The Understudy

Do You Feel Anger? by Mara Nelson-Greenberg
2026-05-04 19:30 - 21:30 (America/Chicago) | The Understudy Coffee and Books, 5531 N Clark St, Chicago, IL, 60640, United States
A play reading of Do You Feel Anger? produced by Exit, Pursued by a Play Reading.

An outrageous comedy about the absurdity – and the danger – of a world where some people’s feelings matter more than others’.

** CAST & CREATIVE TEAM TO BE ANNOUNCED **

create your own multimedia animation with memory hoard
2026-05-06 19:30 - 22:00
A beginner-friendly multimedia animation workshop hosted by Aria!

This Craft Party, hosted by Aria from Memory Hoard, is a beginner-friendly multimedia animation workshop where you’ll learn how to mix analog and digital techniques to make a short 5–10 second video. Using paper, collage, and simple materials, we’ll create movement by hand and bring it to life using technology you already own. ⋆˚꩜｡

No video editing experience needed! Seriously!! This is all about experimenting, playing, and trying something new. If you can cut, glue and take pictures with your phone, you’ll be sure to leave with a finished mini animation and the skills to keep creating on your own. <3

Bring: a charged phone or iPad with a working camera and video editing app installed (CapCut preferred! iMovie or Edits will also work)

We’ll provide: all materials and supplies ⋆｡°✩

Meet Aria~
Aria Camille Machinski is an Edgewater-based filmmaker and (self-proclaimed) memory hoarder (it’s not really hoarding if it’s for your junk journal) who works across multiple forms of media. Her practice often blends physical materials with digital tools, combining collage, video, and found objects into whimsical, tactile pieces.

She’s passionate about making filmmaking at home feel accessible, and loves sharing with others how to create compelling video pieces using simple, everyday tools.

You might also know Aria from popping up at local events as Memory Hoard, where she sells vintage clothing, ephemera, and handmade charms. ✮⋆˙

create your own multimedia animation with memory hoard!
2026-05-06 19:30 - 22:00
A beginner-friendly multimedia animation workshop hosted by Aria!

This Craft Party, hosted by Aria from Memory Hoard, is a beginner-friendly multimedia animation workshop where you’ll learn how to mix analog and digital techniques to make a short 5–10 second video. Using paper, collage, and simple materials, we’ll create movement by hand and bring it to life using technology you already own. ⋆˚꩜｡

No video editing experience needed! Seriously!! This is all about experimenting, playing, and trying something new. If you can cut, glue and take pictures with your phone, you’ll be sure to leave with a finished mini animation and the skills to keep creating on your own. <3

Bring: a charged phone or iPad with a working camera and video editing app installed (CapCut preferred! iMovie or Edits will also work)

We’ll provide: all materials and supplies ⋆｡°✩

Meet Memory Hoard!
Aria Camille Machinski is an Edgewater-based filmmaker and (self-proclaimed) memory hoarder (it’s not really hoarding if it’s for your junk journal) who works across multiple forms of media. Her practice often blends physical materials with digital tools, combining collage, video, and found objects into whimsical, tactile pieces.

She’s passionate about making filmmaking at home feel accessible, and loves sharing with others how to create compelling video pieces using simple, everyday tools.

You might also know Aria from popping up at local events as Memory Hoard, where she sells vintage clothing, ephemera, and handmade charms. ✮⋆˙

I Can't … I Have Trivia: An evening of Theatre Trivia at The Understudy
2026-05-11 19:30 - 22:00
Come join us for a night full of theatre trivia and fabulous prizes! Hosted by Patrick Zakem and Ben Kaye

Aaaaand we are back with another round of trivia at 7:30 on October 13th with new categories, spoopy drinks and fabulous prizes! Hosted by our friend Patrick Zakem, each round will test your knowledge of. A different facet of theatre history, current events, or culture. Think you’ve got what it takes? Come through✨
We recommend playing with a team of four and if you’re thinking of coming alone — no worries! We’ll find a group for you to join :^)

stationary + sticker swap & collage meet up w/ jett
2026-05-13 19:30 - 22:00
calling all junk journaling and collage girlies! have any old stickers you’d like to get rid of? hang out with us, make some friends & art~

Wanna make some friends and while refreshing the ‘ol stationary and sticker collection? Hang out with us this Wednesday!

Doors at 7P, stationary swap @ 7:30P. Don’t have anything to swap but would like to hang out and collage/make other art? Come through! There will be scissors, paper, gluesticks, paint and old magazines for you to use!

This event is free99.

FYI: FAB IT YOURSELF with Lúc Ami✨
2026-05-20 19:30 - 22:00
A beginner’s guide to upcycling your clothes!

Move at your own pace as host Lúc Ami walks you through a variety of methods to alter your clothing with flair!
Materials can be provided, but crafters are also encouraged to bring their own materials if they’d like.
It’s $5 if you bring your own clothes or $10 if you’d like to shop for a piece!
AGENDA:

Doors at 7PM: Grab a drink and/or treat
7PM – 7:30PM: Make friends & shop for a clothing item if you didn’t bring one
7:30 – 9ish?: Workshop starts~ Find a spot in the workspace & get comfy!
We’ll close out with a runway of your new creations! (Participation optional but encouraged)

MEET THE HOST:
Lúc Ami is Chicago based drag artist who brings an otherworldly and unique flair to all their creations. They have spent the last 10 years specializing in sustainable, affordable and whimsical costume making.
In this workshop, you’ll learn how to alter clothing to your personal style in a way that transforms and elevates them for whatever occaision you wear them to!

A Conversation with Rachel León: How We See the Gray
2026-05-21 19:30 - 21:00
Enjoy a conversation with editor Rachel León on her debut novel How We See the Gray

The Understudy and Chicago Review of Books are sponsoring the Chicago launch of Rachel León’s debut novel, How We See the Gray. Rachel will be in conversation with Megan Stielstra, as well as reading a selected piece from the novel and signing after. Doors open at 7pm on Thursday, May 21st. Beverages and books will be available for purchase throughout the event!

ABOUT THE BOOK
Foster care is a disaster in Rockford, Illinois. Meredith, a social worker and single mom, is stretched beyond thin but determined to protect her kids: not only her son, but those on her caseload too. When the stress of the job has her breaking her sobriety, the foundations of her life begin to tremble. After drinking too much, she makes a mistake that puts her preschooler in jeopardy, and Meredith finds herself in a situation that mirrors her clients’ as she loses custody of her son. In her fight to get him back, Meredith experiences the system from the outside—while still working for the kids inside of it. Set over the course of a year, this riveting documentary-esque novel is told from multiple perspectives, including those of case workers, birth parents, foster parents, and foster children. Written with the working-class humor and heart that defines the Midwest, How We See the Gray is a story about mistakes, second chances, and trying to do better in a system that seems doomed to fail.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Rachel León (she/they) is a writer, editor, and social worker, who has worked in child welfare for nearly two decades. She serves as Managing Director for Chicago Review of Books and Fiction Director for Arcturus. Their work has been supported by StoryStudio Chicago, Tin House, Poets & Writers, and the Illinois Arts Council. León is the author of the novel, How We See the Gray.

About the Facilitator
Megan Stielstra is the author of three collections: Everyone Remain Calm, Once I Was Cool, and The Wrong Way to Save Your Life. Her work appears in Best American Essays, New York Times, Chicago Tribune, The Believer, Poets & Writers, Tin House, and elsewhere. A longtime company member with 2nd Story, she has told stories for National Public Radio, the Museum of Contemporary Art, and theatres, festivals, and classrooms across the country. She is an acquiring editor at Northwestern University Press.

FEM/THEM Comedy Open Mic at The Understudy
2026-05-22 19:30 - 22:00
If you identify as funny and not-a-dude-onstage, this is your night diva! Hosted by Preeti Thaker and Jordan Levene

Preeti & Jordan present: A Comedy Open Mic for Women + Non-Binary Comics!
If you identify as funny and not-a-dude-onstage, this is your night diva!

WHAT’S THE PLAN?
• 7:30 PM — arrive responsibly early, wonder what the vibe is gonna be like. Support the space by buying a drink!
• 8:00 PM — the mic starts, the chaos begins
• Sign-ups close at 9 PM because of boundaries

SET DETAILS
• 4 minutes of pure lightning
• 5 minutes if you buy a drink — please support and tip our bartenders ♥️

CAN MEN ATTEND?
Of course!
Men can sit, watch, hydrate, clap, and support women (a skill we’d love to see more of)
We kindly ask that you practice not-mansplaining
If you feel a mansplanation rising in your throat, please swallow it

ANYTHING ELSE?
Bring the vibes baby! This is our first time doing a comedy open mic and we’d love to make it a tradition. Come through!

xx
Preeti & Jordan

Skin Lab Workshop w/ EO Apothecary
2026-05-27 19:30 - 21:30
A workshop designed to create an at-home mini facial guided by a master esthetician.

This workshop is designed to create an at-home mini facial guided by master estheticians from EO Apothecary!
A fun activity for friends and loved ones✨

What’s Covered?

We identify your skin type and needs
We do an audit of your current skin care
Learn about skincare ingredients
You’ll make your own sheet masks
We’ll guide you step-by-step for a DIY facial

KAPWA: a filipino variety + mutual aid show
2026-05-29 20:15 - 22:00
an evening of music, film, poetry, comedy, and burlesque featuring an all-filipino cast. Hosted by KT and Jett~

and we are ~*baaaaacckkkk*~ for another filipnx asf show! come hang out with us at The Understudy on May 29th for an evening of film, comedy, music, poetry, magic and dance made by all filipinx artists. show is 18+
early bird tickets are PWYC or $15. $20 at the door – so get them ASAP bb!
(if you’re buying a PWYC ticket, you can purchase it under the donations section in ticketing!)

see you there love✨
line-up

dante bastos
diwa
KT & Kai
teddy gonzalez and renzo
jett parr
mike triplett

hosted by KT and jett

50% of ticket proceeds will go towards a family affected by 🧊
