Theatre News Wire

Currently celebrating its 5th season under a new mission statement, LiveWire Chicago Theatre proudly presents its 3rd annual short play festival of new work that emphasizes audience feedback and community interaction. This year's "VisionFest3: Feast" celebrates the theme of "Feast" and will take place over two weekends, Nov 4 - 13, at the Tom Robinson Gallery, 2416 W. North Ave. Admission is a $10-15 suggested donation; details below. For more information on the festival, visit livewirechicago.com/vision.

New this year, LiveWire asked submitting playwrights to incorporate a certain phrase into their original work. The community was asked to propose phrase suggestions based on the theme of "Feast," and from those, LiveWire posted ten of the suggestions online. The company invited the public to vote for their preferred phrase. With 22% of the votes, the line,

"I can't remember the last time we were all together," was the community favorite. From more than 100 play submissions, each uniquely incorporating the theme and line, six original works were selected for "Visionfest3: Feast."

LiveWire is excited to partner with the Tom Robinson Gallery, 2416 W. North Ave., a beautiful gallery space at the intersection of Western and North, for the festival. Complimentary wine and drinks will be provided.

"VisionFest3:Feast" Line-up:
- The Kink by Erin Barlow*, Directed by Emma Peterson
- The Short Straw by Bilal Dardai, Directed by Joshua Aaron Weinstein*
- A Sudden Fluke of Physics by Mat Smart, Directed by Madeline Long*
- Gretchen & Regina performed by Hilary Williams and Emily Clairbourne
- Picnic Meeting Sack Lunch Reunion by Brett Neveu, Directed by Megan O'Donoghue
- Jinxed by K. Alexa Mavromatis, Directed by Chris Zdenek*

The festival is curated by Chris Zdenek.*

(*) denotes LiveWire Chicago Theatre collective member. For more information, visit livewirechicago.com/vision.

"VisionFest3: Feast" will run Thursday - Saturday at 8 p.m., Nov. 4 - 13, 2010. Admission is $10 in advance; $15 at the door. Reservations can be made by calling LiveWire's Box Office at 312-533-4666.

LiveWire established "VisionFest" to expose new works to the community and get the community involved in new works. "VisionFest" audience members are offered the chance to provide feedback to the playwrights and artists on the development of the short plays presented. LiveWire provides programs with ample space for written feedback for each production. At the end of each performance, LiveWire collects the feedback and sends to the playwright at the end of the run. For the past two years the festival of new work has surrounded a shared theme or environment that has been chosen through a community vote.