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DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260817T193000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260817T210000
DTSTAMP:20260816T173138
CREATED:20260726T025551Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260816T032558Z
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SUMMARY:The Understudy Dares You To Produce This Play: The House Party
DESCRIPTION:Amonthly reading series highlighting plays that have not received a Chicago production\n\n\nThe 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. \n \nThis month\, we’re reading The House Party by Laura Lomas \n \nJulie: Magdalena Dalzell \nChristine: Isabella Maria Valdes \nJon: Diego Rivera-Rodriguez \n \nAbout the Play \nA wild party. A friendship. A cherished pet. And a night that changes everything. It’s Julie’s eighteenth birthday\, and she’s throwing a party in her father’s extravagant townhouse. Her boyfriend has just dumped her and her longsuffering best friend Christine is trying to pick up the pieces. As the revellers pile into the booze\, down in the kitchen Christine and her boyfriend Jon – son of Julie’s cleaner – clear up and dare to dream of the future. But as the volume goes up and the shots go down\, Julie concocts a twisted cocktail of privilege\, desire and destruction.  \nThe House Party spins Strindberg’s classic play Miss Julie into intense\, fizzing life for today’s generation. Laura Lomas’s play was first performed at the Minerva Theatre\, Chichester\, in 2024\, and then toured the UK in 2025\, co-produced with Headlong in association with Frantic Assembly.
URL:https://theunderstudy.com/event/the-understudy-dares-you-to-produce-this-play-the-house-party/
LOCATION:The Understudy Coffee and Books\, 5531 N Clark St\, Chicago\, IL\, 60640\, United States
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260824T193000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260824T210000
DTSTAMP:20260816T173138
CREATED:20260813T032546Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260816T032559Z
UID:10000274-1787599800-1787605200@theunderstudy.com
SUMMARY:BURY THE SNOWCATS by Gracie Everett
DESCRIPTION:Join us for the reading of a new play by Gracie Everett\n\n\nPowerHouse 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 the middle of nowhere with only each other for company. \nEntirely set within the confines of the Waffle House across the street from their motel\, Bury the Snowcats chronicles the week following the team’s worst failure to date. With their teammate’s prognosis still unclear\, everyone searches for someone to blame. \nHostility forms\, rumors fly\, and secrets come to light that make disbandment a real possibility. Unable to escape the storm\, or each other\, the Snowcats are forced to decide whether they should fight for something that’s supposedly doomed\, or let their circumstances bury them alive. \n \nPlaywright: Gracie EverettDirector: Nadya NaumaanDramaturg: Kate SchuertStage Directions: Joel Willison \nAggie: Gracie HallAlex: Ines ManuelBriana: Campbell SmithClaire: Eva StrazekMegan: Andreas WoodsNicole: Kandace MackBob: Mari JoySara: Olivia PryorWaffle House Mike: Jo Tannous \n \nFreshly Brewed Team: \nNadya Naumaan – Co-Artistic Producer \nJoel Willison – Co-Artistic Producer \nDanny Fender – The Understudy Co-Owner \nAdam Crawford – The Understudy Co-Owner \n \nAbout Freshly Brewed \nFreshly Brewed seeks to invest in Chicago’s emerging playwrights and theatre artists in keeping with The Understudy’s commitment to Community\, Collaboration\, and Discovery. The series features monthly readings of new plays in various stages of development. Each artist conrtibuting– playwrights\, directors\, and actors– will receive a stipend underwritten by the series’ anonymous donor. \nFreshly Brewed is a collaboration between The Understudy Coffee and Books and Pocket Theatrics
URL:https://theunderstudy.com/event/bury-the-snowcats-by-gracie-everett/
LOCATION:The Understudy Coffee and Books\, 5531 N Clark St\, Chicago\, IL\, 60640\, United States
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://theunderstudy.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/2949e50a82bbc37c3ce54569e9f3be82-kjQ2n1.tmp_.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260825T193000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260825T210000
DTSTAMP:20260816T173138
CREATED:20260803T031046Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260816T032601Z
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SUMMARY:A Conversation with Nicole Brewer: The Antiracist Theatre
DESCRIPTION:Author Nicole Brewer is Joined by Mica Cole\, Alexis Green\, and Miranda Gonzalez to discuss working beyond white supremacy in theatre\n\n\nABOUT THE BOOK\nA how-to guide for theatermakers who want freedom from white supremacy in their creative practices \nThe 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.  \nNicole Brewer\, faculty at the David Geffen School of Drama at Yale and the originator of the Antiracist Theatre model\, guides readers through self-reflection exercises designed to strengthen awareness of their own position\, power\, and privilege and uproot their racist practices. Brewer provides definitions of oft-used\, but rarely defined terms like “accountability\,” “racism\,” and “abuse.” She welcomes BIPOC readers and lovingly and playfully calls in white theatermakers as she outlines methods to interrupt patterns of abuse.  \nAll who believe the way forward for theatre is antiracist and anti-oppressive are welcome. We each have a role to play. Join us in liberating the stage\, the classroom\, and the performing arts.  \n \n \nABOUT THE AUTHOR\nNicole Brewer is a theater director whose work has been seen at theaters such as Long Wharf Theatre\, Baltimore Center Stage\, and Folger Theatre. She is an educator with more than 18 years of teaching experience. Brewer is notably known as the originator of the internationally recognized Antiracist Theatre (ART) model. A leading voice in the movement to transform theater culture through accountability\, care\, and liberation-centered practices\, Brewer serves as acting faculty at the David Geffen School of Drama at Yale. \nIn her debut book\, The Antiracist Theatre\, Nicole Brewer invites readers to consider the cost of business as usual and reclaim their power to challenge and shift extractive\, exclusionary\, and exploitative processes. Brewer creates space for readers to reimagine how creative spaces can function in healthier\, more humane\, and accountable ways. The book offers practical tools for building healthier creative environments where everyone can thrive. \nFor more than sixteen years\, Brewer has developed and facilitated anti-racist and anti-oppressive training methodologies that challenge harmful industry norms and reimagine what collaborative artistic processes can be. Her work has been featured at conferences and institutions across the United States\, Canada\, and the UK\, including workshops with Shakespeare’s Globe and the University of Cambridge. \nA dynamic speaker known for blending rigor\, humor\, honesty\, and deep compassion\, Brewer has taught at Howard University\, her alma mater\, the National Theater Institute\, and the Duke Ellington School of the Arts\, among others. \n \n\n\n\nAbout the Facilitators\nMica Cole\, a Chicago native raised on the South Side\, has been an arts administrator\, producer and changemaker for nearly two decades. She is the Executive Director of TimeLine Theatre\, a non-profit theater company that presents stories inspired by history that connect with today’s social and political issues. As a consultant with artEquity\, she has co-led its BIPOC Surviving Predominantly White Institutions Series and the BIPOC Leadership Circle—both aimed at providing resources and mentorship to leaders of color. \nMica served eight seasons as the Repertory Producer at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival\, playing a key role in guiding the company’s equity\, diversity\, and inclusion initiatives\, many of which now serve as foundational organizational models for institutions around the world. Mica has produced more than 80 shows\, including a dozen transfers and national co-productions of new plays with theatres such as American Repertory\, Seattle Repertory\, South Coast Rep\, Arena Stage\, Portland Center Stage\, and Berkeley Repertory. Mica has served on the advisory committee for the Latinx Theatre Commons and is a founding member of the Black Theatre Commons. \nInstagram: @micacole33 \n \nMiranda Gonzalez\, born and raised in the city of Chicago\, is a writer\, director\, producer\, facilitator\, and organizational strategist with a Bachelor of Science from DePaul University\, and has co-created curricula addressing anti-blackness in the Latiné community. Currently the Producing Artistic Director for UrbanTheater Company (UTC) in Chicago\, she has curated and led numerous interdisciplinary projects that blend theater\, music\, dance\, and oral history to tell the stories of Chicago’s history that mirror her identity and lived experience.  Also a collective member of Culture Change Lab\, she helps support arts organizations\, funders\, and lobbyists in reimagining collective structures through operational management. Concurrently\, she serves on the National Latinx Theater Initiative Steering Committee advocating for the advancement of Latinx artists and organizations\, influencing policy.  In 2020 she was invited to record a TEDx talk  “The Fear of Decolonization”. With a deeply rooted history in ensemble practice\, she was a founding member of Teatro Luna and has produced\, devised and developed plays since 2000. Selected to participate in Disney’s Live Entertainment 2024 Creative Intensive\, Miranda was able to collaboratively present new storytelling concepts world-wide. Her play Back In The Day: an Immersive 80’s House Music Dancesical had its World Premier at UrbanTheater Company.  Her most recent critically acclaimed play Mascogos\, commissioned by the  Los Angeles Latino Theater Company’s Imaginistas\, discussing the history of the underground railroad to Mexico\, had it’s world premiere in October 2025. The summer of 2025 she was a playwright in residence at the University of Chicago’s Reva & David Logan Center for the Arts\, where she began developing her current play Fina (fee-nah) a time-bending afro-peruvian musical. Directing\, writing\, and script development credits include; Evolution of a Sonero by Flaco Navaja\, Remote Learning Curve by Albany Park Theater Ensemble\, Thank You for Coming. Take Care by Stacey Rose at Court Theatre\, Ashes of Light by Marco Antonio Rodriguez\, La Gringa by Carmen Rivera; Teatro Luna Productions S-E-X-Oh!\, Lunaticas\, Crossed\, GL 2010\, The North/South Plays a workshop at DCASE; F.O.P and Crime Scene Chicago with Collaboraction; and Melissa DuPrey’s Sushi-Frito at Free Street Theater. She is also an Executive Producer for the web series 50 Blind Dates with Melissa DuPrey and has written for web series Ruby’s World Yo created by Marilyn Camacho. Recipient of the Diane Rodriguez Teatrista Award\, Leaders for a New Chicago Award\,  3Arts Award \,  International Centre for Women Playwrights 50/50 Award. Visit https://linktr.ee/chiblaxican to learn more!  \n \nAlexis Green (she/her) is a theatre artist\, producer\, and community connector in Chicago (but still tied to her desert girl roots of Phoenix\, Arizona). She is an alumnus of Arizona State University\, where she received her BA in Theatre Arts with a minor in Communication. Alexis also holds an MFA in Acting from Brown University/Trinity Rep. \nAlexis has performed and directed at theatres all around the country\, including Next Act Theatre\, Raven Theatre\, Bread Loaf School of English\, Portland Stage\, The Feast (formerly The Williams Project)\, The Black Theatre Troupe\, and UNC Chapel Hill. \nAlongside performing\, Alexis served for five years as the Director of Programs for artEquity\, where\, as part of the leadership team until 2025\, she provided guidance and supervision for artEquity’s national programs centering antiracism and resources for Black\, Indigenous\, and People of Color in the arts and culture sector\, and also managed artEquity’s consulting relationships. \nAlexis is also the Founder and Director of (X) Collective\, a group of theatre artists in Chicago whose mission is to be in conversation and collaboration with our communities through service\, reciprocal relationship-building\, and community experiences.
URL:https://theunderstudy.com/event/a-conversation-with-nicole-brewer-the-antiracist-theatre/
LOCATION:The Understudy Coffee and Books\, 5531 N Clark St\, Chicago\, IL\, 60640\, United States
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260831T193000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260831T213000
DTSTAMP:20260816T173138
CREATED:20260806T031104Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260816T032602Z
UID:10000272-1788204600-1788211800@theunderstudy.com
SUMMARY:THE OUTSIDER by Paul Slade Smith
DESCRIPTION:A play reading of THE OUTSIDER by Paul Slade Smith produced by Exit\, Pursued by a Play Reading.\n\n\nNed 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 office…. A timely and hilarious comedy that skewers politics and celebrates democracy. \n \n** CAST TO BE ANNOUNCED **
URL:https://theunderstudy.com/event/the-outsider-by-paul-slade-smith/
LOCATION:The Understudy Coffee and Books\, 5531 N Clark St\, Chicago\, IL\, 60640\, United States
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://theunderstudy.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/5e3e5cf0b880f92a47f8f99de3bda375-KbbmY8.tmp_.jpg
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260914T193000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260914T220000
DTSTAMP:20260816T173138
CREATED:20260811T032552Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260816T032603Z
UID:10000273-1789414200-1789423200@theunderstudy.com
SUMMARY:Midsommer Flight presents: Adelinda by Hannah Brand
DESCRIPTION:A reading of Adelinda – a comedy that offers audiences a witty and entertaining exploration of love\, intrigue\, and mistaken identities.\n\n\nAdelinda by Hannah Brand \nDirected by Joshua Pennington \n\nCast\nAdelinda D’Olstain – Ahlora Victoria \nMarquis D’Olstain – Barry Irving \nCount D’Olstain – Alexander Garza \nMarchioness D’Olstain – Hannah Mary Simpson \nStrasbourg – Jerome Michael Jones \nZella – Koshie Mills \nDorcas – Brynley Halverson \nFlora – Siyi Wang \n\nSynopsis\nThe willful and rebellious Adelinda is set to marry the wealthy Count D’Olstain – much to her weary parents’ relief. The only problem – Adelinda is already secretly married to a servant! Schemes and mistaken identities abound\, lost children are returned\, and some snooty parents get a rightful scolding in this comical and quippy caper about the lengths we go to for a happily ever after. \n\nAbout the Playwright\nHannah Brand (1754-1821) was an English actress\, playwright\, and poet. She began her career running a prestigious girls’ school with her sister\, but by her late 30s\, had decided to leave teaching and pursue a life in the theater. She published a book of poetry and plays in 1798\, including Adelinda\, which seems not to have been performed in her lifetime. In 1794\, Brand retired from the stage and returned to the world of education\, working as governess. Though her work was tragically overlooked in her time\, she is considered by many modern historians to be a pioneering figure in eighteenth-century drama. \n \nTickets are pay-what-you-can! You can buy a ticket through the donation section.
URL:https://theunderstudy.com/event/midsommer-flight-presents-adelinda-by-hannah-brand/
LOCATION:The Understudy Coffee and Books\, 5531 N Clark St\, Chicago\, IL\, 60640\, United States
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://theunderstudy.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/2ff3e976fba89f92f4a7074fe8c07388-0vRG5s.tmp_.jpg
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