Founded in 1988, Strawdog Theater Company is located in North Center at 1802 W Berenice Avenue.
2015–2016 - Season 28
In a Word by Lauren Yee directed by Jess McLeod D.O.A. from the script by Russell Rouse & Clarence Greene directed and adapted by Elizabeth Lovelady Once in a Lifetime by George S. Kauffman and Moss Hart directed by Damon Kiely
History
Lawrence Novikoff and Paul Engelhardt founded Strawdog Theatre Company in 1988 after performing together in a production of Euripides's Helen. Strawdog was intended to be a home for a company of actors drawn to a gritty, realistic theater style. The group took their name from Sam Peckinpah's movie "Straw Dogs" and was founded with the commitment to the ensemble approach, which remains the backbone of Strawdog today .
In 2000, the Company went through a period of restructuring. Many ensemble members left the Company and new members were recruited. This personnel change led to a shift in leadership and focus for the ensemble. Jennifer Avery and Michael Dailey took over as Co-Artistic Directors. They added many new ensemble members of varying disciplines, restructured the administration of the Company and gradually moved its focus from gritty kitchen sink dramas to a wider range of styles.
In August 2003, the Company hired Nic Dimond, a former ensemble member, to helm the Company as Artistic Director.
Strawdog first garnered national attention when Terry Teachout ("America's Theatre Critic") of The Wall Street Journal named Aristocrats one of the best shows of 2007. The next year, Teachout once again lauded Strawdog for their production of RUR, a rarely seen parable about robots and technology.
Production history
2003–2004 - Season 16 Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare directed by Nic Dimond (remount at Theatre on the Lake) Detective Story by Sidney Kingsley directed by Shade Murray Wireless: Programme One by Gregor Mortis directed by Gregor Mortis Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare directed by George Cederquist Fuddy Meers by David Lindsay-Abaire directed by Kimberly Senior
2004–2005 - Season 17 Wireless 2 directed by Gregor Mortis Puntila and His Man Matti by Bertold Brecht directed by Nathan Allan Wireless 3 directed by James Anthony Zoccoli Impossible Marriage by Beth Henley directed by Eric Wegener The True Ballad of Fall's Blessings by Hank Boland directed by Nic Dimond
2005–2006 - Season 18
Detective Story Sidney Kingsley directed by Shade Murray remount at Theatre on the Lake Wireless 4 directed by Nic Dimond Three Sisters by Anton Chekhov directed by Kimberly Senior Wireless 5 The Tooth of Crime (2nd Dance) by Sam Shepard directed by Nic Dimond
2006-2007 - Season 19
Three Sisters by Anton Chekhov directed by Kimberly Senior remount at Theatre on the Lake Marathon '33 by June Havoc directed by Shade Murray Radio Theatre 6 by Hank Boland directed by Jennifer Avery A Lie of the Mind by Sam Shepard directed by Nic Dimond Radio Theatre 7 by Michael Dailey directed by Amanda Delheimer
2007–2008 - Season 20
Aristocrats by Brian Friel directed by Rick Snyder Richard III by William Shakespeare directed by Nic Dimond Old Town by Brett Nevue directed by Kyle Hamman
2008–2009 - Season 21 RUR by Karel Čapek directed by Shade Murray Cherry Orchard by Anton Chekhov directed by Kimberly Senior Red Noses by Peter Barnes directed by Matt Hawkins
2009–2010 - Season 22 St. Crispin's Day by Matt Pepper directed by Kevin Christopher Scott Uncle Vanya by Anton Chekhov directed by Kimberly Senior Good Soul of Szechuan by Bertold Brecht directed by Shade Murray
2010–2011 - Season 23 Red Noses (Remounted) by Peter Barnes directed by Matt Hawkins State of the Union by Howard Lindsay & Russel Crouse directed by Geoff Button Master and Margarita by Mikhail Bulgakov directed by Louis Contey Conquest of the Southpole by Manfred Karge directed by Kimberly Senior
2011–2012 - Season 24 Old Times by Harold Pinter directed by Kimberly Senior Petrified Forest by Robert E. Sherwood directed by Shade Murray The Duchess of Malfi by John Webster directed by Brandon Bruce
2012–2013 - Season 25 Neighborhood 3: Requisition of Doom by Harold Pinter directed by Joanie Schultz Improbable Frequency Book & Lyrics by Arthur Riordan Music by Bell Helicopter Big Love by Charles Mee directed by Matt Hawkins
Awards
2008 Old TownAfter Dark Awards Outstanding Musical Outstanding Original Song/Score Misha Fiksel Outstanding Performance in a Musical or Review Kat McDonnellLie of the MindJoseph Jefferson Awards, Non-Equity Wing Incidental Music Misha Fiksel & Gregor Mortis
2007Marathon '33 Joseph Jefferson Awards, Non-Equity Wing Outstanding Ensemble
2005 Three Sisters
Joseph Jefferson Awards, Non-Equity Wing Best Adaptation Curt Columbus Best Scenic Design Brian Sidney Bembridge After Dark Awards Best Overall Technical Best Production
Board of directors Meaghan Clayton Thomas Linguanti Camille McLeod Jennifer Nelson Seth Rickard Chelsea Wilson Patrick Zubrod
Artistic Associates Matt Hawkins
Members Aly Renee Amidei Hank Boland Nicole Bloomsmith Brittany Dee Bodley Mike Dailey Scott Danielson Anita Deely Paul Fagen John Ferrick Kyle Gibson Sarah Goeden Carmine J. Grisolia Kyle Hamman Heath Hays Shannon Hoag Sam Hubbard Jordan Kardasz John Kelly Anderson Lawfer Sean Mallary Kat McDonnell Mike Mroch Janice O'Neill Michaela Petro John Henry Roberts Jamie Vann Justine C. Turner
References
Strawdog Theatre Company website New City Stage TimeOut Chicago