Aberrant Reflections on the Barbarism of You & I

Presented by Artemis Exchange (Highland Heights, KY) at Temple Gallery

Abberrant Reflections on the Barbarism of You features: George Michael, The Antichrist, Adam & Eve, Filet-O-Fish™, Prince William of Wales, Johann Fuhlrott, Baphomet, 4 (...make that 3) actors & their neurotic captor all rolled into one show. Oh, and there's also a love triangle. And King Kalakaua.

Drama, Comedy, Dance, Musical, Sketch, Physical theatre

Teenagers, Young adults, Not-so-young-anymore adults

Religious issues or themes, Language I wouldn't use in front of my mother, Partial nudity, Depictions of drug use onstage, Depictions of violence onstage, Loud noises

Alone Apart

Presented by Ted Brengle (Chicago, IL) at the Doppler Stage

Miranda has made a promise to herself: Tonight will be different. Tonight she will finish painting the portrait of the woman she hates, but does not understand--her mother. The portrait may have other ideas, but it doesn’t matter; Miranda will finish it tonight. Even if it kills her.

Drama

Young adults, Not-so-young-anymore adults

Language I wouldn't use in front of my mother, Depictions of violence onstage

Am I Blue

Presented by Elizabeth Blue (Brooklyn, NY) at HumanThread

Am I Blue takes you on the hilarious journey of what "finding oneself" actually looks like. "Go see this show." -The Rover, Montreal. "Blue is a criminally funny performer who is almost certainly the lovechild of Kristen Schaal and Tina Fey.” -Charlebois Post, Montreal. www.elizabethblue.net

Comedy, Solo performance, Physical theatre

Young adults, Not-so-young-anymore adults

Religious issues or themes, Language I wouldn't use in front of my mother, Depictions of drinking onstage, Loud noises, Requested use of a non-standard lighting effect (i.e. strobe light, black light, etc), I actually would use this language in front of my mother, but not in front of some of my friend's mothers! But you get the idea!

Anonymously Yours

Presented by Studio BE (Chicago, IL) at Temple Gallery

Anonymously Yours is a barrage of unrestrained, hilarious raw emotion gathered from the depths of the anonymous boards of the web. From Rants and Raves to Random come see the desire and rage of the internet unapologetic and uncensored. We didn't write it. Did you?

Comedy

Teenagers, Young adults, Not-so-young-anymore adults

LGBT issues or themes, Language I wouldn't use in front of my mother, Partial nudity

At 5'2 and 125lbs.

Presented by Mathew Stella (Glen Ellyn, IL) at the Doppler Stage

An adult tale about growing up ITALIAN, "At 5’ 2 and a 125 lbs" contains the perfect ingredients: Sex-Homemade Raviolis—Marijuana-Suicide-Sex-An Italian Wedding-Cancer-Boxing—Sex. (HEY, we’re Italian... we like sex!) And, oh yeah, the next country western chart topper: "I’ve got a splotch in my crotch 4 U!”

Drama, Comedy, Solo performance

Young adults, Not-so-young-anymore adults

Religious issues or themes, Language I wouldn't use in front of my mother, Requested use of a non-standard lighting effect (i.e. strobe light, black light, etc)

Barely Balanced - Acrobatic Daredevils

Presented by Barely Balanced (Lakewood, Ohio) at Meridian Stage

This exciting trio brings hilarious high-energy acrobatics to the stage performing wild stunts and non-stop comedy. Whether hurling razor-sharp knives or performing mind-boggling balancing stunts, these three are sure to leave you screaming for more!

Comedy, Sketch, Physical theatre, Clown

Children under 12, Teenagers, Young adults, Not-so-young-anymore adults

Team work, friendship, courage

Bedbugs

Presented by The Harlotry & Necromancy Appreciation Society (Chicago, IL) at the Doppler Stage

Bedbugs is a bedtime story about: Heroes! Villains! Cake! Pirates! The CTA! An Old Sensei! The Best Song! Seamonsters! A Pretty Girl! A Sherpa! The Internet! A Trusty Steed! ...And much more, brought to you by the Mechanics of The Harlotry & Necromancy Appreciation Society. Get tucked in, and buckle up.

Comedy, Puppetry, Physical theatre, Clown

Children under 12, Teenagers, Young adults, Not-so-young-anymore adults

Language suitable for teaching to a 3-year old, Depictions of violence onstage, Loud noises

Camelot is Crumbling: An Arthurian Nightmare

Presented by Maximum Verbosity (St. Louis Park, MN) at the Doppler Stage

The murderous son of King Arthur recounts his history with the court to his dying father, while Arthur's greatest knight traverses a post-war landscape to find his queen. Both reflect on how their actions brought about the death of Dream Theatre in this brooding one-man tale of light and darkness.

Drama, Spoken-word, Solo performance

Teenagers, Young adults, Not-so-young-anymore adults

Religious issues or themes, Language I wouldn't use in front of my mother, Depictions of drinking onstage, Depictions of violence onstage

Clean Start

Presented by Gillian Hemme (Newark, NJ) at Temple Gallery

This community-inspired solo performance draws upon Gillian Hemme’s interviews with residents of Grinnell, Iowa. Follow the stories of three women who grapple with shifting identities as both their career lives and their town transform. Through their resilience and humor, these women prove that there’s more than just corn in Iowa.

Drama, Comedy, Solo performance, Performed Ethnography

Children under 12, Teenagers, Young adults, Not-so-young-anymore adults

Religious issues or themes, Language suitable for teaching to a 3-year old

En Solo

Presented by En Solo (Joliet, IL) at HumanThread

Brutal honesty at our own expense.

Drama, Comedy, Spoken-word, Solo performance

Young adults, Not-so-young-anymore adults

Language I wouldn't use in front of my mother, Depictions of drinking onstage, Loud noises, Requested use of a non-standard lighting effect (i.e. strobe light, black light, etc), sexually suggestive.

Evolution

Presented by Roman Rimer (New York, NY) at HumanThread

In the fall of 2009, Roman Rimer, a trans-identified storyteller and activist from NYC travelled the south to work with LGBTQ youth in Christian communities. He seriously thought he was going to die. He didn't die and he's here to tell you why.

Drama, Comedy, Spoken-word, Solo performance

Teenagers, Young adults, Not-so-young-anymore adults

LGBT issues or themes, Race issues or themes, Religious issues or themes, Language I wouldn't use in front of my mother, Partial nudity

existential crisis

Presented by Existential Crisis (Chicago, IL) at HumanThread

Existential Crises travels anywhere laughter and profundity are needed, from Tulsa to Chattanooga and everywhere in between, wooing audiences with their voluminous archive of original material, including ground breaking characters Dr. Perv and Detective Barnaby Jones. "If Chekov were alive today and a diehard Tupac Fan, he'd have written this show." -NY Timez

Comedy

Teenagers, Young adults, Not-so-young-anymore adults

Race issues or themes, Religious issues or themes, Loud noises

Frames

Presented by bnw dance (Richmond, VA) at Meridian Stage

After a successful first season in NYC, and upon their relocation to Richmond, Virginia, bnw:dance has been able to present and be presented throughout the Richmond area, Philadelphia, Washington DC, and at the start of their 3rd season, have the honor to be invited to London to create and present work. Four company members strong, each has had a hand in the choreography of Frames, which ranges from emotional and empathetic to explosive and athletic.

Dance

Children under 12, Teenagers, Young adults, Not-so-young-anymore adults

Requested use of a non-standard lighting effect (i.e. strobe light, black light, etc), prop lighting: flashlights, floors lamps, led lights

From the Nightshade Family

Presented by Area IV Theatre (Chicago, IL) at HumanThread

Marion hasn't slept in years. Teddie recently auditioned to be play an holocaust victim in a Hollywood blockbuster. Claudio doesn't leave the house. These three have a conversation until they realize their world is slipping further and further from reality.

Drama

Young adults, Not-so-young-anymore adults

Language I wouldn't use in front of my mother, Depictions of drinking onstage, Loud noises

The Four Food Groups

Presented by Pones, Inc (Cincinnati, OH) at the Doppler Stage

The Four Food Groups is based on true stories and told through movement, music and spoken word. The piece investigates interactions between a group of four people over a sexually-charged dinner and is told in four scenes: The Intro, The Prospect, The Climax and The Morning After.

Drama, Comedy, Dance, Spoken-word, Physical theatre

Young adults, Not-so-young-anymore adults

LGBT issues or themes, Language I wouldn't use in front of my mother, Depictions of drinking onstage

Gloss Over

Presented by Her Story Theater (Chicago, IL) at Dream Theatre

A beauty makeover for women who sleep on concrete sidewalks. Listen to the reveal of the heartfelt stories of these amazing Chicago homeless women. In its ugly reality, the true beauty of courage and resilience surfaces. An original production by Her Story Theater....funny, tragic, brutal, truthful, enlightening... Gloss Over.

Drama

Teenagers, Young adults, Not-so-young-anymore adults

Race issues or themes, Language I wouldn't use in front of my mother

Hooray for Speech Therapy

Presented by Too Much Free Time Productions (Brooklyn, NY) at HumanThread

From early childhood to adulthood, Kurt had a stutter. This comedy solo show takes the audience on a journey through Kurt’s adventures through life and speech therapy. "I found myself hanging on Fitzpatrick's every word... What makes it work is that you're rooting for him all the way." -Fresno Bee

Comedy, Solo performance

Teenagers

It's a PG show.

Hub and Spoke

Presented by The Dance Team (Chicago, IL) at Meridian Stage

With sinuous and careful dancing, the Dance Team fords the unrelenting stream of cause-and-effect that rules both the prairie and city. With gritty costuming and music by raag-influenced bluegrass guitarist Jack Rose, 'Hub and Spoke' describes a harsh frontier life subject to the machinations of a vast and desolate landscape.

Drama, Dance

Teenagers, Young adults, Not-so-young-anymore adults

Language suitable for teaching to a 3-year old, Partial nudity

...inside my kaleidescope

Presented by Then & Only Then (DeSoto, TX) at Dream Theatre

Christopher's life is unexpectedly dismantled when he has to leave his cushy lifestyle to find a new way in Miami. His two unlikely cohorts: God, a seemingly unfriendly ally, and Mr. Post, a philosopher who disagrees with his own philosophy are his only solace.

Drama, Comedy, Solo performance

Children under 12, Teenagers, Young adults, Not-so-young-anymore adults

Race issues or themes, Religious issues or themes, Requested use of a non-standard lighting effect (i.e. strobe light, black light, etc)

Jesus, Shakespeare, and Lincoln Walk into a Bar

Presented by Giants of Theatre (Indianapolis, IN) at Dream Theatre

Stop me if you've heard this one...Jesus, Shakespeare, and Lincoln walk into a bar. Jesus says he is thinking of retiring, but his friends Abe and Bill wonder what the world will do without him. I won't give too much away, but let's just say hilarity ensues. And some karaoke.

Comedy

Teenagers, Young adults, Not-so-young-anymore adults

LGBT issues or themes, Race issues or themes, Religious issues or themes, Depictions of drinking onstage

The League of Miscreants Presents "The Roast of Santa Claus" or "The Miscreants Kill An Hour And Go To Cuernavaca"

Presented by The League of Miscreants (River Forest, IL) at Temple Gallery

The Roast of Santa Claus" is a great deal like Thornton Wilder's classic "Our Town," in that it features actors and will make you wish you had a cyanide pill. The comparison is inexact, however, as "Our Town" achieves this loathing by clumsily wielding the bludgeon of tedium, while "The Roast of Santa Claus" earns your hatred by using the rapier of obscenity and the dagger of tastelessness to deftly carve bleeding slashes into your most treasured holiday memories. Leave the children at home, but, by all means, bring a flask.

Comedy, Burlesque, Sketch, Physical theatre, Clown, Atrocity

Teenagers, Young adults, Not-so-young-anymore adults

LGBT issues or themes, Race issues or themes, Religious issues or themes, Partial nudity, Depictions of smoking onstage, Depictions of drinking onstage, Depictions of drug use onstage, Depictions of violence onstage, Loud noises, Requested use of a non-standard lighting effect (i.e. strobe light, black light, etc), Don't know.

Let Me Count

Presented by Kate Healy (Chicago, IL) at the Doppler Stage

Add up the broken bones, reset passwords, friends lost and pills taken, and you’ll see what your life amounted to. If everything is recorded, when do we get to see our list and check our inventory? The numbers of what we did in life are the real facts.

Drama, Comedy, Solo performance, Physical theatre

Teenagers, Young adults, Not-so-young-anymore adults

Religious issues or themes, Language I wouldn't use in front of my mother, Depictions of drinking onstage, Depictions of drug use onstage, Depictions of violence onstage

Let The Lady Sing

Presented by Howard Timms (Gloucester, UK) at the HumanThread

Howard struggles to reconnect his demented and crippled mother with her former life-loving self. Prompting her with songs releases happy, funny, sad, and tragic stories, and unleashes shocking questions about his paternity and heritage.

Drama, Comedy, Spoken-word, Musical, Solo performance

Young adults, Not-so-young-anymore adults

LGBT issues or themes, Race issues or themes, Language other than English (please specify next to Other below)

Little Ivory Fingers

Presented by Sid Branca (Chicago, IL) at HumanThread

Little Ivory Fingers is a solo performance piece inspired by Italo Calvino's Italian Folktales and a young Italian American woman's travels. It combines old and new texts, physical tasks, and music.

N/A

LGBT issues or themes, Language I wouldn't use in front of mother, Partial nudity, Depictions of smoking onstage, Depictions of drinking onstage

Mama Juggs

Presented by Princess Dragon Productions (Oakland, CA) at Dream Theatre

Let’s talk titty milk. Come conversate with grandma Suga Babe’s family as they chat unapologetically about bra stuffing, breast cancer, and breast feeding in their East Oakland housing projects living room. It’s a trip to grandma's house you will never forget! Bring your friends to this comedic one-woman show.

Drama, Comedy, Dance, Spoken-word, Musical, Solo performance

Teenagers, Young adults, Not-so-young-anymore adults

Race issues or themes, Religious issues or themes, Partial nudity, Depictions of smoking onstage, Explicit, Adult Language

The Man in the Arena

Presented by The TR! Show (Wilmette, IL) at Temple Gallery

I think there can hardly be a greater inspiration in American history than Theodore Roosevelt. At his best, he showed us what we can be at our best, and taught us what it means to be Americans.

Solo performance

Children under 12, Teenagers, Young adults, Not-so-young-anymore adults

N/A

Miss Fortune

Presented by Lincoln Square Theatre (Chicago, IL) at Temple Gallery

When two old-world gal pals use a crystal ball to find a missing child, they make some surprising discoveries about life on the “other side.”

Comedy

Children under 12, Teenagers, Young adults, Not-so-young-anymore adults

N/A

Mother Tongues

Presented by Core Project Chicago (Chicago, IL) at Meridian Stage

Mother Tonuges is a live performance modern dance set to a soundscape of directed, interpreted and manipulated mother-offspring dialogues. Peppered with dynamic dance Performances, original audio and video presentation and popular music interpretation, the artists of Core Project Chicago bring to light the kinetic experience of what it means to be part of a family and how we all survive and grow within that role.

Comedy, Dance, Spoken-word, Multi Media

Teenagers, Young adults, Not-so-young-anymore adults

LGBT issues or themes, Race issues or themes, Religious issues or themes, Language I wouldn't use in front of my mother

Moving Day

Presented by Toddsburn Productions (Chicago, IL) at Dream Theatre

Feeling swamped? Let down? Stuck in time? ...Moved lately? We prescribe a healthy dose of inertia, the human experience. MOVING DAY explores the true grit of moving forward or backward; figuratively or literally; from place-to-place; from highs-to-lows; from love-to-loss and back again. Back to packing, unpacking, and dealing with all those empty boxes. Come check out MOVING DAY, a collaborative ensemble production.

Drama, Comedy, Dance, Spoken-word, Puppetry, Solo performance, Sketch, Physical theatre

Young adults, Not-so-young-anymore adults

LGBT issues or themes, Religious issues or themes, Language suitable for teaching to a 3-year old, Language I wouldn't use in front of my mother, Language other than English (please specify next to Other below), Partial nudity, Depictions of drinking onstage, Depictions of violence onstage, Loud noises, Requested use of a non-standard lighting effect (i.e. strobe light, black light, etc)

My Salvation Has a First Name: A Wienermobile Journey

Presented by Robin Gelfenbien (New York, NY) at Dream Theatre

A touching, wild ride based on the true story of an insecure goody-goody who finds redemption behind the windshield of the Wienermobile. Can she handle a horndog co-pilot, media circus and her college bully? “4 stars” (Time Out New York) “The highlight of next month’s Fringe Festival” (New York Magazine)

Comedy, Solo performance, Storytelling

Teenagers, Young adults, Not-so-young-anymore adults

Language I wouldn't use in front of my mother, Bullying

Nearly Naked

Presented by Melncolly Theatre Company (Chicago, IL) at Dream Theatre

Clue meets Rocky Horror Picture Show in this lingerie party murder mystery. For the past two years, Victor and his four friends have been throwing a Bacchanal style party. During the party, Victor drops dead setting into motion the search for who among his group of friends killed him.

Comedy, Mystery

Not-so-young-anymore adults

LGBT issues or themes, Language I wouldn't use in front of my mother, Partial nudity, Depictions of drinking onstage, Depictions of drug use onstage, Depictions of violence onstage, Use of a projector

Neither Transparent nor Opaque

Presented by Ray Terrill Dance Group (St. Paul, MN) at Meridian Stage

RTDG delivers a diverse showcase of contemporary concert dance works choreographed by dance maker, Ray Terrill. This event marks the premiere of, ‘Litany’ a concept-rich, sensual and emotionally charged work which converges dynamic movement with an edgy and classic soundscape, wrapped around inspired, media-rich visual imagery. Crafted to invoke an experience that is neither transparent nor opaque, but instead expansive and quickening.

Dance

Children under 12, Teenagers, Young adults, Not-so-young-anymore adults

LGBT issues or themes

Night of the Living Dead - The Puppet Show

Presented by Angry Young Men Ltd (Milwaukee, WI) at Meridian Stage

Live! In 3-D! Another damn remake of George Romero's '68 zombie masterpiece. With puppets.

Comedy, Puppetry, Horror

Teenagers, Young adults, Not-so-young-anymore adults

Depictions of smoking onstage, Depictions of violence onstage, Loud noises, Requested use of a non-standard lighting effect (i.e. strobe light, black light, etc), Red Streamers and Zombie Brains will be launched at the audience.

Nightmare in Bakersfield

Presented by The Adventures Of Les Kurkendaal (West Hollywood, CA) at Temple Gallery

Get ready for a crazy class reunion. Mike takes his boyfriend Les home to Bakersfield to his 20 year highschool reunion. The only problem is that none of Mike's former classmates know he's gay. The class of 1988 is in for a shock!

Comedy, Spoken-word, Solo performance

Young adults, Not-so-young-anymore adults

LGBT issues or themes, Race issues or themes

No Gender Left Behind

Presented by Rebecca King (Chicago, IL) at HumanThread

In the Fall of 2010, Rebecca Kling was fired from a teaching position for being a transgender woman. The experience left her wondering what America is teaching its children – and its adults – about gender, conformity, and being just a little bit different.

Spoken-word, Solo performance

Teenagers, Young adults, Not-so-young-anymore adults

LGBT issues or themes, Partial nudity

Othello's Furies

Presented by Suitcase Shakespeare Company (Chicago, IL) at Meridian Stage

Blending the innate elements of jealousy and revenge with the incorporation of Greek furies found in the Orestia, Suitcase Shakespeare Company adapts Othello and partners it with physical theatre in Othello's Furies. An all black cast presents a new universal race within the story: "I hope to make the struggle more universal, not just about white on black or even black on black conflict, but class on class and people on people slander, and thus the disintegration of all." --Leslie Anne Sheppard, Suitcase Company Member and Adapter

Drama, Puppetry, Physical theatre

Teenagers, Young adults, Not-so-young-anymore adults

Race issues or themes, Language other than English (please specify next to Other below), Depictions of drinking onstage, Depictions of violence onstage, Loud noises, Requested use of a non-standard lighting effect (i.e. strobe light, black light, etc), Shakespearian

The Other Day

Presented by Loretta Michaels Productions (Stamford, CT) at Temple Gallery

After a chance meeting, sparks fly between Mark and Santo. Follow their loving, yet tumultuous relationship as they confront insecurities, addiction, betrayal and grief in this authentic, funny and compelling drama that asks the question, “when is it time to stop grieving for what's lost and start living for what's found?”

Drama, Comedy

Young adults, Not-so-young-anymore adults

LGBT issues or themes, Language I wouldn't use in front of my mother, Depictions of drinking onstage

Phil the Void: Motherbanking Bankholes

Presented by Phil The Void (Indianapolis, IN) at HumanThread

Hello Chicago! There. Now I won't have to say that to everyone at the shows. Whew. Thank you, that's a huge relief. This isn't widely known, but coming out onstage and addressing a group of strangers by saying "Hello ___yourtownhere__!" is absolutely THE most stressful and technically complicated thing any performer can do. Thank you, I'm Phil.

Comedy, Solo performance

Teenagers, Young adults, Not-so-young-anymore adults

LGBT issues or themes, Religious issues or themes, Language I wouldn't use in front of my mother

Seeing Red

Presented by Riverrun Theatre Company (Hanover, IN) at HumanThread

N/A

N/A

Children under 12, Teenagers, Young adults, Not-so-young-anymore adults

Language suitable for teaching to a 3-year old

Soul Mates Don't Die

Presented by Never Assume Productions (Astoria, NY) at the Doppler Stage

Soul Mates Don't Die illustrates how soul mates connect regardless of sex or mortal form. Two star crossed newlyweds are ripped apart when their sexually oppressed guardian angels meet and fall in love. Love can be a funny distraction.

Drama, Comedy

Young adults, Not-so-young-anymore adults

LGBT issues or themes, Religious issues or themes, Language I wouldn't use in front of my mother, Depictions of drinking onstage

Spandex

Presented by Wishbone Theatre Collective (Chicago, IL) at Dream Theatre

Spandex is an exploration of the American Super Hero. Ever wonder what's behind the spandex suit that makes us believe that there is still something to fight for? In a world filled with a brand new layer of apathy and mistrust of the powers at be- who is our hero?

Drama, Comedy

Young adults, Not-so-young-anymore adults

Race issues or themes, Religious issues or themes

Strangerland

Presented by Sideshow Theatre Company (Chicago, IL) at the Doppler Stage

Strangerland is a unique piece of physical theatre that tells the story of a world and its people, a people who exist solely in a state of disconnect. When a body washes up on their shore, their seeming harmony becomes discordant as they discover what it means to feel, love, create and destroy--all for the very first time.

Drama, Physical theatre, experimental

Teenagers, Young adults, Not-so-young-anymore adults

Depictions of violence onstage, Loud noises

The Temp

Presented by Hobo Junction Productions (Chicago, IL) at Dream Theatre

The employees and the wise-cracking office equipment of Capital Corporate are held hostage by a power hungry answering machine and computer. It is up to their Temp to save the day.

Comedy, Puppetry, Awesome

Teenagers, Young adults, Not-so-young-anymore adults

LGBT issues or themes, Race issues or themes, Language I wouldn't use in front of my mother, Depictions of violence onstage, Loud noises, Requested use of a non-standard lighting effect (i.e. strobe light, black light, etc), Puppetry

Tordu Vol

Presented by Voler - Thieves of Flight (Kansas City, MO) at Meridian Stage

Come experience a show full of twists and turns that will leave you gasping. Tordu Vol illuminates the air with the natural beauty of the human body, combined with the magic of electronic music, lighting, and video. Sensual, whimsical, seductive and joyous. These beauties will steal the stage, the air, and your hearts.

Dance, Burlesque, Aerial

Teenagers, Young adults, Not-so-young-anymore adults

Partial nudity

Wallstories by Nejla Y. Yatkin

Presented by Nejla Y. Yatkin Dance (New York, NY) at Meridian Stage

Selected as one of Top 10 Dances of 2009 by the Washington Post, Wallstories is inspired by stories of people who lived with the Berlin Wall from both the East and the West perspective.

Dance, Dance Theatre

Children under 12, Teenagers, Young adults, Not-so-young-anymore adults

two men kissing, and need videoprojector as well as a back wall

Where The Heart Lies

Presented by Journey Theatre Group (Chicago, IL) at Temple Gallery

Two college guys are brought together by the death of a mutual friend. After their initial meeting tension is high. Ultimately, they begin conquer their grief together through the life of a friend left behind.

Drama, Comedy

Teenagers, Young adults, Not-so-young-anymore adults

LGBT issues or themes, Religious issues or themes, Depictions of drinking onstage

Wild Women XXX

Presented by The Vox Theatre (Chicago, IL) at the Doppler Stage

“Never trust anyone over 30” so said the great rockers of yore. In Wild Women XXX, four diverse women sharing one common number explore the terrors of turning the big 3-0. Questions of identity, belonging, and partnership are explored through story, humor, and red-hot dance breaks.

Drama, Comedy, Physical theatre, Original, ensemble devised

Young adults, Not-so-young-anymore adults

Race issues or themes, Religious issues or themes, Language I wouldn't use in front of my mother, Depictions of smoking onstage, Depictions of drinking onstage, Depictions of drug use onstage, Depictions of violence onstage, Loud noises, Requested use of a non-standard lighting effect (i.e. strobe light, black light, etc)

Opening Ceremony

Sept 1st, 6pm, at Fringe Central

Join the Fringe Staff and Artists as we ring in Fringe 2011 with music, speeches, and merriment.

VIP Party

Sept 3, 7pm

An exclusive event for the donors and VIP contributors to the Chicago Fringe Festival. Visit the Fringe Donattion Page to learn how to score an invite.

Theater Thursday

Sept 8th, 6:15pm, at Fringe Central

League of Chicago Theatres Theater Thursdays with a special unplugged performance by Rebecca Kling of No Gender Left Behind. Show, food and drink all included for a special event price of $25.

Chicago Arts District’s 2nd Friday Artwalk

Sept 9th, 6-10 pm throughout the neighborhood

Explore the neighborhood as the gallery’s open their doors for exhibition. This event is FREE.
More information >

American Armistice - The Epoch of the Peacemakers

Sept 11th, 11am-1:30pm at Meridian Stage,

created and organized by HumanThread
and presented by the Chicago Fringe Festival
& CAIR-Chicago (Council on American-Islamic Relations)

"Art communicates across ethnic, cultural, and national boundaries - Art creates connections."

The time to reflect on our history and move forward as a one human society, once and for all, toward a new era of human civilization has arrived! This event is dedicated not only to memorialize the 9/11 victims/tragedy but to move forward as a ONE HUMAN SOCIETY and to reaffirm the power of people, Arts and artists as Peacemakers. We fight for a world free of war/violence in our streets and the world, for that is the only path to our survival and progress, as a human family. Admission is FREE.

Program:

• Special Guest Speaker: Maureen Murphy, Journalist/Palestinian Solidarity Activist
• Speeches by Rachel Nelson, student, IFYC (Interfaith Youth Core) and Gerald Hankerson, Outreach Coordinator, CAIR (Council on American-Islamic Relations)
• Presentation of the art work:
  "One Common Thread Project for Peace"
• Presentation of the Pledge
• Silent Prayer
• Live Performances - music, spoken words
• Quilt Exhibit: Reflections on September 11th, A Decade Later by the Fiber Artists for Hope

Closing Party

Sept 11th, 9:30-11pm at Fringe Central

Join the Fringe Staff and Artists as we bid farewell to Fringe 2011 with drinks, dancing and a speech or two (eloquence of speeches not guaranteed ;)

Three Women Driven Insane

a special performance after-hours presented by Dream Theatre
at the Chicago Fringe Festival

Three Women Driven Insane by Jeremy Menekseoglu is a one-act play depicting eight women pushed beyond the edge of reason. Replete with homicidal roommates, one-armed lesbians, and Satanic babies, Three Women Driven Insane is a hilarious exploration of the most dire extremes of feminine friendship and love. Starring company members Natalie Breitmeyer, Anna Menekseoglu, and Annelise Lawson.

Dream Theatre is located at 556 w. 18th St., Chicago, IL 60616. General admission is $10.00; a student rush ticket is available for $8.00 at 11:15 pm.

Design Contest

Local Designer Wins Chicago Fringe Festival
2011 Design Competition!

A rabbit. Hair. A mysterious silhouette juggling three glowing orbs. Embroidered whales. A neon patchwork map of Pilsen.

We received astoundingly diverse submissions from around the world, demonstrating the incredible creative energy Fringe inspires globally.

Thank you to all who submitted!

We salute our runners-up: Jonathan Blackburn, Simon Hatter, Clare Rosean, and Ching-Yu Wong.

And we congratulate Alexander Cruz, winner of the 2011 Chicago Fringe Festival Design Competition!

Winning Entry

Click image to view larger size

Alex Cruz was born in 1984 in Chicago, Illinois. In high school, Alex was introduced to graffiti art and soon hip-hop culture became his obsession. He explores unconventional ways of fusing urban art and graphic design. With no college degree in the arts, he has strived to learn what he knows today while developing his own style. His passion for people and the city of Chicago spills out onto his work. He enjoys recycling scrap wood or things otherwise seen as trash and redeeming them into vibrant works of art. Alex resides in Melrose Park, IL, happily married to his wife Natalie. He currently does freelance work, leads art workshop classes and creates t-shirt designs for Rabbit Hole Apparel. His life is devoted to knowing God, family, and friends better. He enjoys skateboarding, when he is not making art.

Runners-up

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Jonathan Blackburn	Simon Hatter
Clare Rosean	Ching Yu Wong

THANK YOU! Thank you to the talented, silly, sexy, fresh and fearless PERFORMERS, to the dedicated, skilled and totally stupendous VOLUNTEERS, to the 2,800 AUDIENCE MEMBERS who made Pilsen theatre central by attending & helping create the Fringe.

$33,000 returned to artists

A special thanks to all the supporters whose generous donations of money, time, space, materials and more made it possible to put ticket money back in artists' pockets.

If you liked the Under the Radar theatre you saw at CFF2011, please consider getting on board early to support CFF2012! To find out more about sponsorship opportunities for your company, contact Katie Leisner, our director of development: katie@chicagofringe.org

The CFF2011 donors' bench was unveiled at the VIP party!

"Chicago's Fringe Festival continues to amaze and inspire me.

From the awesome and up-beat volunteers who did everything from stage management to ticket taking to directing people to the various venues, to the large and enthusiastic crowds at each show, I left feeling great about Chicago and its remarkably supportive theatre scene."

–Bob Bullen, ChicagoTheatreAddict.com