The Collective Unconscious News

Sideshow Theatre Company is pleased to launch its 2014/15 season with the Midwest premiere of STUPID f**kING BIRD, Aaron Posner's comic spin on Chekhov's The Seagull, directed by Artistic Director Jonathan L. Green, playing August 16 - September 21, 2014 at Victory Gardens Richard Christiansen Theater, 2433 N. Lincoln Ave. in Chicago.

Sideshow Theatre Company concludes its 2013-14 season with the world premiere of TYRANT by Artistic Associate Kathleen Akerley, co-directed by Kathleen Akerley and Ensemble Member Megan A. Smith, playing today, May 24 - June 29, 2014 at Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont Ave. in Chicago.

Sideshow Theatre Company concludes its 2013-14 season with the world premiere of TYRANT by Artistic Associate Kathleen Akerley, co-directed by Kathleen Akerley and Ensemble Member Megan A. Smith, playing May 24 - June 29, 2014 at Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont Ave. in Chicago. Tickets for TYRANT go on sale Monday, March 24 at www.theaterwit.org, in person at the Theater Wit Box Office or by calling 773-975-8150.

The Chicago League of Lady Arm Wrestlers (CLLAW) are resurrecting past champions (and a few new souls) in celebration of The Day of The Dead today, November 2, 2013 at the historic (and possibly haunted) Logan Square Auditorium, 2539 N. Kedzie Ave. in Chicago.

The Chicago League of Lady Arm Wrestlers (CLLAW) are resurrecting past champions (and a few new souls) in celebration of The Day of The Dead on Saturday, November 2, 2103 at the historic (and possibly haunted) Logan Square Auditorium, 2539 N. Kedzie Ave. in Chicago.

Sideshow Theatre Company, in association with the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, will open its 2013-14 season with the Chicago premiere of 9 CIRCLES by Bill Cain, directed by Marti Lyons, playing tonight, August 29 - October 6, 2013 at The DCASE Storefront Theater, 66 E. Randolph St. in Chicago. Tickets are currently on sale at www.sideshowtheatre.org. The press opening is Thursday, September 5 at 7:30 pm.

The Ben Maltz Gallery at Otis College of Art and Design and the Laband Art Gallery at Loyola Marymount University are pleased to present an exhibition of contemporary art entitled Tapping the Third Realm on view September 22 through December 8, 2013. Opening reception takes place on the fall equinox, Sunday, September 22, 3pm-6pm (3pm-5pm Otis; 4pm-6pm LMU) followed by three months of related programming listed below.

Sideshow Theatre Company, in association with the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, will open its 2013-14 season with the Chicago premiere of 9 CIRCLES by Bill Cain, directed by Marti Lyons, playing August 29 - October 6, 2013 at The DCASE Storefront Theater, 66 E. Randolph St. in Chicago.

Sideshow Theatre Company concludes its 2012/13 season with the world premiere of THE BURDEN OF NOT HAVING A TAIL, by Carrie Barrett, directed by ensemble member Megan A. Smith, playing now through August 4, 2013 at Chicago Dramatists, 1105 W. Chicago Ave., Chicago. This darkly comical, one-woman tour-de-force features ensemble member Karie Miller in an interactive experience with the audience. Scroll down for new production photos!

Sideshow Theatre Company, in association with the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, is pleased to open its 2013-14 season with the Chicago premiere of 9 CIRCLES by Bill Cain, directed by Marti Lyons, playing August 29 - October 6, 2013 at The DCASE Storefront Theater, 66 E. Randolph St. in Chicago. Tickets go on sale Monday, July 22 at www.sideshowtheatre.org.

Sideshow Theatre Company concludes its 2012/13 season with the world premiere of THE BURDEN OF NOT HAVING A TAIL, by Carrie Barrett, directed by ensemble member Megan A. Smith, playing now through August 4, 2013 at Chicago Dramatists, 1105 W. Chicago Ave., Chicago. This darkly comical, one-woman tour-de-force features ensemble member Karie Miller in an interactive experience with the audience. Scroll down for a first look at Miller in action!

Sideshow Theatre Company concludes its 2012/13 season with the world premiere of THE BURDEN OF NOT HAVING A TAIL, by Carrie Barrett, directed by ensemble member Megan A. Smith, playing tonight, June 29 - August 4, 2013 at Chicago Dramatists, 1105 W. Chicago Ave., Chicago. This darkly comical, one-woman tour-de-force features ensemble member Karie Miller in an interactive experience with the audience. Tickets are available at www.sideshowtheatre.org. The press performance is Tuesday, July 2 at 8 pm.

Sideshow Theatre Company concludes its 2012/13 season with the world premiere of THE BURDEN OF NOT HAVING A TAIL, by Carrie Barrett, directed by ensemble member Megan A. Smith, playing June 29 - August 4, 2013 at Chicago Dramatists, 1105 W. Chicago Ave., Chicago. This darkly comical, one-woman tour-de-force features ensemble member Karie Miller in an interactive experience with the audience. Tickets are available at www.sideshowtheatre.org. The press performance is Tuesday, July 2 at 8 pm.

Sideshow Theatre Company concludes its 2012/13 season with the world premiere of THE BURDEN OF NOT HAVING A TAIL, by Carrie Barrett, directed by ensemble member Megan A. Smith, playing June 29 - August 4, 2013 at Chicago Dramatists, 1105 W. Chicago Ave., Chicago. This darkly comical, one-woman tour-de-force features ensemble member Karie Miller in an interactive experience with the audience. Tickets are available at www.sideshowtheatre.org.

In his new book of poetry “Night Visions” (published by Trafford Publishing), author Stephen J. Herman uses verse to express his experiences of having both metaphorical and literal night visions.

The ladies of CLLAW are celebrating their 'Sweet 16' - but there's nothing sweet about these gals! The Chicago League of Lady Arm Wrestlers are flexing their forearms once again at CLLAW XVI on Friday, June 7 at 10 pm with a return to the super colossal Logan Square Auditorium, 2539 N. Kedzie Ave. in Chicago. Brought to you by Sideshow Theatre Company, CLLAW's 16th match will feature fearsome lady arm wrestlers decked out in over-the-top outfits, a cash bar, shady referees and audience participation all wrapped into one wild, crazy, theatrical event. Chicago bands The Black Laces and The Lucky Shiners will take the stage to rock out the evening. All proceeds from CLLAW XVI will benefit Sideshow Theatre and this match's partner charity, C4 - Community Counseling Centers of Chicago.

Sideshow Theatre Company continues its 2012/13 season with the Chicago premiere of MARIA/STUART by Jason Grote, directed by Marti Lyons, playing now through May 5, 2013 at Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont Ave. in Chicago. MARIA/STUART features the work of Sideshow Ensemble member Nate Whelden (Stuart) and Artistic Associate Scottie Caldwell (Hannah) with Mary Anne Bowman, Ann James, Susan Monts-Bologna and Jennifer Joan Taylor. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast onstage below!

Shortly after many children all over Houston had hunted lawns for eggs and other treats that the mythical Easter Bunny delivered this past Sunday, I had a delightful conversation with composer Marty Regan and librettist Kenny Fries for Houston Grand Opera (HGO)'s 50th World Premiere, THE MEMORY STONE. We discussed the new opera, looking into its creation, meaning, and cultural significance. As we talked about THE MEMORY STONE, it became abundantly clear that this particular opera is most deserving of being HGO's magical 50th World Premiere and that it will be one that audiences should not miss.

Sideshow Theatre Company continues its 2012/13 season with the Chicago premiere of MARIA/STUART by Jason Grote, directed by Marti Lyons, playing tonight, March 30 - May 5, 2013 at Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont Ave. in Chicago.

Stop by the BPA Gallery this April for "Refined Raw," an exhibit of abstract paintings by Amos Staffler Edwards. "Refined raw" describes a mixed-medium process created on Bainbridge Island, and this collection features elements reminiscent of encaustic and glass work, oil, and watercolor. The nuanced combination of color, texture, and depth of focus encourages viewers to travel off the path of the linear and meander the realm of the visceral…through time and the collective unconscious where words can't reach. The pieces are living and will subtly patina over time, becoming richer with age and bearing witness to our lives. For more information and to view more of the artist's work, visit online at www.byamos.com.