheneveryoureready/support

On this edition of The Arts Section, host Gary Zidek sits down with one of the few working foley artists in Chicago to find out how he creates sound effects on-stage. The Dueling Critics, Kerry Reid and Jonathan Abarbanel, will be here to review Victory Gardens Theater's world premiere, THE FIRST DEEP BREATH. A little later, Gary talks to two Chicago women, whose love of made-for-tv holiday movies inspired them to create a stage show that will benefit a local non-profit. And Gary catches up with Foley artist Shawn Goudie to learn more about the art of creating sound effects.

Introducing the Pittsburgh City Theatre's inaugural CitySpeaks podcast all about the making of Cambodian Rock Band. Part thrilling new play, part electrifying rock concert, Cambodian Rock Band is an epic tale of family, love, and heritage featuring the Cambodian surf rock music of Dengue Fever. This podcast is all about how the show came together with stories from the people who know it best. Today's episode is with Director Martin Lyons   Marti Lyons is thrilled to direct Cambodian Rock Band at City Theatre as part of a collaboration with Victory Gardens Theater, where she directed the show in the Spring, and Merrimack Rep where this production is headed next. Marti recently directed Witch by Jen Silverman at the Geffen Playhouse, playing in LA now. Marti also directed Witch at Writers Theatre in Chicago last season. She directed How to Defend Yourself by Lily Padilla for the 2019 Humana Festival as part of a co-world premiere with Victory Gardens Theater in Chicago, where Marti will direct the play again in 2019. Marti has directed Botticelli in the Fire by Jordan Tannahill (Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company); The Wolves by Sarah DeLappe and Kings by Sarah Burgess (Studio Theater); Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner (Court Theatre); Short Shakes! Macbeth (Chicago Shakespeare Theater), Title and Deed by Will Eno (Lookingglass Theatre Company) and Wondrous Strange together with Meg Miroshnik, Jiehae Park and Martyna Majok for the 2015 Humana Festival (Actors Theatre of Louisville).  This season Marti will direct The Niceties by Eleanor Burgess (Writers Theater), Jen Silverman’s The Moors (A Red Orchid Theatre), and the world premiere of The Scarlet Letter by Kate Hamill (South Coast Repertory). Marti is a proud member of SDC. For more information: martilyons.com

This week in a very special Behind the Curtain Paul talks with Tony Award Winning playwright Steven Levenson about the creation of the incredible show “Dear Evan Hansen,” TV’s Fosse/Verdon Mini-series ,  and “IF I Forget” currently playing at Victory Gardens Theater thru July 7th. Steven is  candid as he shares the true events behind […]

Hosted by M. Graham Smith, we are delighted to bring you the second series of Masters of the Stage: Regional Originals with M. Graham Smith – a series of interviews with some of the most exciting Directors and Choreographers working in America’s regional theatres today. This week on Masters of the Stage M. Graham Smith sits down with director and playwright, Chay Yew, Artistic Director of Victory Gardens Theater. They discuss how Chay learned to write between the lines, what directors shouldn't say to playwrights, how to understand how a region receives stories, and how a particular story will talk to your community. A room that is supportive of the play is most crucial - Chay Yew, 2018

Our guest in the Booth this week is the multi-talented Robert Cornelius. Singer, Actor, Songwriter, Band Leader, Educator, Activist, and Writer - he excels at them all! And...we learn that he can design and construct costumes as well. A long-time friend of the show, we were finally able to work it out with his busy schedule to have him on. Robert grew up on the South Side and studied theatre and psychology at Western Illinois University. When he came back to Chicago, he got cast in Rosencrantz & Gildernstern Are Dead at Stage Left. He quickly became a company member. Other highlights of his career include acting and designing costumes for A Member of the Wedding (also at Stage Left), and playing the lead in Blues for an Alabama Sky by Pearl Cleage at Madison Rep. Robert tells us about recent favorite acting projects, including appearing in a new play called Lottery Day by Ike Holter for the Goodman Theatre's New Stages project. Robert is also a successful musician, whose "unattainable goal" when he was young was to become a backup singer. When Poi Dog Pondering's band leader Frank Orall met Robert when both were performing in Brigid Murphy's Milly's Orchid Show, Frank asked him to come sing a couple of lines for a Poi Dog recording. Soon after, he was asked to join the group for a show outside of the Field Museum in Chicago. There were 10,000 people in attendance! Later he went on tour with the band for several years. Robert is still a proud member of the Poi Dog Pondering collective. They'll be performing five shows this December at City Winery in Chicago. Their live shows are joyous and not to be missed! On this episode, you'll hear a couple of short clips from one of Poi Dog Pondering's great albums, Pomegranate. Robert is the founder and leader of the musical group RC7, which started as a Soul and R & B cover band. Later, Robert started writing songs and they've produced a CD called To Your Soul. Both Poi Dog Pondering and RC7 have performed marvelous outdoor free shows at Petrillo Music Shell and at the Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park, one with the Grant Park Music Festival's sublime orchestra. The great Don Cornelius, creator of Soul Train, was Robert's uncle. Robert and a friend won one of the weekly dance contests with a cash prize, but he had to give it back because it was his uncle's show. Still he earned a place as a regular (unpaid) dancer for 2 1/2 years. The legend King of Soul Sam Cooke was married to Robert's dad's step sister. So being around huge talent and fame was par for the course when he was growing up. Director of Arts Education for Victory Gardens Theater, Robert and his staff go into the Chicago Public Schools to bring theatre training and fun to 600 kids a year! Gary and Robert talk about Victory Garden's magnificent production of Tony Award winning musical, Fun Home, running through November 19. Watch a great short video that introduces you to some of the staff and advisors to VG here. Kiss Of Death: Roy Dotrice, who started acting when he was a POW in World War II, has an amazing story. After the war, he performed in hundreds of productions. He did audio book narration and was perhaps best known for his one-man shows, holding the Guinness Record for most non-consecutive performances (1,782) for Brief Lives, about John Aubrey until Hal Holbrook eventually beat that number with his portrayal of Mark Twain. Dotrice became part of the precursor to the Royal Shakespeare Company, and introduced baseball to his fellow actors. You won't BELIEVE the team he fielded. Mr. Dotrice was 94.        

Joanie Schultz came to WaterTower Theatre in December of 2016. Before WaterTower, Joanie served as Associate Artistic Producer at Victory Gardens Theater, as part of the Leadership U One-on-One Fellowship funded by The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation administered through TCG, the national non-profit regional theatre service organization. She is also a freelance director, with recent productions at Kansas City Repertory Theatre, Studio Theatre, The Cleveland Play House, Goodman Theatre, Steppenwolf Theatre, and Victory Gardens Theater.  She was a Drama League Fellow, The Goodman Theatre Michael Maggio Director Fellow; the SDSF Denham Fellow; and Lincoln Center Theatre Directors Lab participant.  She is an ensemble member at Steep Theatre, Artistic Associate at Victory Gardens Theater, and artistic cabinet member at Studio Theatre in Washington, DC.  She is currently on adjunct faculty in directing at Columbia College and University of Chicago.  She received her B.A. in Theatre/Directing at Columbia College and her M.F.A. in Theatre Directing from Northwestern University. This interview was recorded by Mark David Noble, July 25, 2017 in the offices of WaterTower Theatre. For more information, please visit: http://www.watertowertheatre.org Intro and exit music was provided by James Vernon, from the James Vernon Trio recording, House of Jazz. Photo by Joe Mazza

The Adventures of Skater Girl by Trina Kakacek is a compilation of five episodes recorded live at Chicago Fringe Festival, Victory Gardens Theater, and Chicago Dramatists in Chicago from September 2012 to March 2014. The Adventures of Skater Girl featured the talents of Cat Dean, Michael Herzovi, Erik Hetman, MJ Kelly and Joy Thorbjornsen-Coates. Direction by Trina Kakacek. Sound design by Trina Kakacek and MJ Kelly. Small Fish Radio Theatre and Thespinarium is produced by Trina Kakacek and MJ Kelly.

Jonathan and Kelly engage in spirited debate over a spiritual play, the world premiere of "The Gospel of Lovingkindness," by Marcus Gardley, at Victory Gardens Theater.

Small Fish Radio Theatre and Thespinarium presents a Live Podcast Recording of its first horror show: A GRISLY FEAST, recorded LIVE at Victory Gardens Theater and presented as part of Victory Gardens Theater Crip Slam. Featured work: LULLABY FOR MY LITTLE BOY - a poem by Thomas J. Misuraca. THE LATE MRS. CHADWICK - a short play by Phoebe Roberts. THE SKINNY MAN - a short play by Scott T. Barsotti. BENEATH THE WINDOW - a short story by Richard Ballon. FLATTENED FAUNA BAR AND GRILL - a song by Jim Gustafson. THE CURSE OF THE HORNED BABBY - a short play by Lisa Dillman. And a horrific episode of THE ADVENTURES OF SKATER GIRL by Trina Kakacek. Featured Talent: Cat Dean, Joy Thorbjornsen-Coates, Michael Herzovi, and Michael John Kelly. Guest Artists: Erik Hetman and Max Evrard. Direction and Sound Design by Trina Kakacek. Small Fish Radio Theatre and Thespinarium is produced by Michael John Kelly and Trina Kakacek. Small Fish Radio Theatre and Thespinarium: Giving Voice to Small Fish in the Big Pond. On the web at www.smallfishradio.com. Like Us on Facebook!

On this week's episode of the Talk Theatre In Chicago podcast Tom Williams talks with Dennis Zacek, the Artistic Director of Victory Gardens Theater who is retiring after 34 years with the theater. He talks about his time at Victory Gardens as well as what he has planned for the future.

On this week's episode of the Talk Theatre In Chicago podcast, Tom Williams talks with the music and lyrics composer Neil Bartram and the book writer Brian Hill of Chicago Muse's The Story Of My Life playing at the Victory Gardens Theater. They talk about the process of bringing their show to stage.