Artistic operations are in full swing at Goodman Theatre, where live-in-person performances have resumed since July, including two now on stage—American Mariachi by José Cruz González (through October 24) and Fannie (The Music and Life of Fannie Lou Hamer) by Cheryl L. West (through November 14), both directed by Resident Artistic Associate Henry Godinez—plus readings of plays authored by the Goodman’s Playwrights Unit (continuing through November 4). Now, the Goodman announces its six-project line-up of the 17th annual New Stages Festival (December 1-19, GoodmanTheatre.org/NewStages) as well as invites Chicago-based early-career directors to apply for the 2022 Michael Maggio Directing Fellowship, now entering its 20th year (GoodmanTheatre.org/Maggio). In addition, the Goodman welcomes project proposals for Future Labs (GoodmanTheatre.org/FutureLabs), a development workshop series for plays written and led by artists of color now in its second season, with at least six new projects slated for workshop and public readings beginning in early 2022.
Health and safety note: Proof of full vaccination with an FDA-authorized vaccine is required for all guests over 12 and a recent negative test must be presented for children under 12. Patrons must wear face coverings at all times while inside Goodman Theatre. Learn more at GoodmanTheatre.org/Protocols.
2021 NEW STAGES FESTIVAL
Six projects appear as part of the annual New Stages Festival—a free celebration and discovery of new works by some of the country’s finest established and emerging playwrights, now in its 17th season and under the leadership of Director of New Works Jonathan L. Green. Two fully staged developmental productions are the centerpiece of the festival, performed in repertory—Nightwatch by Max Yu, directed by Chay Yew and Layalina by Martin Yousif Zebari, directed by Sivan Battat. The final weekend, which is scheduled so that theater industry professionals can view all of the new plays, expands to include three staged readings—Fires, Ohio by Beth Hyland, directed by Marti Lyons; Your Name Means Dream by José Rivera, directed by Audrey Francis and Watching the Watcher by Dael Orlandersmith, directed by Neel Keller. In addition, the virtual reality experience Hummingbird by Jo Cattell appears as a special event production at the Electronic Visualization Laboratory at University of Illinois at Chicago (December 3-6). The Goodman’s current production of Cheryl L. West’s Fannie (The Music and Life of Fannie Lou Hamer) was developed as part of New Stages 2019; two plays that are part of the 2021 line-up—Max Yu’s Nightwatch and Martin Yousif Zebari’s Layalina—were part of the inaugural season of Future Labs. The New Stages Festival appears December 1–19 in the 350-seat Owen Theatre (with the exception of Hummingbird, which takes place at UIC); free reserved tickets are available now by visit GoodmanTheatre.org/NewStages or calling 312.443.3800. Reserve a space for Professionals Weekend, December 17-19, by visiting GoodmanTheatre.org/Professionals.
Nightwatch
By Max Yu | Directed by Chay Yew
A Developmental Production; appears in repertory (December 1–19)
When 20-year-old Leo drops out of college and returns home to San Francisco’s Chinatown, he discovers a secret that’s been kept from him: his father passed away weeks ago. To try to cope, he delves into his family’s untold past in the Chinese Communist Cultural Revolution, redefining everyone and everything he thought was in his bloodline. Winner of the 2019 Relentless Award, Max Yu’s thrilling Nightwatch reckons with unknown history and generations of hidden family stories.
Hummingbird
By Jo Cattell |Created by Daria Tsoupikova, Sai Priya Jyothula, Andrew Johnson, Arthur Nishimoto and Lance Long
Appears at the Electronic Visualization Laboratory in the University of Illinois of Chicago (December 3 – 6)
A gutsy teen has to outsmart her mother’s narcissistic boss and survive dangerous new technology in Hummingbird, a live, immersive adventure that transforms theatrical storytelling utilizing cutting-edge, virtual reality technology. Tickets are extremely limited.
Layalina
By Martin Yousif Zebari | Directed by Sivan Battat
A Developmental Production; appears in repertory (December 5–19)
In 2003, newlywed Layal imagines a future with her family as they make plans to immigrate to the U.S. from Baghdad. 17 years later, just outside of Chicago, Layal’s life and responsibilities look unimaginably different from what she had envisioned two decades before. Martin Yousif Zebari’s surprising new play examines how families maintain their love in the midst of turbulent global and social change.
Fires, Ohio
By Beth Hyland | Directed by Marti Lyons
A Staged Reading: Saturday, December 18 at 10:30am
As a climate crisis threatens a small Ohio college town, the mopey grown children and third wife of a sort-of-mediocre professor must choose: stay and smolder, or leave and burn. When a visiting scholar comes to stay for a few days, love and hatred flare and jeopardize the family’s fragile equilibrium. Chekhovian and totally modern, Fires, Ohio brings an old story into our painfully funny present.
Your Name Means Dream
By José Rivera | Directed by Audrey Francis
A Staged Reading: Saturday, December 18 at 3pm
Aislin is getting older and her body is breaking down. Her caregiver Stacy has a perfectly toned body that doesn’t age–because she’s a robot. While Aislin suffers the inevitable indignities of being human, Stacy wonders what she’s missing out on. Acclaimed playwright José Rivera examines how we live, die, and form our sense of self in a world that’s increasingly saturated with technology.
Watching the Watcher
By Dael Orlandersmith | Directed by Neel Keller
A Staged Reading: Sunday, December 19 at 10am
What is it that we look for when we first see another person? In that moment, what do we know and what do we assume? And what happens when we realize they are seeing us for the first time as well? Pulitzer Prize finalist and Goodman Artistic Associate Dael Orlandersmith presents a virtuosic mosaic of memories and dashed futures that form a unique look at humanity—at ours and at everyone else’s.
2022 MICHAEL MAGGIO DIRECTING FELLOWSHIP
Calling all early-career directors! Apply now for the 2022 Michael Maggio Directing Fellowship, which provides an opportunity to assist on a Goodman production and become involved in the ongoing artistic life of the theater for a full season and beyond. The fellowship, which begins in early 2022 and includes a $5,000 stipend, is designed for local artists who have directed at least two professional (non-academic) productions. Applications close November 17. A selection committee—including Goodman Artistic team members Kimberly Senior (Artistic Associate), Chuck Smith (Resident Director), Malkia Stampley (Producer) and Spenser Davis (current Maggio Fellow) as well as acclaimed Chicago director Lisa Portes—will review submissions and interview semi-finalists. A second round of finalist interviews will include Artistic Director Robert Falls, Goodman producers and members of the selection committee. Final candidate selection will be made by December 31, 2021. To apply, submit a resume; a portfolio and/or selected reviews of previous work (if available); at least two letters of reference from theater professionals or educators; and a statement of personal and artistic goals, with a focus on how the Fellowship could help the applicant achieve those goals to GoodmanTheatre.org/Maggio. Established in 2002, the fellowship honors the memory and artistry of Goodman Associate Artistic Director Michael Maggio (1951 – 2000) who directed a total of 22 productions at the Goodman and more than 60 productions around the country. Previous Fellows include: Spenser Davis (2020), Sydney Chatman (2019), Jo Cattell (2017), Jess McLeod (2016), Vanessa Stalling (2015), Marti Lyons (2014), Erica Weiss (2013), Jimmy McDermott (2012), Anna Bahow (2011), Joanie Schultz (2009), Anthony Moseley (2007), Dado (2006), Ann Filmer (2005), Mignon McPherson-Nance (2003) and Lynn Ann Bernatowicz (2002).
2022 FUTURE LABS
Bold, imaginative new plays authored by artists of color are sought for the second year of Future Labs—Goodman Theatre’s newest artistic effort to develop works authored and directed by Black, Indigenous, Latinx, AAPI, SWANA and other artists of color. Established in January 2021, Future Labs is designed primarily for Chicago-based writers who have not had a play produced at the Goodman. Program curators include Quenna L. Barrett (Associate Director of Education and Engagement), Jonathan L. Green (Director of New Works), Alberto Mendoza (Video Producer) and Malkia Stampley (Producer) and involves a Goodman Staff Evaluation Team composed of individuals of intersectional identities and in areas across the theater. Selected projects receive rehearsal time, artistic and casting support and an optional free public reading. To learn more about Future Labs and to submit a project for consideration, visit GoodmanTheatre.org/FutureLabs.
ARTISTIC TEAM UPDATES
In other Artistic news, the Goodman has named Malkia Stampley—co-founder/Artistic Producer of the Milwaukee Black Theater Festival and co-founder/former Producing Artistic Director of Bronzeville Arts Ensemble (Milwaukee)—as its new Producer. In addition, Jonathan L. Green has been appointed Director of New Works, and Rachael Jimenez has been named Associate Casting Director/Special Events Producer. Under the leadership of Artistic Director Robert Falls, the Goodman’s Artistic leadership also includes Managing Producer Adam Belcuore, Walter Director of Education and Engagement Willa J. Taylor, Resident Dramaturg Neena Arndt and Casting Director Lauren Port.
Malkia Stampley (Producer), a Milwaukee native, received her theater training at Marquette University and as Acting Intern at Milwaukee Repertory Theater. In Milwaukee, Stampley co-founded Bronzeville Arts Ensemble in 2013 and served as Producing Artistic Director. She is a founder of the Milwaukee Black Theater Festival, serving as Artistic Producer. Stampley is excited to return to Chicago where she started her family and worked with Congo Square as an actor and Artistic Associate as well as Court Theatre and multiple tv/film productions. Directing credits include American Players Theatre, Milwaukee Repertory Theatre, Skylight Music Theatre, Milwaukee Chamber Theatre, and Northern Sky Theater. She is a proud alum of Broadway For Racial Justice's 2021 Casting Directive Program.
Jonathan L. Green (Director of New Works)’s Goodman dramaturgy credits include the world premieres of How to Catch Creation, Blind Date, Objects in the Mirror, and War Paint, as well as works in development by Charise Castro Smith, Octavio Solis, Abe Koogler, Bess Wohl, Paola Lázaro, and Dave Harris. As a director, he has worked with Sideshow Theatre, Steppenwolf Theatre, Diversionary Theatre, TheatreWorks, Playwrights’ Center, Chicago Dramatists, and more. Green is an Artistic Associate of Sideshow Theatre Company, which he helped found in 2007, and where his recent directing credits include X, HeLa, truth and reconciliation, and Stupid F**king Bird.
Rachael Jimenez (Associate Casting Director/Special Events Producer), originally from the Los Angeles area, is in her seventh season in the Goodman casting department. In addition to her work at Goodman, she has cast productions at Theater Wit, Windy City Playhouse, and Remy Bumppo Theatre Company. She is a proud member of CSA (Casting Society of America) and ALTA (The Alliance for Latinx Theater Artists of Chicago) and part of the inaugural Casting Director Trainor team in Broadway For Racial Justice’s Casting Directive program. Jimenez received her BA in Theatre Arts, Entrepreneurship and Comparative Religious Studies from California State University, Fullerton.
The Goodman is grateful for the generosity of its New Work sponsors, including: BMO Harris Bank, Next Generation Artists Sponsor; Pritzker Pucker Family Foundation and the Harold and Mimi Steinberg Charitable Trust, Major Support of New Play Development; Ruth D. and Ken M. Davee New Works Fund, Major Support of New Work; Shaw Family Supporting Organization, Support of New Work; The Glasser and Rosenthal Family, Support of New Work Development; and The Joyce Foundation, Principal Support for Diverse Artistic and Professional Development.
ABOUT GOODMAN THEATRE
Chicago’s theater since 1925, Goodman Theatre is a not-for-profit arts and community organization in the heart of the Loop, distinguished by the excellence and scope of its artistic programming and community engagement.
Led by Artistic Director Robert Falls and Executive Director Roche Schulfer, the theater’s artistic priorities include new play development (more than 150 world or American premieres), large scale musical theater works and reimagined classics. Artists and productions have earner two Pulitzer Prizes, 22 Tony Awards and more than 160 Jeff Awards, among other accolades. The Goodman is the first theater in the world to produce all 10 plays in August Wilson’s “American Century Cycle.” Its longtime annual holiday tradition A Christmas Carol, now in its fifth decade, has created a new generation of theatergoers in Chicago. The Goodman also frequently serves as a production and program partner with national and international companies and Chicago’s Off-Loop theaters.
Using the tools of the theatrical profession, the Goodman’s Education and Engagement programs aim to develop generations of citizens who understand the cultures and stories of diverse voices. The Goodman’s Alice Rapoport Center for Education and Engagement is the home of these programs, which are offered free of charge for Chicago youth—85% of whom come from underserved communities—schools and life-long learners.
As a cultural and community organization invested in quality, diversity and community, Goodman Theatre is committed to using the art of theater for a better Chicago. Goodman Theatre’s Action Plan for Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Anti-Racism and Access (IDEAA) was born out of the belief that progress means action, which includes building on the decades-long commitment to using art, assets and resources to contribute to a more just, equitable and anti-racist society.
Goodman Theatre was founded by William O. Goodman and his family in honor of their son Kenneth, an important figure in Chicago’s cultural renaissance in the early 1900s. The Goodman family’s legacy lives on through the continued work and dedication of Kenneth’s family, including Albert Ivar Goodman, who with his late mother, Edith-Marie Appleton, contributed the necessary funds for the creation on the new Goodman center in 2000.
Today, Goodman Theatre leadership also includes the distinguished members of the Artistic Collective: Rebecca Gilman, Dael Orlandersmith, Henry Godinez, Steve Scott, Kimberly Senior, Chuck Smith, Regina Taylor, Henry Wishcamper and Mary Zimmerman. Jeff Hesse is Chairman of Goodman Theatre’s Board of Trustees, Fran Del Boca is Women’s Board President and Megan McCarthy Hayes is President of the Scenemakers Board for young professionals.