Loopshop 8 Bio: Caitlin Jackson

Caitlin Jackson (Viviana) can't say no when Strangeloop asks her to do something. They can pretty much boss her around as much as they want. Previously, she played Queen of the Fairies in last summer's Midsummer and then a homeless ukulele playing bartender in Christmas Clue-seau with them. Her voice may or may not have been heard in the last Loopshop and you might have seen her for a split second during Thinking Caps. She's a founding member of New American Folk Theatre, an artistic associate with Wayward Productions and an ensemble member with Hell in a Handbag where she can currently be seen playing Bette Midler in Bette, LIVE at the Continental Baths until August 21st. Thanks to Maria. You know what you did. Love to MDKS.

FNA: They Fought Like The Rest

Because if there's one thing theater goers can't get enough of it's blood, guts and glory!

Nothing Special Productions' ongoing series, Fight Night — an evening of fight-based scenes and short plays — returns Saturday, July 12, to The Den Theatre to celebrate America's Independence Day with Fight Night: America!

Strangeloop is one of eight contenders for the championship.* Going up against Abraham Werewolf, Wayward Productions, Red Theater Chicago- RTC, Walkabout Theater Company, Some Guys I Know, Rough Company and Nothing Special, Strangeloop presents They Fought Like The Rest, an original work written and directed by company member Maria Burnham.

Inspired by the very real stories of women in the Civil War, They Fought Like The Rest tells the story of two Confederate soldiers captured during the Battle of Shiloh who find they share more than a side and the desire to escape the confines of their Chicago prison.

The piece stars company members Carrie Campana, Holly Robison, Michael HoughtonWagman and Keith Gatchel and associates Miona Lee and Allison McCorkle. The fight choreographer is Beau Forbes.

The Den Theatre is located in the Wicker Park neighborhood of Chicago at 1333 N. Milwaukee Avenue. Tickets are $15 in advance, $18 at the door, but this production tends to sell out, so get your tickets in advance. Tickets are available here.

More information on Fight Night is available here. The fight begins at 10:30 p.m.



*There is no championship. We made that part up.

Goodbye to fairies, hello to fights

A Midsummer Night's Dream ended to packed houses, lots of laughs and not a few tears from the actors sorry to see it close. Thank you to everyone who came out and made this production so successful and so special.

As Strangeloop finalizes plans for next season, there are still quite a few events that we have our hands in this summer, including Nothing Special Productions' Fight Night: America! at the Den Theatre on July 12.

Fight Night, a periodic evening of fight-based scenes and short plays, returns next month with pieces from Strangeloop Theatre, Abraham Werewolf, Wayward Productions, Red Theater Chicago- RTC, Walkabout Theater Company, Some Guys I Know and Rough Company — this round with the theme of America, in celebration of our nation's Independence Day.

Strangeloop's contender is They Fought Like The Rest written by company member Maria Burnham and starring company members Carrie Campana, Holly Robison, Michael HoughtonWagman and Keith Gatchel and associates Miona Lee and Allison McCorkle.

They Fought Like The Rest tells the story of two Confederate soldiers captured during the Battle of Shiloh who find they share more than a cause and a desire to escape the confines of their Chicago prison.

More information on Fight Night is available here. Tickets are available here.

And check back here all summer long for information about other upcoming events, including a staged reading in July and the return of Loopshop — Strangeloop's annual short play and new works series.