Photo Flash: First Look at THE GLASS MENAGERIE and More in Steppenwolf's NEXT UP 2012

This month, Steppenwolf Theatre Company continues its commitment to Chicago's next generation of theater artists with the second annual Next Up: three productions presented in rotating repertory, June 5 – 24, 2012 in The Steppenwolf Garage (1624 N Halsted St)-LIFE AND LIMB, SOUTH OF SETTLING and THE GLASS MENAGERIE. Check out photos from all three productions below!

Next Up is presented in collaboration with Northwestern University's MFA programs in Direction and Design, and features the work of graduates of those programs with casts of professional Chicago actors: Life and Limb by Keith Reddin, directed by Emily Campbell; South of Settling by Emily Schwend, directed by Adam Goldstein; and The Glass Menagerie by Tennessee Williams, directed by Laley Lippard. The directors and designers make their Steppenwolf debut under the mentorship of Steppenwolf staff and artists, including ensemble member Anna D. Shapiro and scenic designer Todd Rosenthal-both members of the Northwestern faculty-as well as Steppenwolf Associate Artistic Director Erica Daniels.

Life and Limb by Keith Reddin, directed by Emily Campbell, runs June 5 – 24, 2012 in The Steppenwolf Garage (1624 N Halsted St).

Life and Limb features Audrey Francis as Doina; Chris Froseth as Tod; Roman Harris-MacDonald as Chris; Tom Hickey as Sam, Eric and Jerry; Jürgen Hooper as Franklin; Leonard Kraft as Grandfather; and Grace Rex as Effie. The creative team includes Scenic Designer Courtney O'Neill, Costume Designer Sally Dolembo, Lighting Designer Will Kirkham, Props Master Katie McDermott, Casting Director Erica Daniels, Stage Manager Rose Packer and Assistant Directors Matthew Moynihan, Sophie Rich and Abby Williamson.

Wounded in Korea, Franklin returns home minus an arm and a future. With zero prospects for work and a faltering marriage, he struggles to regain his life. When he finally lands a job, Franklin finds himself working for a sadistic manufacturer of artificial limbs. Deadpan, cold-blooded and comic, Life and Limb is not your typical veteran's story.

South of Settling, a new play by Emily Schwend, directed by Adam Goldstein, runs June 6 – 23, 2012 in The Steppenwolf Garage (1624 N Halsted St).

South of Settling features Joey deBettencourt as Paulie Wheaton; Keith Kupferer as Irwin Deckhouse; Jeff Trainor as Randall; Janet Ulrich Brooks as Kate Deckhouse; and Nicole Wiesner as Amy. The creative team includes Scenic Designer Sarah Watkins, Costume Designer Kelsey Ettman, Lighting Designer Rebecca Jeffords, Props Master Sarah Burnham, Casting Director Erica Daniels, Stage Manager Jon Nook and Assistant Director Jeff Meyer.

Kate and Irwin Deckhouse's quiet, orderly life turns topsy-turvy with the surprise arrival of Kate's long estranged cousin Amy and her brand new husband Randall. Deckhouse hospitality is put to the test as family secrets are unlocked and hard truths confronted. South of Settling explores how much our dreams and desires are shaped by others, for better or worse.

The Glass Menagerie by Tennessee Williams, directed by Laley Lippard, runs June 7 – 24, 2012 in The Steppenwolf Garage (1624 N Halsted St).

The Glass Menagerie features Leah Karpel as Laura Wingfield; Kathy Scambiatterra as Amanda Wingfield; Brett Schneider as Jim O'Connor;and Aaron Roman Weiner as Tom Wingfield. The creative team includes Scenic Designer William Boles, Costume Designer Sally Dolembo, Lighting Designer Rebecca Jeffords, Props Master Sarah Burnham, Casting Director Erica Daniels, Stage Manager Cassie Wolgamott, Assistant Director Jacob Watson and Dramaturg Joseph Pindelski.

In Tennessee Williams' classic autobiographical play, poet and dreamer Tom Wingfield weaves truth and imagination to conjure up his younger self and the family he escaped long ago. Life in the Wingfield household chafes: his overbearing mother Amanda yearns for the glamour of her past; his fragile, shy sister, Laura believes happiness is out of reach; and a young Tom fights to realize his dreamed-for future.

Tickets to Next Up ($15 – $20) are on sale now through Audience Services (1650 N Halsted St), by phone at 312-335-1650 and at steppenwolf.org. Passes to all three plays are available for $45.

For more about Steppenwolf Theatre Company, visit steppenwolf.org, or find the organization on Facebook and Twitter.

Photo credit: Michael Brosilow