A Red Orchid Theatre
Introduction '''A Red Orchid Theatre''' is an Equity theatre company located in the Old Town district of Chicago, founded in 1993 by Michael Shannon, Guy Van Swearingen IV, and Lawrence Grimm. Kirsten Fitzgerald, a long-time ensemble member, has helmed the company as Artistic Director since 2008.
Notable productions Notable productions include a revival of Sam Shepard's ''Simpatico'', Eugène Ionesco's ''The Killer'', and John Ford's '''Tis Pity She's a Whore''. Notable world premieres include Tracy Letts' ''Bug'' and Craig Wright's ''Mistakes Were Made''. A Red Orchid is also known for an experimental 1996 production of Arthur Kopit's ''The Questioning of Nick'' starring Nick Offerman, Michael Shannon, and Guy Van Swearingen that was performed three times in succession with the actors switching roles each time.In the summer of 2014, the company took its premiere production of ''The Opponent'' by ensemble member Brett Neveu to New York's 59E59 Theaters with the original cast (ensemble members Guy Van Swearingen and Kamal Angelo Bolden), director (ensemble member Karen Kessler) and designers (Joey Wade, Myron Elliott, Joe Court, John Tovar and ensemble member Mike Durst).In Fall 2017, McCarter Theatre Center presented A Red Orchid's 2013 production of ''Simpatico''. This production featured much of the original cast and crew including Michael Shannon.
Ensemble members A Red Orchid Theatre's artistic ensemble is composed of actors, designers, directors, and playwrights.
Awards and nominations ===MacArthur Award===In 2016, A Red Orchid Theatre became the recipient of the MacArthur Foundation's MacArthur Award for Creative & Effective Institutions. This MacArthur Award included a $200,000 grant to be used to "establish a cash reserve and implement its audience development plan that includes new marketing and audience engagement strategies. "===Joseph Jefferson Awards===The company has received many Joseph Jefferson Awards, the highest awards honoring Chicago theatre.====Non-Equity====YearWorkCategoryArtistResult1997''Canus Lunis Baloonis''EnsembleNew WorkChristian Stolte====Equity====YearWorkCategoryArtistResult1999''The Cut''Scenic DesignStephanie NelsonSound DesignJoseph Fosco2000''Mr. Bundy''Actress in a Supporting RoleKirsten Fitzgerald2002''Bug''Actor in a Principal RoleMichael ShannonActress in a Principal RoleKate BuddekeSound DesignJoseph Fosco2006''The Sea Horse''Actor in a Principal Role - PlayGuy Van SwearingenActress in a Principal Role - PlayKirsten FitzgeraldScenic DesignGrant Sabin''Kimberly Akimbo''Actor in a Supporting Role - PlaySteve Haggard2008''Fatboy''Costume Design - MidsizeKaren Kawa2009''Pumpgirl''Actress in a Principal Role - PlayKirsten Fitzgerald''The Unseen''Lighting Design - MidsizeMatthew GawrykSound Design - MidsizeJoe Court2010''Abigail's Party''Production Play - MidsizeEnsembleDirector - PlayShade MurrayActress in a Principal Role - PlayKirsten FitzgeraldActress in a Supporting Role - PlayNatalie West''Mistakes Were Made''New WorkCraig WrightActor in a Principal RoleMichael Shannon2011''The New Electric Ballroom''Sound Design - MidsizeJoseph Fosco2012''The Butcher of Baraboo''Actress in a Supporting Role - PlayNatalie West''Megacosm''Projections/ Media DesignSeth Henrikson & Oddmachine2013''In A Garden''Actor in a Principal Role - PlayRom Barkhordar''Simpatico''Production Play - MidsizeActor in a Principal Role - PlayMichael ShannonActor in a Principal Role - PlayGuy Van Swearingen''The Opponent''Actor in a Principal Role - PlayKamal Angelo BoldenFight / Movement DirectionJohn Tovar2014''Trevor''Actor in a Principal Role - PlayLawrence Grimm2015''Accidentally Like A Martyr''Scenic Design - MidsizeJohn Holt2016''Pilgrim's Progress''Production Play - Midsize''The Mutilated''Production Play - MidsizeActress in a Principal Role - PlayJennifer EngstromOriginal Music in a PlayBrando Triantafillou2017''The Room''Sound Design - MidsizeHeath Hays2018''Traitor''Production Play - MidsizeEnsemble - PlayNew AdaptationBrett NeveuDirector - Play - MidsizeMichael Shannon2019''Small Mouth Sounds''Ensemble - PlaySound Design - MidsizeJeffrey Levin2020''Grey House''Production - Play - MidsizeEnsemble - PlayNew WorkLevi HollowayDirector - Play - MidsizeShade MurrayScenic Design - MidsizeKurtis BoetcherSound Design - MidsizeJeffrey LevinLighting Design - MidsizeMike Durst''Do You Feel Anger? ''Performer in a Supporting Role - PlaySadieh Rifai2022''The Moors''Production - Play - MidsizeEnsemble - PlayDirector - Play - MidsizeKirsten FitzgeraldPerformer in a Supporting Role - PlayJennifer EngstromCostume Design - MidsizeMyron Elliott-CisnerosSound Design - MidsizeJeffrey LevinLighting Design - MidsizeK Story''Last Hermanos''Fight ChoreographyDave Gonzalez2023''Is God Is''Production - Play - MidsizeDirector - Play - MidsizeMarti GobelPerformer in a Supporting Role - PlayKaren AldridgeLighting Design - MidsizeLevi WilkinsFight ChoreographyJyreika Guest
References
External links * Official site