UrbanTheater G.R.I.N.D

UrbanTheater Company Turns Eight & Announces 8th Season! -...

Mon, 10 Jun 2013 15:41:07 -0500

UrbanTheater Company Turns Eight & Announces 8th Season! - #ChicagoTheater | #UTChicago (at UrbanTheater Company)

UrbanTheater Company turns eight and announces 8th season to feature two Midwest Premiere’s

Fri, 24 May 2013 11:19:00 -0500

Ivan Vega
ivanvega@urbantheaterchicago.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

UrbanTheater Company turns eight and announces 8^th season to feature two Midwest Premiere’s: Candido Tirado’s First Class directed by Juan Castañeda and Desi Moreno-Penson’s Devil Land directed by Ivan Vega

Chicago, IL, (May 23, 2012) — UrbanTheater Company (UTC), under the leadership of Executive Director Ivan Vega, announces its 8^th anniversary and 2013/2014 season. The company turns eight on May 25^th. Its 8^th season will feature the Midwest Premieres of Candido Tirado’s play, First Class directed, by Juan Castañeda, featuring Ivan Vega and Hank Hilbert. Second up, will be Desi Moreno-Penson’s Devil Land, chosen from UTC’s R.A.W. (Real. Aggressive. Writing.) Series, which will be directed by Executive Director Ivan Vega.

Executive Director Ivan Vega said, “I’m proud to bring two Midwest Premieres, by two Puerto Rican playwrights to the culturally vibrant community of Humboldt Park. Our productions will thrive once again at Batey Urbano’s intimate storefront, where ‘Brainpeople’ by José Rivera was last produced. We have entered into an ongoing partnership with Batey Urbano, which will continue to make our work easily accessible to the community where UTC originated. Our priority this season will be excellent story telling by placing an even greater emphasis on direction and acting.

“Candido Tirado is someone I have wanted to work with ever since seeing his musical, Celia,co-written by Carmen Rivera and his critically acclaimed Fish Men at the Goodman Theatre. First Class is an earlier work that introduced Tirado to the world, and we are thrilled to be reviving it here at UrbanTheater.

“Desi Moreno-Penson’s dark and haunting play ‘Devil Land’ was a chosen after being performed in a staged reading in our 1^st annual R.A.W. (Real. Aggressive. Writing.) Series. Our goal with this series is to become acquainted with exciting new playwrights from around the country and to choose a play that will be produced in our upcoming season.”

The 2013/14 UrbanTheater Company Season:

First Class

By Candido Tirado

Directed by Juan Castañeda

Featuring Ivan Vega and Hank Hilbert

Run Dates: Sep. 16, 2013 – Oct. 23, 2013

“Set on a bench in a traffic island in New York, gang territory, we meet two brothers. Apache: set on fighting to protect what’s there’s and Speedy: ready to leave it all behind. As tensions between the two grow, self discoveries lead them to understand that their chances of survival is reliant on one another. But will it be enough? ”

Devil Land

By Desi Moreno-Penson

Directed by Ivan Vega

Run Dates: Spring 2014

“A childless Latino couple kidnaps a young girl in order to build their own family…but the little girl has ideas of her own, and when her imaginary friend, The Grinch, comes to life to help her, the hapless couple ends up getting far more than they bargained for! A dark and gothic fairytale for the contemporary world. ”

About UrbanTheater Company:

From its inception, UrbanTheater Company (UTC) has produced, promoted and performed plays of under-represented playwrights of color, allowing theatre to thrive in communities appreciative of cultural inclusion and accessibility. UrbanTheater Company is committed to the creation and exploration of urban-inspired works that convey, illuminate and empathize with the human experience.

Celebrating its 8th Season, the Joseph Jefferson recommended and award-winning company has featured a myriad of critically acclaimed Chicago directors including Ron OJ Parson, Cecilie Keenan, Joel Moorman, Marti Lyons and Richard Perez. With 9 Midwest Premieres and one World Premiere, UTC has provided tremendous opportunities for actors of color to perform in professional productions.

UTC, the professional theater in partnership with Batey Urbano, is located at 2620 W. Division St. in Chicago’s Humboldt Park neighborhood. You can reach the UTC Box Office at 312-239-8783, or visit UTCs website at www.UrbanTheaterChicago.org.

For additional information on UTC, visit: www.facebook.com/UrbanTheateror www.twitter.com/UrbanTheater.

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Photos by Anthony Aicardi

Rehearsal for staged reading of “Puto” by Ricardo A....

Sun, 05 May 2013 17:54:17 -0500

Rehearsal for staged reading of “Puto” by Ricardo A. Bracho for our R.A.W. series (at UrbanTheater Company)

Creating commUNITY

Tue, 02 Apr 2013 12:18:49 -0500

Our goal with our partnership with Batey Urbano is to continue to make theater easily accessible in Humboldt Park, while creating commUNITY. Theater that is bold, risk taking, yet relevant, and sparks discussion. Last night was a perfect example of why we do what we do. A powerful and moving play by Desi Moreno-Penson with a diverse audience, which was followed by a very engaging post-show discussion. It was R.A.W.!

If you missed our first reading of “In Da Boogie Down” by Mel Nieves and “Devil Land” by Desi Moreno-Penson, be sure not to miss “Puto” by Ricardo A. Bracho on May 6th at 7pm! Thank you for your passion and for your support.

(Photo of last nights reading coming soon!)

Community Conexión: UrbanTheater Company presents R.A.W. (Real....

Sat, 02 Mar 2013 12:23:28 -0600

Community Conexión: UrbanTheater Company presents R.A.W. (Real. Aggressive. Writing.) Series! First reading kicks off this Monday at 7pm at Batey Urbano | 2620 W. Division: “In Da Boogie Down” by Mel Nieves, directed by Marilyn Camacho (@rubyyo). Come check out out! - www.urbantheaterchicago.org

(design by Topher McCulloch | @mugwumpian)

CONTACT: Ivan Vega ivanvega@urbantheaterchicago.org FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: URBANTHEATER COMPANY...

Wed, 27 Feb 2013 14:25:00 -0600

CONTACT: Ivan Vega

ivanvega@urbantheaterchicago.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

URBANTHEATER COMPANY PRESENTS

R.A.W. (REAL AGGRESSIVE WRITING) SERIES

COMMUNITY CONEXIÓN

Chicago, February 27, 2013 – UrbanTheater Company (UTC) presents R.A.W. (Real. Aggressive. Writing.) series, a staged reading community conexión initiative at Batey Urbano in Humboldt Park. UTC ensemble members will direct all three staged readings. The staged reading will be performed March 4, April 1 & May 6 at 7pm. Suggested donation is $5. To make a reservation email reservations@urbantheaterchicago.org or visit: www.UrbanTheaterChicago.org.

IN DA BOOGIE DOWN

by Mel Nieves

Co-Developed by Paula Pizzi-Black

Original Poems by Craig “Mums” Grant

Directed by Marilyn Camacho – March 4 at 7pm

In the South Bronx, three teenagers struggle to survive where not living beyond today is just another heartbreak and gunshot away.

DEVIL LAND

by Desi Moreno-Penson Directed by Matt Dreier — April 1st, 7pm

A childless Latino couple kidnaps a young girl in order to build their own family…but the little girl has ideas of her own, and when her imaginary friend, The Grinch, comes to life to help her, the hapless couple ends up getting far more than they bargained for! A dark and gothic fairytale for the contemporary world.

PUTO

by Ricardo Abreu Bracho Directed by Juan Castañeda — May 6th, 7pm

April 2015 in a parallel reality. The Bush family has assumed an imperial monarchy, the Border Wall has been finished between the US and Mexico. The illegal immigrant, the felon and certain aligned artist-intellectuals/poet-philosophers have been decitizened and are unable to assemble, use dollars, and have restricted mobility.

All staged readings will be held at Batey Urbano, 2620 W. Division, Chicago. Tickets are $5 suggested donation. For information call (312) 239-8783.

ABOUT URBANTHEATER COMPAMY:

From its inception in 2005, UrbanTheater Company has produced, promoted and performed plays of under-represented playwrights of color, allowing theatre to thrive in communities appreciative of cultural inclusion and accessibility. UrbanTheater Company (UTC) is committed to the creation and exploration of urban-inspired works that convey, illuminate and empathize with the human experience.

UTC is a proud to partner with Batey Urbano to produce its work in the culturally vibrant Humboldt Park neighborhood.

COMING THIS FALL

The Midwest Premiere of “First Class” by Candido Tirado, directed by Juan Castañeda* featuring IvanVega* and Hank Hilbert*.

The staged reading will be performed March 4, April 1 & May 6 at 7pm. Suggested donation is $5. To make a reservation email reservations@urbantheaterchicago.org or visit: www.UrbanTheaterChicago.org.

For additional information on UTC, visit: www.facebook.com/UrbanTheater or www.twitter.com/UrbanTheater.

*denotes UrbanTheater Company ensemble

[Audition] UrbanTheater Company's RAW (Real.Aggressive.Writing) Series

Mon, 04 Feb 2013 16:57:25 -0600

UrbanTheater Company (UTC) hosts auditions for Reading Series comprised of three new full-length works presented once a month at Batey Urbano in Humboldt Park. These works deal with a wide range of themes from: urban life, LGBT relationships, love, violence, socio politics, religion and friendship.

Audition Date: Sunday, February 10th (12pm-3pm) and Monday, February 11th (6pm-9pm)

Audition Location: Batey Urbano 2620 W. Division Street (Division & Rockwell)

Pay: No Pay.

Type/Restrictions: Men and women of all types. Actors of color strongly encouraged to apply.

Time Commitment: There are three readings in the series: March 4th, April 1st, & May 6th all at 7 pm. Rehearsals will be approximately 10 hours (over two or three rehearsals) in the 2 weeks prior to each reading.

Material To Prepare: Please submit headshot/resume at your earliest convenience with the subject heading “UTC AUDITION” to:

mattdreier@urbantheaterchicago.org.

Please also indicate your preferred date/time for audition. Prepare one contemporary monologue (comedic or dramatic). Have a second monologue available, if asked.

You Musn't Quit

Wed, 16 Jan 2013 10:58:47 -0600

When things go wrong, as they sometimes will,

When the road you’re trudging seems all uphill,

When the funds are low and the debts are high

And you want to smile, but you have to sigh,

When care is pressing you down a bit,

Rest! If you must-but never quit.

Life is queer, with its twists and turns,

As every one of us sometimes learns,

And many a failure turns about

When he might of won if he’d stuck it out;

Stick to your task, though the pace seems slows-

You may succeed with one more blow.

Success is failure turned inside out-

The silver tint of the clouds of doubt-

And you may never can tell how close you are,

It may be near when it seems afar;

So stick to the fight when you’re hardest hit-

It’s when things seem worse that YOU MUSN’T QUIT.

-Aon.

UTC is back! Join UrbanTheater Company on Sunday, January 6,...

Fri, 28 Dec 2012 13:16:00 -0600

UTC is back!

Join UrbanTheater Company on Sunday, January 6, 2013 from 12-3pm for our Three Kings Hot Chocolate Winter Warmup at Batey Urbano | 2620 W. Division.

After taking a well deserved short break, UTC is going back to its roots in Humboldt Park. There will be complimentary hot chocolate and baked goods, as well as an opportunity to connect face to face with the members of UrbanTheater.

We have exciting plans in store. Stop by, say hello and get to know what we’re up to.

-UrbanTheater Company (UTC)

From the Streets to the Stage

"Life takes on meaning when you become motivated, set goals and charge after them in an unstoppable..."

Thu, 12 Jul 2012 13:09:26 -0500

“Life takes on meaning when you become motivated, set goals and charge after them in an unstoppable manner.”

- Les Brown

"Our lives are not determined by what happens to us but by how we react to what happens, not by what..."

Mon, 02 Jul 2012 11:33:58 -0500

“Our lives are not determined by what happens to us but by how we react to what happens, not by what life brings to us, but by the attitude we bring to life. A positive attitude causes a chain reaction of positive thoughts, events, and outcomes. It is a catalyst, a spark that creates extraordinary results.”

- Anon

7th Birthday Today is UTC’s 7th birthday! We can’t...

Fri, 25 May 2012 12:03:11 -0500

7th Birthday

Today is UTC’s 7th birthday! We can’t thank you enough for your continued support and guidance throughout these years. We exist because of YOU! Thank you Chicago!

UrbanTheater Company (UTC) has always created ways for our...

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 15:53:00 -0500

Featured is David Guiden who play the role of Boy Smith (Monster).