Company in the News October-2025
See what PlayGround-Chicago Writers and Company Members are up to this October!
Andrea Berting‘s annual Breast Cancer Awareness Month burlesque and variety fundraiser show, “Breast in Show,” is taking place on October 20th! Enjoy an evening of burlesque and variety acts and help us raise money for two 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations providing direct care and assistance to breast cancer patients and survivors – Recovery on Water and SurvivingBreastCancer.org. Monday, October 20th, at 7pm at the Newport Theater in Wrigleyville. Tickets Available Here!
Tanuja Devi Jagernauth is an In/House Resident Artist for Free Street Theater and is devising a show about rupture and repair that will be ready for audiences in February of 2026! In our formations, how do we really practice repair when we experience rupture? What can we learn about repair from the earth, our bodies, and each other? What conditions help to make repair possible? This project is partially supported by an Individual Artists Program Grant from the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events. You can help her team develop the play-in-progress by completing this survey!
William C. Thompson was elected to the SAG-AFTRA Chicago Local Board (Actor/Performer) for a two year term.
Alex Kingsley’s latest novel, RELIC OF HAVEN, was just released! More info here!
Toby Inoue’s short play POWER PLAY, originally written in response to a PlayGround-Chicago prompt, will be part of Troy Foundry Theatre’s Half-Baked Festival of Emerging Work on Sun Sep 28, and her short play FRIENDSHIP BREW, will be part of One Night Stand Theater’s “Witches Brew,” an evening of short plays on Sun Oct 5 at Vintage Theatre in Aurora CO. More Info Here!
Kaeli Meno is directing a staged reading of Dave Osmundsen’s play ‘Is This All This Is’ on October 11th at 7:30pm at the Understudy. Ticket information is incoming. More Info Found Here!
Jay Rehak is happy to report their short comedic play, “The Fortune Teller’s Price,” written for high school actors has just been published by the Brooklyn Publishers. The play centers on four high school seniors. Any high school drama teacher looking for a copy can contact Rehak or visit the Brooklyn Publishers website. More info here. SYNOPSIS: It’s the end of the school year, and four seniors are discussing their uncertain futures when they encounter a fortune teller who knows more than the students care to believe. Skeptical at first, each member of the group learns a bit more about themselves after they hear from the mysterious stranger. The question is: how much is each high school student willing to pay to know their own futures?
Siah Berlatsky’s full length play, MALAPERT LOVE, will make its off-broadway debut at The Tank theater in New York City! Running October 16th- November 9th, this co-production marks Chicago-based storefront theatre company The Artistic Home’s first production outside the city! Tickets! GofundMe!
Donnalesly Fondjo is going on Tour! She has officially started rehearsals for ADA TWIST, SCIENTIST & FRIENDS, an AEA national touring production through TheatreWorksUSA, directed by Jillian Carucci. Fondjo is thrilled to be playing the role of Ada Twist and to be performing for young audiences all across the country. Tickets available here!
Valerie Butler-Newbern is eagerly anticipating the opening of the stage play On My terms where she has been cast in the role of Ms. Sandy. The play tells the powerful story of several individuals who come together at a Grief Support Group for those who have come together at a grief support group for those who have lost loved ones to police brutality. 7:00pm Fridays 10/10 & 10/11, Saturdays 10/17 & 10/18. The Definition Theater 1160 E. 55th Street, Chicago, Illinois. Tickets Available Here!
Carmia Imani is Lulu in the world premiere of “VEAL” by Jojo Jones, directed by dado, at A Red Orchid Theatre. Following a violent coup, a young woman named Chelsea becomes Queen of North America. Into her new palace walk three friends from middle school — Franny, Lulu, and Noa — with whom she hasn’t spoken in years. They’ve come to ask Chelsea for a big favor, but before she grants it, she’s going to make them revisit their shared friendship — and its terrible end. VEAL runs September 25 – November 2, 2025. PG family, please feel free to contact Imani for a discount code! More information available here!