Red Theater

05/29/2026

🗻 MAY READINGS @ RED 🗻

The summer vibes have finally arrived, so let's get a little adventurous: join us this Sunday evening at 7P to dive into the surrealist world of MACHU PICCHU PLAY by Tyler Rocio Ecoña. You won't want to miss this time-warping existential trip. No RSVP required, just come by The Hearth a bit before the hour to meet this wonderful playwright and discuss their exciting new play with your fellow theater lovers.

🗻 FEATURING 🗻

Angel Napp-Cáceres
Kidany Camillo
Jorge Salas
Sean Kelly
Zach Barr

Link in bio for more info!

05/11/2026

🍑 MAY SCRIPT CLUB 🍑

It's May, and things are finally heating up - join us this Wednesday for FREEPLAY by Justice Hehir! This month we're talking feminist s*x toys and the people who make them. We're excited to dive into this funny, heartfelt portrait of desire, trust, and artistry with the playwright herself.

Log on This Wed 5/13 @ 7-8:30P CT - Head to linktr.ee/red.theater to download the script and join the call!

🍑 UP NEXT 🍑

🏪 6/10: 5 by JuCoby Johnson
🎻 7/8: The Practice Room by Aly Kantor

05/04/2026

https://www.broadwayworld.com/chicago/article/Zach-Barr-Wins-2026-SteinbergATCA-New-Play-Award-For-THE-PILON-20260504

Playwright Zach Barr received the 2026 Harold and Mimi Steinberg/ATCA New Play Award for THE PILON, which had its world premiere at Chicago's Red Theater. The award carries a $25,000 honorarium.

05/03/2026

We’re so thrilled to announce that Zach Barr has won the 2026 Harold and Mimi Steinberg / ATCA New Play Award for THE PILON. For the first time, the largest new play award outside of New York is coming home with a Chicago non-Equity theater.

It was only a matter of time before Zach’s brilliance was recognized on this scale. In their words, “I’m shocked and overwhelmed that THE PILON has been honored with this award. I hope this is seen as a win not just for myself and Red Theater, but for all of Chicago’s storefront theatre scene, and everyone developing new plays at the non-Equity level. Incredible work is happening even in the smallest spaces, and for this play to be plucked from obscurity and so generously recognized is gratifying beyond measure. My, oh, my.”

Endless thanks to the Harold and Mimi Steinberg Charitable Trust, the American Theatre Critics/Journalists Association, South Coast Repertory, The Understudy’s Freshly Brewed series, The Edge, and our joyful, receptive, celebratory audiences that uplifted our work. Most importantly, we owe everything to the exceptionally talented company of artists listed below who made this production real. Chicago is home to one of the most thriving and supportive ecosystems for new work, and we’re honored to be a part of it.

RHONDA | Delia Kropp
CORBIN | Rio Soliz Ragazzone
LEX | Jo Tannous
MARC | Josh Razavi
GRIFFEY | Harper Levander
RHONDA (U/s) | Kailen Lee
CORBIN (U/s) | RJ Cecott
LEX (U/s) | Elijah Cox
MARC (U/s) | Ryan Finn
GRIFFEY (U/s) | Silas Smith

SCENIC | Manuel Ortiz
LIGHTING | Jack Goodman
SOUND | Sebby Woldt
COSTUME | Haleigh Kent
PROPS | Chas Mathieu
INTIMACY & FAMILY LIAISON | Jamie Macpherson

DIRECTOR | Jessica Love
PLAYWRIGHT | Zach Barr
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR | Morgan Kingsley
STAGE MANAGER | Ella Johnson
DRAMATURG | Daniel Bird Tobin
TECHNICAL DIRECTOR | AJ Mueth
CHARGE ARTIST | Phoebe Huggett
PHOTOGRAPHER | Faith Decker
POSTER ARTIST | Skyler Simpson
CASTING DIRECTOR | Becca Holloway
DIRECTOR OF PRODUCTION | Hunter Cole
CO-ARTISTIC DIRECTOR | Clare Brennan
CO-ARTISTIC DIRECTOR | Wyatt Kent

04/24/2026

🎨 APRIL READINGS @ RED 🎨

It's time again for your favorite readings series! Join us this Sunday evening to hear WORK IN PROGRESS by Alexander Attea. No RSVP required, just come by The Hearth a bit before 7P to meet this wonderful playwright and discuss his exciting new play with your fellow theater lovers.

🎨 FEATURING 🎨

Ky Anderson
Joshua Servantez
Ophelia Harkness
Miranda Hernandez
Brandon Beach
johnard washington
Theresa Liebhart

Link in bio for more info!

04/07/2026

🐝 APRIL SCRIPT CLUB 🐝

This month, we’re looking at a vibrant new play that just received its world premiere last month: LIKE FLIES: A RAGE PLAY by . Kearnan’s play tells a fascinating and hugely theatrical story of witchcraft and justice, and Maggie will be joining the discussion!

Log on TOMORROW @ 7-8:30P - link in bio to download the script and join the call!

🐝 UP NEXT 🐝

🍑 Wed 5/13: freeplay by Justice Hehir //

03/22/2026

🤡 MARCH READINGS @ RED 🤡

Spring has sprung! Join us this Sunday at 7P for our next entry in our monthly live reading series: YOUNG FOOLS by Claire Bernstein. A spiraling, chaotic, heart-filled story of q***r friendship and love sparking in a Chicago dive bar - what more could you want? No RSVP required, just come by The Hearth a bit before the hour to hear this two-hander read aloud and meet its fabulous playwright. Link in bio for more info!

03/18/2026

The American Theatre Critics/Journalists Association just announced the 6 finalists for this year’s Steinberg/ATCA New Play Award AND THE PILON IS ONE OF THEM 😱

Massive congratulations to our playwright Zach Barr on this honor, and to the other artists recognized for their work. As if we didn’t already know Chicago was a fantastic hub for new plays, HALF of the finalists hail from The Windy City - congrats to Mickle Maher / Court Theatre and Kristoffer Diaz / American Blues! We’re so proud to be in your company.

Thank you to ATCA and The Harold and Mimi Steinberg Charitable Trust for including THE PILON in your consideration, and for your decades-long support of playwrights creating exciting new stories for the stage!

03/15/2026

🕊️ HAPPY CLOSING 🕊️

We can't wrap this one up without a massive thank you to our production team! It's no small task to adapt a classic like this one for a black box, and and his team, dare we say, soared. Congratulations!!!