BUG by Steppenwolf Theatre Company

WELCOME TO BUG I have known Tracy Letts since we were both in our early twenties. Before Steppenwolf and Tony Awards and August: Osage County, and babies and Trump. We have moved through our adult lives together, witnesses to and participants in one another’s tragedies and triumphs. From the outside so much has changed in these last 30 years. The world looks, in so many ways, almost nothing like it did when I first met the lanky and cynical young misanthrope who would become, well, the less-lanky and cynical old misanthrope who has emerged as one of this country’s most important chroniclers of the American condition. But our friendship and artistic partnership look almost disarmingly the same: I say the glass is half full and he says not only is it half empty but that it’s also broken and maybe there wasn’t ever even a glass to begin with. His truly original skepticism has driven his careers (yes, because he has more than one) from jump and that drive has fueled his work forever. In the middle of our fifth decade, energized as ever by the need to both reflect and impact our complex American life, we, too, look a little different than we did back then: bigger, more diverse, generationally lush. And as Tracy’s past meets Steppenwolf’s present, we find ourselves finally with the company members we need to take on what seems like the inevitable Steppenwolf production of his mega-successful second play, Bug. And suddenly everything old is new again and we get to see just how prescient he has always been. A study of terror and alienation, Bug was originally (and then has been historically) populated by white actors. Caught as they are in a particular American loneliness, their isolation made worse by a criminally disinterested society, the characters’ conditions served as an expression of Tracy’s own rage and confusion at a world so monumentally cruel that it turns its citizens into failed lab experiments. In this new production, featuring ensemble member Namir Smallwood, Tracy and his collaborator David Cromer will get to revisit the play for this moment. Having Namir playing the role of Peter gives the paranoia that is a part of this play a different resonance. One that is imbued with the history of the systematic frameworks of racism in our country. Along with ensemble members Carrie Coon and Randall Arney, this production will also make up one of our most generationally dynamic casts this season, assuring that this collaboration—and its reinvention—is one of the most important journeys we will take this year. Tracy is one of those rare artists so devoted to the pure exploration of storytelling and its value that he would risk revisiting and reimagining a universally recognized success. He believes himself to only be as good as the moment he’s in, as relevant as the day that is dawning. This is, for his friends, nothing new. And it’s something I am as grateful for tonight as I have been for the last 25 years. Welcome (back) to Bug. Anna D. Shapiro, Artistic Director

CONTENTS 5

LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

R EHEARSAL PHOTOS By Lowell Thomas

8 B IOS 16 TRACY LETTS AND DAVID CROMER ON Bug Edited by Patrick Zakem

EDITOR Corinne Florentino

CONTRIBUTORS Natasha Freeman Elise Hausken Madeline Long Tom Pearl A.J. Roy Anna D. Shapiro Lowell Thomas Jessica Van Winkle Patrick Zakem

DESIGN SHARE ON SOCIAL FOR A CHANCE TO BE REPOSTED Make sure to tag @steppenwolfthtr and #bugSTC in order for us to see it. Reminder - No photography is permitted during the show. You are welcome to take photos before or after the performance.

Tag and/or credit our designers to show them the love they deserve—and for a better chance of getting reposted!

Rudy Schultz Donovan Foote

COVER Illustration by Donovan Foote

TO ADVERTISE Contact: Bryan Dowling 708-434-5869 bryan@media8midwest.‌com smARTmagazines/ smARTsponsorships

Takeshi Kata Scenic Design Sarah Laux @lauxy123 Costume Design Heather Gilbert @htglights

Lighting Design

Josh Schmidt

Sound Design

STEPPENWOLF SOCIAL facebook.com/SteppenwolfTheatre youtube.com/user/steppenwolftheatre @steppenwolfthtr @steppenwolfthtr steppenwolf.org

STEPPENWOLF SALUTES THE SPONSORS OF BUG Grand Production Sponsors Julie and Roger Baskes Amy and Cameron Findlay John Hart and Carol Prins Individual Production Sponsors Jim and Kay Mabie Christopher and Eileen Murphy Elizabeth Schubert ComEd is the 2019/20 Season Lighting Sponsor

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Anna D. Shapiro† Artistic Director

David Schmitz Executive Director

STEPPENWOLF THEATRE COMPANY PRESENTS

BUG By Tracy

Letts† Directed by David Cromer‡

FEATURING Randall Arney †*, Carrie Coon†*, Jennifer Engstrom*, Steve Key* and Namir Smallwood†*

PRODUCTION Takeshi Kata+ Scenic Design Sarah Laux+ Costume Design Heather Gilbert+ Lighting Design Josh Schmidt+ Sound Design Matt Hawkins Fight Choreographer Tonia Sina Intimacy Choreographer Sydney Charles Dramaturg Gigi Buffington Company Voice, Text & Dialect Coach Hallie Gordon Artistic Producer Tom Pearl Director of Production JC Clementz, CSA Casting Director Christine D. Freeburg* Production Stage Manager Jaclynn Joslin* Assistant Stage Manager

Bug was originally produced Off Broadway by Scott Morfee, Amy Danis and Mark Johannes. Bug is presented by special arrangement with Dramatists Play Service, Inc., New York. Steppenwolf Theatre Company is a constituent of Theatre Communications Group (TCG), the national organization for nonprofit professional theater. † member of the Steppenwolf Theatre Company ensemble. * member of Actors’ Equity Association, the union of professional actors and stage managers. + member of United Scenic Artists, Local 829 of the IATSE. ‡ member of Stage Directors and Choreographers Society, a national theatrical labor union.

CAST AND CONTRIBUTORS Cast (in alphabetical order) Randall Arney†* Dr. Sweet Carrie Coon†* Agnes White Jennifer Engstrom* R.C. Steve Key* Jerry Goss Namir Smallwood†* Peter Evans UNDERSTUDIES (in alphabetical order) Erin Barlow R.C. Greg Geffrard Peter Evans Linsey Page Morton* Agnes White Dave Skvarla Jerry Goss/Dr. Sweet

This play will be presented with one fifteen-minute intermission.

Entry and re-entry to the theater after this performance begins is not guaranteed.

There will be a post-show discussion immediately following the performance.

† member of the Steppenwolf Theatre Company ensemble. * member of Actors’ Equity Association, the union of professional actors and stage managers. + member of United Scenic Artists, Local 829 of the IATSE.

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ADDITIONAL STAFF Rylee Nicole Special Effects Consultant Sydney Charles Assistant Director Heather Sparling Assistant Lighting Designer Joe Creen Stage Crew Nikki Konomos Stage Management Apprentice Nadya Naumaan Research Associate Dana Nestrick Costume Crafts Fredo Aguilar, Devin O’Leary, Ezra Trunzo Additional Carpenters Mealah Heidenreich Additional Properties Meghan Erxleben, Lee Moore Additional Paint Jared Bellot, Greg Geffrard, Lavina Jadhwani, Lauren Katz, Derek Matson, Neel McNeill and Leean Kim Torske Post Show Discussion Moderators

The theater reserves the right to limit admission of children younger than the age of six. As a courtesy to the actors and your fellow patrons, please turn off your cell phones before the performance. The taking of photographs and the use of any type of recording device are not allowed in the theater during performances and is a violation of state and federal copyright laws. Digital media will be deleted, and tape or film will be confiscated.

LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT We recognize that Steppenwolf Theatre sits on Native land. This area is the traditional homelands of the people of the Council of Three Fires, including the Ojibwe, Potawatomi and Odawa. Although for over 200 years Native Nations have been forcibly removed from this territory, we must acknowledge that this land continues to be a site of gathering and healing for more than a dozen other Tribal Nations and remains home to over 100,000 tribal members in the state of Illinois. What is a land acknowledgement? A land acknowledgement is a formal statement that recognizes and honors the enduring relationship that exists between Indigenous communities and their traditional homelands. The purpose of recognizing the original inhabitants of this land is to show respect, gratitude and appreciation to those whose land we reside on, as well as raise awareness about histories that are often erased or forgotten. It is important to understand the longstanding history that has brought us to reside on land currently occupied by non-Indigenous communities, and to pursue an understanding of everyone’s place within that history. It is important to note that land acknowledgements do not exist in a past tense: colonialism still lives with us today in various forms, and we hope you join us as we consider and interrogate our present participation.

For further resources around Land Acknowledgements, please visit: American Indian Center www.aicchicago.org Native Land Digital https://native-land.ca/about/ Laurier Students’ Public Interest Research Group A politically-oriented, social justice organization connected to Wilfrid Laurier University (Waterloo, Ontario) lspirg.org/knowtheland “Indigenous Land Acknowledgement, Explained” Teen Vogue Article (February 2018) We are very grateful to our friends at the American Indian Center—Chicago, specifically Fawn Pochel, for their guidance on Steppenwolf’s new practice around Land Acknowledgements.

BUG IN REHEARSAL

Photography by Lowell Thomas

Cast members Carrie Coon* and Jennifer Engstrom

Cast members Carrie Coon*, Randall Arney* and director David Cromer

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*Steppenwolf ensemble member

Cast members Carrie Coon* and Namir Smallwood*

*Steppenwolf ensemble member

Cast member Namir Smallwood*

Cast member Steve Key

Cast members Carrie Coon* and Namir Smallwood*

Visit steppenwolf.org for videos, production images and more rehearsal images.

BUG BIOS Randall Arney (Dr. Sweet) joined the Steppenwolf Theatre Company ensemble in 1984 and served as artistic director from 1987-1995. Steppenwolf (directing): True West, Slowgirl, The Seafarer, The Beauty Queen of Leenane, Death and the Maiden, Curse of the Starving Class, Killers, The Geography of Luck, Picasso at the Lapin Agile (directed subsequent national and international productions). Steppenwolf (acting): Born Yesterday, Ghost in the Machine, The Homecoming, Frank’s Wild Years, You Can’t Take It with You, Fool for Love, True West, Balm in Gilead, Coyote Ugly. As artistic director of Steppenwolf, Arney oversaw the creation of a new state-of-the-art theater, which is Steppenwolf’s current home. Broadway transfers under his leadership include The Rise and Fall of Little Voice, The Song of Jacob Zulu (six Tony Award nominations) and The Grapes of Wrath (1990 Tony Award – Best Play). Arney recently served as the artistic director of the Geffen Playhouse in Los Angeles (1999-2017). Education: MFA, Illinois State University; he has taught at the University of California Los Angeles, Steppenwolf, around the US and in Tokyo. Member: SAG-AFTRA, SDC, AEA. Carrie Coon (Agnes White) joined the Steppenwolf Theatre Company ensemble in 2019. Steppenwolf: Mary Page Marlowe, Tracy Letts’s adaptation of Three Sisters, The March, Edward Albee’s Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? Broadway: Edward Albee’s Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (Tony nomination – Best Featured Actress in a Play; Theatre World 8 Bios

Award). Off Broadway: Mary Jane (2018 Lucille Lortel Award, Obie Award, Drama Desk nomination); Placebo (Playwrights Horizons). Film: Gone Girl, The Post, Widows, Avengers: Infinity War. Upcoming: The Nest, Ghostbusters: Afterlife (Summer 2020). Television: The Sinner (Critics’ Choice Television Award nomination), HBO’s The Leftovers, FX’s Fargo. She won a Critics’ Choice Television Award for her performance in HBO’s The Leftovers and a TCA Award for Individual Achievement in Drama for her performances in The Leftovers and Fargo. Jennifer Engstrom (R.C.) Steppenwolf Theatre Company: Lindiwe, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, The North Plan, Hir (u/s). New York: Excuse My Dust (A Dorothy Parker Portfolio) curated and performed by Engstrom. Chicago: Small Mouth Sounds, Simpatico, The Mutilated, Fatboy, 3C (A Red Orchid Theatre); Sweet Bird of Youth (Goodman Theatre); A Streetcar Named Desire, Death of a Streetcar Named Virginia Woolf (Writers Theatre); Sky Girls (Northlight Theatre); The Hot l Baltimore (Mary-Arrchie Theatre). Regional: Simpatico (McCarter Theatre); Angels in America (Kansas City Repertory Theatre); A Streetcar Named Desire (Williamstown Theatre Festival). Film: SLICE, Swing Shift. Television: Chicago Fire. For BZ. Steve Key (Jerry Goss) Steppenwolf Theatre Company: One Arm, The Libertine, As I Lay Dying. Broadway: SWEAT. Off Broadway: The Effect (Barrow Street Theatre); Blue Surge (The Public Theater). Chicago: Feathers & Teeth, Vigils, Zoo

Story, Blue Surge (Goodman Theatre); Grace, Better Late (Northlight Theatre); Rest, Circle Mirror Transformation (Victory Gardens Theater); Brothers Karamazov (Lookingglass Theatre); The Unseen (A

in a Play for his performance as George in the Tony Award-winning revival of Edward Albee’s Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, which premiered at Chicago’s Steppenwolf Theatre Company. He joined

Red Orchid Theatre); The Rainmaker, Orpheus Descending (American Blues Theater); Coyote On A Fence, Talk Radio (Shattered Globe Theatre). National Tour: August: Osage County, SWEAT. Film: Public Enemies, 1,000 Acres, Blackmail. Television: Boss, Chicago Fire, Elementary, Chicago Code, Mob Doctor, Law & Order: SVU.

the Steppenwolf ensemble in 2002, where he has appeared in American Buffalo, Betrayal, The Pillowman, The Pain and the Itch, The Dresser, Homebody/Kabul, The Dazzle, Glengarry, Glen Ross and Three Days of Rain, among others. Other acting credits include All My Sons, The Realistic Joneses (Broadway) and Orson’s Shadow (Barrow Street Theatre). Film appearances include Little Women, Ford v Ferrari, The Post, Lady Bird, The Lovers, Indignation, Christine, The Big Short, Imperium, WienerDog and Guinevere. Steppenwolf’s production of Linda Vista recently completed a successful run at Broadway’s Hayes Theater and was a New York Times Critic’s Pick. Steppenwolf’s production of The Minutes begins performances on Broadway at the Cort Theatre in February 2020 with Letts in the cast.

Namir Smallwood (Peter Evans) joined the Steppenwolf Theatre Company ensemble in 2017. Steppenwolf: True West, BLKS, Steppenwolf for Young Adults’ Monster, Man in Love, The Hot l Baltimore. Off Broadway: Pipeline, Pass Over (Lincoln Center). Chicago: The Lost Boys of Sudan (Victory Gardens Theater); Charm (Northlight Theatre); The Grapes of Wrath (The Gift Theatre); East Texas Hot Links (Writers Theatre). Regional: Marin Theatre Company, Pillsbury House Theatre, Ten Thousand Things, Guthrie Theater. Television: Chicago Fire, Betrayal, Elementary. Tracy Letts (Playwright) is the author of The Minutes (Pulitzer finalist), Linda Vista, Mary Page Marlowe, The Scavenger’s Daughter, Superior Donuts, August: Osage County (Pulitzer Prize, Tony Award for Best Play), Man from Nebraska (Pulitzer finalist), Bug and Killer Joe. He also wrote the screenplays for the films The Woman in the Window, August: Osage County, Bug and Killer Joe. He won the 2013 Tony Award for Best Leading Actor

David Cromer (Director) Broadway: The Sound Inside; The Band’s Visit (2018 Tony Award for Best Direction of a Musical, Ethel Barrymore Theatre); Brighton Beach Memoirs, The House of Blue Leaves. Off Broadway: The Treasurer (Playwrights Horizons); Man from Nebraska (Second Stage); The Band’s Visit, Women or Nothing (Atlantic Theater); Really Really (MCC Theater); When the Rain Stops Falling, Nikolai and the Others (Lincoln Center Theater). At Barrow Street Theatre, he directed Tribes, The Effect, Orson’s Shadow, Adding Machine (presented at the Minetta Lane) and Our Town, which originated in Chicago and later played in London,

Bios 9

…cont’d Bios

Los Angeles, Boston and Kansas City. In Chicago his credits include Next to Normal, A Streetcar Named Desire, Picnic, Booth (Writers Theatre); Cherrywood, Mojo, The Hot l Baltimore (Mary-Arrchie Theatre); The Cider House Rules (co-directed with Marc Grapey at Famous Door); and Angels in America (The Journeymen); among others. For his direction he has received a Tony Award, a Drama Desk, three Obie Awards, three Lucille Lortel Awards, a Joe A. Callaway Award, four Jeff Awards and in 2010 was made a MacArthur Foundation Fellow. Takeshi Kata (Scenic Design) Steppenwolf Theatre Company: Slowgirl, The Tempest, The Seafarer. Broadway: Derren Brown: Secret. Off Broadway: Office Hour (Public Theater); Man from Nebraska (Second Stage Theater); The Great Leap (Atlantic Theatre Company). Chicago: Gloria, Until the Flood, God of Carnage (Goodman Theatre). Regional: Angels in America: Part I & II (Berkeley Repertory Theatre); Cambodian Rock Band (Oregon Shakespeare Festival, La Jolla Playhouse); Quixote Nuevo (Huntington Theatre Company, Hartford Stage). Awards: Obie; Nominations: Drama Desk, Ovation, San Francisco Critics Circle, TBA, Barrymore. He is an Associate Professor at University of Southern California, School of Dramatic Arts. Sarah Laux (Costume Design) Broadway: The Band’s Visit, Fully Committed, The Humans. Off Broadway: Blue Ridge, This Ain’t No Disco, On the Shore of the Wide Word, The Band’s Visit (Atlantic Theater Company); The Humans (Roundabout Theatre Company); Superhero, Man From Nebraska (Second Stage Theater). Regional: The Half Life of Marie Curie (Audible); A Play Is A Poem (Taper Theater); Before The Meeting (Williamstown Theatre

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Festival); Downstairs (Primary Stages); Jerry Springer: The Opera (New Group, Obie Award); Bad Dates, Come Back, Little Sheba (Huntington Theatre Company); The End of Longing, Really, Really (MCC Theater); Bad Jews (George Street Playhouse); Ultimate Beauty Bible (Pg 73); The Effect (Barrow Street Theatre); Thresh/ Hold (Pilobolus Dance Theater). Film: Freakshow (Maven). Television: Hulu’s High Fidelity. @lauxy123 Heather Gilbert (Lighting Design) Steppenwolf Theatre Company: Dance Nation, MS. BLAKK FOR PRESIDENT, Constellations, A Separate Peace, First Look 2013, The Infidel, Pot Mom. Broadway: The Sound Inside (Studio 54). Off Broadway: Barrow Street Theatre. Chicago and Regional: Goodman Theatre; Actor’s Theatre Louisville; Center Theatre Group; Studio Theatre; Berkeley Repertory Theatre; Williamstown Theatre Festival; Oregon Shakespeare Festival; Kansas City Repertory Theatre; Alley Theatre; American Repertory Theater; Magic Theatre; Pasadena Playhouse. International: Almeida Theatre, London; Singapore Rep; Encuentro Festival Teatro Buendia, Montreal. Education: MFA, The Theatre School at DePaul University. Awards: NEA/TCG Career Development Grant, 3Arts Award. Gilbert serves as the Head of Lighting Design at Columbia College Chicago. @htglights Josh Schmidt (Sound Design) Steppenwolf Theatre Company: Between Riverside and Crazy, The Herd, Tribes, The Birthday Party, The March, Time Stands Still, among others. New York: Therese Raquin (Roundabout Theatre Company/Studio 54); House of Blue Leaves (Walter Kerr Theatre); Brighton Beach Memoirs (Nederlander Theatre); Water by the Spoonful (Second Stage

Theater); Dinner with Friends (Roundabout Theatre Company); When the Rain Stops Falling (Lincoln Center Theater); 3 Kinds of Exile, Dying For It (Atlantic Theater Company); About Alice (TFANA); among

and Huffington Post, among many other national publications and podcasts. She is also a soon-to-be triple kidney transplant recipient and rare disease patient advocate. Daphne Rose, her service dog, is also

others. Chicago: The First Deep Breath, Pipeline (Victory Gardens Theatre); How I Learned to Drive (Raven Theatre); Twelfth Night (Writers Theatre, associate artist). Schmidt is the award-winning composer of ADD1NG MACH1N3 (Minetta Lane Theatre, Next Theatre); A Minister’s Wife (Lincoln Center Theater, Writers Theatre); Midwestern Gothic (Signature Theatre); and Gift of the Magi (American Players Theatre). Upcoming commissions: The Metropolitan Opera and Mercurius Theatre (UK). He is an associate artist at UNLV/NCT.

thrilled to be part of the Steppenwolf family.

Matt Hawkins (Fight Choreographer) is a Chicago-based director, actor, fight choreographer and movement director. Awards: five Jeff Awards, sixteen nominations. Education: MFA (directing), The University of Iowa; BFA (acting), Southern Methodist University. He is currently an assistant professor at the University of Notre Dame, where he serves as Director of Musical Theatre and Creative Producer of the New Works Lab for the Department of Film, Television and Theatre. He is married to actor/director/ documentarian Stacy Stoltz. Tonia Sina (Intimacy Choreographer) Steppenwolf Theatre Company: Dance Nation. Chicago: Dead Man Walking (Lyric Opera); Grease, Darling Grenadine (Marriott Theatre); The Bakkhai (Stratford Festival). Sina invented the field of intimacy direction in her master’s thesis, and she is the Founder of Intimacy Directors International. She is featured in The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Buzzfeed

Sydney Charles (Dramaturg) Chicago (acting): The Color Purple (Drury Lane Theatre); Nina Simone: Four Women (Northlight Theatre); Flyin’ West (American Blues Theater); Lottery Day, Father Comes Home From the Wars (Goodman Theatre); Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner (Court Theatre); Insurrection: Holding History (Stage Left Theatre); Spamilton Chicago (Royal George Theatre); An Octoroon (Definition Theatre Company); The Wiz (Kokandy Productions); Prowess (Jackalope Theatre); Dessa Rose (Bailiwick Chicago); among others. Chicago (directing): Deathscribe Festival of Horror Plays (WildClaw Theatre); His Shadow (16th Street Theater, associate director); The Shipment (Red Tape Theatre). Television: The Chi, The Haven, The T, Shameless. She is a proud artistic associate with Firebrand Theatre and is represented by Stewart Talent. Charles thanks God for every opportunity she is given and her circle for supporting her every step of the way. AEA, SAG-AFTRA. @mssydchas Gigi Buffington (Company Voice, Text & Dialect Coach) has worked at Steppenwolf Theatre Company as Company Vocal Coach for three seasons. Steppenwolf: Dance Nation, Lindiwe, The Great Leap, True West, MS. BLAKK FOR PRESIDENT, The Children, A Doll’s House, Part 2, Familiar, Downstate, The Doppelgänger (an international farce), Guards at the Taj, The Minutes, Hir, The Rembrandt, Pass Over, Linda Vista, Dying City, Mary Page Marlowe, East of Eden. Broadway: Linda

Bios 11

...cont’d Bios

Vista, Straight White Men, King Kong Live on Broadway, Dying City, Mary Page Marlowe (Second Stage Theater); The Thin Place (upcoming), Heroes of the Fourth Turning, Noura (Playwrights Horizons); Pass Over (LCT3); Uncle Romeo Vanya Juliet (Bedlam); Coriolanus (Red Bull); The Tempest (La Mama); The Merchant Of Venice (Venice, Italy); Elizabeth R: texts & beheadings (BAM, The Folger); A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Hamlet (with David Tennant and Patrick Stewart), Love’s Labour’s Lost (Royal Shakespeare Company); The Maids (director), Pericles, Othello, An Illiad, The Seagull, Hamlet, Romeo & Juliet, Richard III (American Players Theatre). Film: (currently) Spike Lee’s Prince of Cats. Buffington is an Associate Arts Professor at Tisch School of the Arts, New York University. AEA, SAGAFTRA, VASTA.

Jaclynn Joslin (Assistant Stage Manager) Steppenwolf Theatre Company: True West, Familiar, Guards at the Taj, BLKS, The Crucible, Between Riverside and Crazy, The Flick, East of Eden. Chicago: Oedipus Rex, The Adventures of Augie March, For Colored Girls, Photograph 51, Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner, All My Sons, Harvey, The Hard Problem, Blues for an Alabama Sky (Court Theatre); Continuity, The King of Hell’s Palace (Goodman Theatre); Hard Times (Lookingglass Theatre); Roz and Ray (Victory Gardens). Regional: Linda Vista (Center Theatre Group); The Outgoing Tide, Oceanside, 13 Things About Ed Carpolotti, Year Zero (Merrimack Repertory Theatre).

Anna D. Shapiro (Artistic Director) is a Tony Award-winning director and Artistic Director of Steppenwolf Theatre Company. She joined the Steppenwolf ensemble in 2005 and was awarded the 2008 Tony Award for Christine D. Freeburg (Production Stage Best Direction of a Play for August: Osage Manager) Steppenwolf Theatre Company: County (Steppenwolf, Broadway, London). The Great Leap, MS. BLAKK FOR PRESIDENT, She was nominated in 2011 in the same La Ruta, Downstate, The Roommate, The category for The Motherf**ker with the Hat Doppelgänger (an international farce), (Public Theater, Labyrinth Theater). Other The Minutes, Linda Vista, Visiting Edna, Steppenwolf directing credits include the Constellations, The Flick, John Steinbeck’s world premiere production of The Minutes East of Eden, The Herd, Airline Highway, (opening on Broadway February 2020); Tribes, The Motherf**ker with the Hat, Mary Page Marlowe, Visiting Edna, Three American Buffalo (also at McCarter Theatre), Sisters, A Parallelogram, Up, The Crucible, The Tempest, The Seafarer, The Diary of The Unmentionables (also at Yale Repertory Anne Frank, after the quake, Cherry Orchard. Theatre), The Pain and the Itch (also in New Chicago: Northlight Theatre, Court Theatre, York), I Never Sang for My Father, Man from Lookingglass Theatre, Apple Tree Theatre. Nebraska, Purple Heart (also in Galway, Freeburg is an adjunct faculty member at Ireland), The Drawer Boy, Side Man (also The Theatre School at DePaul University in Ireland, Australia and Vail, Colorado), and spent nine summers stage managing at Three Days of Rain, The Infidel and This Is Weston Playhouse. She is happily married Our Youth (which transferred to Broadway). to Thom Cox and the proud mother of Joan Additional Broadway credits include Of Mice Marie. For Malcolm. and Men (with James Franco) and Fish in the Dark (with Larry David), and Off Broadway Domesticated (Lincoln Center Theater). She

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is directing the new Broadway musical The Devil Wears Prada with music by Sir Elton John, lyrics by Shaina Taub and book by Paul Rudnick. Shapiro is a graduate of the Yale School of Drama and Columbia. She is a professor in Northwestern Universityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Department of Theatre. David Schmitz (Executive Director) has worked at Steppenwolf Theatre Company for 14 years, serving in the roles of Director of Finance and Administration, General Manager and currently as Executive Director. Prior to working at Steppenwolf, David was the General Manager at Lookingglass Theatre Company, Associate Artistic Director of Stage Left Theatre and Business Manager at the entertainment agency Adair Performance. Currently, he serves as Vice President of the Board for The House Theatre of Chicago as well as on the boards of the League of Chicago Theatres and Arts Alliance Illinois. David is a former board member for the Lincoln Park Chamber of Commerce and has worked as a strategic planning, business practices, finance and hiring consultant for numerous Chicago organizations, including The House Theatre of Chicago, The Hypocrites and Stage Left Theatre, among others. He holds a BA in theatre from the University of Northern Colorado, an MFA from the Theatre Conservatory at the Chicago College of Performing Arts, Roosevelt University and a Certificate in Non Profit Management from Roosevelt University.

Bios 13

APRIL 2 – MAY 17, 2020 THE MOST SPECTACULARLY LAMENTABLE TRIAL OF

MIZ MARTHA WASHINGTON

By James ljames Directed by Whitney White

Featuring ensemble member Celeste M. Cooper The recently widowed “Mother of America” lies helpless in her Mount Vernon bed, ravaged by illness and attended to by the very enslaved people who will be free the moment she dies. The form-shifting fever dream that follows takes us deep into the ugly, uncomfortable and thorny ramifications of America’s original sin. Both fantastical and fraught with cruel reality, this Chicago premiere from a daring new voice pulls no punches as it puts our idols, and ourselves, on trial. MAY 7 – JUNE 21, 2020

KING JAMES

By ensemble member Rajiv Joseph Directed by ensemble member Anna D. Shapiro Featuring ensemble member Glenn Davis “King” LeBron James’s reign in Cleveland brings promise, prosperity and renewal to a city in desperate need of all three. As the city celebrates a championship, two estranged friends spar in a verbal game of 1 on 1, revealing past secrets, present truths and a possible future after “The King” has left the building. Steppenwolf in association with Center Theatre Group copresent this world premiere by ensemble member Rajiv Joseph and directed by ensemble member Anna D. Shapiro. King James will also be produced in LA as part of Center Theatre Group’s 2020/21 season.

JUNE 4 — JULY 26, 2020

CATCH AS CATCH CAN

By Mia Chung Directed by Amy Morton

Featuring ensemble members Audrey Francis and Tim Hopper Two blue collar New England families grapple with a spiraling crisis that threatens not just their relationships, but their very identities. Three actors take on the six roles, crossing both generation and gender, upending the kitchen sink drama in what will surely be a theatrical tour-de-force. A distinctive Chicago premiere by the gifted writer Mia Chung.

FEBRUARY 26 — MARCH 21, 2020 STEPPENWOLF FOR YOUNG ADULTS PRESENTS

I AM NOT YOUR PERFECT MEXICAN DAUGHTER

Adapted by Isaac Gomez Based on the novel by Erika L. Sánchez Directed by Sandra Marquez Featuring ensemble member Karen Rodriguez A world premiere adaptation of Erika L. Sánchez’s award-winning novel, I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter follows Julia, a Chicago high school student as she navigates trials and tribulations of following her dreams of becoming a writer alongside the death of her older sister, Olga—who might not have been as perfect as she seemed. This poignant and vibrant new work is a love story to young Chicanos who, in trying to find the truth about the people and the world around them, end up finding themselves.

MEMBERSHIPS START AT $100 steppenwolf.org/memberships

ENSEMBLE MEMBER AND PLAYWRIGHT TRACY LETTS AND DIRECTOR DAVID CROMER

BUG

Edited by Patrick Zakem

During the first week of rehearsals for Bug, ensemble member and playwright Tracy Letts and director David Cromer sat down to talk about the play’s history and present. Patrick Zakem: Tracy, you wrote this play in the mid 1990’s—can you walk us through the process of writing Bug? Tracy Letts: In 1995, my play Killer Joe went to the Bush Theatre in London. While I was there, the Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City was bombed and I heard the news report over the radio in a cafe. And I thought it was satire. I truly thought I was listening to parody because the idea of a terrorist attack in Oklahoma City was such an outrageous idea. Being from Oklahoma it was a real kick in the stomach. My parents were gravely upset by this. I remember my father, looking for any kind of silver lining he could, saying tearfully, “Something good will come out of this. Some art will come out this. These events are always eventually transformed into something.” That got me thinking about the seeds of the bombing. This was my first investigative internet experience. It was 1995. I just had my AOL account or whatever and started investigating online. The two things the internet was really good for at that time were porn and conspiracy theories. You could really go down the rabbit hole of conspiracy theories, and I did. Over the following year, I wrote Bug. I did more research for this play than I’ve done for any other play—research into the psychology: 16 Features

I interviewed shrinks, I read case histories, I spent a lot of time in the world of paranoid schizophrenia and conspiracy theory. We made friends with the people at the Gate Theatre while we were in London. And they asked for us to do another play with basically the same people. It wasn’t a commission, it was just like “If you guys do another play, we will put it up.” Michael Shannon was really the only actor I wrote a role for in Bug—I don’t often do that. But this was an instance where Michael was 19 or 20 years old and a really compelling performer. And then we put it together and we took it to the Gate Theatre. We went from there to the American premiere at Woolly Mammoth in DC. And then Dexter Bullard, or maybe it was Mike Shannon asked, “Can we do it at Red Orchid?” David Cromer: I saw that production. PZ: And what about the 2006 film adaptation? TL: Film director William Friedkin saw the play in New York, and called me and he said, “I just saw your play and I loved it.” I thought it was a joke. Again, I don’t ever believe anything. But he called back the next day and said, “I want to make a movie. I can’t get it out of my head.” I was thrilled that Billy wanted to make it and I was thrilled

that Billy, to this day, has been more respectful of me as a screenwriter than anybody else I’ve worked with. And I was thrilled that he cast Michael Shannon because I think it was great to preserve Mike’s performance. But, it’s a Bill Friedkin movie; it’s very different than the experience of the play. PZ: So that brings us to the present. What makes the prospect of producing the play at Steppenwolf in 2020 exciting? TL: The thing about Bug is that it’s always kind of stayed around; people do it. It’s done. But both Bug and Killer Joe, if they’re done in a theater that seats more than 40 people, it’s unusual, right? They’re both kind of built to be done in small theaters. I don’t think Bug has ever been in a theater as big as this. And I’m delighted and excited about that.

It’s like, “I’m looking for some kind of explanation for why things seem like they’re about to blow up.” And yes, perhaps now there are more reasons to be scared. The death toll is much higher now than it was in 1995. But there were other death tolls that we weren’t thinking about then, you know what I mean? I believe that we’re always terrified and we look back on the past as somehow safer only because we know how it turned out. Because we lived through it. The play might seem like it’s more it’s timely now, but it was timely then too. TL: These conspiracy theories have existed for a long time. DC: Like, “Roosevelt knew about Pearl Harbor.” TL: When I was working on Bug, I was playing poker with some pals when the bomb went off at the Summer Olympics in Atlanta. All those guys at the poker table, at one time or another over the course of the evening said, “What’s going on?” In other words, this bomb was a part of a pattern that they needed to fit into a story; it couldn’t be just a random horrible thing that happened. People need to be able to explain things. They need to connect the dots.

People need to be able to explain things. They need to connect the dots.

DC: Meanwhile, in my recent career I’ve been working in houses so much bigger than this. The last time I was in town, when I saw True West, I was relieved by how small the Steppenwolf stage was; it’s still intimate. I’m feeling like “Oh, what a nice small theater!” PZ: And how might the play land differently in 2020 than in earlier productions?

DC: You hear people talk about the pre-9/11 era of American history as a strangely innocent time. That the world is so much deadlier now. But the play makes the case that we’ve always been terrified. I think that we have always felt that there’s so much to fear in the world. This play is interesting because of that fear and terror, and the need for an explanation for both.

DC: That’s a major action in the play. Connect the dots. We intricately track these random events in Peter’s life that he then draws lines in between. Peter makes a conspiracy theory out of his entire existence. One of the actions of the play is to look at the randomness of terrible events as they happen to you, to your family, to the world around you and needing it to make sense. Narrative sense. PZ: And now the American conspiracy Features 17

...cont’d Feature

theory has entered a new chapter. TL: It’s a bad chapter. DC: The President believes in conspiracy theories. That’s different. I take it back. Things are actually much worse now than in the past. Things are finally way worse. PZ: What is it like revisiting this play so many years after the original productions? DC: I think that we were talking about revivals of things and I said, “Boy, I’d like to see Bug again.” It’s tricky because I loved that original production, and I can picture every bit of it. But I also know that when you when you literally have the table in a different place and different people saying the words, it’ll evolve into something else.

then a couple of things will always come up. But I know this play is very structurally sound. So, revisiting it is a little strange. The fact that my wife (Carrie Coon) is playing Agnes is fun. And weird. I remember when I wrote it, I think the character says she is 44. At the time I wrote it that seemed so old. And now it’s like, “Oh my god, 44 is so young.” It’s weird, but it’s also great fun. DC: We’ve known each other for 30 years, and I’ve directed one of your plays and you’ve acted in plays that I’ve directed. We were all children together, prior to Steppenwolf and now we’re— TL: Now we’re all Tony Award winning pricks. [Laughter] But truly, there really is no thread between the old productions and this production, which is good. I’m glad it’s a fresh approach to the whole thing. Even though there are old associations, like me and David or Randy Arney, and a couple other actors. I mean, you know, like David says, we were all kids together. We’ve known each other a long time, but the fact is that everybody’s coming at it with fresh eyes. And fresh experience. And it doesn’t have any barnacles of the old first production on it.

we look back on the past as somehow safer only because we know how it turned out. Because we lived through it.

TL: David is one of the finest directors alive, if not the finest director alive. And if I’m going to revive my play, a thing that’s very precious to me and it has a little brick here in Chicago theater history, I want the best to do it. I’m not gonna do it unless our director is top notch.

PZ: What about you, Tracy? Many writers have complicated relationships with their early works. Is that you? Or not so much? TL: No, not so much. I mean, it’s weird that I’m now at the age of the point in my life where we can revisit this play. I felt this play was done and “on the shelf” a long time ago and that it doesn’t need any work from me. Of course, I always say that 18 Features

Have you seen what weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re building next door?

To play a part in shaping the next 40 years of social and cultural life in Chicago, contact Mercedes Rohlfs at 312-654-5694 or mrohlfs@steppenwolf.org.

steppenwolf.org/buildingonexcellence

THE STEPPENWOLF ENSEMBLE Steppenwolf Theatre Company is the nation’s premier ensemble theater. Formed by a collective of actors in 1976, the ensemble represents a remarkable cross-section of actors, directors and playwrights. Thrilling and powerful productions from Balm in Gilead and August: Osage County to Pass Over and Downstate—and accolades that include the National Medal of Arts and 12 Tony Awards—have made the theater legendary. Steppenwolf produces hundreds of performances and events annually in its three spaces: the 515-seat Downstairs Theatre, the 299-seat Upstairs Theatre and the 80-seat 1700 Theatre. Artistic programing includes a sevenplay season; a two-play Steppenwolf for Young Adults season; Visiting Company engagements; and LookOut, a multi-genre performances series. Education initiatives include the nationally recognized work of Steppenwolf for Young Adults, which engages 15,000 participants annually from Chicago’s diverse communities; the esteemed School at Steppenwolf; and Professional Leadership Programs for arts administration training. While firmly grounded in the Chicago community, nearly 40 original Steppenwolf productions have enjoyed success both nationally and internationally, including Broadway, Off Broadway, London, Sydney, Galway and Dublin. Anna D. Shapiro is the Artistic Director and David Schmitz is the Executive Director. Eric Lefkofsky is Chair of Steppenwolf’s Board of Trustees.

JOAN ALLEN

KEVIN ANDERSON

GARY COLE

CARRIE COON

FRANCIS GUINAN

MOIRA HARRIS

TINA LANDAU

TRACY LETTS

SALLY MURPHY

CAROLINE NEFF

MOLLY REGAN

KAREN RODRIGUEZ

JIM TRUE-FROST

ALAN WILDER

ALANA ARENAS

RANDALL ARNEY

K ATE ARRINGTON

IAN BARFORD

ROBERT BREULER

CLIFF CHAMBERLAIN

CELESTE M. COOPER

GLENN DAVIS

K ATHRYN ERBE

AUDREY FRANCIS

K. TODD FREEMAN

FRANK GALATI

JON MICHAEL HILL

TIM HOPPER

TOM IRWIN

ORA JONES

RAJIV JOSEPH

TERRY KINNEY†

JOHN MALKOVICH

SANDRA MARQUEZ

TARELL ALVIN McCRANEY

JAMES VINCENT MEREDITH

LAURIE METCALF

AMY MORTON

BRUCE NORRIS

AUSTIN PENDLETON

JEFF PERRY†

WILLIAM PETERSEN

YASEN PEYANKOV

RONDI REED

ANNA D. SHAPIRO°

ERIC SIMONSON

GARY SINISE†

NAMIR LOIS SMALLWOOD SMITH

RICK SNYDER

IN MEMORIAM

MALCOLM GLENNE EWEN HEADLY

MARTHA LAVEY

† CO-FOUNDER

JOHN MARIANN MAHONEY MAYBERRY ° ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

STEPPENWOLF STAFF Anna D. Shapiro Artistic Director

Artistic Leelai Demoz Associate Artistic Director Jonathan Berry Artistic Producer and Director at the School at Steppenwolf Hallie Gordon Artistic Producer and Artistic Director, Steppenwolf for Young Adults JC Clementz Casting Director Polly Hubbard Director of New Play Development Greta Honold LookOut Director Patrick Zakem LookOut Producer Kenya Hall Artistic and Literary Coordinator Glenn Davis Audrey Francis Tracy Letts Sandra Marquez Amy Morton Caroline Neff Yasen Peyankov Artistic Associates

Terry Kinney, Jeff Perry and Gary Sinise Executive Artistic Board Jeremy Ohringer Wilfredo Ramos, Jr. Fatima Sowe Mara Stern Teaching Artists

Administration and Operations

Karena Fiorenza General Manager LaDonna Lane Human Resources Director Maria Nondorf Finance Director Cory Jeanes Director of Operations Nic Andrews IT Administrator Connor Pickett IT Coordinator Kate Lerner Food and Beverage Director Ashley Schilling Café Manager James Heppler Facilities Supervisor Joshua Philoon Facilities Coordinator Sam Lounsbury Day Porter Irukia Ahmed Ali Tul Ghaley Education Madan Gurung Megan Shuchman Rina Gurung Director of Education Makassa Jabateh John Rooney Ababe Mekonen Education and Shamshuddin Leadership Programs Mohamed Shofi Coordinator Aminata Talawally Custodial Staff Abhi Shrestha Education Associate Emma Casey Amanda Dunne Acevedo Annie Cleveland Interim Senior Manager Omar Dyette Cameron Harrie of Education Programs Dani James Cara Greene Epstein Maggie Malaney Facilitator of Curriculum Jack Newton and Instruction Madison Serrett Sheila Chapman Kyla Spencer Education Volunteer Julia Toney Rosemary Vigil Peter Andersen Baristas Jazmín Corona Tina El Gamal Emma Casey Monét Felton Sydney Charles Tiffany Fulson Taylor Craft Charles Andrew Gardner Brian Keys Greg Geffrard Marshall Kious Lauren Katz Georgette Kirkendall Sonya Madrigal Walker Lee Airos Sung-En Medill Patty Malaney Anastacia Narrajos Jay Mast

David Schmitz Executive Director

Greg Mehl Bran Moorhead Davey Weston O’Dell Lindsay Stock Shannon Vogt Toby Walters Bartenders Barbara Casey Administrative Volunteer Jenny Goyer Interim Office Manager

Erika Nelson Senior Marketing Director Joel Moorman Creative Director Lead Designer Christopher Huizar Lowell Thomas Video Content Producer Kerstin Adams Digital Marketing Manager Development Javier Dubon Leslie Bradberry Director of Development Marketing Manager Corinne Florentino Kristy Conway Institutional Partnerships Social Media and Communications Director Assistant Eric Evenskaas Leean Kim Torske Senior Development PR Associate Director Corinne Neal Mercedes Rohlfs Audience Services Campaign Director Director Courtney Anderson Stephanie Heller Donor Engagement Audience Services Director Membership Manager Lupe Garcia Quiles William Benjamin Events Director Audience Services Suzanne Miller Manager Individual Giving Jimmy Freund Director VIP Liaison to Audience Jessica Gretch Services Individual Giving Mike Brunlieb Manager Data Developer Max Lando Institutional Partnerships Rukmini Girsh Audience Services Manager Supervisor A.J. Roy Molly Layton Board Relations Group Sales Coordinator Manager Coordinator Gabriel Alaniz Donor Engagement and Craig Barnes Willow Dawson Events Coordinator Kat Davis Tina El Gamal Prospect Development Elizabeth Ellis Analyst Kenya Hall Natasha Freeman Greg Glomb Donor Services Assistant Hanna Kime Connor Lifson Charlie Stock DJ Shafer Campaign Assistant Julia Waits Deanna Finley Development Volunteer Audience Services Associates

Marketing, Communications & Audience Services Kara Henry Director of Marketing and Communications Madeline Long Senior Communications Director

Audience Experience Aaron Aptaker Audience Experience Director Megan Kaminsky Audience Experience Manager

BOARD OF TRUSTEES Executive Committee Eric Lefkofsky, Chair Keating Crown, Vice Chair Deborah H. Quazzo, Secretary Verett Mims, Treasurer Henry S. Bienen Douglas R. Brown Elizabeth H. Connelly Nora Daley Rich Feitler Paul W. Goodrich Lynn Lockwood Murphy Bruce Sagan Stephanie B. Smith Matthew Shapiro Bryan Traubert John R. Walter Helen Zell

Trustees Sarah Beardsley Michael W. Bender Susan O. Berghoef Amy Bluhm Meredith Bluhm-Wolf Marlene BreslowBlitstein Carole L. Brown Ebs Burnough Beth Boosalis Davis Glenn Davis Amy Eshleman D. Cameron Findlay Matthew Gray Robert J. Greenebaum, Jr. Caryn Harris John Hart Jon Michael Hill Dennis D. Howarter Rebecca L. Johnston

Tracy Letts Mary Ludford Ronald J. Mallicoat, Jr. Holly Maloney Tarell Alvin McCraney David E. Mendelsohn L. Heather Mitchell Christopher M. Murphy Pam Netzky Yasen Peyankov Anne M. Phillips Robert Rivkin Shilpa Rupani Cari B. Sacks Robert Sanborn Manuel “Manny” Sanchez Anna D. Shapiro Colette Cachey Smithburg Elliot A. Stultz

Paige Ward Front of House Manager Donald Coulson Parking Manager Jake Green Taylor Hobart Caitlyn Johnson Laura LoChirco Alexi Lewis Nora Manz Claudia Price Rio Ragazzone Hoot Sanders Hilary Schwartz Jessica Smith Kyla Spencer Audience Experience Associates Angel Aguilar Mustafa Chaudry Sam Morales Gabriel Sanchez Parking Associates Lauren Louer, The Saints Volunteer Usher Coordination

Mike Donohue Technical Director Chad Hain Associate Technical Director Lydia Strini Assistant Technical Director Tom Egan Scene Shop Supervisor Nathaniel Feit Kyle Land Russell Scott Brophy Tolbert Scenic Carpenters Zoe Shiffrin Scenic Charge Artist Sarah Lewis Interim Scenic Charge Jenny DiLuciano Properties Director Melissa Centgraf Jay Tollefsen Associate Properties Directors Charles Moser Master Properties Artisan Victoria Ross Props Artisan Shannon Higgins Wardrobe, Hair and Make Up Supervisor Melissa Motz Assistant Wardrobe Supervisor Daisy Lindas Costume Director

Angela Enos Assistant Costume Director Mae Haskins Assistant Costume Designer Lynae Vandermeulen Work Room Supervisor and Draper Melissa Humbert First Hand Megan Turner Outside Projects Coordinator J. R. Lederle Lighting Supervisor Karen Thompson Light Board Operator Rick Haefele Stage Operations Supervisor Vanessa Retzlaff Assistant Stage Supervisor Martha Wegener Sound Supervisor Gregor Mortis Associate Sound Supervisor Matthew Chapman LookOut Production Supervisor Christine D. Freeburg Laura D. Glenn Michelle Medvin Production Stage Managers Kathleen Barrett Mary Hungerford Jaclynn Joslin

Production Tom Pearl Director of Production Erin Cook Company Manager and Assistant to the Artistic Director Claire Haupt Elise Hausken Assistant Production Managers

Emeritus Trustees J. Robert Barr Lawrence Block Michael Cahan John N. Fox, Jr. Lawrence M. Gill Donna La Pietra Kenneth J. Porrello Merle Reskin Randall K. Rowe Gloria Scoby Past Chairpersons William L. Atwell Larry D. Brady Douglas R. Brown Nora Daley Laurence Edwards John N. Fox, Jr. Elliott Lyon Gordon Murphy William H. Plummer Bruce Sagan Gloria Scoby Donna Vos

Amanda Landis Jacqueline Saldana Stage Managers

Professional Leadership Program Nina Attinello Anisha Banerjee Brenna Barborka Amanda Barth Sarah Beck Grace Burns Sophia Deck Daniel Etti-Williams Johan H. Gallardo Ada Göktepe Maranda Jenkins Kevin Karn Nikki Konomos Zoe Lesser Nadya Naumaan Elon Sloan Jessica Van Winkle Courtney Winkelman Rafael Zhang

Agency of Record Grip

Production Counsel provided by Rick Pappas

Organizational Counsel provided by the attorneys at Schiff Hardin, LLP

2019/20 SEASON SPONSORS LEAD SPONSORS

ZELL FAMILY FOUNDATION

Anonymous

John Hart and Carol Prins

Paul M. Angell Foundation

Lefkofsky Family Foundation‡

The Davee Foundation‡

John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation‡ Shubert Foundation, Inc. The Wallace Foundation

PREMIER SPONSORS

Anonymous

Julius Frankel Foundation

Polk Bros. Foundation

Douglas R. Brown and Rachel Kraft

Julie and Roger Baskes

Cari and Michael J. Sacks‡

The Harris Family Foundation

Robert and Louise Sanborn

Andrew and Amy Bluhm‡

Joe and Rika Mansueto

Smart Family Foundation of Illinois

Ann and Richard Carr

National Endowment for the Arts

Harold and Mimi Steinberg Charitable Trust‡

Joyce Chelberg

Pam and Ashley Netzky

Rich and Margery Feitler

The Orlebeke Foundation

Bryan Traubert and Penny Pritzker

Phil and Mary Beth Canfield

Lead Underwriter of Accessibility Programs John Hart and Carol Prins

John and Carol Walter

Lead Underwriter of fundraising for The Campaign for Steppenwolf The Elizabeth Morse Charitable Trust

Veterans’ Night Sponsor Gary Sinise Foundation ‡S teppenwolf Ensemble Fund Individuals recognized above with a “‡” have made multi-year commitments to help develop special ensemble-driven projects.

Rendering by Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture

BUILDING ON EXCELLENCE THE CAMPAIGN FOR STEPPENWOLF We invite you to play a part in shaping the next 40 years of social and cultural life in Chicago, contact Mercedes Rohlfs at 312-654-5694 or mrohlfs@steppenwolf.org. You may also learn more by visiting steppenwolf.org/buildingonexcellence. Leaders of the New Steppenwolf ($1 million +) Anonymous Anonymous, in memory of Martha Lavey Douglas R. Brown and Rachel Kraft The Crown Family King and Caryn Harris Eric and Liz Lefkofsky Pritzker Foundation Pritzker Traubert Foundation The Rowe Family Foundation Cari and Michael J. Sacks Bruce Sagan and Bette Cerf Hill Robert and Louise Sanborn Matthew Shapiro Zell Family Foundation Founders of the New Steppenwolf ($500,000+) Julie and Roger Baskes The Orlebeke Foundation The Negaunee Foundation Rich and Margery Feitler Rebecca Johnston and Jeffrey Maling Janet Melk Anne and Don Phillips Deborah and Stephen Quazzo John and Carol Walter Family Foundation

Sponsors of the New Steppenwolf ($200,000+) Michael Bender and Sheridan Prior Shawn M. Donnelley and Christopher M. Kelly Julius Frankel Foundation Tracy and Carrie Letts Jim and Kay Mabie The Elizabeth Morse Charitable Trust Lynn Lockwood Murphy and Barrett Murphy The Northern Trust Company Jeff Perry and Linda Lowy William and Gina Petersen Kenneth Porrello and Sherry McFall Moira and Gary Sinise Bill and Orli Staley Sponsors of the New Steppenwolf ($100,000+) Michael Bender and Sheridan Prior Joyce Chelberg Elizabeth and Matthew Connelly Shawn M. Donnelley and Christopher M. Kelly Amy and Cameron Findlay Paul and Valerie Goodrich

Bob and Amy Greenebaum John Hart and Carol Prins Julius Frankel Foundation Martha Lavey Tracy and Carrie Letts Jim and Kay Mabie The Elizabeth Morse Charitable Trust Amy Morton and Rob Milburn Lynn Lockwood Murphy and Barrett Murphy The Northern Trust Company Jeff Perry and Linda Lowy William and Gina Petersen Kenneth Porrello and Sherry McFall Prince Charitable Trusts Gary Sinise and Moira Harris Stephanie and Gerald Smith Smithburg Family Bill and Orli Staley Elliot Stultz

COMMUNITY ADVOCATES

Caryn Harris*, Co-Chair Anna D. Shapiro*, Co-Chair Julie Baskes Susan O. Berghoef* Amy Bluhm* Meredith Bluhm-Wolf* Douglas R. Brown* Joyce Chelberg Nora Daley* Anne Edwards Aimee Graham Bill Gofen Ethel Gofen Joan M. Hall Rebecca L. Johnston* Liz Lefkofsky Jim Mabie Deborah Quazzo* Robert Sanborn* Matthew Shapiro* Elizabeth Schubert Colette Cachey Smithburg* Helen Zell*

Directors Circle Committee Helps steward and grow the theater’s largest donor program. Beth Boosalis Davis* Greg Desmond Ritu Dhingra Stacy Fleming Aimee Graham Rebecca L. Johnston* Karen Levine Susan Lichtenstein Stephanie Linn Beth Loeb Toni Sandor Smith Gail Straus Frances E. Tuite

26 Bug

Education Committee advocates for the programming of Steppenwolf for Young Adults and for access to quality arts experiences for teens and teachers. Amy Eshleman*, Chair Michael Bolton Amy Bluhm* Sheila Chapman Beth Boosalis Davis* Jeremy Dunn Jane Fleming Paul Gaynor David Germaine Larry Grimm John Hart* Lynn Lockwood Murphy* Robert LoPrete Sybil Madison-Boyd Susan Noel Ashley Pettit Anne M. Phillips* Donald J. Phillips II Deborah Quazzo* Cari B. Sacks* Robert Sanborn* Michelle Schlack Sydney Sidwell Jennifer Stuart Elliot A. Stultz* Annie Tully David Wagener Nina B. Winston

Women in the Arts Luncheon Committee spearheads our annual fundraising event, honoring leading artists in theater, film and television. Stephanie B. Smith*, Co-Chair Helen Zell*, Co-Chair Amy Bluhm* Meredith Bluhm-Wolf* Caroline and Keating Crown* Donna La Pietra* Deborah Quazzo* Cari B. Sacks*

2020 Gala Steppenwolf’s Gala Co-Chairs plan the signature fundraising event led by the theater’s Board of Trustees. Joan Allen Susan O. Berghoef* Gary Cole Sandra Marquez Anne* and Don Phillips

Young Adult Council, a unique after-school program for high school students, immerses them in Steppenwolf’s operations and organizes events for their peers around Steppenwolf productions. Lily Ader Amara Alexander Courtland Anderson Ginelle Bamfo Tatiana Bustos Victoria Camuy Maral Chinbat Kristen Das Dream Drummer Isabella Gomez-Barrientos Grace Hanson Erol Ibrahimovic Audrey Jacobs London Johns Eileen Keller Cayleigh Kissinger Naima McRoberts Gwyneth Lemaster Spencer O’Brien Nikhil Patel Alex Randerson Joelle Reiter Jairo Saucedo Omari Sloan William Stevens Ramman Taksh

*Steppenwolf Trustee

New Play Development Fund Committee supports Steppenwolf’s mission to be a preeminent producer of new American plays.

Corporate Arts Council Steppenwolf’s Corporate Arts Council unites a community of smart, innovative companies to connect in a dynamic and unique environment here at the theater. Supporting Steppenwolf’s mission to champion new talent within the theater, the Corporate Arts Council engages members throughout the year to network, entertain and give back. For more information on corporate sponsorship opportunities, please contact Max Lando at 312-654-5697 or mlando@steppenwolf.org. Leading Members Allstate Insurance Company, Meghan Sporleder* Ameriprise Financial, Patricia Moll* Archer Daniels Midland Company, Ben Bard DLA Piper LLP (US), Katrina Hausfeld* Exelon Corporation, Jason Decker* J.P. Morgan, Kelly Epstein*

Northern Trust, Mark Taylor* PwC, Vilma Chan* Premier Members Faegre Baker Daniels, Patrick M. Miller* Sidley Austin LLP, Elizabeth M. Schubert*

Members Newcastle Limited, Michael Haney Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, Brian Duwe Winston & Strawn LLP, Matthew R. Carter *Denoted Corporate Arts Council Steering Committee Member

Steppenwolf Associates Comprised of more than 70 young professionals, the Steppenwolf Associates work each season to raise funds for Steppenwolf Education. We salute the Associates for giving generously of their time and resources. Contact A.J. Roy at associates@steppenwolf.org to become a Steppenwolf Associates member today. Co-Presidents Julia Luscombe Shilpa Rupani Vice Presidents Kevin Goldstein Marilynn Rubio Allan Waite Harriet White

Associates Board Members Jonathan Blanc Alex Block Liz Buchanan Bridget Byrne Isaac Colunga Aimee Graham Peter Hegel Halley Hoffman Libby Ingram Paul Jeffries

Eléonore Moncheur de Rieudotte Kate Nardin Vanessa Passini Adrienne Pope Jennifer Stuart David Wagener Founding Officers Marissa Bryce Nora Daley

MAJOR ENDOWMENT SUPPORT Hope Abelson Fund for New Play Development Artistic Endowment established through the Leading National Theatres Program, a joint initiative of the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation and The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation Ruth D. and Ken M. Davee New Works Fund Douglas R. Brown Playwright/ Director Endowment Fund

Ford Foundation Artistic and General Operating Endowment Funds Richard and Mary L. Gray Production Endowment Fund John S. and James L. Knight Foundation Fund for the Development of New Work The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation Daniel E. McLean National and International Production Fund

Avy and Marcie Stein Sustaining Fund for the Ensemble Steppenwolf Board Designated Endowment Fund Steppenwolf Theatre Company Endowment Fund created with Searle Funds at the Chicago Community Trust Nancy L. Wald Production Endowment Fund John and Carol Walter Production Endowment Fund

CORPORATE, FOUNDATION & GOVERNMENT CONTRIBUTORS

Benefactors ($50,000 – $99,999) ComEd Conagra Brands Foundation The Crown Family‡ Julius Frankel Foundation Illinois Arts Council, a state agency Laurents/Hatcher Foundation John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation‡* National Endowment for the Arts Northern Trust* The Orlebeke Foundation Poetry Foundation Polk Bros. Foundation* Smart Family Foundation of Illinois Harold and Mimi Steinberg Charitable Trust‡ Vinci Producers ($25,000 – $49,999) Anonymous (5) American Express Ameriprise Financial Archer Daniels Midland Company The Bluhm Family Charitable Foundation CA Ventures The Elizabeth F. Cheney Foundation Chicago Community Trust DLA Piper LLP (US) Lloyd A. Fry Foundation Grosvenor Capital Management The Harris Family Foundation Mr. and Mrs. King Harris Kathy Harris

28 Bug

Dr. and Mrs. Joseph Szokol Mr. and Mrs. William Friend Mr. and Mrs. John Harris Irving Harris Foundation Illinois Tool Works Foundation The Joyce Foundation‡ JPMorgan Chase & Co.* Keyt Consulting The Oppenheimer Family Foundation PwC Searle Family Trust Earl and Brenda Shapiro Foundation‡ Sidley Austin LLP Gary Sinise Foundation Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP The Smithburg Family Foundation Searle Funds at The Chicago Community Trust Walter E. Heller Foundation Winston & Strawn, LLP Patrons ($10,000 – $24,999) Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture Robert and Isabelle Bass Foundation, Inc. The Boeing Company Buchanan Family Foundation CBRE, Inc. City of Chicago, Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events CNA Financial Corporation* CRC Swett Frank G. and Gertrude Dunlap Fund Eversheds Sutherland Faegre Baker Daniels Green Courte Partners, LLC Greenberg Traurig LLP GrubHub John R. Halligan Charitable Fund McKinsey & Company, Inc. Melcher Charitable Foundation Newcastle Limited Norcon, Inc PwC Schiff Hardin LLP Dr. Scholl Foundation Seigle Family Foundation

Siragusa Family Foundation John and Carol Walter Family Foundation Sustainers ($5,000 – $9,999) Bayless Family Foundation Block Steel Corporation Boeing Matching Gift Program Helen Brach Foundation Philip H. Corboy Foundation Ernst & Young LLP* Ice Miller LLP Karkomi Family Foundation Mesirow Financial Montgomery Ward & Co. National Philanthropic Trust New Horizon Foundation Nordstrom Rochman Charitable Foundation The Talbott Hotel

* Corporations and foundations that have made employee matching gifts. ‡ Multi-year pledge

Grand Benefactors ($100,000+) Anonymous (2) Allstate Insurance Company* Paul M. Angell Foundation The Roy Cockrum Foundation Lefkofsky Family Foundation‡ Rhoades Foundation Shubert Foundation, Inc. United Airlines The Wallace Foundation‡ Zell Family Foundation ‡

LEAD INDIVIDUAL CONTRIBUTORS These individuals provide inspirational annual support for productions, education programs and general operations and help safeguard Steppenwolf’s international reputation for artistic excellence and innovation. Donors with ‡ have made a generous multi-year pledge. To join this distinguished group, call Jessica Gretch at 312-654-5672 Premier Patrons ($50,000+) Anonymous Julie and Roger Baskes‡ Leigh and Henry Bienen Andrew and Amy Bluhm‡ Meredith Bluhm-Wolf and Bill Wolf Douglas R. Brown and Rachel Kraft Phil and Mary Beth Canfield Ann and Richard Carr Joyce Chelberg Caroline and Keating Crown Nora Daley and Sean Conroy Rich and Margery Feitler Amy and Cameron Findlay‡ King and Caryn Harris John Hart and Carol Prins‡ Pam and Dennis D. Howarter Liz and Eric Lefkofsky‡ Lynn Lockwood Murphy and Barrett B. Murphy‡ Mary and Bill Ludford Mr. and Ms. Carl Lukach Ron and Paula Mallicoat Joe and Rika Mansueto Robert S. Rivkin and Cindy Moelis Pam and Ashley Netzky‡ Anne and Don Phillips‡ Cari and Michael J. Sacks‡ Bryan Traubert and Penny Pritzker John and Carol Walter Helen Zell

Grand Patrons ($25,000 – $49,999) Anonymous Michael Bender and Sheridan Prior Marlene Breslow-Blitstein and Berle Blitstein Donald and Anne Edwards Amy Eshleman and Lori Lightfoot Ethel and Bill Gofen Bob and Amy Greenebaum‡ Marian and Fruman Jacobson Jeffrey Maling and Rebecca Johnston Andrew Keyt Holly and Matt Maloney Mr. and Ms. David E. Mendelsohn Verett Mims Christopher and Eileen Murphy Susan and Ted Oppenheimer Deborah and Stephen Quazzo Randy and Susi Rowe Bruce Sagan and Bette Cerf Hill Mr. and Mrs. Matthew Shapiro‡ Stephanie B. Smith and Gerald Smith Colette Cachey Smithburg and Tom Smithburg Bill and Orli Staley Nina B. Winston and Norman V. Kohn‡

Distinguished Patrons ($15,000 – $24,999) Anonymous Andy and Sue Arnold Carole L. Brown Liam and Francesca Connell Beth Boosalis Davis and Maxwell S. Davis Ian and Stacy Fleming Patti Eylar and Charlie Gardner Aimee Graham and Nigel Caine Joan Hall Mrs. John M. Hartigan Perry and Cathy Iverson Jared Kaplan and Maridee Quanbeck Jim and Kay Mabie‡ L. Heather Mitchell and Kenny Mitchell Ms. Elizabeth Schubert Harry J. Seigle Chuck Smith Pam and Russ Strobel Tom and Blaine Wells Susan and Robert A. Wislow Ronald and Geri Yonover

DIRECTORS CIRCLE The generosity of Steppenwolf’s Directors Circle members annually provides vital support for Steppenwolf’s many streams of artistic and community programming. In recognition of their contributions, members receive complimentary subscriptions with VIP ticketing services and are invited to private events with the artists of Steppenwolf. Donors with ‡ have made a generous multi-year pledge. To join this distinguished group, call Jessica Gretch at 312-654-5672 Patrons ($10,000 – $14,999) Anonymous (2) Mr. and Mrs. John Aalbregtse ‡ Shaun and Andy Block Betty Bradshaw Michael and Cathy Brennan Elizabeth H. Connelly Shawn M. Donnelley and Christopher M. Kelly Mary and Paul Finnegan Richard and Mary L. Gray‡ Ginger and Del Hall Ms. Anne Kaplan Brad and Kim Keywell Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Lad Susan Lichtenstein and John Rokacz Kenneth J. Porrello and Sherry L. McFall Lynn Hauser and Neil Ross Mr. John M. Schwolsky Sustainers ($5,000 – $9,999) Anonymous (2) Gerry Barad Sarah Beardsley and Dr. Christopher Randolph Louis and Jacqueline Bernstein Mr. Alex Block Lois Browning Cheryl Lynn Bruce and Kerry Marshall Phil Burgess and Jim Nutter Michael and Stephanie Chu Gia and Isaac Colunga Jerry and Josephine Conlon Mr. Brian Duwe Laura and Scott Eisen Mary M. Emerson Greg and Karen Felton John and Katherine Fox Michael Fridholm David and Noreen Ann Gallagher Beverly Wyckoff and Charles Ginsberg Valerie and Paul Goodrich Leslie and Matthew Gray Marcy and Harry Harczak

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Judy and Jay Heyman David Hiller Timothy B. Johnson and Valerie B. Wiley Jen and Brad Keck Laurie Anne Kladis Christine and Michael LaTona Ron and Kim Lemar Donald and Elaine Levinson Amos and Anat Madanes Malkin Family Don and Melinda Marshall Lisa and Paul McGrady‡ Alyson and Patrick J. Nash, Jr. Mr. and Ms. Dave Obenauer Dale and Loretta Pierson Lynne Remington and Geoff Goldberg Merle Reskin Randy and Betsy Rochman Sandra and Earl Rusnak, Jr. Shirley and Patrick G. Ryan Sr. Manny Sanchez and Pat Pulido Sanchez Dr. Michele D. Semin David and Judith L. Sensibar Toni Sandor Smith Marcie and Avy Stein Edward A. Studzinski Elliot A. Stultz Judy Sugarman Jacqueline Tilton Richard and Elaine Tinberg Howard and Jane Tyner Donna and Dirk Vos Tom Wake Michael and January Ward Dr. David Wasserman Jack and Keli Wildermuth Bobbi Zabel Benefactors ($2,000 – $4,999) Anonymous (9) Kim and David Adler Jack J. Adrian Karen and Scott Alexander Nicholas and Kathleen Amatangelo Kimball Anderson and Karen

Gatsis Anderson Robert C. Anderson David and Suzanne Arch Robert and Marilyn Arensman Stephanie and Dana Arnett Jeffrey S. Arnold and Ellen J. Neely Edgar Bachrach Richard and Janice Bail Andy and Stephanie Baker‡ Elena and Yuri Balasanov Gustavo Bamberger and Martha Van Haitsma Catherine Bannister Merrill and Alice Barden Cynthia Barginere Solomon and Camila Barnett Bob and Trish Barr Dee Beaubien Martha and Al Belmonte Scott and Carla Benigni Shirley and Tom Berchou‡ Mr. Kevin Berg Ane Marinez Lora Dr. Mary E. Belford MD and Mr. Ric Berta Ron and Colleen Bess Jim and Sherry Bicak Nicholas Biederman Ms. Faye Blake Jon Blanc Shelley Bloch and Brian Sweeney Stephen and Lynn Bolanowski‡ Stanley and Anne Boychuck Doug Bradbury Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Braun Lin Brehmer and Sara Farr Robert and Joell Brightfelt‡ Marissa and Tim Brinkley Reid Brody and Sally Schwartz Mr. and Mrs. Norman Brooks John D. and Leslie Henner Burns Timothy Burroughs and Barbara Smith Bridget Byrne Michael and Merle Cahan David Callahan and Terri Abruzzo

Joseph and Cory Cancila‡ Ray Capitanini Shamequa Carlton Helen and Paul Chang Drs. Rex Chisholm and Kathleen Green Nancy Ciezki and Diane Kostecke Lesley and Zac Cochran Carol and Douglas Cohen Michael and Edie Cohen Sarah Cohn Thomas and Katherine Coleman Steven and Caralynn Collens Howard R. Conant J. Gorman Cook and Carole Kohout Bryce Cooper Merle R. Cooper Lisa and Brian Cornell Deb and Denny Cowhey Patricia Cox, Katie and Will Hunckler Winnie and Bob Crawford Phyllis Cretors Mary Jane Crotty Carl and Cynthia Curry Dean and Lori Czuma Stephen F. Danziger Judy and Tapas K. Das Gupta Marlowe Davis Diane Dawson Mr. and Mrs. Menahem Deitcher Greg Desmond and Michael Segobiano Gautam and Ritu Dhingra Roberta S. Dillon Patricia and Richard Doonan Philip and Marsha Dowd Raymond and Marybeth Drake Tracy Koerner Erin and Ian Drury Susan Duman Jon and Susanne Dutcher Dr. Steven B. Edelstein John and Jennifer Elliot George Engeln Tom and Pat Erickson Ms. Rebekah Eubanks Juliet and Marc Fallah Ms. Judith Aiello Ms. Leah Farmer Randall Fearnow and Beth Compton Carla and Len Feinkind Harris J. Feldman, M.D. Roxanne Hori and

Robert Felsenthal Carol and Steven Felsenthal Richard and Linda Filler Peter and Joanne Fischer Jane Fleming and Melinda Kempton Steven Florsheim and Jennifer Friedes Lisa and John Folkers Kim M. Folta Cory and Cyndi Fosco William Fotis Daniel J. Rubin and Karen Frederick Jim and Sandy Freeburg Kate Friedlob Mr. and Mrs. Sherwin Friedman Lori Mae Frith Susan Fuchs, M.D. Leonard Gail and Robin Steans Denise Michelle Gamble Gigi Gamauf Gavron and Dr. Joseph Gavron Gary L. Gephart Susan and John Gibbons Suzanne Gignilliat and Tom Hinkes Gordon and Wendy Gill Christine Albright and Lawrence Gill Mr. and Mrs. James J. Glasser Charlie and Mary Gofen Deidra D. Gold Bob and Carol Goldberg Jennifer and Isaac Goldman Kevin Goldstein and Sarah Fox Dr. Paul Goldstein and Ms. Nasrin Mahani Sue-Gray Goller John Gorey and Catherine DeOrio Laurence and Carrie Grant Sue and Melvin Gray Dr. and Mrs. Sheldon Greenberg‡ Mary and Jim Greene William and Nanci Greene Michael and Lisa Greenfield Maggie Gregory Jack and Sandra Guthman Suzanne Gylfe Michael Hansen and Nancy Randa Victoria F. Harris Stacie R. Hartman Dorothy Harza Marty Hauselman Jean M. Hawkinson

Mark and Joelle Hayes Sandra L. Helton and Norman M. Edelson James LaForce and Stephen Henderson Marlene and Sonny Hersh Richard and Elaine Heuberger David Kistenbroker and Cynthia Heusing Andrew and Elizabeth Hibel Mr. and Mrs. Arthur J. Hill Jon Michael Hill Ann Hoenig and Jonathan Hoenig Halley Hoffman Grayson Holmbeck Jack and Kathleen Horn Holly E. Humphreys Dr. and Mrs. David Ingall Lukas Janulis and Amber Seiber Patricia Jeffers Craig “CJ” Jensen and Craig Dannenbrink Craig and Heidi Johnson Laura and Eric Jordahl Jeff and Lisa Jozwiak Robert and Kathleen Kaplan Aviva Katzman and Morris Mauer Mary Ann and Mark Kaufman Reis and Sherri Kayser Thomas E Keim Sheryl and Tom Keith‡ Chris Kendrick and Kasturi Haldar Helen J. Kessler Patricia and Wayne Kik‡ Harry Kinzie Tom Klarquist and Steve Somora Jonathan Klein and Susan Cohn Stephanie and Peter Klein Jean Klingenstein Mr. and Mrs. Tom Knauff James Kochalka Michael Kochman Mr. and Mrs. Sanfred Koltun Dr. and Mrs. Stephen M. Korbet MD Mira Krishnan and Teri Jourdan Suzy Krueckeberg Raminder and Vinay Kumar Mr. Matthew Kutcher and Ms. Rebecca Richards Tom and Renee Lavallee Travis Lenkner and Erin Delaney

…cont’d Directors Circle Karen Levine Tanya Levshina and Ilya Volvovski Wil Lewis Ms. Stephanie F. Linn and Dr. Seth B. Krantz Dr. Paul M. Lisnek William and Diane Lloyd Beth Loeb Abby and George Lombardi Diane and Alejandro Longoria Fran Lambros and John Lowry‡ Mrs. Barbara Lucas and Ms. Toni Sieve‡ Dr. and Ms. Steven Ludford Michael Maloney and Christine Zyzda Mark and Frances Mann Sandy and Jerry Manne Barbara and Larry Margolis Christine and David Markovitz Ms. Pam Mayo Michael E. McCaslin Kevin and Beth McMeen Andrew Means Dr. Janis Mendelsohn Kenneth and Jo Merlau Ellie and Bob Meyers Amy Laiken and Tim Michel Jan and Carol Miecznikowski Jamey Eklund and Evgueni Minev Blake and Debra Moritz‡ Amy Morton and Rob Milburn Marisa Murillo Ms. Katherine Nardin Jean and Jordan Nerenberg Jon and Molly Neuleib Howard and Cathy Niden Lynne Considine Nieman and Jim Parsons Hope Nightingale and David Ellis Susan and George Obermaier Gary and Marcie Ochs Barbara and Daniel O’Keefe Roberta Olshansky Elizabeth Orelup and Lawrence Sonntag Brian A. Paetow and Gretchen K. Beetner Jim and Sue Pajakowski Mr. Deep Patel and Ms. Nisha Begwani Emma Pauly Julia Pavlicek and Robert Menchaca Amy and Brent Peebles

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Melissa Peralta and George Savvas Sandra and Michael Perlow Simon and Kim Perutz John and Christine Pfeiffer Jennifer and Perry Pinto Patricia Pippert and Steven Redfield Adrienne Pope Mrs. Sharon Pope Avi and Joan Porat Andrew and Judy L. Porte Timothy Prettyman Elliott Quigley Paul Rauch and Frank Cozzi Bradley and Patricia Reid Linda Reid Nina Riccardi Dana and Jacob Ringer Susan and Edwin Ritts John C. Roberts and Lynn D. Fleisher James and Trude Roselle Hilary Rosenthal Ms. Doris D. Roskin Lisa and Doug Rosskamm Alan Gordon Rottman Bob and Mary Rowe Marilynn Rubio George and Kimberly Ruhana John Ryan and Margaret Silliker The Ryerson Family A. Sue Samuels Robert and Louise Sanborn Richard and Susan Sanders Pamela and Fred Sasser Paul Scavone and Donna Pawlus Michelle Maton and Mike Schaeffer Howard and Gail Schaffner William B. Schildgen Michelle Schlack David and Susan Schmid Ms. E. Jane Schmitz Richard and Robin Schmitzer Mrs. Elizabeth Schneider Matthew and Tina Schubert Alan Kozlowski and John Schuchert Diana and Richard Senior Mark and Kimberly Shadle Surendra and Dorothie Shah Michael Shapiro and Deb Gohr Nancia Shawver and Larry Weiner Hope and Jeffrey Sheffield Mr. and Mrs. David R. Shevitz

Ms. Julia Simpson Jeffrey Singer and Patricia Carman Amrit and Gurpreet Singh Nancy and Bob Singleton James and Mary Jo Slykas Neil Smith Family Ron and Leslie Smith Steven Smith Dariel J. Stack Summer and Thomas Starshak Michael and Salme Harju Steinberg‡ Matthew Steinmetz Kristin and Stan Stevens Kelly and Jami Stone Lawrence Stone and Margaret Jongleux Mrs. Ann Stranahan Gail and John Straus Mary Stowell and Jim Streicker Lauren and Steve Strelsin Ms. Jennifer Stuart Dr. and Mrs. James V. Talano Ilene Patty and Tom Terpstra James E. Thompson The Tipton Family John and Maribeth Totten Nick Trakas and Marc Cerone Frances E. Tuite Greg and Mary Tuite Scott Turow and Adriane Glazier Tali and Liat Tzur Betty Vandenbosch Shawn VanDerziel and Jay Clarke Erika Nelson and David Wagener Allan Waite and Gregory Ostfeld Albert and Sherrie Weiss Carey Weiss and Karen Pierce Sanford and Vicki White Chris Whyde and Matthew Philip Jane and Greg Wintroub Jeff and Jessica Wisniewski‡ Sherry Wolfe Joe Wolnski and Jane Christino Eileen and David Zampa Karen Zelden and Ralph Senst Neal Zucker

ANNUAL FUND Steppenwolf thanks the many supporters who help bridge the gap between annual operating costs and ticket sales. We regret that, due to space limitations, we are unable to recognize gifts below $500. To all our benefactors, we thank you for making possible another season of engaging, provocative theater. Make your gift today by visiting steppenwolf.org/support or calling Suzanne Miller at 312-654-5617. Gifts are as of November 26th, 2019. Producers ($1,000 – $1,999) Anonymous (5) Clemeth Abercrombie Kathi and Roger Adams Ms. Deborah Ader Mr. and Mrs. Paul Audrain Sandra Bass Ted and Robbie Beaty John Blair and Liz Buchanan Mr. and Mrs. Philip Block III William Brown Bruce and Kate Burgun Mr. Ed Calkins Dan Casey and Dolores Connolly Maria and Sunil Chopra Clyde C. Compton Carrie Coon and Tracy S. Letts Kareem and Natasha Dale Rathin Datta Anne Megan Davis Jason Decker David and Amy Diamond Mr. John Dugenske Rick Eddington Lisa Ehrhart Jennifer M. Ellin Brian Harding and Marshall Ellis Michael Evenskaas Ed Everett and Kitty Rose Mr. Igor Felder Joanne Finger Jim and Yvonne Fogerty Rachel H. Gagliardi Matt and Lindsay Garrison Richard Ginsberg and Natalie Tessler Dr. Kitty Green Debbi and Craig Griffith Raj Gupta Peter Hegel Pam and David Harrington James and Anne Heger Midge and Frank Heurich James and Margot Hinchliff Mr. Andrew Holden Bill and Monica Hughson

Patricia Hurley Sandy Ihm and Ken Belcher David and Susan Kalt Stacy M. Kemp Jeffrey Koh Neal and Kathleen Kulick Maria and Stephen Lans Joan and Jerry Matson Randi Merel and Allen LeHew Lee and Suzanne Miller Chris Mollet and Lynne LaJone Eleonore Moncheur de Rieudotte and George Lederman Bridget R. O’Neill John and Roberta Paskvalich Linda Lowy and Jeff Perry Heather Rich Susie and Rick Rieser Riney and Carol Robertson Desirée Rogers Ms. Shilpa Rupani Joanne C. Ruxin Adesh and Sonia Ramchandran Bettylu and Paul Saltzman Jeff and Rebecca Schewe Cynthia Schilsky Jessica and Christoph Schrey Jill and Michael Severino Anna D. Shapiro and Ian Barford Ms. Anne-Marie St. Germaine Christine Stepp Patty Sternberg Sylvia and Joe Stone Jeff Surges Darius Tandon Donald J. Tanis and Kristine M. Brandel Ms. Ann Taylor and Mr. Stephen Skardon Liz and Donald Thompson Devanee and Alex Washington Laura and Bob Watson Ms. Harriet White Andre Williams

Esther and Stanley Wojcicki Stephanie Yancey Ensemble ($500-$999) Anonymous (11) Thomas W. Abendroth and Terri L. Mascherin David Abrams and Cynthia Bemis Abrams Jeannie L. Adams Charley Aldridge Jill and Dave Altman Ms. Leslie J. Anderson Lorilyn Aquino John Asplin and Christine Orders Mr. Richard Assmus Leslie and Bill Barker David Barnes Teri and Steve Barnett Priscilla Ryan and Frank Battle Deborah and James Baughman Jennifer Bell Dr. Catherine Bendel Gene and Natalie Bernadoni Harriet and Howard N. Bernstein Adrian and Arta Beverly Ms. Stacia Beyl Lois J. Bider Nathan Birnberg Frances and Ed Blair Gene and Lynne Blanc Mr. and Mrs. David C. Blowers R. Darrell Bock Nicole Boler Nader Boulos Donald F. Bouseman Aldridge and Marie Bousfield David and Cheryl Bradford Michael and Kate Bradie Thomas and Deborah Brejcha David Brinton & Jane Alexander Ed Bucher Rony and Tom Buckley

‡ Step-by-Step We salute the individual donors who have committed to a recurring monthly or quarterly gift to Steppenwolf. Their ongoing support helps fuel Steppenwolf’s mission of superior acting and risk-taking work.

…cont’d Annual Fund John Byrd Judy Cape Barry Joseph Carlson Jack and Laura Carriglio Mr. and Mrs. Larry D. Chandler Deborah and John Chipman Richard Clarey Betty Cleeland Alena Cook Mr. Roy Cowell Maureen Crowley Susan Daley Liese Dallbauman Larry and Charlotte Damron Michelle de Vlam Barbara L. Dean Phil DeBoer Dr. Mark and Rose DeMeo Dr. Daniel M. Derman Mary and Daniel Deziel Ms. Katie Diggins and Mr. Michael Skokna Dr. William & Phyllis Dobrin David Dranoff and Wendy Epstein Mr. Daniel Driscoll Natalie Dudek Art and Elizabeth Duquette John Durbin Joan and John Dysart Ms. Barb Eggener Audrey Eisenmann and David Pepperberg Deane Ellis William and Judith Epcke Erika Erich Brian Fabes and Lisa Schneider Fabes Demitri and Pamela Fardelos Stephen Fedo Mrs. Claudia M. Fegan Maggie Finnegan Ms. Karena Fiorenza Jim and Shellie Fisch Lois Farrell Fisher Catherine S. Flanagan Bernadette Foley and Richard Landgraff Mike and Karen Folk John and Adrian Foster Lucinda Fox Timothy and Janet Fox Nancy Frankenberry Joanne Benazzi Friedland Fran Gaik Ms. Dawn Gard

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Denise and Gary Gardner Alexis Gladstone Jaye and John Golanty Robert Goldberg and Dodie Weinstein Ms. Megan Goldish Karen M. Goldstein Chester Gougis and Shelley Ochab Mr. and Ms. Garrett Graber Heidi Graham John S. Mrowiec and Karen Granda Paula Grasso Michele and Joseph Greskoviak Mr. and Mrs. Ray Hacker Donald and Susan Hallberg Larry Hamilton and Ann Hicks Bill Hamilton Melissa and Al Hamood Ms. Marnie C. Helfand Ms. Mary Ellen Hennessy Rachel Henry Robbie Higgins Mrs. Vivian Hock Anne Linsdau-Hoeppner and Walter F. Hoeppner III Deborah Horwitz and Paul Nierman Karen Hott Julia Huang Richard Hughes Karen Hunken Elizabeth Ingram Tim Jackson & Dana McKenna Paul Jeffries Sharon Jenkins Ed Jeske and John Hern Janelle Joseph Dr. Susan A. Kecskes Marcus Kelley Mr. David Kelly Erin E. Kelly Linda Kenney Jeffrey Kerr David and Sharon Kessler Linda Belan and Vincent Kinehan Mike and Leslie King Frank and Katherine Kinney Sylvia and John Kinney Matt and Karen Klickman Ms. Monica Kline Mr. and Mrs. David Knapp Ruth Krugly Libby Roth & Bob Kunio Terri Lacy

Melanie Larch and Rudy Panucci Debra Fowler Jeff Lebow Linda Legner Sheila Fields Leiter Wallace and Carol Lennox Craig Lepkowski Madeline and Steve Lesnick Mr. Robert Levinson Fran and Chuck Licht Robert and Martha Lichter Leonel P. Limonte Stacy and Peter Lindau Jessica Litman and Jonathan Weinberg Mark and Carol Lorenz Judy and George Lowman Margaret and Paul Lurie Ms. Julia Luscombe Karyn B. Lutz Mr. Thomas Martin Tom and Harlene Matyas Robert and Eleanor M. McAllister John M. McCabe Mike and Cindy McCabe Tarell Alvin McCraney Lilian McGrady Gene Harlow and Jackie McGrath Hugh and Marybeth McLean Robert and Lorel McMillan Sheila and Harvey Medvin Jolanta Moore Rick and Joyce Morimoto Ms. Mary Louise H. Morrison Lisa Moss Ms. Jennifer Mullin Cathy and Robert Nathan Mr. and Mrs. Charles Norwesh Mary Pat O’Brien John and Joy O’Malley Deborah Page Jana R. O’Brien and Wayne T. Parman Vanessa Passini Barvette and Michael Patterson Lynn and Mel Pearl Tom Pearl James Mark Pellegrino Margaret Pendry Frank C. Pond Sylvia J. Pozarnsky and Tom Riley Elaine and Ronald Prebish Jean and Preston Price V. Pristera, Jr.

Pamela and Edwin Qualls Joan Radovich Jeff and Susan Rashid Gabriel and Dorit Raviv Mr. Michael E. Reed Dave & Ellen Rice Stanley Roberts Stephen and Caryn Robin Steve Rodichok and Renee Gattone Eve and Randy Rogers Anthony Rojas and Patricia Freda Alexander Roman Alan and Debra Rosenberg Sue Rundle Diana and Ed Ruthman Mr. and Ms. Kenneth Sacks John R. Samolis Sheldon and Lynne Sandman Allison and Charles Scherer David and Alexis Schmitz Susan J. Schwartz Thomas D. & Barbara Jo Scott Harriet Seitler Alden and Kristen Senior Leslie Shad and Joe Brennan Cathy Shelko Carrie Shield Geoff Smith and Catherine Stewart Ron Sorini and Desiree Tucker-Sorini Dusica Korda-Sparks and James C. Sparks Gilda Spencer Stephen Spigel and Diana Williams Jo and George Spindler Patricia Staab The Steinbachs Tricia and Kevin Stewart Kelly Stonebraker and Deborah Stonebraker Nancy and Barney Straus Mr. Dheeraj Sultanian Vivian Tedford Dick and Alice Teutsch Richard Tobiason Sharing of Blessings Foundation-Trannels Veljko Trkulja Manika M. Turnbull Anne Van Wart and Michael Keable Carmita P. Vaughan Regina Victor Sue Vondran

Mr. Andre Walker Angela Washelesky Patty and Jacob Weaver Adam and Jamie Weyeneth John W. Wheeler John Wheeler and Kristine Stelzer Steve and Bonnie Wheeler Ms. Drenda Wiley Matthew Wilson and Anne Posner Jodie Winnett Lawrence Wojcik Ms. Sarah R. Wolff and Mr. Joel L. Handelman Ms. Suzanne Yoon Dan Ziembo and Nancy Cook

â&#x20AC;Ą Step-by-Step We salute the individual donors who have committed to a recurring monthly or quarterly gift to Steppenwolf. Their ongoing support helps fuel Steppenwolfâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mission of superior acting and risk-taking work.

Make your mark. Make a gift in your will or estate plans and join the Visionary Circle, a group of insightful and imaginative individuals who ensure the vitality of Steppenwolf for future generations.

MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS • • • •

I nvitations to Visionary Circle events with Steppenwolf artists Private backstage tour with family members VIP ticketing services Recognition on the Donor Wall in the theater lobby and in Steppenwolf programs

FOR MORE INFO Contact: Eric Evenskaas, Senior Development Director, at visionarycircle@steppenwolf.org or 312-654-5615 Visit: steppenwolf.org/visionarycircle 36 Bug

VISIONARY CIRCLE We are honored to recognize the following individuals who have included Steppenwolf in their will or estate plans. To learn more about estate gift options or to be recognized for a gift you have already provided for, contact Eric Evenskaas at 312-654-5615 or eevenskaas@steppenwolf.org. Anonymous Valerie and Joseph Abel Robert C. Anderson Lois J. Bider Norma Borcherding Douglas R. Brown Barbara L. Dean Janice and Rob Esser Susan Fuchs, M.D. Robert H. Glaze Michael Goldberger Sue-Gray Goller

Michael Hansen and Nancy Randa John Hart Lynn Hauser and Neil Ross Tom Irwin Jared Kaplan and Maridee Quanbeck Donna and Del Kolacki Michele Kenner Melanie G. Larch Dr. Paul Lisnek David Metschke

Kenneth J. Porrello and Sherry L. McFall Sylvia J. Pozarnsky Merle Reskin Dr. Edward O. Riley T. Marshall Rousseau Patrick J. Schauer Sue and Harry Seigle Judy Sugarman

We remember the following members of the Steppenwolf family who have made a bequest to the theater. Their legacy will help to ensure that Steppenwolf continues to flourish. Hope A. Abelson Alba Biagini Nelson D. Cornelius Jo Hopkins Deutsch Marjorie Douglas Ralla Klepak

James F. Oates Andrea Romain and Cleo V. Orthel Rose L. and Sidney N. Shure Nancy L. Wald

For more information, visit: steppenwolf.org/visionarycircle

IN-KIND CONTRIBUTORS 101 Productions Joan Allen Almighty Spirits Amazon Studios Alana Arenas Kate Arrington Kevin Boehm Beyond Events Catering Calihan Catering Cliff Chamberlain Chicago Council on Planned Giving ClientFirst Consulting Group Gary Cole Carrie Coon Michelle A. DeMent Kathryn Erbe Lee Sunday Evans Evolution Interiors

Exelon and Mary Ludford Audrey Francis James Franco FROST Chicago Graycor, Inc Francis Guinan Hallâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Rental Service Armie Hammer Jon Michael Hill HMS Media Tom Irwin Kathryn Studios Donna La Pietra Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises Audra McDonald Laurie Metcalf Metropolitan Brewing Amy Morton

Caroline Neff Bruce Norris Nick Offerman Paramount Events Peacock 9 Rosie Perez Jeff Perry and Linda Lowy Pinuaga Wines POP Karen Rodriguez Roundabout Theatre Company Michael Shannon Alpana Singh Namir Smallwood The Talbott Hotel Rainn Wilson Jacqueline Williams

HONOR AND MEMORIAL GIFTS Honor Gifts For Kate Arrington, Jean Arrington For Rose Baker, Sue Rundle For Henry Bienen, Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan For Beth Boosalis Davis, Roberta Zabel For Bill and Ethel Gofen, Deborah Horwitz and Paul Nierman For Evan Hatfield, Alan Lepp For Evan Hatfield, Leslie Bradberry For Evan Hatfield and Jack Miggins, Paul Rink For Stephanie Heller, TerrenceWalsh For Stephanie Heller, Roselyn Friedman For Jon Michael Hill, Juan and Michelle Alfonso For the Lefkofskys and Kalts, Laura and Scott Eisen

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For Cari Sacks, Madeline Grynsztejn For David Schmitz, Roberta Zabel For Anna D. Shapiro, Cathy and Perry Iverson For Meredith Bluhm-Wolf and Bill Wolf, Andrew Block and Julie Nerenberg For Helen Zell, Anne Kaplan

Memorial Gifts For Harold A. Anderson, Judith Anderson For Steven G. Ayre, MD, Anonymous For Roy and Ann Boyd, Dan Ziembo and Nancy Cook For Betty Carlson, Tracy Goepel For Betty Carlson, Barry Carlson For Curt Crotty, Friends of Curt Crotty For Malcolm Ewen, Janelle Joseph For Norton H. Kay, Sandra Blau For Abby S. MagdovitzWasserman, Dr. David Wasserman For Nancy Wald, Albert Wald For Irwin L. Walzer, Bobbie Meyers

Accessibility at Steppenwolf Committed to providing services and programming that enhance the experience of guests with disabilities, Steppenwolf is proud to feature: • Assistive listening devices in our Downstairs, Upstairs and 1700 Theatres • Audio-described performances, artistic conversations and touch tours of the stage for patrons who are blind or have low vision. • Sign language-interpreted and open-captioned performances for guests who are deaf or hard of hearing.

Induction hearing loops in the 1700 and Downstairs Theatre

If you use a hearing aid or cochlear implant that has a T-Coil, feel free to turn it on for the performance! The 1700 Theatre and both levels of the Downstairs Theatre are equipped with induction loops. Individual portable neck loops are available in our Upstairs Theatre—just ask any member of the house staff if you’d like to use one. Steppenwolf’s induction loop was made possible in part by a generous gift from John Hart and Carol Prins. Would you like to utilize or learn more about these services? Audience Services 312-335-1650 | TTY 312-335-3830 | E-mail access@steppenwolf.org John Hart and Carol Prins are Steppenwolf’s Lead Underwriters for Accessibility Programs

Steppenwolf Customer Service Tips Driving to the theater? Rather than arriving to discover that our garage has reached capacity (which can happen during busy performances), please enter the Steppenwolf Parking Hotline (312-335-1774) into your cell phone and call us when you’re a few minutes away from the theater—we’ll tell you if there’s still space available in our facility, or suggest the most convenient alternative. Spending your intermission in line at the bar? Enjoy the entire break by ordering and paying for your intermission refreshments before the show. When you exit the theater at the end of the first act, your drinks will be waiting for you. Need restaurant information or the score of the ballgame? Please visit our book shop and information desk at the south end of the main floor lobby.

ask a member of the house staff; we’re happy to help. Lost or Found? On-site? Please check in with a member of the house staff. Already left? Call the Front of House office at 312-932-2445. Want to provide feedback? Your input is always valuable to us. Have an opinion about the play or artistic content? Stick around for the post-show discussion featured after every performance or join the conversation at facebook.com/steppenwolftheatre. Have a comment about your overall experience at the theater? Please ask us for a customer service form to fill out, or e-mail us at customerservice@steppenwolf.org.

Hailing a cab after the play? This is typically an easy affair—Halsted is a busy street and sees a fair amount of taxi traffic. If you’d like assistance hailing a cab or calling a company, though, just

Need to contact a patron during a performance? If you need to contact a patron during a performance in our Downstairs or Upstairs Theaters, please call our Concierge Desk at 312-932-2476. Hours: one hour prior to curtain until 15 minutes after curtain call.

Photo/Video Disclaimer: During your visit, you or members of your family may be filmed, videotaped and/or photographed by a Steppenwolf employee, contract photographer or the media. Your attendance at Steppenwolf events serves as permission for the use of your image, or the image of your family members, by Steppenwolf.

Content Disclaimer: Steppenwolf does not offer advisories about subject matter, as sensitivities vary from person to person. If you have any questions about content, ageappropriateness or stage effects (such as strobe lights or theatrical fog) that might have a bearing on patron comfort, please contact the box office at 312-335-1650.

CITY CONNECTIONS Partnering with others to use the arts to empower young people

WHAT IS CITY CONNECTIONS City Connections is Steppenwolf Education’s community engagement model rooted in building authentic and mutually beneficial long-term partnerships. By partnering with organizations that share our mission of using the arts to empower youth, we find authentic ways to bring barrier-free programming into communities we don’t currently serve, with the hope that young and emerging adults can feel inspired to join us at Steppenwolf.

To learn more, contact Director of Education, Megan Shuchman at mshuchman@steppenwolf.org

Partnering with Steppenwolf has been really impactful. I can see the change in the youth. This partnership is beautiful because these kids need creativity. Steppenwolf sharing their workshops and knowledge of the arts to our kids is more profound than I think most of us realize. —Max Cerda Street Intervention Specialist Build, Inc

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YOUNG PEOPLE SERVED/YEAR THROUGH CITY CONNECTIONS

With the help of new technology, the height of human potential is limitless. But it will always be the commitment of our members and their communities leading the way. And weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re proud to be standing right there with you. Through it all.

A Division of Health Care Service Corporation, a Mutual Legal Reserve Company, an Independent Licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association