News

The Backstage Chicago Issue

From the rise of storefront theater companies to the Windy City’s long history with turning out groundbreaking comedians to the films and TV shows shooting there, we look at Chicago’s healthy and vibrant arts scene

The Best of Chicago Spring Theater (Slideshow)

This season the Windy City has a full slate of Pulitzer Prize winners, world premieres, and revised classics. Here’s what we’re looking forward to on Chicago stages this spring.

Film and Television Production Heats Up in Chicago

Over the last few years the Windy City has experienced a renaissance of sorts, thanks in part to its iconic skyline, skilled production workforce, and universal esteem—but mostly thanks to the 30-percent tax credit enacted in early 2009.

Why Chicago's Comedy Tradition Is Unlike Any Other

How theater improv and the Second City helped spawn ‘Saturday Night Live’ and the Upright Citizens Brigade.

Steppenwolf Artistic Director Martha Lavey Puts Actors First

The head of one of the most successful regional theaters in the country, Steppenwolf Theatre Company, says the company’s success comes from its emphasis on its actors.

Chicago’s Storefront Theaters Are a Hotbed of Talent

Thanks to low rent and reams of young talent, the Windy City’s storefront theaters—including the Hypocrites, TimeLine Theatre Company, and Profiles Theatre—boast a veritable underground of undiscovered actors and potential next big things.

Best of the Week Ahead: April 11–17

“Matilda” opening on Broadway, “General Hospital” celebrating 50 years on television, “Lyrics & Lyricists Downtown” with Michael John LaChiusa and Audra McDonald, the inaugural L.A. Puppet Fest, and the 11th Annual Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles are some of the things we’re looking forward to this week.

SAG-AFTRA Turns Attention to Upcoming Elections

Procedures for the upcoming leadership vote are still being worked out, but the union will cease using a co-presidency.

Three Arts Groups Join Up to Make Indie Filmmaking Easier

A new bicoastal partnership between a trio of arts groups could help actors become more involved in independent film projects.

The IMDb Actor Age Suit Goes Forward

The civil suit launched by Huong Hoang against IMDb’s parent company, Amazon, goes to court in Seattle April 8, with the actor’s lawyers saying the case is not about money.