- This event has passed.
Dramaturgy Mixer with LMDA Chicago
February 24 @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
FreeCalling all Chicago dramaturgs! Join LMDA for a mixer at The Understudy. Join VP of Freelance Yasmin Zacaria Mikhaiel and Chicago Regional VP Maren Robinson for an interactive conversation on the state of Chicago dramaturgy. You’ll learn about resources and opportunities compiled by the Literary Managers & Dramaturgs of the Americas and connect with fellow dramaturgs desiring more collaborative spaces.
Let’s gather to chat about how we show up for each other whether we’re currently in rehearsals or not! The night begins with a facilitated conversation and then transitions to an open chat space for you to meet and greet dramaturgs from across Chicago.
RSVP for free!
Meet Your Hosts:
Yasmin Zacaria Mikhaiel (she/they) is a Chicago-based dramaturg, arts journalist, and creative producer. She currently serves as VP of Freelance for LMDA. Their dramaturgy centers care work and their theatre reporting and research explores possibility models for the future of theatremaking and writing that is reflexive, culturally competent, and sustainable. She is an alum and current faculty of The Theatre School at DePaul University. In 2025/2026 she has been awarded two arts journalism fellowships, one with Art and Public Life’s Chicago Critics Table at UChicago and the other as a Rising Leader of Color with Theatre Communications Group.
Maren Robinson (she/her) is a dramaturg and educator who has worked on nearly 60 productions including 18 new works. She is particularly interested in new work, science on stage, civic conversations and the potential of embodied dramaturgy outside of theater. Maren is Resident Dramaturg and a Company Member at TimeLine Theatre. She is also a lecturer at The Theatre School at DePaul University, Associate Director of the Master of Arts Program in Humanities at the University of Chicago and serves as the Chicago Metro VP of the Literary Managers and Dramaturgs of the Americas.
About LMDA:
Literary Managers and Dramaturgs of the Americas was founded in 1985 as the volunteer membership organization for the professions of literary management and dramaturgy. LMDA holds the belief that theater is a vital art form that has the power to nourish, educate, and transform individuals and their communities and that dramaturgy is central to the process of theater-making.
Other Events
The Understudy Dares You To Produce This Play: The House Party
August 17 @ 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Amonthly reading series highlighting plays that have not received a Chicago production The Understudy Dares You to Produce This Play is a monthly reading series highlighting plays that have not received a Chicago production. Produced by The Understudy’s bookstore team, this series works to expand the variety of playwrights and titles in our vibrant community. This month, we’re reading The House Party by Laura Lomas Julie: Magdalena Dalzell Christine: Isabella Maria Valdes Jon: Diego Rivera-Rodriguez About the Play A wild…
The Understudy Dares You To Produce This Play: The House Party
August 17 @ 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm
BURY THE SNOWCATS by Gracie Everett
August 24 @ 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Join us for the reading of a new play by Gracie Everett PowerHouse Cheer Elite is an underdog in the world of All-Star Cheer, boasting only one team worth their salt: the Snowcats, who can’t seem to shake this losing streak. After an embarrassing failure and serious injury on the mat, their best chance at a trip to Nationals is gone, and no one is happy. Then, on their already-tense van ride home, a severe blizzard traps the Snowcats in…
BURY THE SNOWCATS by Gracie Everett
August 24 @ 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm
A Conversation with Nicole Brewer: The Antiracist Theatre
August 25 @ 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Author Nicole Brewer is Joined by Mica Cole, Alexis Green, and Miranda Gonzalez to discuss working beyond white supremacy in theatre ABOUT THE BOOK A how-to guide for theatermakers who want freedom from white supremacy in their creative practices The Antiracist Theatre offers readers the tools and foundational philosophy to create their own antiracist theatre ethos and delve into its three core principles: harm reduction, harm prevention, and relationship repair. Nicole Brewer, faculty at the David Geffen School of Drama…
A Conversation with Nicole Brewer: The Antiracist Theatre
August 25 @ 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm
THE OUTSIDER by Paul Slade Smith
August 31 @ 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
A play reading of THE OUTSIDER by Paul Slade Smith produced by Exit, Pursued by a Play Reading. Ned Newley doesn’t even want to be governor. He’s terrified of public speaking; his poll numbers are impressively bad. To his ever-supportive Chief of Staff, Ned seems destined to fail. But political consultant Arthur Vance sees things differently: Ned might be the worst candidate to ever run for office. Unless the public is looking for the worst candidate to ever run for…
THE OUTSIDER by Paul Slade Smith
August 31 @ 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Midsommer Flight presents: Adelinda by Hannah Brand
September 14 @ 7:30 pm - 10:00 pm
A reading of Adelinda – a comedy that offers audiences a witty and entertaining exploration of love, intrigue, and mistaken identities. Adelinda by Hannah Brand Directed by Joshua Pennington Cast Adelinda D’Olstain – Ahlora Victoria Marquis D’Olstain – Barry Irving Count D’Olstain – Alexander Garza Marchioness D’Olstain – Hannah Mary Simpson Strasbourg – Jerome Michael Jones Zella – Koshie Mills Dorcas – Brynley Halverson Flora – Siyi Wang Synopsis The willful and rebellious Adelinda is set to marry the wealthy…