Spotlight On...Courtney Jones

Name: Courtney Jones

Hometown: Racine, WI

Education: BFA in Musical Theater, University of Wisconsin- Stevens Point

Select Credits: Viola in Twelfth Night (Montana Shakespeare in the Parks)

Why theater?: It's an adventure. Not only do you get to tell stories, you get to live a million lives in one lifetime. You get to do it all.

Who do you play in Another Kind Of Love: Tanya Singer

Tell us about Another Kind Of Love: For me, it's been about all the things you do for love: love of family, love of art, love of self, and finding a balance.

What is it like being a part of Another Kind Of Love?: It's like going into battle. The show hits the ground running and doesn't really stop for anyone. We are all pushed, and end the show kind of staggering and breathing heavy.

What kind of theater speaks to you? What or who inspires you as an artist?: I'm always a big fan of language plays, and music in plays. But what most inspires me is innovation and creativity: things like Pigpen's Old Man in the Old Moon.

Any roles you’re dying to play?: Beatrice in Much Ado, Polly in Crazy for You. Lizzy in Pride and Prejudice.

What’s your favorite showtune?: "Someone to Watch Over Me". Although the score I default to most often is Chess.

If you could work with anyone you’ve yet to work with, who would it be?: Mark Rylance.

Who would play you in a movie about yourself and what would it be called?: The title would probably be, "yes, I'm 90" and I would play the quirky woman who runs the kitchen at the rural cottage our lead ends up at where she knits and bakes bread and makes her own clothes.... yes, I am 90.

If you could go back in time and see any play or musical you missed, what would it be?: Any Shakespeare, in their original productions.

What’s your biggest guilty pleasure?: Period dramas. I watch way too many movies with corsets and pretty dresses.

What’s up next?: The Consultant at Signal Ensemble Theater. It's a comedy and I get to play the quirky one, so it will be a welcome change of pace!

Spotlight On...Amber Kelly

Name: Amber Kelly

Hometown: Born in Detroit, grew up in Texas

Education: BA in Theater from Texas Wesleyan University, studied with Austin Pendleton at HB Studios in NYC, trained at Atlantic Theater Company School

Select Credits: Nominated for Best Lead Actress this past season for the role of Cate in Sarah Kane’s Blasted (one of the least produced, most talked about plays) Wilbury Group, Providence Rhode Island. Tour the world with several projects offered by Catharsis Productions. Rosannah DeLuce in Brilliant Traces, off-off Broadway. Puck in Midsummer Night’s Dream, Garland Shakespeare in the Park. Voiced several young boys on the Cartoon Network show "DragonBallZ"

Why theater?: Theatrics preceded language.  Tribes would gather around the campfire to perform the hunt and adventures of the day.  This is storytelling.  This is how we commune.  This is what makes us human.  And sure we exaggerate, and highlight the best parts, and that is how we are happy, and sad, and all of the more complex emotions we are capable of.  When we share them, we understand that we are not alone.

Who do you play in Another Kind of Love?: Collin, the youngest sister/drummer

Tell us about Another Kind of Love: Another Kind of Love is a mash-up of band drama and family drama, as well as projecting emotion in the different art forms of theater and music.  It is largely the coming of age story of Max, the daughter.  I recall connecting all of my emotion and confusion to rock music when I was figuring out who I was.  I would play songs for my parents with hope, only to be dashed that they truly just don’t understand.  There is a connection to music, passion and family as we peek inside the home of some of the most famous rock personas of our youth.

What is it like being a part of Another Kind of Love?: This show has been one of the biggest challenges of my career.  When I played Cate in Sarah Kane’s Blasted, it was the largest challenge I could imagine.  Little did I know that this project would confront me only a year later.  Jefferey Thomas is a hero for taking us group of rag tag actresses with some experience on our respective instruments and creating a famously loved band, The Dark Hearts.  Beyond building a band, we have been building a play.  This is the world premier of Another Kind of Love, so there has been a lot of communication back and forth between the productions company, InFusion, here in Chicago and the creators, Crystal Skillman and Heidi Rodewald back in NYC.  The play, the songs, the music has been in flux as we work together to find the perfect chemistry to tell this story.

What kind of theater speaks to you? What or who inspires you as an artist?: I believe that American theater today has earned a reputation as a diversion, or worse a dreaded responsibility to go see your friend, niece, fellow theater professional in a show.  I seek out theater that is different and engaging and challenges what it means to “go to a play.”  I seek to bring excitement back to the theater and seek opportunities that represent an event for the audience.

Any roles you’re dying to play?: All of the good ones!

What’s your favorite showtune?: I’m not a big fan of musicals, actually.  I have a hard time explaining that this show is not a music, but a play about musicians with music in it.

If you could work with anyone you’ve yet to work with, who would it be?: I would love to work with Michael Shannon.  I maintain it’s a possibility.  He glared at me once when I got a little close to him with my motorcycle while he was crossing the street.  It’s a start.

Who would play you in a movie about yourself and what would it be called?: Kate Winslet?  I don’t know, I’d rather play Kate Winslet.  Can the movie just be called “?”  Prince could get away with that.  I still have so much life left to live I can’t imagine putting a title on it just yet.

What show have you recommended to your friends?: I’ve recommended Sleep No More as something incredibly different.  Calling it a play is a little bit of a stretch, but I like that.

What’s your biggest guilty pleasure?: Bathing.  I take at least one a day.  I believe in pleasure.  No need for guilt here.

What’s up next?: I head to Alaska for some shows with Catharsis Productions directly following the closing of Another Kind of Love.  I am currently writing a “choose your own adventure” play about the Dyatlov Pass Incident called, An Unknown Compelling Force for my theater company, Theater of Thought.  There will be several branches to the story, so the show will be different every performance.  I’m looking forward to being on the other side of a world premiere as the writer. Another Kind of Love on Broadway?

Spotlight On...Alison Hixon

Name: Alison Hixon

Hometown: Storm Lake, IA

Education: Stephens College BFA

Select Credits: Lauren in Circle Mirror Transformation by Annie Baker, Girl in Autobahn by Neil LaBute. Filmography: Jesse in "Mercy's Girl" directed by Emily Lape, Lillian in "Requiem" directed by Michael Burgner.

Why theater?: It's challenging, and it continues to build me into a better person.

Who do you play in Another Kind of Love?: I play fifteen year old Max.

Tell us about Another Kind of Love: This production is extremely intimate and raw. It deals with family relationships and finding happiness within yourself.

What is it like being a part of Another Kind of Love?: It's truly an honor. Like, I can't even believe I get to incorporate and use so many skills I've worked towards. I secretly was in love with Crystal Skillman before I even found out she was premiering this new play here in Chicago so when I saw she created this play that included punk rock music (which I love) with a female heavy cast I had to be in this. This play is really something special and everyone has been working their asses off.

What kind of theater speaks to you? What or who inspires you as an artist?: I like to see theatre that makes me jealous I wasn't a part of it. My closest friends and family inspire me the most. I've got 2 kick ass sisters who have fueled my creativity my whole life. Music has also influenced every creative dynamic in myself whether it be painting, illustrating, acting, or playing music.

Any roles you’re dying to play?: Don't get me started! I've got LISTS, man, LISTS. I really want to play Rose in Annie Baker's The Flick someday. I read it this past year and it's probably one of my favorite plays I've read in a long time. I'm getting more and more interested in film as well so there are tons of roles living up in my head.

What’s your favorite showtune?: Umm, "Fugazi"?

If you could work with anyone you’ve yet to work with, who would it be?: I'm going to stick with some Chicagoans and go ahead and say Joe Swanberg,  Dexter Ballard, Profiles Theatre.... maybe Danny Devito, Jennifer Lawrence, and Debbie Harry.

Who would play you in a movie about yourself and what would it be called?: Hmm, I'm going to go ahead and say Queen Latifah and it'd be called Weekend at Al's

What show have you recommended to your friends?: Another Kind of LOVEEEEE!!!!

What’s your biggest guilty pleasure?: I ....I keep up with the kardashians......(bows head-single tear)

What’s up next?: I'm involved with shooting for a new independent feature this summer. I've also recently just put up all of my artwork up at Dollop Coffee located on Clarendon. Go and check it out!

For more on Alison, visit amaehix.blogspot.com, http://shesaidillustrations.weebly.com and SheSaid Illustrations on Facebook.

Spotlight On...Annie Prichard

Name: Annie Prichard

Hometown: Ventura, CA. Living and working in Chicago.

Education: MFA in Acting from The Theatre School at DePaul.

Select Credits: Another Bone (Redtwist Theatre) A Day in the Death of Joe Egg (Stage Left), Crime Scene (Collaboration),  Complicated (Three Oaks Theatre Festival), Counterfeiters (Dog & Pony), The Altruists, Pleasant Dreams (Two Lights Theatre Company)

Why theater?: Because theatre happens right in front of you.

Who do you play in Another Kind of Love?: Kit Singer.

Tell us about Another Kind of Love: To me, Another Kind of Love is a play about falling apart. And then remembering the one thing that might save you. And going to get it.

What is it like being a part of Another Kind of Love?: This cast is really incredible. And playing music with these ladies has been some of the most fun I’ve had in a long time.

What kind of theater speaks to you? What or who inspires you as an artist?: The honest kind. I’m inspired by the thing that is created in the room. I bring all of me, you bring all of you. And we’ll see what happens when we throw it all together. I think theatre at its best is really good at nurturing that creativity and using it to deepen the honesty and specificity of the work.

Any roles you’re dying to play?: Romeo.

What’s your favorite showtune?: "Cabaret".

If you could work with anyone you’ve yet to work with, who would it be?: Dexter Bullard.

Who would play you in a movie about yourself and what would it be called?: I would play me and it would be called “Last Night’s Eyeliner”.

If you could go back in time and see any play or musical you missed, what would it be?: The Hypocrites' Our Town. Chicago still hasn’t stopped talking about it.

What show have you recommended to your friends?: I highly recommend The Grown-Up over at Shattered Globe, directed by Krissy Vanderwarker. Couple weeks left, don’t miss it!

What’s your biggest guilty pleasure?: Arizona iced tea.

What’s up next?: Up next I’ll be joining Dog & Pony for their remount of The Whole World is Watching, a play with music about the Chicago ’68 DNC.

Spotlight On...Crystal Skillman

Name: Crystal Skillman

Hometown: Born San Diego, grew up in Wappingers Falls NYC

Education: Parsons School of Design

Favorite Credits: Cut (The Management in Spring 2011, Apollinaire Theatre, Boston); Vigil or The Guided Cradle (ITG/Brick; 2010 New York Innovative Theatre Award for Outstanding Full-Length Script); Nobody & Birthday (Directed by Daniel Talbott for Rising Phoenix Rep in NYC; U.K Premiere with Kibo Productions, and Side Project in Chicago).

Why theater?: I love that moment in watching plays where I feel like my own life suspends, jumping into a story in the dark that helps me understand myself, and my place in the world. As a playwright, I strive to to really take my audiences emotionally to a very different place, and hopefully to revelations about choices in their own lives in way with plays that are crazy funny, sad and true.

Tell us about Wild: Wild is a real relationship roller coaster ride. As Kid Brooklyn puts it: “Peter and Bobby graduated from Northwestern together, live together, work together, sleep together. But when one of them cheats with a woman – Nikki – they dive into in a world of wild sexual affairs that threaten what they once had.” It was joyous and exciting and scary to write a relationship play that was all about big, huge dramatic moments through an intimate lens – all the moments that we catch in the play happen on a beach in Chicago (Oak Street) where Peter and Bobby once realized they were in love. The place holds that hope for them even as they lose – and find their way – through other lovers.

What inspired you to write Wild?: I created Peter and Bobby for a short play directed by Chris Tyler in a great site specific class run by director Daniel Talbott (who wrote the wonderful play Slipping and directed by my plays Birthday & Nobody) for Primary Stages ESPA Studios. I really adored these characters - felt there was so much more to them -- it’s important to me to create new, diverse characters. When the wonderful and brilliant Evan Caccioppoli (Daniel Talbott suggested he work with me) commissioned me to write a play for his company Kid Brooklyn Productions I got excited that he was looking for plays about young 20 somethings - excited to tackle an “explosive” play that pushed the envelope -  and I instantly thought of Wild. I shared it with Evan and he fell in love with Bobby and Peter just as I had. This was in August believe it or not and there were still only 10 pages! From there, I’d bring in scenes every month that we talked about at a little café in Brooklyn called Bein Cut. (I had confidence working this way – similar to how Cut, just published by Sam French, commissioned last spring by The Management, was written). As I wrote I realized, there is a lot about love in my plays but I never tackled the subject of infidelity. It always fascinated me. Not why those in love have affairs but WHY they stay together. The play’s drive comes from that tension - completely comes from the relationships – as opposed to a traditionally plot based play – it’s really about what is being lost and gained as these characters lash out at each other, hold onto each other, fight against - and for each other - just trying to love – to be loved. When the play was read in New York at the Lucille Lortel in MCC Theater’s Playlab series this spring, the reaction was so great for Evan and I. It’s scary for us both as the play digs deep and our wonderful Chicago actors are really baring their souls and selves up there. It's a tremendous cast (Julia Daubert, Jude Hansen, Justin Harner, Evan Linder, Michael Manocchio, and Adam Schulmerich!) they're doing terrific work. There is a lot of intimate staging and um, well, very “stripping bare” moments. We wanted to push the way sex is used in the play. What I ultimately discovered in writing the play was that having affairs, and staying together, is actually about being obsessed with the person you’re cheating on. It’s like you’re looking for what they were, what you think you’ve lost, in someone else. In that way, sex with a stranger or lover, is about trying to capture love again. The play has dark moments, extremely crazy ass funny ones, and a lot of hope.

What kind of theater speaks to you? What or who inspires you as an artist?: I love theater that is very human with characters that are. When I watch a play I like to feel like I’m a fly on the wall. I love plays that tell their stories in unique ways but never lose sight of following the story they want to tell dramatically. I love plays that say something. I never care if a play is perfect – I care if it dares to be timely and timeless. So it’s everything from Pinter’s Betrayal to Penelope Skinner’s The Sound of Heavy Rain (love London playwrights) to Amy Herzog’s 4000 Miles or anything by Lynn Nottage. I’ve also been really jazzed by a lot of the work in Chicago. I read Lisa D’Amour’s Detroit and I went crazy. Loved it! I was lucky to first be produced in Chicago a few summers ago at the wonderful Side Project, which did my plays Birthday and Nobody last summer (I was honored to work with Adam Webster and Derek Garza as directors – Evan actually directed his first Kid Brooklyn play there!). Out there have gotten to know so many writers I love - I’m a huge fan of Chicago playwrights  - Laura Eason and Laura Jacqmin are friends and I adore the hell out of their work. So honored to be a part of this scene this summer.

If you could work with anyone you’ve yet to work with, who would it be?: So many! Of course to name folks is going to leave someone out. So I’ll give you one secret wish - one of my great joys is to have worked with so many great directors (most recently like Evan, Daniel Talbott, Sean Kelly, GT Upchurch, Robert Ross Parker, Michael Padden). One great director I have a dream of working with at some point is director Pam MacKinnon. I love her work so much - can't wait to see Clybourne Park!

What show have you recommended to your friends?: There are lots of indie shows that have closed that I would have, but for now in NYC I’d suggest not missing out on Mac Rogers’s play Sovereign (the last in a sci-fi trilogy); 3C by David Adjimi at Rattlestick, Women’s Project’s We Play for the Gods, The Caretaker at BAM. For Chicago I’m super excited by all the pieces in Collaboration’s Sketchbook Reincarnate (I’m lucky to be in it as well with a super pop play fun I co-wrote with James Asmus called Psychonaut Librarians for the New Colony Theater, featured in the series called “The Three”. The whole festival runs June-July!), the upcoming Oedipus El Rey by Louis Alfaro at Victory Gardens looks awesome, and how cool is it that Strange Tree Group is putting on Robert Ross Parker’s adaptation of Goodbye Cruel World? Saw that show in NYC. It’s freakin’ brilliant! Also Christopher Shinn's Four is now a movie! Exciting stuff. Love that play and Chris's work.

Who would play you in a movie about yourself and what would it be called?: Anne Hathaway (but only if Rachel Zoe styles and she wears huge classes and is forced to play the total geek that I am) it would totally be called: “ESCAPE FROM PLAYWRIGHT ISLAND!” Maybe with a subtitle? "A Documentary Filmed in Real Time!"

What’s your biggest guilty pleasure?: It used to be reality TV, but now it might be listening to the X-Men soundtrack while I run?! It’s sooo good!

If you weren’t working in theater, you would be a … photographer! I studied at Parsons School of Design and Hartford Art School. I’m entertaining the idea of a new play set in art school called F&*(&* Art actually. J

What’s up next?: Wild opens in Chicago on June 15th and there’s Psychonaut Librarians which just opened in Sketchbook. Upcoming productions in NYC include Geek, about two girls racing through a comic-con to get the signature of their childhood idol, which Vampire Cowboys will rock in Spring 2013. We just did a workshop of the play here that got a tremendous response. I just finished my new full length Another Kind of Love, about a family of rock star sisters that we just workshopped at in an Overturn Residency at IRT with director GT Upchurch - hope you’ll hear more about that play in the future. Short play wise I’m thrilled to be writing a site specific play set in Southampton for actors Jelena Stupljanin and J. Stephen Brantley that Daniel Talbott will be directing for Hardsparks Theater on June 25th (the night features plays by J. Stephen and Daniel too!)

For information on Kid Brooklyn Productions, visit  http://www.kidbrooklynproductions.org/. For information on The New Colony, visit http://thenewcolony.org/. For information on Hardsparks Theater, visit http://www.hardsparks.com/.