STOREFRONT PLAYWRIGHT PROJECT TO RETURN JULY 2-27, 2013

Following the success of last year’s inaugural Storefront Playwright Project, the League of Chicago Theatres will again provide support and window space at Expo 72 for nearly 40 emerging and established playwrights to work on a current writing project in view of the public in collaboration with the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events.  From a large screen in a window facing the sidewalk, the public will be able to read what the playwright is writing and watch the creation of the next great Chicago play in real time. The Storefront Playwright Project will take place at Expo72, 72 E. Randolph St., in downtown Chicago, July 2 – 27, 2013, Tuesdays through Saturdays, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The Storefront Playwright Project aims to support the playwriting community, increase awareness of emerging and established playwrights, and encourage audiences to engage more deeply with Chicago theatre and the creative process of writing a new play for the theatre. The League of Chicago Theatres will collect contact information from interested visitors who want updates on future developments of the playwrights’ work.

“Last year, we were invigorated by the success of Write Out Front: A Playwright Happening in New York and decided to sponsor a similar program in Chicago.  It was met with resounding success by playwrights and spectators,” says Deb Clapp, Executive Director of The League of Chicago Theatres.  “Chicago is the home to more world premiere plays than any other city.  The Storefront Theatre Project gives us the opportunity to support our playwrights while giving visibility to playwrights, the art of playwriting and the active new play scene in Chicago.”   

Playwrights selected for the project receive a stipend of $50 per day for a four hour time slot (10 a.m. – 2 p.m. or 2 p.m. – 6 p.m.) and will be promoted through on-site signage and social media, as well as on ChicagoPlays.com.  Participating playwrights already include Regina Taylor, Scott Barsotti, Danny Bernardo, Seth Bockley, Randall Colburn, Philip Dawkins, Nambi E. Kelley, M.E.H. Lewis, Mia McCullough, Jon Steinhagen and many more. 

The League of Chicago Theatres’ Storefront Playwright Project is based upon Write Out Front: A Playwright Happening, created by playwright Micheline Auger.  Write Out Front was held at New York’s Drama Bookshop, from August 13 to September 1, 2012, and hosted 71 playwrights, over the three-week/142-hour period. The inaugural Storefront Playwright Project took place December 2012 in Chicago.

JULY 2013 PLAYWRIGHT SCHEDULE

Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday
July 2 10 AM – 2PM Francesca Peppiatt 2PM – 6PM Mia McCullough	July 3 10 AM – 2PM Regina Taylor 2PM – 6PM Scott Barsotti	July 4 10 AM – 2PM Jessy Lauren Smith	July 5 10 AM – 2PM Robert Koon 2PM – 6PM Jeremy Menekseoglu	July 6 10 AM – 2PM Liz Ellison 2PM – 6PM Randall Colburn
July 9 10 AM – 2PM Trina Kakacek 2PM – 6PM Susan Lieberman	July 10 10 AM – 2PM Jenni Lamb 2PM – 6PM Tif Harrison	July 11 10 AM – 2PM Bilal Dardai 2PM – 6PM Danny Bernardo	July 12 10 AM – 2PM Alex Lubischer 2PM – 6PM Jon Steinhagen	July 13 10 AM – 2PM Blake Levinson 2PM – 6PM Leslie Ann Sheppard
July 16 10 AM – 2PM Emily Dendinger 2PM – 6PM E.J.C. Calvert	July 17 10AM – 2PM Malic White 2 PM – 6PM M.E.H. Lewis	July 18 10 AM – 2PM Chad Eschman 2PM – 6PM Brea Pautsch and Brooke Allen	July 19 10 AM – 2PM James Sherman 2PM – 6PM Dan Caffrey	July 20 10 AM – 2PM Brooke Allen 2PM – 6PM Nambi E. Kelley
July 23 10 AM – 2PM Erik Gernand 2PM – 6PM Skye Robinson Hillis	July 24 10AM – 2PM Mary Beth Hoerner 2 PM – 6PM Joe Orlandino	July 25 10 AM – 2PM David Isaacson 2PM – 6PM Jordan Faber	July 26 10 AM – 2PM Emilio Williams 2PM – 6PM Philip Dawkins	July 27 10 AM – 2PM Jennifer Rumberger 2PM – 6PM Seth Bockley

About Chicago theater

Chicago theater is the leader in the U.S. with more than 250 theaters throughout Chicagoland, comprising a rich and varied community ranging from storefront, non-union theaters to the most renowned resident theaters in the country, including 5 which have been honored with Regional Tony Awards, and the largest touring Broadway organization in the nation. Chicago’s theaters serve 5 million audience members annually and have a combined budget of more than $250 million. Chicago produces and/or presents more world premieres annually than any other city in the nation. In 2009-10 alone Chicago theater companies produced more than 130 world premiere productions and adaptations. Each year Chicago theaters send new work to resident theaters across the country, to Broadway, and around the world. 

About The League of Chicago Theatres

The League of Chicago Theatres is an alliance of theaters which leverages its collective strength to promote, support and advocate for Chicago's theater industry locally, nationally and internationally. The League of Chicago Theatres Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the art of theater in the Chicago area through audience development and support services for theaters and theater professionals.

About The Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events

The Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) is dedicated to supporting Chicago’s arts and culture community. This includes fostering the development of Chicago’s nonprofit arts sector, independent working artists and for-profit arts organizations demonstrating the City of Chicago’s commitment to celebrating the arts.

For a comprehensive list of Chicago productions, visit the League of Chicago website, www.chicagoplays.com.  Discounted tickets are available at www.hottix.org.