Ilesa Duncan News

Lifeline Theatre announced their 2022-23 season of Big Stories, Up Close. It’s a monumental year of unforgettable stories brought to life, from beloved classics to modern titles. The 2022-23 MainStage season features the Midwest premiere sequel Miss Holmes Returns, followed by a retelling of Dr. Endesha Ida Mae Holland’s From the Mississippi Delta.

Lifeline Theatre is presenting Middle Passage directed by Lifeline Artistic Director Ilesa Duncan April 25 – June 5 at Lifeline Theatre, 6912 N. Glenwood Ave. 

Lifeline Theatre has selected two incredible playwrights to take part in its inaugural Adapting to Stage Developmental Workshop and Showcase. Over the next 5 months, Sandra Jackson-Opoku and Tanuja Devi Jagernauth will work in tandem members of Lifeline Theatre’s artistic ensemble along with a small creative team of their choosing to develop their world premiere stage adaptations, culminating in a small-scale public presentation of their works in process in July 2022 (dates forthcoming).

Pegasus Theatre Chicago, currently hosting the 35th Annual Young Playwrights Festival, streaming through February 6, has been approved for a $20,000 Grants for Arts Projects award to support the Young Playwrights Festival 2023.

Pegasus Theatre Chicago will present the 35th Annual Young Playwrights Festival, streaming Jan. 6 - Feb. 6, 2022 and a virtual opening night ceremony, Sunday, Jan. 9 at 2 p.m. CST. This year’s world premieres, written by high school students and given a staged professional production, share judgment in the material, mundane and mystical worlds.

Pegasus Theatre Chicago has announced the authors and plays being presented at the 35th Annual Young Playwrights Festival, streaming Jan. 6 - Feb. 6, 2022 and a virtual opening night ceremony, Sunday, Jan. 9 at 2 p.m. CST.

Pegasus Theatre Chicago has announced the authors and plays being presented at the 35th Annual Young Playwrights Festival, streaming Jan. 6 - Feb. 6, 2022 and a virtual opening night ceremony, Sunday, Jan. 9 at 2 p.m. CST.

As Lifeline Theatre concludes its 38th season, long-time Managing Director Allison Cain has announced she will transition out of her leadership role in Fall 2021.  “It has been an honor and a privilege to serve the artistic mission and vision of Lifeline Theatre,” Cain said. “The pride I have in this organization and its people is immense.”

​​​​​​​Lifeline Theatre welcomes Amelia Ablan to her new staff position as Production Manager, beginning June 2021. Reporting directly to Artistic Director Ilesa Duncan and Managing Director Allison Cain, Ablan will be responsible for overseeing the production processes for the company, collaborating closely with directors and the Artistic Director to fulfill the production needs for Lifeline's future live and digital programming.  Ablan succeeds Jennifer McClendon, who served as Production Manager since 2016, now heading to Providence, Rhode Island to Trinity Repertory Company as their new Producing Director.

Pegasus Theatre Chicago has been approved for a $20,000 Grant for Arts Projects award to support the Young Playwrights Festival (YPF). This project supports in-school and production programming for the Festival. YPF is among 1,073 projects across America totaling nearly $25 million that were selected during this first round of fiscal year 2021 funding in the Grants for Arts Projects funding category.   

Pegasus Theatre Chicago has announced the actor lineup for the 34th Young Playwrights Festival (YPF) streaming virtually January 7 - 31, 2021. This year’s Festival features three one-act plays, written by students from Kenwood Academy, Lane Tech College Prep and The University of Chicago Laboratory.

Pegasus Theatre Chicago proudly presents the 34th Young Playwrights Festival (YPF) which selects winning high school-age scribes to apprentice with theatre professionals to workshop and produce their plays.

Sponsored by the African American Arts Alliance and in celebration of Black Arts Month this October, several Black theaters of Chicago will partner for a united audition for Black theater artists.

Lifeline Theatre is replacing their current subscription model with a new membership program to accommodate members for their upcoming digital programming, premiering with ensemble member Christina Calvita??s popular adaptation of Jane Austena??s Pride and Prejudice.  As of now, Lifeline will be offering two membership tiers:

In Lifeline Theatre's MIDDLE PASSAGE, the intimate Rogers Park venue transforms into the scene of a 19th century maritime epic. Artistic Director Ilesa Duncan and David Barr III adapt Charles Johnson's award-winning 1990 novel for the stage, and Duncan directs. The sprawling tale follows a recently freed slave as he journeys from the gambling dens of New Orleans to the heart of the African slave trade and back again.

Audiences can celebrate Valentine's Day, honor Black History Month, and more during Chicago Theatre Week (#CTW20).  With over 120 participating productions, there is something for everyone during Chicago Theatre Week, running February 13-23, 2020. Value-priced tickets, priced at $30, $15, or less, are now available at ChicagoTheatreWeek.com. 

Pegasus Theatre Chicago is proud to announce the authors and plays presented at the 33rd Young Playwrights Festival, January 9 - 25, 2020 at The Courtyard Theatre in The Getz Theater Center at Columbia College Chicago, 72 E. 11th St.

Pegasus Theatre Chicago has announced the authors and plays presented at the 33rd Young Playwrights Festival, January 8 - 25, 2020 at The Courtyard Theatre in The Getz Theater Center at Columbia College, 72 E. 11th St. The productions are performed in tandem Wednesdays - Fridays at 7:30 p.m. and Saturdays at 2 p.m. Additional matinee performances will be added for groups, call the box office for best schedule of group matinee and school performances. Opening night is Friday, Jan. 10 at 7 p.m. Tickets are $18 for students, $25 for seniors and $30 for general admission and are available at PegasusTheatreChicago.org or by phone at 773.878.8864.

ShPIeL Performing Identity has released an updated schedule for TEATRON: Chicago's Jewish Theatre Festival, to be held from Sunday, November 3 - Sunday, November 10, 2019, with most events at Victory Gardens Theater, 2433 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago.

ShPIeL Performing Identity a?" a theatre and performance incubator and producer based jointly in Chicago and Louisville, Kentucky a?" will present TEATRON: Chicago's Jewish Theatre Festival from Sunday, November 3 a?" Sunday, November 10, 2019 at Victory Gardens Theater, 2433 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago. The eight-day festival dedicated to Jewish theatre, the first-ever in Chicago, will be presented in conjunction with and will overlap the annual Alliance for Jewish Theatre Conference, hosted by ShPIeL at Victory Gardens Theater and The Theatre School at DePaul University from November 1-3, 2019. (FOR CONFERENCE REGISTRATION AND SCHEDULE visit alljewishtheatre.org). ShPIeL Producing Artistic Director David Y. Chack today announced the festival lineup, which will include staged readings, solo performances, storytelling, cabaret, and comedy.