RIPPED: THE LIVING NEWSPAPER PROJECT
is based on the 1930’s WPA era program that brought Orson Welles, Arthur Miller and Clifford Odets into public attention. We incorporate scripts from the original 1930s LIVING NEWSPAPER juxtaposed with new material ripped from today’s headlines. Like the original productions, the artists incorporate vaudeville, traditional scenes, music, dance, visual arts, and with the addition of electronic media as well. This reading series cultivates new material and allows audiences to discuss topical issues together.
Call for submissions
SEPTEMBER SERIES: Sept. 16, 23, 30
at Victory Gardens Biograph Theater–2433 N. Lincoln, following “Waiting for Lefty”
Playwrights include Andrew Hinderaker, Timothy Brien, Dennis Cockrum*, Tania Richard, Nambi E. Kelley*, MEH Lewis, Brant Russell, Jason Wells, Stephanie Walker, Steven Simoncic.
Directors include Julieanne Ehre, Heather Meyers*, Richard Shavzin*, Johnathan Wagner, Will Clinger.
Cast: Minita Gandhi, Guy Massey, Nicholas Combs, Matthew R. Olsen, Suzanne Petri*, Heather Currie, Dan Rodden, Liz Pazik, Tania Richard, Fayth Caruso, Rinska Carrasco, Jeremy Glickstein, Will Clinger, Otis Fine, Suzanne Lang, Garrett Weaver, Kate Buddeke*, Richard Shavzin*, Warren Levon*, Kevin R. Kelly*, Andrew Ritter, Julie Dahlinger.
JULY 18, 2011…sixth edition
at Joffrey Ballet Tower–10 E. Randolph St., Studio B, 7pm
Playwrights include Stephanie Walker, Bret Angelos, Brant Russell and choreography by Fayth Caruso, Jessie Young, Corey Marshaun Cantrell.
Directors include Will Clinger, Heather Meyers*, Kate Buddeke*, Laura Dahl*
Cast: Kevin Kelly*, Suzanne Petri*, Kate Buddeke*, John Mohrlein*, Otis Fine, Suzanne Lang, Garrett Weaver, Scott Gryder, Julie Dahlinger, Amy Sherman.
Partnered with Chicago Public Schools.
APRIL 12, 2011…fifth edition
at Mullen’s on Clark—3527 N. Clark St., 7pm
Playwrights include Steven Simoncic, Barbara Lhota, M.E.H. Lewis, Howard Timms, Stephanie Alison Walker, Timothy Brien, Luke Heiden.
Directors include Vaun Monroe, Marti Lyons, Heather Meyers*, Michael Weber, Richard Shavzin*
Cast: Robert Breuler, Kate Buddeke*, Laura Coover*, Yadira Correa, Christian Creasy, Elita Ernsteen, Darren Jones, Jim Leaming*, Susan Messing, Robert Oakes, Matthew R. Olsen, John Thibodeaux, Michael Torrey, Antoine Whitfield.
Partnered with Lincoln Park Community Shelter.
AUGUST 13, 2010…fourth edition
at Reynolds Club—Francis X. Kinahan Theater, 3rd floor. Supported by University of Chicago residency.
Playwrights included Nambi Kelley*, Steven Simoncic, MEH Lewis, David Alex, Conrad Lawrence.
Directed by Kate Buddeke*, Heather Meyers*, Richard Shavzin*.
Cast: Kevin Kelly*, John Morhlein*, Suzanne Petri*, F. David Roth, Warren Levon*, Manny Buckley*, Annie Considine, Laura Coover*, and Wandachristine*.
Partnered with University of Chicago’s Urban Education Teachers Program & Open Books.
May 10, 2010…third edition
at Piven Theatre
Playwrights included Nambi Kelley*, Deborah Puette, MEH Lewis, Devorah Richards, Steve Spencer, Lydia Stryk, Bret Angelos, and Pete Wolf Smith.
Directed by Rachel Edwards Harvith, Marti Lyons, Aaron Todd Douglas, Thrisa Hodits, Jen Green, and Richard Shavzin*.
Cast: Devorah Richards, Deborah Puette, Brittany Townsley, Ryan Lanning, Stephanie Diaz, Kristie Berger, Casey Cunningham, Kate Cook, Byron Willis, Brittany Davis, Caren Blackmore, Jenne Jimenez, Roger Welp, Carthy Dixon, Laura Shatkus, Sarah Gitenstein, Maya Friedler, Susan Veronika Adler, and Cheryl Lynn Bruce.
Partners included Greater Chicago Food Depository.
FeBruary 24, 2010…second edition
at The Spot
Playwrights included Andrew Hinderaker, Tania Richard, Dusty Wilson, Nicole Anderson-Cobb, Steven Simoncic, Chris Hodak, Anthony Roberts, and Dennis Cockrum*.
Directed by Heather Meyers* and Richard Shavzin*, music direction by Scott Sedlacek.
Cast: Minita Gandhi, Manny Buckley*, Tom Hickey, Tania Richard, Randy Steinmeyer, Matthew Amador, Matthew Brumlow*, Nicole Anderson-Cobb, Daniel Bryant, Brittany Davis, and Morgan McCabe.
NovemBer 30, 2009…first edition
at Chicago Dramatists
Playwrights included Lydia Stryk, Dennis Cockrum*, Jason Wells, Dusty Wilson, Alice Austen, Tania Richard, Andrew Hinderaker, and Laura Lynn MacDonald.
Directed by Richard Shavzin*, music direction by Bob Moreen.
Cast: Angela Ingersoll, Suzanne Petri*, Stephen Spencer, Anthony Wills, Jr., Todd Hissong, Devorah Richards, Lauren Patten, Craig Spidle, Joshua Rollins, and Scott Baity, Jr.
*American Blues Theater Ensemble and Artistic Affiliates