Strawdog Theatre Company

Founded in 1988, Strawdog Theater Company is[when?] located in North Center at 1802 W Berenice Avenue.

2015–2016 - Season 28 edit

  • In a Word
    • by Lauren Yee
    • directed by Jess McLeod
  • D.O.A.
    • by from the script by Russell Rouse & Clarence Greene
    • directed and adapted by Elizabeth Lovelady
  • Once in a Lifetime
    • by George S. Kauffman and Moss Hart
    • directed by Damon Kiely

History edit

Lawrence Novikoff and Paul Engelhardt founded Strawdog Theatre Company in 1988 after performing together in a production of Euripides's Helen. Strawdog was intended to be a home for a company of actors drawn to a gritty, realistic theater style. The group took their name from Sam Peckinpah's movie "Straw Dogs" and was founded with the commitment to the ensemble approach, which remains the backbone of Strawdog today[when?] [1].

In 2000, the Company went through a period of restructuring. Many ensemble members left the Company and new members were recruited. This personnel change led to a shift in leadership and focus for the ensemble. Jennifer Avery and Michael Dailey took over as Co-Artistic Directors. They added many new ensemble members of varying disciplines, restructured the administration of the Company and gradually moved its focus from gritty kitchen sink dramas to a wider range of styles.[citation needed]

In August 2003, the Company hired Nic Dimond, a former ensemble member, to helm the Company as Artistic Director.[citation needed]

Strawdog first garnered national attention when Terry Teachout ("America's Theatre Critic") of The Wall Street Journal named Aristocrats one of the best shows of 2007.[1] The next year, Teachout once again lauded Strawdog for their production of RUR, a rarely seen parable about robots and technology.[2]

Production history edit

2003–2004 - Season 16 edit

2004–2005 - Season 17 edit

  • Wireless 2
    • directed by Gregor Mortis
  • Puntila and His Man Matti
  • Wireless 3
    • directed by James Anthony Zoccoli
  • Impossible Marriage
  • The True Ballad of Fall's Blessings
    • by Hank Boland
    • directed by Nic Dimond

2005–2006 - Season 18 edit

2006-2007 - Season 19 edit

2007–2008 - Season 20 edit

2008–2009 - Season 21 edit

  • RUR
  • Cherry Orchard
  • Red Noses
    • by Peter Barnes
    • directed by Matt Hawkins

2009–2010 - Season 22 edit

  • St. Crispin's Day
  • Uncle Vanya
  • Good Soul of Szechuan
    • by Bertold Brecht
    • directed by Shade Murray

2010–2011 - Season 23 edit

  • Red Noses (Remounted)
    • by Peter Barnes
    • directed by Matt Hawkins
  • State of the Union
  • Master and Margarita
  • Conquest of the Southpole
    • by Manfred Karge
    • directed by Kimberly Senior

2011–2012 - Season 24 edit

  • Old Times
    • by Harold Pinter
    • directed by Kimberly Senior
  • Petrified Forest
  • The Duchess of Malfi

2012–2013 - Season 25 edit

  • Neighborhood 3: Requisition of Doom
    • by Harold Pinter
    • directed by Joanie Schultz
  • Improbable Frequency
    • Book & Lyrics by Arthur Riordan
    • Music by Bell Helicopter
  • Big Love

Awards edit

2008 edit

Old Town
After Dark Awards

  • Outstanding Musical
  • Outstanding Original Song/Score
    • Misha Fiksel
  • Outstanding Performance in a Musical or Review
    • Kat McDonnell


Lie of the Mind
Joseph Jefferson Awards, Non-Equity Wing

  • Incidental Music
    • Misha Fiksel & Gregor Mortis

2007 edit

Marathon '33
Joseph Jefferson Awards, Non-Equity Wing

  • Outstanding Ensemble

2005 edit

Three Sisters

Joseph Jefferson Awards, Non-Equity Wing

  • Best Adaptation
    • Curt Columbus
  • Best Scenic Design
    • Brian Sidney Bembridge

After Dark Awards

  • Best Overall Technical
  • Best Production

Board of directors edit

  • Meaghan Clayton
  • Thomas Linguanti
  • Camille McLeod
  • Jennifer Nelson
  • Seth Rickard
  • Chelsea Wilson
  • Patrick Zubrod

Artistic Associates edit

  • Matt Hawkins

Members edit

  • Aly Renee Amidei
  • Hank Boland
  • Nicole Bloomsmith
  • Brittany Dee Bodley
  • Mike Dailey
  • Scott Danielson
  • Anita Deely
  • Paul Fagen
  • John Ferrick
  • Kyle Gibson
  • Sarah Goeden
  • Carmine J. Grisolia
  • Kyle Hamman
  • Heath Hays
  • Shannon Hoag
  • Sam Hubbard
  • Jordan Kardasz
  • John Kelly
  • Anderson Lawfer
  • Sean Mallary
  • Kat McDonnell
  • Mike Mroch
  • Janice O'Neill
  • Michaela Petro
  • John Henry Roberts
  • Jamie Vann
  • Justine C. Turner

References edit

  1. ^ Teachout, Terry (2007-12-28). "Discovering the World Beyond Broadway". Wall Street Journal.
  2. ^ Teachout, Terry (2008-10-03). "A Noisy 'Seagull,' a Remarkable 'R.U.R.'". Wall Street Journal.