A Red Orchid Theatre is located in the Old Town district of Chicago, founded in 1993. Kirsten Fitzgerald has been the artistic director since 2008.
Notable productions Notable productions include a revival of Sam Shepard's Simpatico and Eugène Ionesco's The Killer, Notable world premieres include Tracy Letts' Bug and Craig Wright's Mistakes Were Made. A Red Orchid is also known for an experimental 1996 production of Arthur Kopit's The Questioning of Nick starring Nick Offerman, Michael Shannon, and Guy Van Swearingen that was performed three times in succession with the actors switching roles each time.
In the summer of 2014, the company took its premiere production of The Opponent by ensemble member Brett Neveu to New York's 59E59 Theaters with the original cast (ensemble members Guy Van Swearingen and Kamal Angelo Bolden), director (ensemble member Karen Kessler) and designers (Joey Wade, Myron Elliott, Joe Court, John Tovar and ensemble member Mike Durst).TOILING IN THE TRENCHES RED ORCHID THEATRE STRIVES TO BLOOM THROUGH ADVERSITY
In Fall 2017, McCarter Theatre Center presented A Red Orchid's 2013 production of Simpatico. This production featured much of the original cast and crew including Michael Shannon.
Ensemble members (selection) Brett Neveu Danny McCarthy Levi Holloway Michael Shannon Natalie West
Awards and nominations
MacArthur Award In 2016, A Red Orchid Theatre became the recipient of the MacArthur Foundation's MacArthur Award for Creative & Effective Institutions. This MacArthur Award included a $200,000 grant to be used to "establish a cash reserve and implement its audience development plan that includes new marketing and audience engagement strategies."
Joseph Jefferson Awards The company has received many Joseph Jefferson Awards, awards honoring Chicago theatre.
Non-Equity
YearWorkCategoryArtistResult1997Canus Lunis BaloonisEnsembleNew WorkChristian Stolte
Equity
YearWorkCategoryArtistResult1999The CutScenic DesignStephanie NelsonSound DesignJoseph Fosco2000Mr. BundyActress in a Supporting RoleKirsten Fitzgerald2002BugActor in a Principal RoleMichael ShannonActress in a Principal RoleKate BuddekeSound DesignJoseph Fosco2006The Sea HorseActor in a Principal Role - PlayGuy Van SwearingenActress in a Principal Role - PlayKirsten FitzgeraldScenic DesignGrant SabinKimberly AkimboActor in a Supporting Role - PlaySteve Haggard2008FatboyCostume Design - MidsizeKaren Kawa2009PumpgirlActress in a Principal Role - PlayKirsten FitzgeraldThe UnseenLighting Design - MidsizeMatthew GawrykSound Design - MidsizeJoe Court2010Abigail's PartyProduction Play - MidsizeEnsembleDirector - PlayShade MurrayActress in a Principal Role - PlayKirsten FitzgeraldActress in a Supporting Role - PlayNatalie WestMistakes Were MadeNew WorkCraig WrightActor in a Principal RoleMichael Shannon2011The New Electric BallroomSound Design - MidsizeJoseph Fosco2012The Butcher of BarabooActress in a Supporting Role - PlayNatalie WestMegacosmProjections/ Media DesignSeth Henrikson & Oddmachine2013In A GardenActor in a Principal Role - PlayRom BarkhordarSimpaticoProduction Play - MidsizeActor in a Principal Role - PlayMichael ShannonActor in a Principal Role - PlayGuy Van SwearingenThe OpponentActor in a Principal Role - PlayKamal Angelo BoldenFight / Movement DirectionJohn Tovar2014TrevorActor in a Principal Role - PlayLawrence Grimm2015Accidentally Like A MartyrScenic Design - MidsizeJohn Holt2016Pilgrim's ProgressProduction Play - MidsizeThe MutilatedProduction Play - MidsizeActress in a Principal Role - PlayJennifer EngstromOriginal Music in a PlayBrando Triantafillou2017The RoomSound Design - MidsizeHeath Hays2018TraitorProduction Play - MidsizeEnsemble - PlayNew AdaptationBrett NeveuDirector - Play - MidsizeMichael Shannon2019Small Mouth SoundsEnsemble - PlaySound Design - MidsizeJeffrey Levin2020Grey HouseProduction - Play - MidsizeEnsemble - PlayNew WorkLevi HollowayDirector - Play - MidsizeShade MurrayScenic Design - MidsizeKurtis BoetcherSound Design - MidsizeJeffrey LevinLighting Design - MidsizeMike DurstDo You Feel Anger?Performer in a Supporting Role - PlaySadieh Rifai2022The MoorsProduction - Play - MidsizeEnsemble - PlayDirector - Play - MidsizeKirsten FitzgeraldPerformer in a Supporting Role - PlayJennifer EngstromCostume Design - MidsizeMyron Elliott-CisnerosSound Design - MidsizeJeffrey LevinLighting Design - MidsizeK StoryLast HermanosFight ChoreographyDave Gonzalez2023Is God IsProduction - Play - MidsizeDirector - Play - MidsizeMarti GobelPerformer in a Supporting Role - PlayKaren AldridgeLighting Design - MidsizeLevi WilkinsFight ChoreographyJyreika Guest2024RevolutionNew WorkBrett NeveuPerformer in a Supporting Role - PlayNatalie WestIn QuietnessPerformer in a Supporting Role - PlayAlexandra ChopsonTurretProduction - Play - MidsizeNew WorkLevi HollowayDirector - Play - MidsizeLevi HollowayPerformer in a Principal Role - PlayTravis A. KnightPerformer in a Principal Role - PlayMichael ShannonScenic Design - MidsizeGrant SabinSound Design - MidsizeJeffrey LevinLighting Design - MidsizeMike DurstOriginal Music in a PlayJeffrey Levin2025The CaveNew WorkSadieh RifaiSix Men Dressed Like Joseph StalinSound Design - MidsizeAngela Joy BaldasareLighting Design - MidsizeLevi J. Wilkins
References
External links Official site