A Red Orchid Theatre

Last updated
A Red Orchid Theatre
Formation1993
TypeTheatre group
PurposeStorefront Theatre
Location
Artistic director(s)
Kirsten Fitzgerald
Notable members
Michael Shannon
Natalie West
Website aredorchidtheatre.org

A Red Orchid Theatre is located in the Old Town district of Chicago, founded in 1993. Kirsten Fitzgerald has been the artistic director since 2008. [1]

Contents

Notable productions

Notable productions include a revival of Sam Shepard's Simpatico [2] and Eugène Ionesco's The Killer , [3] Notable world premieres include Tracy Letts' Bug and Craig Wright's Mistakes Were Made. A Red Orchid is also known for an experimental 1996 production of Arthur Kopit's The Questioning of Nick starring Nick Offerman, Michael Shannon, and Guy Van Swearingen that was performed three times in succession with the actors switching roles each time. [4] [5]

In the summer of 2014, the company took its premiere production of The Opponent by ensemble member Brett Neveu to New York's 59E59 Theaters with the original cast (ensemble members Guy Van Swearingen and Kamal Angelo Bolden), director (ensemble member Karen Kessler) and designers (Joey Wade, Myron Elliott, Joe Court, John Tovar and ensemble member Mike Durst). [6]

In Fall 2017, McCarter Theatre Center presented A Red Orchid's 2013 production of Simpatico . This production featured much of the original cast and crew including Michael Shannon.

Ensemble members (selection)

Awards and nominations

MacArthur Award

In 2016, A Red Orchid Theatre became the recipient of the MacArthur Foundation's MacArthur Award for Creative & Effective Institutions. This MacArthur Award included a $200,000 grant to be used to "establish a cash reserve and implement its audience development plan that includes new marketing and audience engagement strategies." [7]

Joseph Jefferson Awards

The company has received many Joseph Jefferson Awards, awards honoring Chicago theatre. [8]

Non-Equity

YearWorkCategoryArtistResult
1997Canus Lunis BaloonisEnsembleNominated
New Work Christian Stolte Won

Equity

YearWorkCategoryArtistResult
1999The CutScenic DesignStephanie NelsonWon
Sound DesignJoseph FoscoNominated
2000Mr. BundyActress in a Supporting RoleKirsten FitzgeraldNominated
2002 Bug Actor in a Principal Role Michael Shannon Nominated
Actress in a Principal RoleKate BuddekeNominated
Sound DesignJoseph FoscoNominated
2006The Sea HorseActor in a Principal Role - PlayGuy Van SwearingenNominated
Actress in a Principal Role - PlayKirsten FitzgeraldWon
Scenic DesignGrant SabinNominated
Kimberly Akimbo Actor in a Supporting Role - PlaySteve HaggardNominated
2008FatboyCostume Design - MidsizeKaren KawaNominated
2009 Pumpgirl Actress in a Principal Role - PlayKirsten FitzgeraldNominated
The UnseenLighting Design - MidsizeMatthew GawrykNominated
Sound Design - MidsizeJoe CourtNominated
2010 Abigail's Party Production Play - MidsizeNominated
EnsembleNominated
Director - PlayShade MurrayNominated
Actress in a Principal Role - PlayKirsten FitzgeraldNominated
Actress in a Supporting Role - Play Natalie West Won
Mistakes Were MadeNew Work Craig Wright Nominated
Actor in a Principal Role Michael Shannon Nominated
2011The New Electric BallroomSound Design - MidsizeJoseph FoscoNominated
2012The Butcher of BarabooActress in a Supporting Role - Play Natalie West Won
MegacosmProjections/ Media DesignSeth Henrikson & OddmachineNominated
2013In A GardenActor in a Principal Role - PlayRom BarkhordarNominated
Simpatico Production Play - MidsizeNominated
Actor in a Principal Role - Play Michael Shannon Won
Actor in a Principal Role - PlayGuy Van SwearingenNominated
The OpponentActor in a Principal Role - PlayKamal Angelo BoldenNominated
Fight / Movement DirectionJohn TovarWon
2014TrevorActor in a Principal Role - PlayLawrence GrimmNominated
2015Accidentally Like A MartyrScenic Design - MidsizeJohn HoltWon
2016Pilgrim's ProgressProduction Play - MidsizeNominated
The MutilatedProduction Play - MidsizeNominated
Actress in a Principal Role - PlayJennifer EngstromNominated
Original Music in a PlayBrando TriantafillouNominated
2017 The Room Sound Design - MidsizeHeath HaysNominated
2018TraitorProduction Play - MidsizeWon
Ensemble - PlayNominated
New Adaptation Brett Neveu Won
Director - Play - Midsize Michael Shannon Won
2019Small Mouth SoundsEnsemble - PlayNominated
Sound Design - MidsizeJeffrey LevinNominated
2020 Grey House Production - Play - MidsizeNominated
Ensemble - PlayNominated
New Work Levi Holloway Won
Director - Play - MidsizeShade MurrayNominated
Scenic Design - MidsizeKurtis BoetcherNominated
Sound Design - MidsizeJeffrey LevinWon
Lighting Design - MidsizeMike DurstWon
Do You Feel Anger?Performer in a Supporting Role - PlaySadieh RifaiNominated
2022The MoorsProduction - Play - MidsizeWon
Ensemble - PlayNominated
Director - Play - MidsizeKirsten FitzgeraldWon
Performer in a Supporting Role - PlayJennifer EngstromNominated
Costume Design - MidsizeMyron Elliott-CisnerosWon
Sound Design - MidsizeJeffrey LevinWon
Lighting Design - MidsizeK StoryWon
Last HermanosFight ChoreographyDave GonzalezNominated
2023 Is God Is Production - Play - MidsizeNominated
Director - Play - MidsizeMarti GobelNominated
Performer in a Supporting Role - Play Karen Aldridge Won
Lighting Design - MidsizeLevi WilkinsNominated
Fight ChoreographyJyreika GuestNominated
2024RevolutionNew Work Brett Neveu Nominated
Performer in a Supporting Role - Play Natalie West Nominated
In QuietnessPerformer in a Supporting Role - PlayAlexandra ChopsonWon
TurretProduction - Play - MidsizeWon
New Work Levi Holloway Nominated
Director - Play - Midsize Levi Holloway Nominated
Performer in a Principal Role - PlayTravis A. KnightNominated
Performer in a Principal Role - Play Michael Shannon Nominated
Scenic Design - MidsizeGrant SabinWon
Sound Design - MidsizeJeffrey LevinNominated
Lighting Design - MidsizeMike DurstWon
Original Music in a PlayJeffrey LevinWon
2025The CaveNew WorkSadieh RifaiNominated
Six Men Dressed Like Joseph StalinSound Design - MidsizeAngela Joy BaldasareNominated
Lighting Design - MidsizeLevi J. WilkinsNominated

References

  1. Zacher, Scotty. "A Red Orchid Theatre's new Artistic Director: Kirsten Fitzgerald". Chicago Theater Beat. Retrieved 10 July 2015.
  2. "Simpatico at A Red Orchid Theatre". Theatre in Chicago. Theatre in Chicago. Retrieved 6 July 2016.
  3. Green, Nick (February 26, 1998). "Perfectly Puzzling". Chicago Reader. Retrieved 6 July 2016.
  4. Barnidge, Mary Shen (February 29, 1996). "The Questioning of Nick, The Questioning of Nick, & The Questioning of Nick (Again)". Chicago Reader. Retrieved 6 July 2016.
  5. Ruby, Jeff. "The Delicious Life of Nick Offerman". Chicago. Chicago Magazine. Retrieved 6 July 2016.
  6. TOILING IN THE TRENCHES RED ORCHID THEATRE STRIVES TO BLOOM THROUGH ADVERSITY
  7. "MACARTHUR AWARD FOR CREATIVE & EFFECTIVE INSTITUTIONS / MEET THE 2016 RECIPIENTS A Red Orchid Theatre". MacArthur Foundation. Retrieved 6 July 2016.
  8. "The Joseph Jefferson Awards" . Retrieved 4 May 2016.

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