Kristoffer Diaz Recipient of the 2022 Blue Ink Award for “Things With Friends”

 American Blues Theater names Kristoffer Diaz 

the recipient of the 2022 Blue Ink Award 

for his play “Things With Friends”

 

Kristoffer Diaz; credit by Christopher Boudewyns

American Blues to host festival reading of the winning script

and feature three finalists:

Audrey Cefaly, Victor Lesniewski, and Gloria Majule.

American Blues Theater, under the continued leadership of Artistic Director Gwendolyn Whiteside, announces the recipient of the 2023 Blue Ink Award is Kristoffer Diaz for his play Things With Friends. As part of the award, Diaz receives a $2,500 cash prize, a staged reading at American Blues Theater, and the opportunity to further develop his script with American Blues Theater.

A staged reading of Things With Friends will be presented this August as part of the 2023 Blue Ink Playwriting Festival, along with new work by finalists Audrey Cefaly (Trouble), Victor Lesniewski (Cold Spring), and Gloria Majule (Uhuru). Details for 50 playwrights named in the 2023 Blue Ink Award are at AmericanBluesTheater.com. Information about the staged reading, including dates and tickets, will be announced at a later date.   

2023 Blue Ink Award winner Kristoffer Diaz notes, “It's truly an honor to receive this year's Blue Ink Award. Wendy Whiteside and American Blues have been an important part of my career dating back to before I even really had a career to speak of. It's fantastic to come full circle. Even though my life and work are based on the east coast these days, I'm proud to consider myself a Chicago playwright.”

“We are thrilled to announce Kristoffer Diaz as the 2023 Blue Ink Award winner,” notes Artistic Director Gwendolyn Whiteside. “Diaz’s voice resonates through every page. He has the ability to surprise through character descriptions and actions, word choice, punctuation, and reveals details only as needed.”

About Things With Friends

Manhattan. Burt and Adele are hosting a dinner party. Steak is on the stove. The George Washington Bridge has collapsed into the Hudson. Kristoffer Diaz has written a play about it. I've already said too much. 

About Kristoffer Diaz

KRISTOFFER DIAZ is a playwright, librettist, screenwriter, and educator. His play The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in Drama. Other full-length titles include Welcome to Arroyo’s, Reggie Hoops, Hercules, and The Unfortunates. His work has been produced, commissioned, and developed at The Public Theater, Dallas Theater Center, Geffen Playhouse, ACT, Center Theatre Group, The Goodman, Second Stage, Victory Gardens, and Oregon Shakespeare Festival, among many others. Awards include the Guggenheim, Jerome, Van Lier, NYFA, and Gail Merrifield Papp Fellowships; New York Times Outstanding Playwright Award; Lucille Lortel, Equity Jeff, and OBIE Awards; and the Future Aesthetics Artist Regrant, among others. As a screenwriter, Kristoffer has developed original television pilots for HBO and FX, written for the first season of Netflix’s GLOW, and adapted the musical Rent for FOX. Kristoffer teaches playwriting at New York University. He is an alumnus of New Dramatists and a member of its Board of Directors, and the current secretary of the Dramatists Guild Council.

 

Blue Ink 2023

About the Blue Ink Award for playwriting

The nationally-renowned Blue Ink Award was created in 2010 to support new work. Since inception, American Blues Theater has named 13 Blue Ink Award winners, 129 finalists, and 203 semi-finalists. Nearly $10,000 in cash and prizes will be distributed to playwrights in 2023.

Each year American Blues Theater accepts worldwide submissions of original, unpublished full-length plays. The winning play will be selected by Artistic Director Gwendolyn Whiteside and the theater’s Ensemble. The 2023 winning playwright receives a monetary prize of $2,500. Cash prizes are awarded to finalists and semi-finalists too.  All proceeds of the administrative fee are distributed for playwrights’ cash prizes. 

Submissions for the 2024 Blue Ink Playwriting Award open August 1, 2023. All submissions must be received by American Blues Theater by August 31, 2023 at 11:59pm. Playwrights may only submit one (1) manuscript each year for consideration.

About American Blues Theater

Winner of the American Theatre Wing’s prestigious National Theatre Company Award, American Blues Theater is a premier arts organization with an intimate environment that patrons, artists, and all Chicagoans call home.  American Blues Theater explores the American identity through the plays it produces and communities it serves.

The diverse and multi-generational artists have established the second-oldest professional Equity Ensemble theater in Chicago.  As of 2023, the theater and artists received 226 Joseph Jefferson Awards and nominations that celebrate excellence in Chicago theater and 44 Black Theatre Alliance Awards. The artists are honored with Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize nominations, Academy Awards, Golden Globe Awards, Emmy Awards and numerous other accolades.  

Boss Clown Elections, Ringling Brothers Circus Ticket Winner, & Trick or Treat for Circus Tickets #ChiRingling #giveaway

Congrats to Kathy who won ChiIL Mama's family 4 pack of tickets to Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Presents Dragons.   We've sent our winner an e-mail confirmation, in case there were multiple Kathy entrants and there's any doubt.


Click here for our past coverage including full details on the show.



Of course, all our readers are winners.   If you didn't win ChiIL Mama's ticket give away this week, we still have a great nationwide Halloween give away and loads more Chicago area tickets.   We also have a Ringling Bros. & Barnum & Bailey Presents Dragons Discount Code for everyone.

Check back with ChiIL Mama like we vote in Chi, IL...early and often.   We'll have more news about The Chicagoland Halloween Ringling Treat soon.

·         5 Chicagoland houses will be distributing 100 Free Kids tickets as Halloween treats again!

Speaking of voting....here's the other big news.   Chi-Town gets to be the final city in the Boss Clown National Election.   And WE get to announce the winners.   Vote on line and watch live on Wednesday. 

WHO:

Parents and Kids across the nation looking to engage with the presidential election process in a fun, kid friendly manner.

WHERE:

It’s all online - www.ringlingbros.com/bossclown

WHEN:

Log online now to meet the Candidates and see previous debates

Log online Wednesday, October 24th at 10:30 a.m. to see the final debate and election LIVE FROM CHICAGO

Who’s The Boss…Boss Clown that is??? For the first time in Ringling Bros. Barnum & Bailey Circus history, that question will be answered by elementary students across the nation. In an effort to educate students on the electoral process and specifically presidential debates, Ringling Bros. is holding the largest Boss Clown election ever with debates at host elementary schools in Denver, Boston, Pittsburgh and Chicago.

Boss Clowns are lead clowns on The Greatest Show On Earth and the center of the circus! Each Boss Clown debate precedes or follows the actual presidential debates. While the debates focus solely on everything clown and circus, they are structured like an authentic presidential debate, providing our students a real debate experience with a comedic twist that only Ringling Bros. can provide!

Denver, Boston and Pittsburgh debates have already taken place and votes are being tallied from each city and around the country! The final debate and victory announcement for the Ringling Bros. 2012 National Boss Clown Election takes place on Wednesday, October 24th at 10:30 a.m. at Chicago’s Walt Disney Magnet School! Chicago students have the privilege of not only being the final voters but also of being the only students nationwide to vote electronically as well as at actual polling booths – providing them an authentic electoral experience!

All debates can be watched LIVE at www.ringlingbros.com/bossclown as well as any time after the debates!

Watch and be a part of The Greatest Show On Earth!

WHAT ABOUT LIVE EXPERIENCES:

After all that fun and clowning, your family may want to experience Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey in person.  Great news is you can experience the greatest show on earth in full effect all November!  Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey presents Dragons will be in the Chicagoland area the whole month. You can SAVE 40% on all weekday shows and Save 20% on all weekend shows using the promo code MOM.

(*Weekday is defined as any show Monday through Thursday or Friday matinee, not including holidays such as the day after Thanksgiving.  Discount does not apply to Circus Celebrity, Front Row, or VIP seats.  No double discounts.  Service charges, handling, and facility fees may apply.)

Winners Announced-Fam Friendly Chi-Town Tickets #Giveaway

Big congrats to Melissa K.   You've won ChiIL Mama's 4 ticket give away for Harold and the Purple Crayon at Chicago Children's Theatre at 6:30 this Friday, 10/19.   Your name will be on 4 tickets at the box office.   Tickets include a craft making post show pajama party with Wishcraft.   Wear your PJs if you wish.  Full show location and details are here.    Congrats again!


a Rafflecopter giveaway 

Shows are selling out for this limited run.   Click here for ChiIL Mama's past Harold coverage then order your tickets today.

Big congrats to Nicole F.  You've won ChiIL Mama's first 4 ticket give away for ChiTAG--Chicago Toy and Game Fair.  Enjoy!

Click here for ChiIL Mama's past ChiTAG coverage then enter below for your chance to win.   We have a total of SIX family 4 packs to give away weekly, leading up to ChiTAG's big 10th anniversary.   Prior entries do carry over, but you can Tweet and share for additional entries throughout the duration.   Good luck! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Remember to Check back with ChiIL Mama like we vote in Chi, IL...early and often.  

**Click here for the rest of our family friendly 4 pack ticket give aways going on right now including:  Chicago Toy & Game Fair, weekly tickets to all Beat Kitchen's Concerts for Kids, Six Stories Tall at Adventure Stage Theatre and Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus--Dragons.**

100+ Likes-Winner Announced for Colin Quinn Long Story Short DVD

Woo hoo!   We broke 100 likes on our new Facebook Page, so as promised, we're giving away Colin Quinn's Long Story Short DVD to a randomly number generated winner who happens to be Paul B. of Chicago.   Congrats!

Here's our prior review and more info on the DVD:

ChiIL Live Shows Facebook Page #Free Give Away

ChiIL Live Shows has a brand spankin' new Facebook Page and we could use some like love.    We'll be running loads of free downloads, worldwide tour news, live Chi, IL show dates/features in the theatre and music scene, and new artists that will only appear on our FB page.

Then we'll run also run a feed from the blog with our original band video interviews, live show shots, give aways and reviews.    To kick things off right, we're giving away Colin Quinn's Long Story Short DVD to one of our random likers as soon as we hit the big 100, thanks to our friends over at MVD.   We're more than half way there!

 
First up-this sweet DVD-Colin Quinn-Long Story Short ($19.99). 

 

Remember Colin Quinn-side kick on MTV's Remote Control?   He's nobody's sidekick now!!   We were front row, center on opening night, when he came through Chi-Town with his freakin' funny one man show.  Now he can be all yours, to play at will, without leaving the couch.   

 

His wise and wickedly witty take on humanity and history had us laughing out loud.  Even now, months later, his schtick is still stuck in my head.   I can't sit down to work without his rant about bloggers and cavemen coming to mind.   I'm a bit flattered, though.   He mostly lampoons people groups, and only a few professions made the cut.   Note to Colin...bloggers may have the cave man keyboard stance, but we're the cockroaches of the publishing world...surviving, thriving and multiplying while traditional media is dropping like the dinosaurs.

 

I know you WANT this DVD.

 

COLIN QUINN - Long Story Short
on DVD and Blu-ray 

The one-man show directed by Jerry Seinfeld
                                                         
"Hilarious!" New York Times

Nominated for a 2011 Emmy Award
 Taped before a live audience at the Helen Hayes Theatre in New York City, Colin Quinn: Long Story Short showcases the comedian's keen observations in the uproarious history of the world, juxtaposing modern-day human behavior with the rise and fall of empires.

Colin Quinn began his comic career in New York as a regular on the comedy show circuit. Colin made his television debut as co-host of MTV's popular game show "Remote Control". Quinn landed a spot on the legendary late-night show, "Saturday Night Live" where  he entertained audience for five seasons. After SNL, Quinn tackled societal issues on "Tough Crowd with Colin Quinn". Colin's first one-man show Sanctifying Grace, began off-Broadway in 1994 and was later produced as Colin Quinn - An Irish Wake and played at the Helen Hayes Theatre. Last summer, Colin appeared in the Adam Sandler comedy "Grown Ups". He can be seen in Sony's "Donny's Boy" opposite Adam Sandler and Andy Samberg, June 2012.

From his personification of Caesar as the original Italian mobster, to his complaints about Ancient Greece and Antigone giving way to Costco and Snooki, Quinn is at his satirical best, taking on the attitudes, appetites and bad habits that have toppled the world's most powerful nations.

First running on Broadway, then airing on HBO, the show's Broadway run was extended due to the popularity. Quinn has been touring Long Story Short throughout 2011 and took a show to the highly acclaimed Just For Laughs Festival in Montreal where it received tremendous accolades. Directed for the stage by Jerry Seinfeld, the Broadway show was produced by Eva Price and Richard Martini. 

Bonus Features:
- Commentary with Colin Quinn and director Jerry Seinfeld
- Behind-the-Scenes Footage
- Press Event Footage

Press:
"Quinn is a Master. A Polished Act." - Daily News
"Colin Quinn nails it.  State of the art." Time Magazine
"Brisk and Seinfeldian" New York Magazine


 
Click this link for more info

ABOUT VIDEO SERVICES CORP.
Founded in 1993 by former rock critic Jonathan Gross, Video Services Corp. is a leading independent DVD distributor with offices in Los Angeles and Toronto. With a vast catalogue strong in television, sports and comedy, some of VSC's releases include the Canadian hit Corner Gas, The Roller Derby Chronicles The Tom Green Show, The WHA Chronicles and Spectacle: Elvis Costello With.... VSC also owns the e-commerce websites sportonvideo.com, laffstock.com and jewishflicks.com.

ABOUT MVD ENTERTAINMENT GROUP
MVD Entertainment Group (previously known as Music Video Distributors, Inc) was founded in 1986 by Tom Seaman, an industry veteran of more than 40 years, whose background includes retailing stints with Record Hunter, Sam Goody, Musicland, CBS Retail, and wholesale experience with Jem Records. MVD initially acted primarily as a one-stop, buying all labels' music-related VHS releases and reselling to music and video stores. In the last 10 years, MVD has transitioned from being a one stop/wholesaler for music video to a corporation consisting of three major divisions: MVD Visual, MVD Audio, and MVD Distribution. Some of the artists MVD has worked with include Sublime, Pixies, Bad Brains, Devo, The New York Dolls, Iggy Pop, the MC5, Dead Kennedys, Danzig, Marillion, Ween, Shane MacGowan, Stryper, Johnny Winter, and much more. Since 1999, MVD has released over 1500 exclusive titles. For more information, visitwww.mvdb2b.com.