After spending the last six years focusing on directing plays for the University of Illinois at Chicago School of Theatre and Music, as well as for the Steppenwolf Theatre Company, Yasen Peyankov is making a return to the stage this year.
Earlier this year, he had a major role in the Steppenwolf Theatre’s production of “A Doll’s House, Part 2,” a well-received sequel to Henrik Ibsen’s play, “A Doll House.” Peyankov now is set to return to the stage for the Chicago premiere of “The Children.” Previews will begin April 18 and the play will officially open April 29 and will run until June 9 at Steppenwolf.
The play, which features only three characters, is especially timely because it centers on climate change and energy issues and asks the question, “What kind of world will be left for future generations?” says Peyankov.
Peyankov, who has been at UIC since 2000 and assumed the role of head of theatre in 2007, began his acting career nearly 30 years ago in his native Bulgaria, where he graduated from the National Academy for Theatre and Film Arts in Sofia. He arrived in the United States in 1990 and very quickly became a member of Chicago’s thriving small theater scene. In 1992, he co-founded the European Repertory Company, where for the next 10 years he produced, directed or acted in over 20 productions.
ensemble member at Steppenwolf, where he has appeared in 18 productions and directed six plays. He has received a Jeff Award for actor in a supporting role, and “Between Riverside and Crazy,” which he directed in 2016, was nominated for a Jeff Award for best production. He also translated and directed the Bulgarian premiere of “August: Osage County” at the National Theatre in Sofia in 2011.
Even with his experience, Peyankov wants to make sure that he is as prepared for his return to the stage as he can be.
Preparation is something he stresses to his students at UIC. Because English is his third language, Peyankov said he must make sure he has his lines memorized quickly — it can be particularly stressful to improvise in a non-native language as he must ensure that what he is saying captures the proper nuance.
This experience as a working actor and director is something he continually draws upon to teach his UIC students about the hard work needed to be successful in their chosen field. He said that he doesn’t sugarcoat how competitive and demanding being an actor is and how people have to develop an extraordinarily thick skin to be able to face constant rejection.
Peyankov also doesn’t take his position as a role model lightly and understands that he has the career that many can also aspire to have. He uses his connections in the film, television and theater worlds to enhance his classes. He invites artists and colleagues to his classes and even runs a yearly senior-level class that focuses on the audition process and invites the “who’s who” of the film, television and theater worlds to sit in. In addition, students are invited to rehearsals of his plays to observe the process.