Victory Gardens’ Ignition New Play Festival returns for a ninth year/Photo: Emily Herrington

1
Ignition Festival of New Plays
(Victory Gardens Theater)
This annual free festival includes readings of plays by Meghan Brown, Steph Del Rosso, Erika Dickerson-Despenza, Keelay Gipson, Geraldine Inoa and Exal Iraheta.
August 2-4

2
Women of 4G
(Babes With Blades Theatre Company)
Part murder mystery, part space thriller, this new play uses science fiction to ask questions about women in power as well as their leadership, responsibility and, ultimately, sacrifice.
Opens August 9

3
Peacebook
(Collaboraction)
A performance festival featuring twenty-one world-premiere short works about peace and peacemaking in Chicago.
August 15-17

4
The Camino Project
(Theatre Y)
Ancient practices of walking and new possibilities of social life rooted in the fragility, care and tempo of the body are explored in Theatre Y’s first mobile performance. 
Opens August 18

5
Out of Love
(Interrobang Theatre Project)
An honest and brutal depiction of companionship, rivalry and the fiery bond that exists between women, this national premiere bravely examines a lifelong friendship in all its beautiful, gory complexity.
Opens August 19