Blank Theatre Company, Chicago’s newest non-equity storefront
theatre company, is pleased to announce their inaugural season which will feature the
company’s first two full-length
runs. The season opens in September with the Tony Award winning musical Spring
Awakening. Directed by Blank’s co-artistic director Danny Kapinos with
choreography by Britta Lynn Schlitt,
SPRING AWAKENING features music by Duncan Sheik, book & lyrics by Steven Sater,
based on the play by Frank Wedekind, orchestrations by Alan Stevens Hewitt, vocal
arrangements by AnnMarie
Milazzo, and string orchestrations by Simon Hale.
SPRING AWAKENING is a contemporary rock musical based on the
classic German play by Frank Wedekind, following the struggles of German teenagers in
the 1890’s trying to find their voices
in a socially conservative world.
The season concludes in Spring 2019 with BLACKBIRD by David Harrower. In David Harrower’s play Blackbird, a young woman tracks down the middle-aged man who sexually assaulted her when she was twelve and confronts him at his office. In the wake of the #metoo movement, this charged, 90-minute play raises difficult questions about what punishment fits the crime and what must happen in order for the injured to begin to heal. SPRING AWAKENING will run September 6th-30th at Jackalope Theatre’s the Frontier, 1106 W Thorndale Ave, in Chicago’s Edgewater neighborhood. Specific dates and location for BLACKBIRD to be announced later. Additional information is available at blanktheatrecompany.com. Co-Artistic director Danny Kapinos comments on the season: “Our inaugural season will feature two contemporary classics that speak to the time we live in. Engaging with these pieces in an intimate setting will allow audiences to connect closer to the characters and uncover deeper layers in the stories. More than a decade out from their world premieres and following recent high-profile Broadway revivals, we are excited to reintroduce Chicago audiences to these thrilling and timely stories.” Adds Co-Artistic director Dustin Rothbart “I really love both plays because they’re about people who feel silenced and unseen. These stories have a continued relevance and I’m excited to revisit these texts.” About the Artists Danny Kapinos (Director, Spring Awakening) is a director, music director, and accompanist. He is a recently graduate from Northwestern University, where he received his BA in Theatre. Most recently, Danny assistant directed for Scott Weinstein on Becky Shaw at Windy City Playhouse. Credits as a director include productions of My Fair Lady and Tony Kushner's Only We Who Guard the Mystery Shall Be Unhappy. Credits as a music director include The Secret Garden, Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown, Songs for a New World, and Elephant & Piggie’s We Are In a Play. He also works as an accompanist for the NU musical theatre certificate program. Britta Lynn Schlitt (Choreographer, Spring Awakening) is thrilled to be joining Blank Theatre Company for their premiere production of Spring Awakening! Previous choreography credits include: Priscilla Queen of the Desert, Gypsy, The Little Mermaid, Nevermore, The Glass Menagerie (Jedlicka Performing Arts Center); RENT (Middleton Players Theatre); These Violent Delights: A Romeo and Juliet Cabaret (Kite and Key Theatre); 13: The Musical, Pippin, Grease, Mary Poppins, A Christmas Carol, Les Miserables, The Wizard of Oz, Seussical (Improv Playhouse Theatre); The Music Man, High School Musical (Children's Theatre of Madison); and BEERS (Prop Thtr). In addition to her work in professional theatre, Britta is a proud Chicago Public Schools arts educator having recently joined the teaching staff at Andrew Jackson Language Academy (English and Drama teacher). Dustin Rothbart (Co-Artistic Director) is a native Chicagoan hailing from the north shore suburbs. His favorite acting credits include: 25th…Spelling Bee, Funny Girl (Madkap Productions); The History Boys (Eclectic Full Contact Theatre); Buffy: Once More with Feeling (Original Cast - Jason Fleece/Mary’s Attic); Hair, Ragtime (Big Noise Theatre); Cabaret (Brightside Theatre); The Wedding (Red Theatre); Parade (Harper Ensemble Theatre); The Rocky Horror Show (Underscore Theatre Company). Additionally, Dustin has worked with Lifeline Theatre, Pride Films & Plays, Mary-Arrchie Theatre Co., Citadel Theatre, Benevolent Theatre, and Jedlicka Performing Arts Center. Dustin is a graduate of the acting program at Illinois State University. Mission Statement We are as many voices as we are people; Blank Theatre Company gives voice to under heard stories while engaging Chicago in work that is both timely and timeless.
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