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Aaron Sawyer

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Aaron Sawyer BIO

Aaron Sawyer is the Founder and Artistic Director of Red Theater with collectives in Lincoln, Omaha, Chicago, Tucson, and Purchase, NY. As a playwright and stage director recent Chicago credits include RED HAMLET, THREE SOLDIERS (FOR SISTERS), and the bilingual Deaf/Hearing production of R+J: THE VINEYARD, heralded as a Top Ten Chicago Play of 2016 (Chicago Theater Beat). Currently Aaron is directing the Chicago Premiere of TASTE by Benjamin Brand -Jeff Recommended- and developing a two-person Beowulf pocket musical.

As a filmmaker Aaron is proud of his short film starring Emmy-winner Michael Badalucco, Broken Circle, as well as his feature-length documentary titled Act Like Nobody’s In Trouble which details Red Theater’s origin story and is available to stream for free at redtheater.org. Aaron is an avid Arsenal FC fan who resides in Chicago with his son, spouse, and pug.

Aaron Sawyer News


Chicago's Best Drag Artists Bring You TIME WARP An Interactive Rocky Horror Time Warp Experience


Get ready for a thrilling Halloween experience at REDLINE VR with 'TIME WARP - A ROCKY HORROR IMMERSIVE POP-UP' from October 20-31.

Ravenswood's Redline VR Announces A Santa Photo Experience For Youth, SANTA'S WINTER WONDERLAND


Redline VR, located at 4702 N. Ravenswood, is Chicago's immersive entertainment center and virtual reality arcade bar. This Holiday season, Redline VR is welcoming Santa and other actors to transform the bar into a Winter Wonderland.

Red Theater Announces Leadership Shift


After twelve years, Red Theater's founding Artistic Director Aaron Sawyer is moving to an advisory position with the company's Board of Directors. Aaron will be succeeded as Artistic Director by company member Wyatt Kent. Wyatt served as an original founding member in Lincoln, Nebraska in 2008, and received his MFA in Directing from Arizona State University in 2017. He will continue working with Associate Artistic Director Clare Brennan, who joined Red Theater in 2019.

Nominations Announced for the 47th Annual Non�"Equity Jeff Awards


With the conclusion of the 2019-2020 Chicago non-Equity theater season, the Jeff Awards announced the nominees for the 47th annual awards for theater excellence that include 120 theater artists across 21 categories.

Red Theater Chicago Opens Season with YOU ARE HAPPY


Join Red Theater for their first production of the 19/20 season: YOU ARE HAPPY by Quebec playwright Rébecca Déraspe. Originally written in French and translated into English by Leanna Brodie, this rapid-fire and poetic production will be performed simultaneously in English and American Sign Language. 

Plays, Directors And Cast Of Staged Readings Announced For ARTEMISIA FALL FESTIVAL


Six directors and 30 actors from the Chicago theatre community will collaborate to create staged readings of six new feminist plays in the Artemisia Fall Festival 2018, to be performed September 24-26 and October 1-3 at The Edge Theater at 5451 N. Broadway. Artemisia Founding Artistic Director Julie Proudfoot and Literary Manager Sharai Bohannon have curated the festival from submissions solicited from writers, agents and literary managers across the US with whom the company has had working professional relationships. One play from the six to be performed will be chosen for further development by Artemisia Artistic Director Proudfoot, who will work closely with the playwright over the next two years to develop their feminist story for a full production in Chicago.

Red Theater Announces Seventh Season


Red Theater Chicago is thrilled to announce its 2018-19 season of three productions, each keeping with Red Theater's mission to ask dangerous questions theatrically.

Red Theater Announces 2018-19 Season


Red Theater Chicago is thrilled to announce its 2018-19 season of three productions, each keeping with Red Theater's mission to ask dangerous questions theatrically.

Red Theater Chicago to Present Apocalyptic Clown Comedy LITTLE RED CYRANO


After their groundbreaking d/Deaf/hearing production R+J: The Vineyard, Red Theater Chicago announces its upcoming production of Little Red Cyrano - an apocalyptic clown comedy for all audiences - featuring d/Deaf talent by Aaron Sawyer, directed by Michael J. Stark and Aaron Sawyer.

Red Theater Chicago to Present Apocalyptic Clown Comedy LITTLE RED CYRANO


After their groundbreaking d/Deaf/hearing production R+J: The Vineyard, Red Theater Chicago announces its upcoming production of Little Red Cyrano - an apocalyptic clown comedy for all audiences - featuring d/Deaf talent by Aaron Sawyer, directed by Michael J. Stark and Aaron Sawyer.

Red Theater presents THE ELABORATE ENTRANCE OF CHAD DEITY


Red Theater Chicago announces the start of their 6th season with their upcoming production of The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity by Kristoffer Diaz, directed by Jeremy Aluma. Performances run August 15 through September 16, 2017. Press opening is Friday, August 18, 2017 at 8:00 PM at Strawdog Theatre, 1802 W Berenice Ave, Chicago, IL 60613.

Red Theater Adds TRUE WEST by Sam Shepard to Sixth Season


To honor the work of deceased playwright Sam Shepard, Red Theater Chicago will add to their sixth season: TRUE WEST by Sam Shepard, directed by Aaron Sawyer. Currently appearing as a recurring character on Lena Waithe's new Showtime Series, The Chi - Mickey O'Sullivan will portray Lee. Jeff Kurysz will play the role of Austin after appearing in The Goodman Theatre's production of Support Group For Men.

Red Theater presents THE ELABORATE ENTRANCE OF CHAD DEITY


Red Theater Chicago announces the start of their 6th season with their upcoming production of The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity by Kristoffer Diaz, directed by Jeremy Aluma. Performances run August 15 through September 16, 2017. Press opening is Friday, August 18, 2017 at 8:00 PM at Strawdog Theatre, 1802 W Berenice Ave, Chicago, IL 60613.

Red Theater presents THE ELABORATE ENTRANCE OF CHAD DEITY


Red Theater Chicago announces the start of their 6th season with their upcoming production of The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity by Kristoffer Diaz, directed by Jeremy Aluma. Performances run August 15 through September 16, 2017. Press opening is Friday, August 18, 2017 at 8:00 PM at Strawdog Theatre, 1802 W Berenice Ave, Chicago, IL 60613.

Red Theater to Kick Off 6th Season with THE ELABORATE ENTRANCE OF CHAD DEITY


Red Theater Chicago announces the start of their 6th season with their upcoming production of The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity by Kristoffer Diaz, directed by Jeremy Aluma. Performances run August 15 through September 16, 2017. Press opening is Friday, August 18, 2017 at 8:00 PM at Strawdog Theatre, 1802 W Berenice Ave, Chicago, IL 60613.

Red Theater presents THE ELABORATE ENTRANCE OF CHAD DEITY


Red Theater Chicago announces the start of their 6th season with their upcoming production of The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity by Kristoffer Diaz, directed by Jeremy Aluma. Performances run August 15 through September 16, 2017. Press opening is Friday, August 18, 2017 at 8:00 PM at Strawdog Theatre, 1802 W Berenice Ave, Chicago, IL 60613.

Season Announcement and Residence at Strawdog Theatre


Red Theater is proud to announce its 2017-2018 sixth season in Chicago to take place at Strawdog Theatre Company's new location 1802 W Berenice Ave, Chicago, IL 60613.

Red Theater Presents a World Premiere Musical Inspired by BEOWULF


Red Theater Chicago continues its fifth season with a new two-person musical inspired by characters in the epic poem Beowulf.

Cast Set for Celine Song's THE FEAST at The Den Theatre This Fall


The Feast by Celine Song, directed by Gage Wallace*, will make its Chicago premiere Sept. 17 - Oct. 15, 2016 at The Den Theatre 1333 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago, IL 60622.

Cast Set for Celine Song's THE FEAST at The Den Theatre This Fall


The Feast by Celine Song, directed by Gage Wallace*, will make its Chicago premiere Sept. 17 - Oct. 15, 2016 at The Den Theatre 1333 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago, IL 60622.

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