Day 42: Polly Carl and Steppenwolf Theatre Company.
This is a landmark day in our journey across the country. Amy and Robert have been talking about the Steppenwolf since our days in Mexico and today was the day we excitedly walked into their offices in Chicago to delve into some critical topics.
We were really thrilled to be meeting Polly Carl there as she was one of the first people we came across in our research via a call for manifestos she wrote that was published in TCG's American Theatre Magazine. Polly's impassioned cry for new ideas for the future of American Theatre really inspired us and the contest is what drew us to other meetings, including Celise Kalke, whose manifesto was the runner up. How great it was to finally meet Polly!
Polly just stepped into the newly created role of Director of Artistic Development at Steppenwolf after leaving The Playwrights' Center, where she served as Artistic Director. So the big topic of the day was new play development. What a great conversation we had! Polly has been at Steppenwolf since September of 2009 so she has a wonderfully unique point of view that still pulls from her experiences at Playwrights' but is fueled by her current work with Steppenwolf.
She was really inspiring and had a wonderful energy that was warm and invigorating. In addition to new play development, we talked about the non-profit model for theatre and how it serves us and hinders us. We brainstormed the key issues leading us into the future of the theatre and learned of her equally shared love for Harold Clurman and The Group Theatre. She asked us if we've read The Fervent Years and Amy nearly fell off her chair with excitement. We left completely motivated and sharing in her optimistic attitude toward the challenges in theatre.
After our meeting we walked across Chicago in abnormally beautiful weather to check out New Leaf's theatre space. After our incredible meeting yesterday, Nick Keenan offered to show us where they perform and work since their space, he mentioned, really helps in defining who they are as a company and the kind of work they produce. New Leaf performs at the Lincoln Park Cultural Center in Lincoln Park, Chicago. The theatre is in a modest-sized historic room in the center. There is a small stage (that they actually very rarely use as a traditional proscenium/thrust) and the space otherwise looks just like a business room. The whole feel was very similar to the Margo Jones Theatre space in Dallas.
Seeing the space gave us an idea of the challenges they face and the incredibly creative ways they dissect and approach those challenges. Not using the stage as an actual stage, for example, makes the whole space seem profoundly intimate. There was a set mounted for their next show, Sam Shepard's Curse of the Starving Class, and the aesthetic of the design was absolutely fascinating. You felt instantly engulfed by the set. We learned that because the space is historic, they can't alter or adjust it at all. No nails, no screws, no anything. This has led to some really interesting choices. If you're ever in Chicago, check them out!
After our time at New Leaf, we wandered Chicago for some lunch. We found a vegan/raw restaurant called Karyn's that was really enjoyable and a nice change of pace. Now it's off to enjoy the remainder of the night and get caught up with some administrative work.
Another successful day!
No comments:
Post a Comment