VR expands the limits of Chicago comedy and improv

ioTheater

By Grace Austin Virtual reality is arriving on to the Windy City’s sketch scene, as iO Chicago launched pioneering technology designed to bring the outside viewer into the decidedly low-tech, interactive form of comedy. In a cozy theater in Goose Island last Sunday, amongst a small but warm crowd of about 20, ceiling microphones and […]

“The Flick” is a rich portrait of interpersonal drama

"The Flick"

By Carlos D. Williamson Annie Baker’s Pulitzer Prize-winning drama will continue to draw in audiences for the next few months at the Steppenwolf Theatre Company in Chicago. Baker, who has a number of other awards for her work, won the Pulitzer in 2014 for “The Flick,” which will be featured at Steppenwolf through May 8. […]

Second City’s Evil Stepchildren

Michael Pieper was born in rural western Nebraska into a family of farmers, but knew immediately his interests lay elsewhere.

By Jessica T. Gable Michael Pieper approaches the craft of acting from very serious, ancient traditions. For him, the craft is rooted in Native American shamanism and his method of accessing a character is anchored by a very strong sense of spirituality. But he applies those traditions as a teacher at the premiere comedy institution […]