Martha Lavey News

Steppenwolf for Young Adults (SYA) is thrilled to announce casting for the second production of its 2014/15 season, the world premiere of This Is Modern Art (based on true events) by acclaimed playwright Idris Goodwin and "Louder Than A Bomb" founder Kevin Coval. Directed by Lisa Portes, the cast of professional actors features Brittani Arlandis Green, Jerry MacKinnon, J. Salome Martinez Jr., Kelly O'Sullivan, Jessie D. Prez and Chris Rickett.

Steppenwolf Theatre Company kicks off the New Year with the Chicago premiere production of Marie Antoinette (February 5, 2015 - May 10, 2015), a modern, witty take on the young queen of France by David Adjmi (Elective Affinities, 3C) and directed by Robert O'Hara (Bootycandy). Next is the US premiere of The Herd (April 2, 2015 - June 7, 2015), the deftly comic story of a suburban English family by actor-playwright Rory Kinnear. Ensemble member and Tony Award winner Frank Galati directs in place of previously announced director K. Todd Freeman, who had an artistic scheduling conflict. Ensemble member Lois Smith joins the cast of The Herd, which features fellow ensemble members Francis Guinan and John Mahoney.

Steppenwolf Theatre Company continues its 2014/15 subscription season with the world premiere production of Airline Highway, written by Lisa D'Amour (Detroit, How to Build a Forest) and directed by Joe Mantello (The Last Ship, Casa Valentina, Wicked). Steppenwolf's production will be presented by Manhattan Theatre Club (MTC) at their Samuel J. Friedman Theatre on Broadway in Spring 2015. Airline Highway begins previews December 4, 2014 (Opening night is December 14, 2014; Press performances are December 13 at 3pm and December 16 at 7:30pm) and runs through February 8, 2015 in Steppenwolf's Downstairs Theatre (1650 N Halsted St).

Steppenwolf Theatre Company, the nation's longest-standing, most distinguished ensemble theater, announced today new leadership and unveiled plans for a future campus expansion. Steppenwolf ensemble member and Tony Award-winning director Anna D. Shapiro will succeed Martha Lavey as artistic director at the conclusion of the current season in fall 2015.

Steppenwolf Theatre Company Artistic Director Martha Lavey engages in conversation with John Lahr about his latest book, Tennessee Williams: Mad Pilgrimage of the Flesh in a special one-night-only event, Monday, October 13 at 7pm in the Downstairs Theatre. Lahr, who served as senior drama critic for The New Yorker for more than two decades, recently released his twentieth book, an authoritative, extraordinary biography on Tennessee Williams that invites intimate access into the mind of a playwright whose work reshaped the American theater. The conversation will include a Q&A, followed by a book signing in the lobby. Tickets are $10 and are available through Audience Services (1650 N Halsted), at 312-335-1650 or at steppenwolf.org.

Rehearsals are underway for Steppenwolf for Young Adults' (SYA) first production of its 2014/15 season: George Orwell's Animal Farm, a world premiere adaptation by Althos Low.

Steppenwolf Theatre Company's Chicago-premiere production of The Night Alive by Conor McPherson begins tonight. Henry Wishcamper directs a cast featuring ensemble members Francis Guinan and Tim Hopper with Helen Sadler, Dan Waller and M. Emmet Walsh. The world premiere of The Night Alive was produced at the Donmar Warehouse in 2013.

Steppenwolf Theatre Company is pleased to announce the three Chicago companies selected for the sixth annual Garage Rep: Cold Basement Dramatics, Pride Films and Plays and Red Tape Theatre. These innovative storefront companies will present three productions in rotating repertory for a ten-week run February - April, 2015 in the Garage Theatre (1624 N Halsted St).

Steppenwolf Theatre Company Artistic Director Martha Lavey engages in conversation with John Lahr about his latest book, Tennessee Williams: Mad Pilgrimage of the Flesh in a special one-night-only event on Monday, October 13 at 7pm in the Downstairs Theatre.

Steppenwolf Theatre Company launches its 2014/15 Subscription Season with the Chicago premiere production of The Night Alive by celebrated playwright Conor McPherson. Henry Wishcamper directs a cast featuring ensemble members Francis Guinan and Tim Hopper with Helen Sadler, Dan Waller and M. Emmet Walsh. The world premiere of The Night Alive was produced at London's Donmar Warehouse in 2013. The Night Alive begins previews September 18, 2014 (opening night is September 28; press performances are September 27 at 3pm and September 30 at 7:30pm) and runs through November 16, 2014 in Steppenwolf's Downstairs Theatre (1650 N Halsted St).

Steppenwolf Theatre Company's world-premiere production of The Qualms by ensemble member Bruce Norris is a provocative comedy marks Steppenwolf's eighth production and seventh world premiere by the Pulitzer Prize- and Tony Award-winning author of Clybourne Park. Tony Award-winner Pam MacKinnon (Steppenwolf's production of Edward Albee's Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?) directs a cast of nine featuring ensemble member Kate Arrington with Owais Ahmed, Karen Aldridge, Diane Davis, Kirsten Fitzgerald, Keith Kupferer, David Pasquesi, Paul Oakley Stovall and Greg Stuhr. The Qualms begins previews tonight, July 3, 2014 (opening night is July 13; press performances are July 12 at 3pm and July 15 at 7:30pm) and runs through August 31, 2014 in Steppenwolf's Downstairs Theatre (1650 N Halsted St).

Casting is complete for Steppenwolf Theatre Company's Chicago-premiere production of The Night Alive by Conor McPherson. Henry Wishcamper directs a cast featuring ensemble members Francis Guinan and Tim Hopper with Helen Sadler, Dan Waller and M. Emmet Walsh. The world premiere of The Night Alive was produced at the Donmar Warehouse in 2013. The Night Alive begins previews September 18, 2014 (opening night is September 28; press performances are September 27 at 3pm and September 30 at 7:30pm) and runs through November 16, 2014 in Steppenwolf's Downstairs Theatre (1650 N Halsted St).

By popular demand, Steppenwolf Theatre Company extends the celebrated summer revival of This Is Our Youth by Kenneth Lonergan, directed by ensemble member Anna D. Shapiro, and featuring Michael Cera, Kieran Culkin and Tavi Gevinson. The play, featuring performances from Cera, Culkin and Gevinson continues for two additional performances July 13 and July 20 at 7:30pm.

Casting is complete for Steppenwolf Theatre Company's Chicago-premiere production of The Night Alive by Conor McPherson. Henry Wishcamper directs a cast featuring ensemble members Francis Guinan and Tim Hopper with Helen Sadler, Dan Waller and M. Emmet Walsh. The world premiere of The Night Alive was produced at the Donmar Warehouse in 2013. The Night Alive begins previews September 18, 2014 (opening night is September 28; press performances are September 27 at 3pm and September 30 at 7:30pm) and runs through November 16, 2014 in Steppenwolf's Downstairs Theatre (1650 N Halsted St).

The second annual Arts Alliance Illinois benefit luncheon, 'Voices of a Creative State,' welcomed more than 400 artists, creatives and civic + corporate leaders to the Palmer House Hilton,Monday, June 2, 2014. Highlights of the luncheon included a special keynote address by MacArthur "Genius" and Steppenwolf Ensemble member Tarell Alvin McCraney and the presentation of Arts Alliance Illinois' "Citizen Advocate" Award to Richard and Susan Kiphart in recognition of their vision and civic leadership in providing heightened visibility to the value of the arts. The event raised more than $275,000 to help the organization promote widespread support for the arts throughout the state.

Rehearsals are underway for Steppenwolf Theatre Company's world-premiere production of The Qualms by ensemble member Bruce Norris.

Steppenwolf Theatre Company's world-renowned ensemble will join more than 600 members of Chicago's corporate, civic and cultural communities for Gala 2014 tonight, May 3, 2014.

Chicago audiences depart for the country's western edge to experience the reality of the modern-day American dream in the world premiere of Mona Mansour's funny and insightful new play, The Way West, at Steppenwolf TheatreCompany. Ensemble member Amy Morton is at the helm following her Tony Award-nominated portrayal of Martha in Steppenwolf's production of Edward Albee's Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? on Broadway. The cast of six features Ira Amyx, ensemble member Martha Lavey, Caroline Neff, Deirdre O'Connell, Zoe Perry and Gabriel Ruiz. The Way West opens April 13 and runs through June 8, 2014 in Steppenwolf's Downstairs Theatre (1650 N Halsted St). Check out a first look at highlights below!

The Steppenwolf Theatre Company Ensemble has announced its newest member, playwright Bruce Norris. Among his many accomplishments, Norris is the author of The Qualms, playing July 3 - August 31 in Steppenwolf's Downstairs Theatre. Since 2000, Steppenwolf has produced seven of Norris's plays, including Clybourne Park and the world premieres of A Parallelogram, The Unmentionables, The Pain and the Itch, We All Went Down to Amsterdam, Purple Heart and The Infidel.

Chicago audiences depart for the country's western edge to experience the reality of the modern-day American dream in the world premiere of Mona Mansour's funny and insightful new play, The Way West, at Steppenwolf Theatre Company. Ensemble member Amy Morton is at the helm following her Tony Award-nominated portrayal of Martha in Steppenwolf's production of Edward Albee's Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? on Broadway. The cast of six features Ira Amyx, ensemble member Martha Lavey, Caroline Neff, Deirdre O'Connell, Zoe Perry and Gabriel Ruiz. The Way West opens April 13 and runs through June 8, 2014 in Steppenwolf's Downstairs Theatre (1650 N Halsted St).