Industry

The Cast: Great Hill Mouth

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From the Drama League Rough Draft Series:

Britt Faulkner- Sarah Meyers

Britt is thrilled to read at The Drama League and return to GREAT HILL MOUTH. Theatre: Sleep No More, salon series (McKittrick Hotel) A Lie of the Mind (Trinity Rep), The Who’s Tommy (Berkshire Theatre Festival), Three Sisters (St. Fortune Theatre) Film: Woody Allen’s Irrational Man. 2015 Brown/Trinity Rep MFA graduate.

Elise LeBreton- Shaylene

NY: Empire Travel Agency (Woodshed Collective), The Myth of Iphis (The Brick). Regional: Orpheus Descending(Intiman Theatre Festival), A Flea in Her Ear (Trinity Rep), A Christmas Carol (Trinity Rep). As a company member of The Williams Project, she has appeared in The Glass Menagerie, Henry VI, and Orpheus Descending. Elise has also worked as a resident artist at the Barn Arts Collective. MFA: Brown/Trinity Rep.

Reggie Gowland- Marty

Recent credits include Comedy of Errors (Shakespeare in the Park) 4000 MILES (American Conservatory Theater) and Red (Boise Contemporary Theater).  Television: Unforgettable, Evan and Gareth and Trying to Get Laid. Film: Rover: or Beyond Human.

Dave Register- Alton

Dave is a recent graduate of Columbia University’s School of the Arts where he trained with Kristen Linklater, Andrei Serban and Sam Gold, among others. Recent NYC work: LIGHT, FEN, A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM (Classic Stage Company), NOT AFRAID (Under St. Marks).

Drew Ledbetter- Directions and Additional Text

NYC credits: In Flight (Turn to Flesh Productions),Versailles (Theater for the New City), Self (Metropolitan Playhouse), Magic Kingdom (NYCFringe), as well as readings and new play development with New York Theater Workshop, New Dramatists, The Workshop Theater, and Red Bull Theater. Regional: King Lear and Boing! A Musical Adventure (Trinity Rep), Melena(Playwright’s Rep). Drew has served as the assistant producer for Red Bull Theater’s Obie-award winning Revelation reading series for the past three seasons, and well as the Director of their Educational Programming. Drew is also the Artistic Associate for Chautauqua Theater Company. Upcoming: A Persistent Memory by Jakob Hoffman at Theater Row in June 2016, under the direction of Jessi D. Hill. BA: UC Berkeley. MFA: Brown/Trinity. www.drewledbetteronline.com

A birthday, a meeting, and the Eastern sea board

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I have been traveling up and down the eastern sea board visiting (gulp) a few graduate programs, auditioning…. and wreaking general havoc upon theaters and Ivy League Schools alike.

Boston, Cambridge and Providence were all beautiful, artist friendly cities, each offering something unique.

Providence, home of the celebrated Trinity Rep, was very intimate and you got the feeling that everyone knew about the Rep’s work and ensemble. Their season explores new work and timeless classics.

In Cambridge I stopped by the beautiful American Repertory Theatre whose reworked production of Porgy and Bess adapted by Suzan- Lori Parks, starring Audra McDonald Norm Lewis, and David Allen Grier is currently running on Broadway.

I also saw the current Harvard-A.R.T. production Futurity (above), written by and starring Brooklyn based Folk Rock band The Lisps. Futurity featured a great original score and high energy performances from The Lisps and Second Year students. But what really stole the show was the intricate and contemporary set design. I would love to play on a set that interactive, tactile, and imaginative.

I did have time to celebrate my birthday with friends and catch up with photographer and Producer Joshua Sobel (above) whose current project, Graceland is premiering at Tribecca Film Fest April 20th.

My meeting with Josh was fruitful and came up by chance, which seems to happen more and more. He had a lot to say about his work, being a renaissance man, and navigating the arts and film scene in New York. Hopefully this next year will be full of more meetings like that, great projects, new collaborators, and a little more havoc 🙂

*Special thanks those who helped me celebrate my first birthday in the big apple.

W

Sizzle!

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And finally, we present Whitney’s official reel for 2012. It took us long enough but it was well worth the wait! Clips featured include: NBC’s The Playboy Club (Pilot, and Ep 1), and the Documentary on The House Theatre’s Girls vs Boys.  All photography by Janna Giacoppo. Check it out!

What do you think? Let us know!

EyesonWhitney@gmail.com

Sun Times Best

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Special thanks to the amazing Hedy Weiss and the Chicago Sun Times for mentioning Passing Strange on their theater review for 2011!

“Bailiwick Chicago and director Lili-Anne Brown put a fresh, young, wholly believable face on “Passing Strange,” improving greatly on Stew’s autobiographical Broadway musical. “

Full article here!

Want more press? Check it out!

Chicago’s Best 2011

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"Can you deal with the real?"

This morning we got a holiday treat when TimeOut Chicago rated Passing Strange the second best play in Chicago of 2011. Whitney played the revolutionary Desi, cast included Aaron Holland, Sharriesse Hamilton, Steven Perkins, Osiris Kephera, and JC Brooks and the Uptown Sound.

It was an unforgettable experience all around, 100% supported by Bailiwick Chicago, fabulous direction, great audiences, and an all-star ensemble. We can only hope there are more productions like Passing Strange down the road. Passing Strange was also nominated for several awards by the Black Theatre Alliance. Directed by Lili-Anne Brown, musical direction Jimmy Morehead, book and music by Stew and Heidi. Passing Strange originally premiered on Broadway in 2008.

TimeOut Chicago Article

More on Passing Strange!

Check the Press!

 

Cheeky Chicago

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   This past week the girls from Cheeky Chicago, an online women’s guide to Chicago, stopped by Love Loss and What I Wore and stayed for a talk back. The ladies had a blast and the talk back was one that was actually helpful and full of rich dialogue. It is always great to hear feedback, whether it is good or bad, from audience who cares and an audience that appreciates the work.

Cheeky Chicago was co-founded by the very lovely and fellow Northwestern Alum Erica Bethe Levin. The site is great for learning about what’s happening around town; the must see places and shops, as well as celebrity news, arts and culture.  Hopefully we will see Whitney featured in the Stage and Screen section soon 🙂

And the Nominees are…..

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    Last night Whitney hosted the 43rd Annual Joseph Jefferson Awards at the beautiful Drury Lane Oakbrook Terrace courtesy of Michael Webber.

The creme of the Chicago land theater scene were all in attendance and It really felt like a community affair. So many professionals in one place celebrating their love of the theater and dedication to the future of the industry in Chicago.

*Dress by Personal Priviledge

   Whitney hosted with fellow NU Alum Erik Kaiko (The King and I), and Aja Goes (Putting it Together). Michael Webber directed a very tightly run show featuring performances by the casts of Spamalot and Grease. But the showstopper of the night was given by Bethany Thomas from Porgy and Bess. Her earthshaking performance was grounded, technically impeccable and deeply moving.

Whitney, Erik, and Aja at the Awards

Chicago Shakespeare and The Goodman went away with the most wins (Chi. Shakes with 4 and Goodman with 7) for The Madness of King George III directed by Penny Metropulos and Candide directed by Mary Zimmerman. Hedy Weiss, renown Chicago critic for the Chicago Sun Times, gave one of the most memorable speeches of the evening for her Special Award for Contribution to Theater.  For a full rundown of winners and nominees click here.

This was Whitney’s first Jeff’s!  Special thanks to Michael Webber and the wonderful tech team behind the show.

Got any great pics from the evening?

Share them with us! EyesonWhitney.gmail.com

Kisses for Barbara!

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This Sunday was Barbara Robertson’s last performance with the Chicago cast of Love Loss and What I Wore. The cast and crew celebrated with a little bowling at Lucky Strike. (Best game Whitney has bowled to date!)

Barbara is a phenomenal actress, singer and teacher. Some of her incredible credits include Wicked and Working.  Sitting next to her every night was a gift and one that will not be forgotten. There is so much girl power in the cast and it really is a great show for ladies of every type. LLWIW will be running at the Broadway Playhouse through December 3rd.

*Special thanks to our wonderful Company Manger Susan for setting up the event.