Jackalope Theatre Company is pleased to announce the cast and production team of the 14th Annual Living Newspaper Festival. The festival features plays by Ike Holter, Felicia Oduh, and Nora Leahy*, with direction by Ike Holter, Jared Webb, Lanise A. Shelley, and Liz Sharpe*. In homage to the 1930's Living Newspapers of the Federal Theatre Project, Jackalope has assembled an exciting line-up of three world premiere one-act plays inspired by recent news headlines.
Performances will take place at Jackalope Theatre Company in Chicago’s Broadway Armory Park, 5917 N Broadway, one weekend only, from May 4th, 2023-May 8th, 2023. Single tickets and season subscriptions are currently available at jackalopetheatre.org or by calling 773-340-2543. The press opening is set for Thursday, May 4th, 2023 at 7:30pm. The Living Newspaper Festival features the world premieres of three one-act plays:
JUMP SCARE
- by Ike Holter
- directed by Ike Holter and Jarred Webb
- featuring Rolando Serrano and Wes Needham
"Before Michigan State Shooting, Some Students Survived Sandy Hook and Oxford" - The New York Times, February 14, 2023
A. L. P.
- by Felicia Oduh
- directed by Lanise Antoine Shelley
- featuring Chris Khoshaba and Adia Alli
"Bing's A.I. Chat: 'I Want to be Alive'" - The New York Times, February 16, 2023
SWARM
- by Nora Leahy*
- directed by Liz Sharpe*
- featuring Janice O'Neill and Sam Boeck*
"Protestor accused of unleashing bee swarm on deputies to stop eviction" - The Washington Post, October 20, 2022
The 14th Annual Living Newspaper features Rolando Serrano, Wes Needham, Chris Khoshaba, Adia Alli, Janice O'Neill, and Sam Boeck*.
The production team for the 14th Annual Living Newspaper Festival includes: Amal Salem (production manager), Catherine Miller* (casting director), Anna Brockway (stage manager), Jon Cohen* (article curator), Samuel Stephen (lighting designer), Michael Huey (sound designer), and Gaby Labotka (fight & intimacy coordinator).
* denotes Jackalope Theatre Company member
Please note: Jackalope Theatre currently requires proof of vaccination and masking at all performances. For updated information on Jackalope’s COVID safety measures, visit jackalopetheatre.org/plan-your-visit
About the Federal Theatre Project:
With a history in the USSR and Germany in the early part of the century, the Living Newspaper was initiated in the United States in 1935 as part of the Federal Theatre Project. Its founders believed in the value of drama as an instrument of social change and the Living Newspapers became a highly effective new form, boldly producing plays that often brought to light social injustices, challenged ideals, and criticized the government.
In response to the Great Depression, Congress appropriated $4.8 billion for work relief and created agencies to administer the funds, including the Works Progress Administration. Despite being allocated less than one percent of WPA funding, the Federal Theatre Project employed approximately eight thousand Theatre professionals a year during its four-year run.
In an attempt to create new plays, the Federal Theatre Project often recruited new writers. One of the goals of the short-lived FTP was to create plays and provide training for aspiring writers, and the Living Newspapers fostered this on a grand scale. Even though insiders acknowledged that it is much easier to build a dam or teach a trade than it is to develop a playwright, the legacy of the FTP laid the groundwork for using theatre to invoke conversation on national themes.
Artistic Director Kaiser Ahmed remarks that "our 14th Living Newspaper Festival is a love letter to the incisive and illuminating power of documentary theatre. In an era where misleading or false news proliferates, Jackalope is committed to engaging directly with audiences to process & discuss current events. We've honed in on the stories, truths, and communities behind each of these three plays. With this dream team of Chicago's most exciting playwrights, you won't want to miss this one-weekend-only theatrical event."
PRODUCTION DETAILS:
Title: The 14th Annual Living Newspaper Festival
Playwrights: Ike Holter, Felicia Oduh, Nora Leahy
Directors: Ike Holter, Jarred Webb, Lanise A. Shelley, Liz Sharpe
Cast: Rolando Serrano, Wes Needham, Chris Khoshaba, Adia Alli, Janice O'Neill, and Sam Boeck.
Location: Jackalope Theatre in the Broadway Armory Park, 5917 N Broadway, in Chicago.
Dates:
Press performance: Thursday, May 4th, 2023 at 7:30pm
Regular Run: May 4th, 2023-May 8th, 2023
Curtain Times: Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Monday at 7:30pm; Sunday at 3:00pm.
Run-Time: 75 min.
Tickets: Previews $20. Regular run $35. Students/Industry/Edgewater neighborhood Limited Access Tickets $15. Tickets are currently available at www.jackalopetheatre.org or by calling 773-340-2543. View Ticket Calendar Here.
Touch Tour/Audio Described performance: Sunday, May 7th, at 3:00pm. Touch Tour begins at 1:45pm.
Group Tickets: Special group rates are available. For more information email jackalope@jackalopetheatre.org or call 773-340-2543
Plan Your Visit:
Metered parking is available in the lot adjacent to the Broadway Armory – enter from the alley on Thorndale. Nearest El station: Thorndale Red Line. Buses: #36 (Broadway), #151 (Sheridan), #146 (Inner Lakeshore), #147 (DuSable Express)
Content Warnings: View a complete and updated list of production content warnings at jackalopetheatre.org/plan-your-visit
About the Artists:
Ike Holter: Writer of “The Rightlynd Saga”, a series of 7 plays that the Chicago Tribune called “one of the most significant literary achievements in modern Chicago.” He won the WGA award for “Best Adaptation” for the Emmy winning FX series “Fosse/Verdon”, and his miniseries “Harold” is being developed with Wayfarer Studios. Recently he’s worked with Kid Cudi on his latest tour, teaches at Yale Drama, and won the Windham-Campbell, one of the highest literary awards in the world. Repped by WME and M88.
Felicia Oduh: Felicia Oduh is a Nigerian-American, Chicago-based actor/playwright whose work has been developed with Northlight Theatre, Vertigo Productions, and Black Lives, Black Words. She is also a writer for OTV's comedic web series, How to L0ve, and a recipient of the Reva and David Logan Foundation’s 2021 Artist Grant. Theatre acting credits include work with Definition Theatre, Chicago Shakespeare Theater, and Paramount Theatre. TV credits include Shining Girls, 4400, and How to L0ve.
Nora Leahy: Nora is a playwright and Jackalope company member. Her work has been developed or produced at Lean Ensemble Theater (Hilton Head, SC); Nashville Story Garden (TN); The Arden (Philadelphia, PA); Actors Theatre of Charlotte (NC); and locally with The New Coordinates, The Greenhouse Theater, and Jackalope. Her plays have been nationally recognized, including BADLANDS (Relentless Award Honorable Mention, 2019; Hass Fellowship, 2020); IF YOU FORGET ME (Princess Grace Award Semi-Finalist, 2019); and THE BRIDGE (Woodward Newman Award Finalist, 2017).
Jarred Webb: Jarred Webb (he/him) is a Chicago-based director and actor. He has recently directed with Proboscis Theatre and Theatre Unspeakable. As an actor, Jarred has worked with The Play That Goes Wrong National Tour, Steppenwolf Theatre Company, Prague Shakespeare Company, Southwest Shakespeare Company, and more.
Lanise Antoine Shelley: Lanise Antoine Shelley (She/her) Is the Black Theater Coalition AMEX Directing Fellow 2023, Drama League Classical Directing Fellow, and Stratford Shakespeare's Chicago Fellow. Recent directing credits include a staged reading of Phedre, A Tempest at off-Broadway Red Bull Theater; Other credits: Paramount, Silent Theatre Company, Rites of Spring Festival Voices and Faces, Akvavit Theatre, DePaul University, and 16th St Theater. MFA from ART/Harvard University and BADA in Oxford, England.
Liz Sharpe: Liz is thrilled to be in their artistic home directing for LNF. Liz has recently been covering for Describe the Night at Steppenwolf and will be seen in Pretty Shahid, next at Jackalope this season. Represented by Grossman and Jack.
Title of Festival: The 14th Annual Living Newspaper Festival
Written by: Ike Holter, Felicia Oduh, Nora Leahy
Directed by: Ike Holter, Jarred Webb, Lanise A. Shelley, Liz Sharpe
Featuring: Rolando Serrano, Wes Needham, Chris Khoshaba, Adia Alli, Janice O'Neill, and Sam Boeck.
Location: Jackalope Theatre Company, 5917 N Broadway, Chicago, IL 60660
Press Night: Thursday, May 4th, 2023 at 7:30pm
Regular Run:
- Thursday, May 4th, 2023 at 7:30pm
- Friday, May 5th, 2023, at 7:30pm
- Saturday, May 6th, 2023, at 7:30pm
- Sunday, May 7th, 2023, at 3:00pm
- Monday, May 8th, 2023, at 7:30pm
Tickets: $15 - $35, on sale at jackalopetheatre.org
About the Jackalope Theatre:
Jackalope Theatre Company, now in its fifteenth season, is committed to cultivating theatre that expands the definition of American identity by engaging with our communities to produce works that celebrate diverse perspectives. Each season, the company produces full-length plays in Broadway Armory Park and a series of ancillary new play development programming. All of this programming takes place within the epicenter of the Edgewater community, enhancing the cultural vibrancy of the Thorndale Station corridor.
Jackalope Theatre was founded in the Spring of 2008. In 2012, Jackalope began a long-term residency at Broadway Armory Park and in 2013, Time Out Chicago named Jackalope the best up-and-coming theatre company. In 2014, Jackalope received the Broadway in Chicago Emerging Theater Award and the world-premiere production of Ike Holter’s Exit Strategy received 4/4 Stars from the Chicago Tribune and won Best New Work at the Jeff Awards. Nearly every production since has received award nominations, critical praise, and full houses of diverse patrons, solidifying Jackalope as a premier mid-sized venue for high quality theatrical experiences.
For complete and current information about the 2022/2023 Season and artists, please visit https://jackalopetheatre.org
Jackalope Theatre expands American identity by engaging with our communities to produce works that celebrate diverse perspectives. Season 15 is made possible by the continued generosity of Season Sponsors Michael and Mona Heath. Jackalope is funded in part by the Illinois Arts Council, The Bayless Family Foundation, the Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation, The Richard H. Driehaus Foundation, and The Paul M. Angell Foundation.
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