CHICAGO: About Face Theatre has announced its 2015–16 season, featuring a world premiere and two Chicago premieres.
“About Face Theatre has come a long way in 20 years, so when putting together this anniversary season’s programming, I created a season that celebrates our past yet still looks toward to our future,” said artistic director Andrew Volkoff in a statement. “I want our audiences and supporters to be inspired, entertained, and enlightened, yet still challenged and provoked. So we’ve planned our season to take our audiences on a journey through some of the most exciting work in AFT’s history, as well as some of today’s most compelling writers and a glimpse into what the next 20 years might hold. We’re proud to have been a theatrical voice for the LGBTQ community for 20 years, and we’re looking forward to 20 more!”
First will be the world premiere of artistic associate Philip Dawkins’s Le Switch (Jan. 15—Fe. 21, 2016), about a commitment-shy guy who is swept off his feet and must decide what it means to be married and queer in a country with marriage-equality wedding fever. Stephen Brackett will direct.
Next will be A. Rey Pamatmat’s after all the terrible things i do (March 11—April 10, 2016), about a young gay writer who returns to the Midwest after college and discovers that he shares a dark connection with his new boss. Volkoff will direct.
Following will be the Chicago premiere of The Secretaries (May 6—June 12, 2016), by the Five Lesbian Brothers, about a young woman who takes a job at the Cooney Lumber Mill only to discovers that the secretaries there are chainsaw-wielding lumberjack killers. Artistic associate Kelli Simpkins will star and Bonnie Metzgar will direct.
Next will be the world premiere of a devised play by About Face Youth Theatre Ensemble (July 21–31, 2016) about a pressing issue in the queer community.
Also part of the season will be the Out Front series, featuring readings of some of the most successful plays in ATF’s 20-year history, including Dream Boy by company founder Eric Rosen, Pulp by Pat Kane, and The Homosexuals by Dawkins.
The season will also include the First DrAAft series, featuring new work by the artistic associates including a reading of Paul Oakley Stovall’s The Hunted.
