The upcoming TCG National Conference in Chicago is shaping up to be a bustling weekend for theatremakers. Whether you’re visiting the city for the first time, making a return trip, or are a local joining in on the festivities, there are a plethora of speakers, panel discussions, and field trips that will take you to the edges of the city and back again.
Now, it’s probably rare that you’ll have some spare time, but if you’re looking at an evening free or you’re scouting out activities to fill your pre- or post-conference itineraries, perhaps we can offer some help. Below you’ll find five artists whose work is currently onstage in Chicago. From designers to directors to performers, allow them to fill you in on their shows as they attempt to boil each show down to a short headline, provide some local knowledge on spending summer in Chicago, and stump a bit for Chicago as a theatre town you can’t help but love.
Blake Hood
Blake Hood is the director of Otherworld Theatre Company’s production of Natalie Zutter’s GARTERS: A Queer Immersive Romantasy Play (through July 7).
What’s your favorite way to relax during the summer?
Easily, it’s finding one of Chicago’s numerous rooftop and patio bars and sitting back with some fries and something fizzy and sweet.
What’s your pre-show routine? Any music a must? Can’t-miss warmups?
When it comes to pre-show routines for me, I find the simpler, the better. Some sun salutations and listening to “Come Down” by Anderson .Paak will always do me right before any performance.
What stands out about Chicago theatre for you? What would you want someone to know about Chicago theatre if they haven’t been here before?
Chicago theatre is home to some of the most diverse and creative performers I’ve had the privilege of working with. In just the last three months I’ve worked closely with comedians, puppeteers, stage combatants, and clowns. Each time I’ve gotten to take some new knowledge or perspective from them with me. There is no short supply of talent here, even in the storefront theatres, and it all feeds into this incredibly inclusive and fun environment.
What’s your favorite Chicago theatre memory?
Last summer at Otherworld I was playing Oliver Rivers in Puffs and the whole cast spent pretty much the whole summer together. It was great; we all became very close. Sometimes a group of us will all be hanging out and we’ll go, “Hey, it’s all Puffs people here!” and we’ll do a Puff hug.
What’s an underrated place or activity in the city that you love?
I’m super into Dungeons and Dragons and there are tons of ways to play around the city with professional DMs, like Rough Magic’s Drinking and Dragons, where they take over a bar or restaurant, or Otherworld’s Immersive D20, where you get to play inside the theatre.
If you had to boil Garters down to a headline, 10 words or less, what would that headline be?
“Epic Quest Reunites Childhood Friends, But Are They Lovers?”
Elizabeth Swanson
Elizabeth Swanson is the director and co-adaptor for Strawdog Theatre Company’s production of Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest (through June 30).
What’s your favorite way to relax during the summer?
I love to spend those long, hot summer days listening to trashy audiobooks and getting lost in cooking projects. This summer I’m listening to Anne Rice’s Vampire Chronicles while reviving my sourdough starter.
What’s your pre-show routine? Any music a must? Can’t-miss warmups?
As a director, I don’t have a pre-show routine, but I usually listen to Sturgill Simpson on my way to rehearsals to get in the right headspace.
What stands out about Chicago theatre for you? What would you want someone to know about Chicago theatre if they haven’t been here before?
We have such a rich theatrical ecosystem in Chicago. Steppenwolf and the Goodman are both programming exciting work right now, but don’t just stick to the big houses! Chicago’s storefront theatres are some of the industry’s strongest incubators for talent and ideas. Want to meet the future leaders of American theatre? Visit storefront companies like Redtwist Theatre in Edgewater and Bramble Theatre in Andersonville, as well as itinerant companies like Perceptions Theatre, Kokandy Productions, and Gender Fucked Productions. These companies are all finding innovative ways to produce exciting stories on the slimmest margins.
What’s your favorite Chicago theatre memory?
In 2017, Will Davis directed Picnic at American Theater Company. His production was playful and radical, and it washed over me like an achingly beautiful dream. I was 26, newly arrived in Chicago, and I identified with Madge’s sense of repression and longing. That production managed to do something holy: Redeem the repression of that American small town and offer a promise of transcendence. I’ll never forget the moment Madge (Malic White) ran away with Hal (Molly Brennan). Chicago isn’t generally a director’s town, but that show was such a beautiful testimony to what a director can create.
What’s an underrated place or activity in the city that you love?
My neighborhood, Rogers Park, is absolutely gorgeous in the summer. I love walking to the beach with a cold beer and seeing all the gardens along the way. The irises are finished blooming, but now we’re getting those gorgeous bright pink and orange summer lilies.
If you had to boil The Importance of Being Earnest down to a headline, 10 words or less, what would that headline be?
“Chicago’s Earnest Adaptation Is Ready to Slay This Pride Month”
Janelle Smith
Janelle Smith is the costume designer for Lifeline Theatre’s production of Nambi E. Kelley’s Native Son (through June 30).
What’s your favorite way to relax during the summer?
I love going to get food and drinks in Chinatown. I’m a huge boba fan and love trying new flavors whenever I go. There are a few coffee shops that I enjoy visiting, like Intelligentsia Coffee and Muse Coffee Studio.
What stands out about Chicago theatre for you? What would you want someone to know about Chicago theatre if they haven’t been here before?
Chicago theatre has such a wide range of work going on that there is something for everyone. While there are larger theatres like Steppenwolf, Goodman, and Chicago Shakes, I would encourage people to check out storefront theatres and take a tour of all the amazing work going on around the Chicagoland area.
What’s your favorite Chicago theatre memory?
One of my favorite memories is going to see An Enemy of the People at the Goodman. I remember seeing Ana Kuzmanic’s costume design and loving the way she used color and proportion to create whimsy and beauty.
What’s an underrated place or activity in the city that you love?
I really love going to Foster Beach and hanging out by the lake on sunny days. I also love playing board games or RPGs with friends and recently went to the Goblin Market which has a lovely array of manga, comics, and games made by local Chicago game designers.
If you had to boil Native Son down to a headline, 10 words or less, what would that headline be?
“Trapped in a Maze of Fate, Hard Choices to Make”
Kroydell Galima
Kroydell Galima is an actor in Jackalope Theatre’s world premiere production of Jay Stull’s The Singularity Play (through June 22).
What’s your favorite way to relax during the summer?
I recently got into stand-up paddleboarding. Never thought I’d be into it, but every year for the last couple summers I can’t wait for Lake Michigan to warm up enough and just going until I’m tired, dropping an anchor and chilling out there on the water. I got a dry bag and I’ll pack a meal, just like a sandwich, some chips, some beer. I’ll take a dip or swim around for a bit then get back up on the board and head back to shore and take a little nap or read a book, maybe fall asleep while reading a book.
What’s your pre-show routine? Any music a must? Can’t-miss warmups?
I’ve gotta eat, I’ve gotta nap, and then I’ve gotta move my body to wake it up and have a coffee. But I think it changes per show and depends on the character. Music is definitely involved on my way to the theatre. I like to make playlists that either the character would listen to or is of the world of the play. It helps me to get in the right mindset and mood.
I like chatting with the cast and checking in with them, asking about their day. I absolutely need to warm up my voice after getting to the theatre, and lately I’ve been doing a lot of Linklater exercises. Sometimes I pace right before “places” is called. For this show, right before going on, I don’t know what it is, but I can’t sit still. I like to get into “places” early and, while waiting for the show to begin, I’ll do 12 push-ups, a downward dog, and a little breath work.
What stands out about Chicago theatre for you? What would you want someone to know about Chicago theatre if they haven’t been here before?
Chicago theatre is all I’ve known so I’m biased, but I have to say the talent and work here is just as good, if not better, than either coast. Top to bottom: actors, directors, designers.
What’s your favorite Chicago theatre memory?
I’ve had so many favorites but my absolute favorite is meeting my future wife.
What’s an underrated place or activity in the city that you love?
There is nothing underrated about Chicago, but I think an underrated activity would be dining on your own or really any activity on your own, especially in Chicago. I feel like there’s a need to do activities, like dining, with other people all the time. I love sharing experiences with other people, don’t get me wrong, but I love experiencing something on my own, and if there’s ever a time, I would love to share that experience and why I loved it with other people. So I guess experiencing this city on my own, whether that’s dining, going to the lake, a museum, a bike ride, etc., is my favorite underrated activity.
If you had to boil The Singularity Play down to a headline, 10 words or less, what would that headline be?
“The Singularity Play Is a Love Letter to Art and Artists and a Eulogy for Our Humanity”
(More than 10 words, but I said what I said what I said)
Lauren M. Nichols
Lauren M. Nichols is the set designer for the Writers Theatre production of Katori Hall’s The Hot Wing King (through July 21).
What’s your favorite way to relax during the summer?
I am actually a winter person (thanks Chicago!), so I am all for relaxing inside with the AC on full blast watching movies, but even with the heat, you’ll always find me gravitating towards a family BBQ, as it’s just not the same with snow falling.
Are there any things that you like to do—or need to do—to feel ready to head into tech?
As a set designer, I love feeling like I’ve problem-solved most things before tech starts just so I can start to really enjoy the show and all the work put into it. So the days leading up to it I will review almost every decision I’ve ever made regarding the design. I will also come to tech with an arsenal of tech snacks and a task list of other things to accomplish on any downtime just so the dark environment doesn’t consume my energy.
What stands out about Chicago theatre for you? What would you want someone to know about Chicago theatre if they haven’t been here before?
It showcases some of the greatest stories and talent. It may not be the first city people run to when wanting to be involved with theatre, but they should. We are all a large family of artists and here to support one another rather than compete. As a designer who has lived here their entire life, I highly recommend exploring some of the smallest of storefront spaces, because those are the theatres that often offer some of the most magical experiences.
What’s your favorite Chicago theatre memory?
When early career artists think about their time working here in Chicago, they immediately think of all of those late-night hours painting in creepy cramped basements. I will always remember those evenings crawling around on the floor painting scenery on my hands and knees. Builds character.
What’s an underrated place or activity in the city that you love?
Everyone heads to the beaches or downtown to explore, but there’s nothing like driving Southbound on Lake Shore Drive with the windows down late at night from Hollywood Park all the way to the museum campus. A nice breeze, some good music, and a stunning visual landscape make the 20-minute trip well worth the time.
If you had to boil Hot Wing King down to a headline, 10 words or less, what would that headline be?
“Friends, Family, and Flavorful Fried Food”
Jerald Raymond Pierce (he/him) is the Chicago editor for American Theatre. jpierce@tcg.org
