Stage Left Theatre Records

Stage Left Theatre Records, 1986-2001

 

Historical Note

Stage Left started as a charitable corporation founded in 1982 to provide a venue for Chicago theatre artists and produce new work. Stage Left redefined its mission in 1988 to produce plays that raise the level of debate on political and social issues. For its first 11 years, Stage Left produced continuously at 3244 North Clark Street. In February of 1995, Stage Left moved to a 50-seat theatre at 3408 North Sheffield Avenue.

In 1995-1996, "Downstage Left" was created to provide novel, quality performance experiences that address the company's mission; encourage its style to evolve; challenge traditional forms: and introduce new artists and ideas to the company. Three plays that premiered on "Downstage Left" were Secret of the Old Queen , Out of Spite: Tales of Survival in Sarajevo , and Police Deaf Near Far . These plays also appeared on the mainstage as part of the 2000 season.

In 1991, the company initiated outreach programming to Chicago area schools. Productions for the schools include We the People , written by African American playwright Tanya White, ¡Bocon! , a bilingual (Spanish and English) South American fable; and Amelia Earhart: First to Fly , a one-woman show about the courageous, well-known aviator. Stage Left Theatre outreach programming reaches an average of 10,800 students each year.

Stage Left made its West Coast debut in September 1996 with the play, Leander Stillwell . The play was one of the ten most memorable productions of 1996 as listed in the LA Times. In addition, the production received a Garland Award for Backstage West and a Critics’ Award for Writing from Drama-Logue.

In 1999/2000, Stage Left expanded its artistic company, which now (2001) stands at 20 members, including Jessi D. Hill (Artistic Director), Kevin Heckman (Artistic Director), Leigh Barrett (Company Manager), Jacki Singleton (Development Director), Larry Dahlke, Michelle Goodman, Marguerite Hammersley, Alice Kroman, Melissa Lindberg, Karin McKie, Kathryn McNeil, Brad Reed, Jack Short, Robert G. Smith, Jack Tippett, Blake Lawrence, David Rush, Don Tieri, Sandra Verthein, and Alice Zawadzski.

Stage Left Theatre receives most of its revenue through public and private grants. Supporting organizations include the Chicago Community Foundation, the Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation, the Mayer and Morris Kaplan Family Foundation, Sara Lee Foundation, the WPWR Channel 50 Foundation, the Irving B. Harris Foundation, the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and the Illinois Arts Council, as well as individual donors.

Scope and Content

This collection is divided into Production History and Administrative Files . The Production History series includes reviews, programs, press releases, correspondence and production photographs from plays performed at the theatre. The Administrative Files consist of promotional material, play schedules, plans for a new facility, news clippings about Stage Left, correspondence, mailing lists, subscription series, group sales, Downstage Left, workshops, news clippings on staff, membership in the Latin America Chamber of Commerce, and unemployment security.

Box and Folder InventoryBox 1PRODUCTION HISTORY

 

1. Miscellaneous and undated programs
2. Production Chronology

1985-1986 Season

 

One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest by Dale Wasserman. April 16-June 15, 1986. Directed by Ann Fournier, set design by John Munson, costumes by Robert L. Cornelius, lighting design by Randy Burgess, sound by Robert Ryan.

 

3. Programs
4. Press Releases
5. Reviews
6. Correspondence
SEE ALSO: SLT-AV Photos 1.38-1.43
SEE ALSO: Poster Files Oversize

1986-1987 Season

 

The Woolgather by William Mastrosimone. September 11-October 5, 1986. Directed by Donald Ilko, set and lighting design by Randy Burgess, costumes by Robert L. Cornelius, sound by Melissa Lindberg.

 

7. Programs
8. Press Releases
9. Reviews
SEE ALSO: SLT-AV Photos 1.44

The Diviners by James Leonard, Jr. October 21-December 12, 1986. Directed by Ann Fournier, set and lighting design by Randy Burgess, costumes by Robert L. Cornelius and Ann Fournier, sound by Melissa Lindberg.

 

10. Programs
11. Press Releases
12. Reviews
SEE ALSO: SLT-AV Photos 1.45

Chromaman by Jarr Haislmaier and Lillian Spina. January 20-March 15, 1987. Directed by Steven Ivcich, set design by Steven Ivcich, costumes by Sheila Myrcik, lighting design by Melissa Lindberg, sound by Kurt Kaiser and Kevin Kaiser.

 

13. Programs
14. Press Releases
15. Reviews
SEE ALSO: SLT-AV Photos 1.46-1.47
SEE ALSO: Poster Files Oversize

Pinter/Patter (performed together). April 6-May 17, 1987. Set design by Randy Burgess, costumes by Marjorie Hillockds, lighting design by John Imburgia, sound by Gina V. Driskell.
The Lover by Harold Pinter. Directed Ann Fournier.
The Patter of Tiny Mice by Anne Godden Segard. Directed by Josette DiCarlo.

 

16. Programs
17. Press Releases
18. Reviews
SEE ALSO: SLT-AV Photos 1.48-1.51
SEE ALSO: Poster Files Oversize

Ravenswood by Terrance McNally. June 16-July 26, 1987. Directed by Richard Ladd, set design by Rebecca G. Flory, costumes by Josette DiCarlo, lighting design by John Imburgia.

 

19. Programs
20. Press Releases
21. Reviews
SEE ALSO: SLT-AV Photos 1.52
SEE ALSO: Poster Files Oversize

Nice People Dancing to Good Country Music by Lee Blessing. July 13-15 and July 20-22, 1987. Directed by Melissa Lindberg, set design by Rick Ladd, costumes by Tory Bowman, lighting design by Greg Evans, sound by Mike Troccoli and Tory Bowman.

 

22. Programs
23. Press Releases

1987-1988 Season

 

A Different Moon by Ara Watson. November 2-December 20, 1987. Directed by Ann Fournier, set and lighting design by Randy Burgess, costumes by Marti Hale, sound by Randy Burgess.

 

24. Programs
25. Press Releases
26. Reviews
SEE ALSO: Poster Files Oversize

Overruled by George Bernard Shaw. February 1-10, 1988. Directed by Melissa Lindberg, set design by Leigh Andrew Martin and John Imburgia, lighting design by Marguerite Hammersley, sound by Michael Troccoli.

 

27. Programs
28. Press Releases
29. Reviews

A Bright Room Called Day by Tony Kushner. April 19-May 29, 1988. Directed by Bart DeLorenzo, set and costume design by Malgorzata Komorowska, lighting design by Julie Martino, sound by Paul Costigan.

 

30. Programs
31. Press Releases
32. Reviews
SEE ALSO: SLT-AV Photos 1.53-1.55
SEE ALSO: Poster Files Oversize

The Return of Pinocchio by Richard Nelson. June 21-July 24, 1988. Directed by Dennis McCullough, set design by Susan Attea, costumes by Nora-Lee Luttrell, lighting design by Julie K. Martino.

 

33. Programs
34. Press Releases
35. Reviews

1988-1989 Season

 

Masterpieces by Sara Daniels. August 20-October 20, 1988. Directed by Christine Sumption, set and lighting design by Julie K. Martino, costumes by Nora-Lee Luttrell, sound by Patrick Trettenero.

 

36. Programs
37. Press Releases
38. Reviews

Too Much Light Makes The Baby Go Blind by Performing Ensemble, conceived by Greg Allen. December 2, 1988-April 21, 1990. Directed by Ensemble and Greg Allen.

 

39. Programs
40. Press Releases
41. Reviews
SEE ALSO: SLT-AV Photos 1.56-1.76
SEE ALSO: Poster Files Oversize

Antigone by Sophocles (adapted by D. McCullough). May 2-June 11, 1989. Directed by Dennis McCullough, set design by Tom Griffin and Dennis McCulloough, costumes by Nore-Lee Luttrell, lighting design by Julie K. Martino, sound by Mike Troccoli.

 

42. Programs
43. Press Releases
44. Reviews
SEE ALSO: SLT-AV Photos 1.77

1989-1990 Season

 

Teechers [sic] by John Godber. October 24, 1989-January 7, 1990. Directed by Dennis McCullough, set and lighting design by Richard Sullivan, costumes by Richard Gilliam, sound by Mike Troccoli.

 

45. Programs
46. Press Releases
47. Reviews
SEE ALSO: SLT-AV Photos 1.78
SEE ALSO: Poster Files Oversize

¿De Donde? By Mary Gallagher. March 3-April 21, 1990 and June 21-July 22, 1990. Directed by Michael Troccoli, costumes by Shelia Myrcik, lighting design by Julie K. Martino, sound by Greg Womble.

 

48. Programs
49 Press Releases
50. Reviews
SEE ALSO: Poster Files Oversize

Minnesota by George Sand. April 2-May 22, 1990. Directed by Sandra Verthein, original music by Randy Burgess.

 

51. Programs
52. Press Releases
53. Reviews

1990-1991 Season

 

The Big Bang by Performing Ensemble. September 28, 1990. Directed by Sandra Verthein.

 

54. Programs
55. Press Releases

Never in my Lifetime by Shirley Gee. November 6, 1990-January 13, 1991. Directed by Dennis McCullough, set design by Gary B. Bellis, costumes by Kate Mitchell, lighting design by Julie K. Martino, sound by Mike Troccoli.

 

56. Programs
57. Press Releases
58. Reviews
59. Correspondence
SEE ALSO: Poster Files Oversize

Double Every Minute (each performance contained two plays). Set design by Norman Kaeseberg, costumes by Justine Liht, lighting design by Richard Wagner, sound by Michel S. Thomas and Richard Fox.
The Saliva Milkshake by Howard Brenton, directed by Melissa Lindberg.
Statements Made After an Arrest Under the Immorality Act by Athol. Fugard, directed by Shawna Flanigan.
Fair Slaughter by Howard Barker, directed by Chris Mills.
Chopin in Space by Phil Bosakowski, directed by Sandra Verthein.

 

60. Programs
61. Press Releases
62. Reviews
SEE ALSO: Poster Files Oversize

1991-1992 Season

 

Kid Dinosaur by Jim Houle. November 3, 1991-May 24, 1992. Directed by Dennis McCullough, music and lyrics by Amy Wooley and Adam Wilner.
Kid Dinosaur-Tour by Jim Houle. October 1992-June 1993. Directed by Drew Martin, music and lyrics by Amy Wooley and Adam Wilner.

 

63. Programs
64. Press Releases
65. Reviews

1992-1993 Season

 

Mad Forest by Caryl Churchill. December 5, 1991-January 26, 1992. Directed by Sandra Jean Verthein, set design by Alan Donahue, costumes by Dawn DeWitt, lighting design by Jeff Childs, sound by Richard Fox and Michael S. Thomas.

 

66. Programs
67. Reviews
SEE ALSO: SLT-AV Photos 1.79-1.80

Leander Stillwell by David Rush. September 15-November 8, 1992. Directed by Drew Martin, set design by Mark Netherland, costumes by Dawn DeWitt, lighting design by Leigh Barrett.

 

68. Programs
69. Press Releases
70. Reviews
SEE ALSO: SLT-AV Photos 1.81-1.84
SEE ALSO: Poster Files Oversize

In White America by Martin Duberman. January 26-March 4, 1993. Directed by Drew Martin, set design by Robert G. Smith, costumes by Sandra Verthein, lighting design by Leigh Barrett, sound by Drew Martin.

 

71. Programs
72. Press Releases
73. Reviews
74. Correspondence
SEE ALSO: Poster Files Oversize

¡BOCON! by Lisa Loomer. March 6-April 10, 1993. Directed by Sandra Verthein.
¡BOCON!-Tour by Lisa Loomer. March 6-April 10, 1993. Directed by Sandra Verthein and Drew Martin.

 

75. Reviews
SEE ALSO: Poster Files Oversize

Sunken Land by Jeff Mangrum. ?-May 2, 1993. Directed by Mike Troccoli, set design by Frank Rose, costumes by Dawn DeWitt, lighting design by Jeffrey Childs, sound by Jef Bek.

 

76. Programs
77. Press Releases
78. Reviews
SEE ALSO: Poster Files Oversize

The Clue in the Old Birdbath by Sandra de Helen and Kate Kasten. May 19-August 29, 1993 and September 5-October 30, 1993. Directed by Sandra Verthein, set design by Sandra Verthein, costumes by Erica Hoelscher, lighting design by Leigh Barrett.

 

79. Programs
80. Press Releases
81. Reviews
SEE ALSO: Poster Files Oversize

1993-1994 Season

 

Dapples and Grays by David Rush. January 19-February 21, 1994. Directed by Drew Martin.

 

82. Reviews

Box 2

 

Boomtown by Steven Dietz. March 22-May 1, 1994. Directed by Sandra Verthein, set design by Mark Netherland, costumes by Vicki Gellman, lighting design by Jeff Childs.

 

1. Programs
2. Press Releases
3. Reviews
SEE ALSO: Poster Files Oversize

Escape from Happiness by George F. Walker. May 20-June 5, 1994. Directed by Drew Martin, set design by Robert G. Smith, costumes by Dawn DeWitt, lighting design by Jeff Childs, sound by Jef Bek.

 

4. Programs
5. Press Releases
6. Reviews
SEE ALSO: Poster Files Oversize

1994-1995 Season

 

Just a Little Harder by Jimmie Cumbie (conceived by B. Bosco). March 28-May 21, 1995. Directed by Beatrice Bosco.

 

7. Programs
8. Press Releases
9. Reviews
SEE ALSO: Poster Files Oversize

1995-1996 Season

 

Three Ways Home by Casey Kurtti. February 15-March 15, 1996. Directed by Melissa Lindberg, set design by Robert G. Smith, costumes by Mary Grusak, lighting design by Leigh Barrett, sound by Mike Troccoli.

 

10. Programs
11. Press Releases
12. Reviews

1996-1997 Season

 

The Secret of the Old Queen by Paul Boesing and Timothy Cope. June 2-September 8, 1996. Directed by Sandra Verthein.

 

13. Programs
14. Press Releases
15. Reviews
SEE ALSO: Poster Files Oversize

Leander Stillwell by David Rush. September 6-October 12, 1996. Directed by Drew Martin.

 

16. Press Releases
17. Reviews
18. Award
SEE ALSO: SLT-AV Photos 1.81-1.84
SEE ALSO: Poster Files Oversize

Out of Spite: Tales of Survival in Sarajevo by Elma Softic, Damir Andrei, Cynthia Ashperger. April-July 13, 1997. Directed by Drew Martin, set and lighting design by Robert G. Smith, costumes by Sandra Verthein, sound by Drew Martin.

 

19. Programs
20. Press Releases
21. Reviews
22. Notes
SEE ALSO: Poster Files Oversize

1997-1998 Season

 

Sing for Your Supper by Laurence Arancio. October 30-December 21, 1997. Adapted and directed by Drew Martin, set design by Robert G. Smith, costumes by Tina Howard, lighting design by Leigh Barrett, music by Ralph Affoumado.

 

23. Programs
24. Press Releases
25. Reviews
SEE ALSO: Poster Files Oversize

Sincerity Forever by Mac Wellman. January 14-February 4, 1998. Directed by Blake Lawrence.

 

26. Press Releases
27. Reviews
SEE ALSO: Poster Files Oversize

Flow My Tears, the Policeman Said by Linda Hartinian (adapted from Philip K. Dick). February 24-April 5, 1998. Directed by Beatrice Bosco, set design by Robert G. Smith, costumes by Randall Leurquin, lighting design by Jaymi Lee Smith, sound by Albert Carrasco.

 

28. Programs
29. Press Releases
30. Reviews
31. Correspondence
SEE ALSO: Poster Files Oversize

Wonder! A Woman Keeps a Secret by Susanna Centlivre. April 16-May 24, 1998. Directed by Mary Booker.

 

32. Press Releases
33. Reviews
SEE ALSO: Poster Files Oversize

Amelia Earhart: First to Fly by Julia Fabris. January 1, 1998-ongoing. Directed by Drew Martin.

 

34. Press Releases
35. Reviews

1998-1999 Season

 

The Waiting Room by Lisa Loomer. October 29-December 6, 1998. Directed by Robin Stanton, set design by Elizabeth Schindel, costumes by Joanne Witzkowski, lighting design by Leigh Barrett, sound by Cecil Averett.

 

36. Programs
37. Press Releases
38. Reviews
SEE ALSO: SLT-AV Photos 1.85-1.87
SEE ALSO: Poster Files Oversize

Econo-Manic Depression: A Crash Course about the Coming Crash by Pete Bernstein. November 7, 1998-March 27, 1999. Directed by Doug Ryan.

 

39. Press Releases
40. Reviews
SEE ALSO: Poster Files Oversize

Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare. February 16-March 27, 1999. Directed by Drew Martin, set design by Robert G. Smith and Jessi Hill, costumes by Wendi R. Zea, lighting design by Kevin Heckman, sound by Cecil Averett.

 

41. Programs
42. Press Releases
43. Reviews
SEE ALSO: Poster Files Oversize

The Secret of the Old Queen by Paul Boesing and Timothy Cope. May 18-July 18, 1999. Directed by Sandra Verthein, set design by Robert G. Smith, costumes by Randall Leurquin, lighting design by Kevin Geiger, music and lyrics by Paul Boesing.

 

44. Programs
45. Press Releases
46. Reviews
SEE ALSO: Poster Files Oversize

1999-2000 Season

 

Private Passage by Louise Bylicki and James Serpento. January 11-February 9, 2000. Directed by Jessi D. Hill.

 

47. Press Releases
48. Reviews
SEE ALSO: Poster Files Oversize

Police Deaf Near Far by David Rush. February 29-April 8, 2000. Directed by Drew Martin, set design by Robert G. Smith, costumes by Barbara C. White, lighting design by Leigh Barrett, sound by Drew Martin.

 

49. Programs
50. Press Releases
51. Reviews
SEE ALSO: SLT-AV Photos 1.88-1.91
SEE ALSO: Poster Files Oversize

Tartuffe by Moliere (translated by Ranjit Bolt). April 25-June 3, 2000. Directed by Alice M. Kroman, set design by Jessi D. Hill and Robert G. Smith, costumes by Randall Leurquin and Sandra Verthein, lighting design by Thomas Carter Fowlkes III, sound by Kathryn McNeil, Leigh Barrett, and Alice M. Kroman.

 

52. Programs
53. Press Releases
54. Reviews
SEE ALSO: Poster Files Oversize

2000-2001 Season

 

The Sensitive Swashbuckler and Other Dating Myths by Christian Murphy and Gail Stern. May 12-June 3, 2000. Directed by Jessi D. Hill.

 

55. Programs
56. Press Releases
57. Reviews
SEE ALSO: Poster Files Oversize

Dimly Perceived Threats to the System by Jon Klein. November 7-December 16, 2000. Directed by Jessi D. Hill.

 

58. Reviews
SEE ALSO: Poster Files Oversize

Box 3

ADMINISTRATIVE FILES

 

1. In-house printing sample, n.d.
2. Mailing lists, 1984
3. News clippings regarding Stage Left, 1984-2000
4. Group sales information, 1987-1993
5. Press releases and news clippings regarding Stage Left Staff, 1988-2000
6. Membership in Latin America Chamber of Commerce, 1991
7. Correspondence, 1992-1993
8. Programming sales summaries, 1992-1994
9. Subscription seasons, 1992-2000
10. Stagebills, 1993-2000
11. Schedules of Plays, 1993-2001
12. Plans for new Stage Left facility, 1994
13. Acting workshops and Downstage Left,1995-1996
14. Promotional material, 1999-2000

Box 4

POSTER FILES OVERSIZE

 

1. The Removalists , 1983
2. P.S. Your Cat is Dead , 1984
3. The 5th of July , 1985
4. The Great Nebula in Orion , 1985
5. The Member of the Wedding , 1985
6. One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest , 1986
7. Chromaman , 1986-1987
8. Pinter/Patter , 1987
9. Ravenswood , 1987
10. A Different Moon , 1987
11. A Bright Room called Day , 1987
12. Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind , 1988-1990
13. Teechers [sic], 1989
14. ¿De Donde? , 1990
15. ¿De Donde? , 1990
16. Never in my Lifetime , 1990
17. Double Every Minute , 1991
18. Leander Stillwell , 1992
19. In White America , 1992
20. Sunken Land , 1993
21. Sunken Land , 1993
22. ¡BOCON! , 1993
23. The Clue in the Old Bird Bath
24. Boomtown , 1994
25. Escape from Happiness , 1994
26. Just a Little Harder , 1995
27a. The Secret of the Old Queen , 1996
27b. The Secret of the Old Queen , 1996
28. Out of Spite , 1997-1998
29. Sing for Your Supper , 1997
30. Sincerity Forever , 1997-1998
31. Flow My Tears, the Policeman Said , 1998
32. The Wonder! A Woman Keeps a Secret
33. The Waiting Room , 1998
34. Econo-Manic Depression: A Crash Course about the Coming Crash ,1998
35. Julius Caesar , 1999
36. Private Passage , 2000
37. Police Deaf Near Far , 2000
38. Tartuffe , 2000
39. Dimly Perceived Threats to the System , 2000
40a. The Sensitive Swashbuckler , 2000
40b. Three Ways Home , 2000

POSTER DESIGNS

 

41. The Great Nebula in Orion
42. Member of the Wedding
43. One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest
44. A Different Moon
45. A Bright Room called Day
46. ¿De Donde?
47. The 5th of July
48. The Big Bang
49. Unidentified
50. Stage Left Theatre auditorium arrangement

PHOTOGRAPH INVENTORY

AV Box 1
PRODUCTION HISTORY

 

1.1-1.4 Sorrows of Stephan , 1983
1.5 Modigliani , 1983
1.6-1.7 The Beard , 1983
1.8-1.14 How the Other Half Loves , 1983
1.15 Removalists , 1983
1.16-1.20 P. S. Your Cat is Dead , 1984
1.21 Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are Dead , 1984
1.22-1.24 5th of July , 1984-1985
1.25-1.26 Standing in the Fast Lane , 1985
1.27 The Great Nebula of Orion , 1985
1.28-1.32 Play it by Ear , 1985
1.33 -1.37a The Member of the Wedding , 1985
1.38-1.43 One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest , 1986
1.44 The Woolgather , 1986
1.45 The Diviners , 1986
1.46-1.47 Chromaman , 1986-1987
1.48-1.51 Pinter/Patter , 1987
1.52 Ravenswood , 1987
1.53-1.55 A Bright Room Called Day , 1987-1988
1.56-1.76 Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind , 1988-1990
1.77 Antigone , 1989
1.78 Teechers [sic], 1989-1990
1.79-1.80 Mad Forest , 1991-1992
1.81-1.84 Leander Stillwell , 1992
1.85-1.87 The Waiting Room , 1998
1.88-1.91 Police Deaf Near Far , 2000
1.92-1.94 Unidentified Photographs, n.d.

ADMINISTRATIVE

2.1 Staff, 1982
2.2-2.16 Staff working on new building
2.17 Outside photograph of theatre, 1982