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!!!