Filament Theatre Ensemble announces 2011-2012 season

FILAMENT THEATRE ENSEMBLE ANNOUNCES 2011-2012 SEASON AND WELCOMES NEW ENSEMBLE MEMBERS

(Chicago, IL) Filament Theatre Ensemble is proud to announce their 2011-2012 Season of work in Chicago. Following last season’s critically acclaimed contemporary takes on classic stories (including a choose your own Shakespeare adventure and Greek mythology with a club beat), Filament’s upcoming season will explore storytelling – who we are, the stories we tell, and the intersection and disconnect between the two.

The 2011-2012 season kicks off in the fall with the world premiere of Filament’s From the Circle: Remembering the Earth Through Folktales, a world-premiere evening of theatrical storytelling examining humanity’s fragile relationship with the natural world. From the Circle is presented in partnership with Chicago’s Foresight Design Initiative as part of Filament’s ongoing commitment to environmental sustainability. From the Circle is directed by Literary Manager Jack Novak and adapted by the ensemble. In the winter, Managing Artistic Director Julie Ritchey will direct The Drawer Boy, Michael Healey’s multi-award-winning play about the complicated friendship between two WWII veterans. Filament closes their season out in the spring with the Chicago premiere of Hank Williams: Lost Highway, Tony-nominated Randal Myler and Mark Harelik’s musical about the life of the legendary musician. Further details regarding the 2011/2012 season, including casting, ticket information and additional dates will be announced in the coming weeks. Please visit Filament’s website, www.filamenttheatre.org for more information. 

Filament is also proud to welcome six new company members: Ensemble members Audrey Bertaux-Skeirik (ORPHEUS, From the Circle), Brandon Cloyd (Six Impossible Things, Eurydice), Lindsey Dorcus (ORPHEUS, From the Circle), Luke Heiden (Eurydice), and Marco Minichiello (Choose Thine Own Adventure), and Production Manager Jane Phillips.

“This last year has brought a lot of growth and challenges for us,” says Managing Artistic Director Julie Ritchey. “We have expanded our ensemble, and partnered with some extraordinary companies including Foresight Design and Zaarly. As part of our ongoing exploration of Community Supported Theatre, we will continue to challenge the relationship between performers, administrators, and audience. We couldn’t be more excited for what 2011-2012 has is store!”

2011 – 2012 SEASON
From the Circle: Remembering the Earth Through Folk Tales | directed by Jack Novak
World Premiere
Sept. 30 – Nov. 11, 2011 at The Den Theatre 1333 N. Milwaukee Ave.

An ensemble of storytellers traverses the path of creation, destruction, and recreation. On the course of this journey, they examine the eternally complex relationship between humanity and the Earth. Filament has partnered with Foresight Design Initiative to bring Chicago a new way to look at sustainability.

The Drawer Boy by Michael Healey | directed by Julie Ritchey
Opening in February and March
A Co-Production with The Den Theatre

Join Filament for The Drawer Boy, the Dora-Award winning play by Michael Healey. Inspired by the Theatre Passe Muraille’s landmark production of The Farm Show, The Drawer Boy looks at who we are and the stories we tell – and the disconnect between the two.

Hank Williams: Lost Highway by Randal Myler and Mark Harelik
Chicago Premiere
Opening in May and June

The Chicago premiere of Hank Williams: Lost Highways concludes Filaments 2011-2012 season. Regarded as one of the most important country music artists of all time, whose music has been covered by everyone from Elvis Presley to Louis Armstrong to Cake, Hank Williams remains a classic figure of troubled stardom. Lost Highways offers an intimate and revealing glimpse into his life, his music, and a celebration of his continued impact on contemporary music.

About Filament Theatre Ensemble

Filament creates theatre in a folk tradition with an emphasis on community, imagination, and sustainability. We believe that a positive theatrical process begets a positive theatrical product. We believe in the integration of ideas across a broad spectrum, using the unique talents and personalities of each of our artists to the fullest extent possible. We strive to remain rooted in traditional theater methods (storytelling, commedia, etc.) while constantly pursuing new ways to reawaken our audience’s sense of wonder. We endeavor to be generous, forward-thinking collaborators, constantly challenging ourselves and our fellow artists. We hope to produce the kind of theater that connects with a multi-generational audience – something that a family can talk about at home. Above all, we aim to create a theatrical experience that is challenging, rewarding, and inspiring for its creators as well as its audience.

For more information about Filament Theatre Ensemble’s Mission and inspirations, or to find out how you can get involved, go to www.filamenttheatre.org.