Working in the Theatre

Working In The Theatre goes behind the curtain with The Pig Iron Theater Company of Philadelphia and the Bedlam Theater Company of NYC to learn how each company creatively reimagines The Bard's rich and sometimes complicated text. Through movement, music and creative staging, their Shakespeare is compelling, contemporary, and never boring.

The spotlight shines on the playwright as NYC's Lark Play Development Center mentor Jose Rivera introduces us to five young playwrights: Dominique Morriseau, Susan Soon He Stanton, Christopher Oscar Pena, and A. Rey Pamatmat. It's an up close and personal look at contemporary American playwriting that you will only see on Working In The Theatre.

Working In The Theatre explores the visceral experience of Immersive Theatre. Randy Weiner (Producer, "Sleep No More"), David Korins (Scenic Designer, "Here Lies Love") and Zach Morris (Co-Artistic Director of Third Rail Projects) describe the staging environment, the state of heightened theatricality, and, the effect of the immersive movement on the audience and its influence on today's theatre scene.

Ever wonder what happens before the show? Working In The Theatre gets full access with Billy Porter ("Kinky Boots") and Patina Miller ("Pippin") as they prepare for the stage. It's a rare behind the scenes glimpse that you'll only see on Working In The Theatre as The Wing goes into the dressing rooms and minds of two Broadway stars just hours before curtain.

What happens when the show can't go on? It does. In the case of "Wicked," when Glinda or Dr. Dillamond goes on vacation, it's the understudies, standbys and swings' job to step in and not miss a beat. We go backstage to meet some of the unheralded heroes of "Wicked" in this all access edition of Working In The Theatre.

Tony Award winners Jessie Mueller and Lena Hall have been performing all their lives. As they share their stories about Working In The Theatre, see what goes behind preparing to go on stage eight times a week on Broadway and so much more.

Tony Award-winning costume designer and Wing Chairman William Ivey Long serves as our guide as we visit his studio, meet a protege (Emilio Sosa), and, drop in on his mentor (Willa Kim.) From the sketchbook to the gown, Working In The Theatre bares all in this rare backstage pass to the costume design process.

Marionette Puppetry may be a rarity in theatre today. However, the ancient art form, even in today's digital age, is still alive and well. Watch as members of theatre companies Here and The Marionette Theater at the Swedish Cottage reflect on the magic behind string puppetry performances. From construction and maintenance of the delicate characters to the interaction of the marionettes with an audience, these productions require true imagination and engagement from both sides of the stage.

SINCE I SUPPOSE is a site-specific theatrical experience based on Shakepeare's classic Measure for Measure. The show allows the audience (one individual) to travel on an immersive journey through downtown Chicago. Listen as members of the Melbourne-based theatrical group, one step at a time like this and Chicago Shakespeare Theater share a behind the scenes look at how one creates this imaginative experience in Chicago using architecture, culture, and digital technology.