Steppenwolf Theatre Hosts NEXT UP 2012, 6/5-24

This June Steppenwolf Theatre Company will present the second annual Next Up: three productions presented in rotating repertory, June 5 – 24, 2012 in The Steppenwolf Garage (1624 N Halsted St). 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 Limbby 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.

"In the Garage Theatre, Steppenwolf sets out to cultivate young artists and multigenerational audiences. Next Up offers a unique way for us to do this-in concert with theater's roots as a guild-based craft in which emerging artists learn from experienced practitioners," comments Steppenwolf Artistic Producer Rebecca Rugg. "For Steppenwolf, this project is a natural extension of a strong association with local universities, whose stream of graduates continually feeds Chicago's vibrant theater ecology."

Steppenwolf Theatre Company's Second Annual Next Up

Life and Limb by Keith Reddin

directed by Emily Campbell

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 Richand 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.