Eclipse Theatre Company

10/05/2022

Dear Theatre Colleagues and Patrons,
After 28 seasons Eclipse Theatre Company will suspend all production activities, effective immediately.
It's been our pleasure to explore the works of a single playwright with you each season. Thank you for the support, friendship and artistry of all our patrons, members and associates.

Our full press release is below.

The Eclipse Theatre Company, the Midwest’s only theater dedicated to the exploration of a single playwright in each production season, has announced that it will suspend all production activities, effective immediately.

During its 28 seasons of work, Eclipse has focused on a wide variety of contemporary and classical playwrights, including such diverse writers as Lynn Nottage, Christopher Durang, Arthur Miller, Eugene O’Neill, Alan Ayckbourn, Pearl Cleage, Neil Simon, Rebecca Gilman, Jean Cocteau, Lillian Hellman, Stephen Adly Guirgis, Lanford Wilson, Terrence McNally, Romulus Linney, and Kia Corthron. Eclipse’s productions have garnered rave reviews from local and national critics, as well as 67 Jeff nominations and 12 awards, including two Best Production awards. Among its most noteworthy productions:

The world premiere of Kia Corthron’s Megastasis (2017)

Another Part of the Forest by Lillian Hellman, directed by Nick Bowling (2000)

Two by Rolmulus Linney, directed by Nat Swift (2002)

Chicago premieres of Rebecca Gilman’s The Sweetest Swing in Baseball (directed by Nat Swift) and Why Torture is Wrong, and the People Who Love Them by Chrisopher Durang (directed by Steve Scott)

Arthur Miller’s After the Fall, directed by Steve Scott (2010)

Beyond Therapy by Christopher Durang, directed by Rachel Lambert (2019)

In addition to its productions, Eclipse’s Scholar Series has featured other events focusing on each season’s featured playwright, including audience discussions with playwrights, public readings of lesser-known works by featured playwrights, dark night and cabaret performances, and a variety of in-school events for high school students. In addition, a number of Eclipse’s shows were brought to wider audiences via remounts at Theatre on the Lake. And through its annual Corona Awards, Eclipse honored vital champions of the Chicago non-Equity theater community, including directors Ron O.J. Parson, Chuck Smith, Rich Cotovsky, and Steve Scott; administrators Elizabeth K. Auman andDeb Clapp; casting directors Jane Alderman and Erica Daniels; stage manager Joseph Drummond; funders including Richard and Mona Heath and the Ga***rd and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation; and legendary Chicago actress Mary Ann Thebus.

“We are very, very proud of the work that Eclipse has done during its 28 years of production,” said Eclipse ensemble member Steve Scott. “In a non-Equity community where many companies live and die in just a few years, the longevity of our company is truly notable, and our decision to cease production was not an easy one,” Scott added. “But we felt that we should end on a high note, having achieved an amazing record of excellence and success over the past three decades.”

A celebration of the Eclipse Theatre, and the entire non-Equity theater community, will take place later this fall

06/11/2020

Please make sure to check out Jerrell L. Henderson, Friend of Eclipse, on Tuesday Talk with Jerrell L. Henderson!

"Our fourth Tuesday Talk will be June 23rd with Jerrell L. Henderson. Jerrell is a Chicago-based director, puppeteer, and an Assistant Professor of Performance Studies at Chicago State University, who hails from the Philadelphia region. Jerrell brought his impressive vision to Inis Nua's recent production of Untitled and we are so excited to talk with him about his approach to directing, tackling the unique challenges of Untitled, his many years teaching theatre, and the differences (or similarities) between Philly and Chicago theatre."

We're thrilled to announce our free Tuesday Talks series! Join us on Zoom Tuesday nights in June at 8pm for live interviews with Inis Nua artists. We'll discuss their work, their experience with Inis Nua, and some fun personal facts. We will also take questions from you! This is a free event but reg...

06/11/2020

ECLIPSE THEATRE TO DELAY UPCOMING CARYL CHURCHILL SEASON UNTIL 2021

Chicago’s Eclipse Theatre, the only Midwest company dedicated to the works of one playwright each season, announced today that its Caryl Churchill Season would be postponed until 2021. The Churchill Season had previously been announced to begin this spring with Cloud Nine, one of the author’s best-known works, under the direction of Rachel Lambert; other planned productions include Owners, to be directed by Eclipse ensemble member Zach Bloomfield, and Far Away, directed by ensemble member and Eclipse Artistic Committee chair Steve Scott.

“Although we had hoped that we could postpone the beginning of the season until late summer,” said Scott, “the uncertainties created by the COVID-19 pandemic have made this increasingly unlikely. For the safety of our audiences and artists, we have decided to push back our celebration of Caryl Churchill until next year. We are certain that the brilliance of Churchill’s artistry will be even more relevant as we grapple with the challenges of a post-pandemic society.” The 2021 Caryl Churchill Season will be presented at the Athenaeum Theatre, Eclipse’s home for the past decade; specific dates will be announced at a later time.

Through a career that has lasted for more than 60 years, Caryl Churchill has created a wide range of works for the stage, including Top Girls, A Number, Love and Information, Serious Money, The Skriker, and a host of other plays. A true visionary, Churchill has redefined the scope and potential of the contemporary theater with writings that eloquently challenge preconceptions of politics, gender, community and society. Eclipse’s 2021 season will include the three productions already noted, as well as readings of other works from the writer’s astonishing canon, audience discussions, and a wide range of other activities.

For nearly three decades, the Eclipse Theatre Company has brought to the stage works by some of the world’s greatest classical and contemporary playwrights. Each Eclipse season offers a totally immersive experience through this “one playwright, one season” approach, featuring major productions of well- and lesser-known works and readings, lectures, discussions, and other activities. Eclipse’s work has been lauded by critics and audiences alike, and has been honored with numerous nominations and awards from the Joseph Jefferson Committee. Authors who have been featured in past Eclipse seasons include Lynn Nottage, Terrence McNally, Eugene O’Neill, Kia Corthron, Tennessee Williams, Pearl Cleage, Arthur Miller, Lillian Hellman, and Christopher Durang.

06/06/2020

Hi Everyone - The Den Theatre will be open tomorrow between 10a - 2p for anyone that is attending the protests.

Feel free to come by if you need to use the bathrooms, cool off, or to charge up your phone. Coffee and water will be available.

Please follow our page for additional updates for this weekend.

Please be safe!

06/06/2020

06/02/2020

05/31/2020

The members of the Eclipse Theatre Company stand in solidarity with our compatriots in Minneapolis and around the country who seek justice for George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and the untold others who have been victimized by the pernicious epidemic of racism and racist violence in our country. As theater artists, we renew our dedication to effect true change in every facet of American life to fight the destructive forces which pose daily threats to communities and individuals of color, and we join in the fight to create a justice system which is fair and equitable for all.

We urge our fellow artists, audience members, and everyone in our community to seek out and support those organizations dedicated to the struggle against the systemic racism which continues to impact Black Americans, and all communities of color, every day. It is only through the efforts of all of us that the horrifying events of the past few days will not be repeated ever, in any city, town, or community in the United States. Only then will we be truly able to come together to create the society of respect, inclusion, and opportunity that will allow America to be a true democracy.

05/24/2020

2018 was the year of William Inge at Eclipse Theatre Company.

In honor of Bus Stop (direct by Steve Scott in 2018), our Ensemble Member (Alex Rocha) has created this fun little clip!

Bo - Alex Rocha
Will - Alex Rocha
Elma - Alex Rocha
Cherie - Alex Rocha

ENJOY!!!

05/21/2020

We’ve raised over $50k for League of Chicago Theatres’ Chicago Theatre Workers Relief Fund thru our shirt sales! Because of your amazing support, we’re extending the campaign. Shirt sales now end 6/2, with all proceeds benefiting the fund Act now > www.steppenwolf.org/chicagoactstogether

05/21/2020

Thank you so much Northcenter Chamber of Commerce for the support!!

Steppenwolf’s ethos is ensemble—the guiding principle that we are stronger when we act together. With COVID-19 presenting a massive threat to the well-being of not only Steppenwolf but the entire Chicago arts ecosystem, we knew that we must meet this challenge as a united front.

05/05/2020

Chicago is stronger when we act together. That’s why we at Eclipse Theatre Company joined forces with 87 other local theatre companies to promote a limited edition t-shirt with 100% of proceeds going to League of Chicago Theatres Chicago Theatre Workers Relief Fund. When our community is in crisis, .

Get the shirt and learn more -> www.steppenwolf.org/chicagoactstogether

04/28/2020

Congratulations to the Wonderful Elaine Carlson for her Jeff Nomination as a Performer in a Supporting Role - Play for her role in WHY TORTURE IS WRONG, AND THE PEOPLE WHO LOVE THEM as Luella!
Part of the 2019 Christopher Durang Season.