End of Summer...

So I know that I am constantly saying that it has been forever and a day since the last Strangeloop blog update. And unfortunately I have gone nearly the two months since last posting so let's start off by saying that a lot has happened!

Auditions for our fall show have been held and the show is cast. We have an excellent group of artists lined-up to appear onstage. Mark Pracht and Meghan M. Martinez will reprise their roles from the staged reading of The Sound of a Yellow Flower, and we are happy to welcome Rich Logan and Samantha Garcia for their first appearances on the Strangeloop stage! Rehearsals begin on August 2nd so stay tuned for more insider details!

In addition Strangeloop announced its first complete season at our Launch Party at the Long Room. The 2010-2011 season began with our annual Loopshop, will continue in the fall with The Sound of a Yellow Flower, we will be returning in the winter with our annual Holiday Cabaret, and in the spring we will be producing Friedrich Schiller's The Maid of Orleans. For more details and tickets for the season visit strangelooptheatre.org

Both the Launch Party and this year's Loopshop were smash hits! Loopshop was our best attended show to date with over 100 people joining our audience over the course of two nights! All of us at Strangeloop could not be happier for all of the support!

In a final important note Stangeloop is now offering a season pass for our 2010-2011 season. The pass is only $30 (the price of two shows) and gives you a ticket to The Sound of a Yellow Flower, the Holiday Cabaret, and The Maid of Orleans! Season passes can be purchased through strangelooptheatre.org. Come and see what all the fuss is about!

Audition Time!

That's right folks it's time once more for the most exciting part of the theatre process: AUDITIONS!!! Strangeloop Theatre is holding auditions for our world premiere fall show The Sound of a Yellow Flower written by Dustin Spence and directed by Letitia Guillaud. If you haven't seen it already in the papers you can check out our notice below. Interested? Come and join the fun!

The Sound of a Yellow Flower; a new play by Dustin Spence

Date: June 28, callbacks June 29

Time: 6:30 pm to 9:30pm

Audition Location: North Lakeside Cultural Center, 6219 N Sheridan Rd , Chicago, IL

Pay: No pay

Equity / Non Equity: Non-Equity

Type / Restrictions: Seeking 1 woman and 1 man. Early to late 30’s. Zoe is an American idealist. In love with the idea of revolution, she is determined to actively change the world. She is Sasha’s wife. Sasha, a native of Belarus, was the musician of the people. Now he plays in the orchestra. He played an active role in resisting Russian oppression and gaining independence for his country, but he left once independence was won. He has returned with his new wife to build a life.

This is a new play, written by Dustin Spence and developed by Strangeloop Theatre. It is about the relationships between four people and the downward spiral of their interconnectedness, set against the backdrop of modern day Belarus.

Time Commitment: Rehearsals begin August 2. The four week run will be at Trap Door Theatre, beginning Sept 9; Thurs.- Sat @ 8, Sun. @ 2.
Material to Prepare: 1-2 minute contemporary monologue; bring a H/R; do not prepare a dialect.
Contact Info: To reserve audition, please e-mail Strangeloop your headshot and resume. We will contact you with your audition time.
Reply to Email: casting@strangelooptheatre.org

Loopshop 3!!!

That's right folks this summer we will be premiering Strangeloop Theatre's third evening of original works! We have come quite a long way and are very proud to have made Loopshop the cornerstone on which the rest of the Strangeloop experience has been built.

Come join us for Loopshop 3 at Prop Thtr, 3502 N. Elston , on July 13 and 14 at 8pm!

Just a little background... Loopshop (then called Strangeloop's New Works Workshop) premiered in February of 2009 at American Theatre Company with four plays written by Strangeloop company members. It was messy and amazing. One night, one day in the space, in out done. The fantastic reception that we received from our first Loopshop event prompted us to expand the project and revisit the idea of an evening of original works.

In August of 2009 Strangeloop premiered six plays with two performances under the brand new name of Loopshop! These six plays were a combination of pieces written by company members and pieces written by affiliated artists. The performance took place at Stage Left Theatre and nearly sold out both nights!

One of the pieces was Dustin Spence's The Sound of a Yellow Flower was performed as a twelve minute scene with actors Megan Martinez and Ian Maxwell under the keen direction of Leigh Barrett. The Sound of a Yellow Flower will be performed as Strangeloop Theatre's fully produced Fall 2010 production at Trap Door Theatre where Megan will reprise her roll as Natalia and Leigh will lighting design. It is this sense of creation and collaboration that has propelled Strangeloop Theatre to its current place within the Chicago theatre community and we hope for much more in the future.

Loopshop 3 will be premiering seven original works all by playwrights outside of the company! The line up is as follows: Protected by Mark Pracht, director Mark Pracht; The Weight by James Thomson, director Zack Florent; Waterproof by Paul Barile, director Doug Long; Reserving Departure by Barb Lhota, director Jesus Contreras; Crisco vs. Olive Oil by Michael Wagman, director Lance Hall; Life of an Intelligent Guard by Megan Mackie, director Bradley J. Gunter; Elevator by Anthony Ellison, director Shannon Bracken. Strangeloop Theatre is so excited to be working with so many talented artists!

Tickets for Loopshop 3 will be available soon along with many other exciting Strangeloop Theatre events. Stay tuned and come join us for all the fun in 2010!

On a completely different note...

So we at Strangeloop are diligently getting the 2010-2011 season put together. Be on the lookout for upcoming events and shows! But just because we don't have any specifics yet does not mean that we don't have theatre going on in our lives. How about you?

I have just gotten back from an evening of Plasticene Physical Theater's From a Fading Light and if you have an evening to go see something totally amazing go check this out. Strangeloop is always trying to develop the new and different, involving our audiences in exciting ways. Well Plasticene has definitely beat us to the punch with this one. Of course they have been around just a little longer that we have (13 years more to be exact)!

So as we are getting our season finalized I will be updating some theatre that is affecting us, some theatre that gets us excited, so that you can know what we will be working toward in the future. Alternately, if you are reading this and have some suggestions for us please send those thoughts our way to loop@strangelooptheatre.org

Until next week!

Back from a Break!!!

Hey everyone. I'm not sure if you have noticed, but I have not updated the Loop blog in two months. Whew how the time flies! In case you were not able to make it out (and shame on you) Strangeloop's production of Living Quarters was a smash hit. Thank you to all who came out and thank you to the fine folks at Trap Door Theatre for letting us use their space!

Just because I haven't updated the blog does not mean we have been resting on our laurels. No in fact quite the opposite. No sooner has Strangeloop closed one show, but we are planning for our 2010-2011 season. That's right I said it season. Strangeloop is hoping to announce a fall and spring show along with a summer Loopshop and winter cabaret here in the next couple of months. We have selected a show for the fall and will be scouring scripts for a show for the spring. If you are a budding (or accomplished) playwright and would like Strangeloop to consider your piece for our Spring 2011 production send your script our way at loop@strangelooptheatre.org

We have many exciting events in the works, but now I must get back to reading those scripts. Whew! But I promise the Loop is now back up and running for weekly updates so stay tuned!

Irish Family Improv!!!

So here we are, half way through the run of Strangeloop Theatre's second full production: Living Quarters by Brial Friel. Two weeks in and two weeks to go! Last week you heard about what the Reader had to say about the show. Well, since then Living Quarters has gotten stellar reviews from many other places. Here are some snippets...

“Small and simply produced by Strangeloop Theatre, it is the very definition of excellence. ”

Paige Listerud, Chicago Theater Blog (read full article)

Three and a Half Stars

“...fans of Friel’s muted poetry should welcome this young company’s foray into his work.”

Kerry Reid, Chicago Tribune (read full article)

Three Stars

“The adroit cast keeps us firmly anchored in the intimate scenario [...], while the technical staff delivers environmental artistry...”

Mary Shen Barnidge, Windy City Times (read full article)

If you haven't come and seen our little-show-that-could go to our website and buy your tickets now!

This past Friday we had a special treat for those who came and saw the show. Friday was Late Night Improv #1 with special guests Counter-Productive Lover and Boyfriend/Girlfriend! It was a rollicking good time for all, audience and performers alike!

Missed out on last weeks improv? Don't worry! Late Night Improv #2 will be taking place this Friday (3/5) at 10:30 pm after the evening's performance of Living Quarters. This week will feature special guests Funtime Comedy and Barry Menilow! You can get our special Irish Improv package deal (Living Quarters + Late Night Improv #2) for only $17 on our website!

We look forward to seeing you at the show!

Have you heard the news!!!

So the word is out folks, and Strangeloop Theatre's Living Quarters is open and ready to be seen. It was a jam packed opening at Trap Door Theatre this past weekend with plenty of smiling faces ready to come see some theatre! Members of the press made it to the opening as well. Click here, and see what Chicago Reader critic Keith Griffith had to say about the show. Tickets are going fast so buy your's today!

This opening weekend would not have been a success without the wonderful support we have from the Chicago theatre community. Artists and patrons, aficionados and theatre grazers are all a part of what makes Strangeloop Theatre a success. Thank you!

Still not convinced??? There are still three weeks left in this run of Living Quarters, Strangeloop's second fully produced show! This weekend we add a little treat. Come and see Friday night's show and stay for some improv comedy afterward! This Friday features Counter-Productive Lover. Many laughs to be had by all. Check out the special improv package deal on our website strangelooptheatre.org

We hope to see you at the show!!!

So what can I say? Load in was long and involved, but we have a set!!! With just two days before Living Quarters opens at Trap Door Theatre we are sooooooo excited to have an amazing set design by Glen Anderson with equally stunning lighting design by Leigh Barrett.

Here you can see us hard at work dressing the set. Just for the record the load-in was from 6 pm - 12 am on Sunday, and tech continued at 10 am the next morning lasting until 2 am on Tuesday. You gotta believe we worked our butts off for this. So with that in mind there are still plenty of opportunities to buy tickets. Just visit strangelooptheatre.org for more information. With all that said we promise not to show up for opening looking like this...

Just two weeks away...

That's right my friends! Strangeloop Theatre's production of Living Quarters opens in just two short weeks. The actors are busily rehearsing, and the designers are busily designing, and let's face it Thomas Murray (our fearless director) has not slept in a month! Seriously though, this upcoming Sunday we will load in to Trap Door Theatre. I will try and have some load-in pics for everyone for the next "In the Loop" post. A little story about our tech process: not only is Living Quarters going to be Strangeloop's largest show to date (doubling our budget and theatre size!), but our scening designer, Glen Anderson, is hauling the set all the way from St. Louis so that we can have something amazing for you to see! So if you haven't bought your ticket already, visit Brown Paper Tickets to get one. Just click here!

In other exciting Strangeloop news, Strangeloop Theatre has just been accepted into the League of Chicago Theatres! We are very excited to be a part of this outstanding Chicago theatre organization. And let's face it we could not have done it with out all of you loyal Strangeloopers out there! To all of you a great big Strangeloop thanks!

Welcome to the show!

"The home, the house, the living-quarters of Commandant Frank Butler..." With these words Brian Friel begins his timeless Irish family drama, Living Quarters. As of this past Friday Strangeloop's production of Living Quarters is half-way through the rehearsal process. On January 29th the cast completed its first run-through (aptly called a "stumble-through") of the play. With only two weeks of rehearsal under their belts the actors have the play on its feet.

With just two weeks before we load into the Trap Door Theatre, the actors are working hard, taking risks, and spending the time and dedication needed to create a truly wonderful piece of theatre. We have included some of the pictures from the stumble-through so that you may get a glimpse of the work in progress.

Brought together under the tireless direction of Thomas Murray, Strangeloop Theatre's second full production is sure to be a hit. Thomas has extensively researched the production and the culture (go so far as to travel to Donnegal itself!) to create a truly rich theatrical experience.

Tickets for the production are already available online on Strangeloop Theatre's website. Be sure to buy your's today! This is one show you simply do not want to miss.

What a great party!!!

So the time finally came for Strangeloop's final fundraising event before Living Quarters opens. Strangeloop Theatre would like to thank all of our friends at The Long Room for hosting the Living Quarters Launch Party. If you look at the count down on the webpage you will see that there are about 23 days before we open!!! Just a reminder that Living Quarters runs February 18-March 14 at Trap Door Theatre. The cast, crew, and of course those on the Strangeloop artistic board are very excited that we have made it to this point. Just as a recap we have spent roughly nine months raising the funds and gathering the artists necessary to make our second full production a success. We at Strangeloop would like to thank all those who have contributed artistically and financially to make the work that we do a success!

In the picture to the right you can see some of our marvelous cast reading a scene from Act

1 of the play at the Launch Party. As a note on the artistic process, this Friday the cast will be doing its first "Stumble thru" (first run of the play in rehearsal), which will mark the half way point of the rehearsal process! This is Strangeloop's first show for which we held open call auditions, and we have been blessed with such an amazing cast!

Tickets for Strangeloop Theatre's production of Living Quarters are now on sale. Come and see this seldom-seen-in-Chicago play by Brian Friel. You can purchase your tickets at Brown Paper Tickets. We look forward to seeing you there!

A new year a new Loop!!!

So my friends, theatre goers of every stripe and walk of life, the Strangeloop Theatre blog is back in action! We've got a new year and a new blog all ready to go for you. So... I'd like to thank you for checking back here once again. Strangeloop Theatre is one month away from opening our second full production: Living Quarters by Brian Friel directed by Thomas Murray. Now I know what you are thinking, what on earth does he mean by "full production"? Well it means that we have been spending the past nine months planing and fundraising so that we can present a quality show for four weeks at the Trap Door Theatre! So why don't you come out to see the show!?!

But wait, you say, a month is an awfully long way away... So here's what we have done. This Saturday (1/24) from 3-5 we will be hosting a launch party at the Long Room (1612 West Irving Park Road) you will get to hobnob with Strangeloop Theatre artists, fellow fans, and much much more.

We hope that you will be checking back here regularly at In the Loop where we will be posting all of the most up to date info on Strangeloop Theatre!