Free Street Theater is proud to announce an all-ages summer performance, A Mild Goose Chase, July 26 - 29, as part of Chicago Park District’s Night Out in the Parks series, supported by the Mayor’s Office and Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events. Admission to A Mild Goose Chase is free. This non-verbal and highly physical performance welcomes multilingual ad multigenerational audiences and will play in four different parks on the following dates: Tuesday, July 26 at 6 p.m., Davis (Dr. Nathan) Square Park, 4430 S. Marshfield Ave.; Wednesday, July 27 at 6 p.m., Gage (George) Park, 2411 W. 55th; Thursday, July 28 at 6 p.m., South Shore Cultural Center, 7059 S. South Shore Dr. and Friday, July 29 at 6 p.m., Fuller (Melville) Park, 331 W. 45th St. More information is available at www.FreeStreet.org or by following Free Street on Facebook or Instagram (@free_st_theater) for details on specific locations within the parks and any updates.
Since the launch of Night Out in the Parks in 2013, Free Street Theater has annually presented original family-friendly plays that have told stories about our city through the city-wide initiative. This summer is no different as Free Street, in partnership with The Chi Clowns (a clown troupe that began in 2021) tells stories of grief and joy, while reflecting on the beauty of nature in our city. Through this 45-minute experience, audiences will witness Sheila losing her dear friend, Rutabaga during a storm. The play follows her character as she searches throughout Chicago’s neighborhoods for her beloved Rutabaga, interacting with many different creatures of the earth along the way. In these interactions, Sheila must endure challenges and obstacles, which are all tied to memories of her own. A Mild Goose Chase is an exploration of grief, loss and asks “What do we gain when we experience loss?” Audiences of all ages will be charmed by moments such as a parade leading to Lake Michigan with puppets, dancing, and an opportunity to collectively recognize our grief.
Clown Sharaina “Shay” Turnage reflects on what this production means to her, “As a performer I always wondered why I never see black clowns outside of UniverSoul Circus. I never see black clowns in the media. I never see black clown images. I never see black women clowns, period. Black artists should be represented in ALL parts of entertainment. I hope that this performance sparks questions about why certain art forms are still segregated and how to challenge it.”
Clown Agnotti Cowie notes, “It has been healing to understand my own grief process through the eyes of the clown, where the range of emotion is honored and shared.”
Clown Carmen Kingsley shares, “The process of building our show has required me to expand my skill set (particularly building puppets and devising). I feel so grateful to Agnotti and Shay for this experience to dream and collaborate.”
The ensemble features Agnotti Cowie, Sharaina Turnage and Carmen Kingsley, with live musician Max Lazarus. The set has been designed by Nina D’Angier. The production is supported by Production Manager Mari DeOleo. This production was co-directed and devised by The Chi Clowns Ensemble. Raquel Torre and Vanessa Valliere as Clown Consultants. Special thanks to Blair Thomas, Tom Lee, Grace Needleman and cohort of The Chicago Puppet Lab 2022.
ABOUT NIGHT OUT IN THE PARKS
Free Street Theater’s A Mild Goose Chase is presented as part of the Chicago Park District’s Night Out in the Parks series, supported by the Mayor’s Office and Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events. Celebrating 10 years, the 2022 Night Out in the Parks program presents cultural events year-round in neighborhood parks throughout the city. The Chicago Park District in partnership with over 100 local artists and organizations, present engaging events and performances that enhance quality of life across Chicago and amplify the artistic and cultural vibrancy in every neighborhood. Through multiple disciplines, which include theater, music, movies, dance, site-specific work, nature programs, and community festivals, the series aims to support Chicago-based artists, facilitate community-based partnerships and programs, cultivate civic engagement and ensure equity in access to the arts for all Chicagoans.
ABOUT FREE STREET THEATER
Founded in 1969, Free Street was the first racially integrated theater company in Chicago. FST has long been dedicated to the idea that theater should be accessible to diverse audiences in diverse spaces. Today, Free Street Theater’s work includes a youth and multi-generational ensemble, an incubator program for artists developing new performances, free workshops, a performance space on the Southside, and community residencies. For more information, visit www.freestreet.org.
