Company in the News November-2022

See what PlayGround-CH Writers and Company Members are up to this November!

Gabriella Bonamici is excited to promote Pegasus Theatre’s Annual Young Playwright’s Festival, a citywide playwriting competition that gives voice to teenagers while promoting the art of writing for the stage. Dates and details to come for the winter showcase, but if anyone is interested in attending, bringing a group, or getting involved, please email Gabriella.

The Bluebird Theatre Co. has just released an exceptional audio recording of Richard Lyons Conlon‘s short comedy “External Monitors”. It’s very funny and a little disturbing (especially if you work in an office). They did an amazing job and you can listen to it any time for free! Bluebird Theatre Co. is a collective of theatre artists from the Atlantic Theater Company. Founded in New York City, “Bluebirds” hail from all corners of the globe, including the U.S., Australia, Russia, Israel, Italy, and Portugal. 🎧 Listen to “External Monitors” on most podcast providing platforms, including Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

Richard Lyons Conlon‘s full-length comedy-drama “One Time”, a two-hander for a man and woman “of a certain age”, has recently been doubly honored. “One Time” won Best Full-Length Comedy in Legacy Theatre’s New Play Festival. It’s also just been published by Next Stage Press and is available for purchase and production here! Way to go, Sonia and Mason!

Chicago Playwright John N. Frank has been exercising his actor muscles recently, appearing as background in an episode of Chicago Med and in an ad for Cars.com. He also was featured talent in a series of online ads for medical device maker Medline and worked as background in a funeral scene for a DePaul University student film.

Gather By The Ghostlight has released radio play, “Pete and Petria’s Petrifying Podcast” written by two Chicago Playground playwrights Dana Hall and David Lipschutz. Directed by Jonathan Cook. Performed by Robb Smith, Dana Hall, Arelis Rivera, Jacquie Floyd, Adam Cowart, Rick Davis, and Felicity Thibodeau! Synopsis: Two thrill seeking podcast hosts take on a little too much when they decide to do a live stream investigation at a notorious haunted house. Free and Available wherever you listen to your podcasts! Cover image photo by TJ McSherry.

Emma S. Rund‘s one-woman show, My Big Brother Fights Monsters, is coming to the CAT theatre in her hometown of Carmel, Indiana this week on Saturday, November 5, and Sunday, November 6 after premiering in New York this past July. On November 19th Emma’s bringing the play back to Chicago for the Live Solo Show Festival at Chicago Dramatists! In this play Emma embarks on a project to declutter her life, coming face to face with boxes of her brother Jacob’s things, which pull her into long-forgotten memories. Jacob lost his battle with cancer at just 9 years old, leaving 5-year-old Emmie without her best friend. Now, Emma must ask: if these items don’t spark joy can she thank them and say goodbye, as Marie Kondo suggests, or can they somehow add up to the brother she lost? Learn more here.

Desireé York has a reading of her full length play HUMAN(E) at the Angels Theatre Company on November 6. Learn more here.