The GRIND = Gossip, Rumors, Innuendos, News & DramaUrbanTheater Company (UTC) is committed to the creation and exploration of urban-inspired works that convey, illuminate and empathize with the human experience. FROM the STREETS to the STAGE.
[Now Showing] Midwest Premiere of "Beauty of the Father" by Nilo Cruz, directed by Cecilie Keenan at the Wicker Park Art Center (at St. Paul's Community Church). Runs until November 19. For tickets/info visit go to:
www.UrbanTheaterChicago.org
“Fucking A” - Must Close Sunday!
For tickets visit: www.UrbanTheaterChicago.org or call 312-239-8783
Meet Allison Bodnar Jaros
I am UrbanTheater Company’s new Marketing Assistant! I graduated in 2010 with my A.A. in English Literature. I will complete my B.A. in Fiction Writing at Columbia College Chicago in 2012. My contributions as an artist are through plays, poetry, novels, screenplays, photography, film and performing. I am the Steppenwolf Literary Volunteer and I just completed an internship with Chicago Dramatists where I am now working to develop a Playwrights Mentorship Program for 18-26 year olds. I love travel, learning, reading, and consistently breaking out of the box. Collaboration and the mentoring of our youth is a large part of the work I do. I strive to push the envelope in my projects, my peers and the world around me.
My interest in working with UTC developed from the shared value of creating awareness in social issues through Art, as well as a conscious effort to focus on diversity and the human connection. I write for UTC’s blog The G.R.I.N.D. and update and implement new marketing and fundraising ideas.
You can reach me at allisonbodnarjaros@gmail.com. Check me out at https://sites.google.com/site/allisonbodnarjaros2/
GET TO KNOW OUR TEAM: CINDY HARDY - DESIGNER
From now till the end of the run we will highlight the talented individuals involved in helping make the Midwest Premiere of Cuba and His Teddy Bear possible with a brief questionnaire.
1. Where are you from? Born at Norwegian American Hospital, grew up on the far northwest-side of Chicago. What is your ethnicity? Norwegian (mom), German (dad)
2. What is your position in Cuba? Graphic Designer/Marketing Consultant
3. What drew you to want to work on Cuba and His Teddy Bear? Fate; the mission of UTC/PTC; Ivan & Madrid’s energy and professionalism.
4. Why is this a great piece of theater for Chicago? The piece exemplifies human survival. It crosses cultures, work ethics and dreams for future generations to have better than the present generation; yet blinding love and inate struggle to survive - lay as an undercurrent of personal objectives.
5. What makes Chicago Theater great to you? The cultural diversity
6. What do like about working with UTC/PTC? The passion of the people involved in UTC/PTC, the energy and their passionate commitment.
7. What do you do for work outside of your position in Cuba? As I live 70 miles west of the Chicago lakefront - in the cornfields, working in the city is a gift. For the past 7 years I work on my own business; Designers Ink, a marketing/communications company. I also rehab houses in blightened neighborhoods in the poverty-strickened, westside of Rockford, Illinois. For the past 4 years I have mentored a college-age Entrepreneur. My passion lies in art - in whatever form - as an expression from the heart.
8. Also maybe, other than Cuba, what is your favorite play that you have worked on? n/a
9. Why are you pursuing theater in Chicago, rather than somewhere else? I love working with people in the neighborhoods within Chicago. As the melting pot of America - I feel energized and invigorated by the diversity of cultures.
10. What’s your favorite line from a play? Can’t wait to see the play!
Interview by Ivan Vega
Photo/Design by Cindy Hardy
