Jess McLeod News

Victory Gardens Theater, under the leadership of Artistic Director Ken-Matt Martin and Acting Managing Director Roxanna Conner, joins with Victory Gardens Resident Director Jess McLeod and the Chicago-based Blu Rhythm Collective to present a series of events this spring on The Redline Project, continuing Victory Gardens' Online Public Program Series.

Roundabout Theatre Company has announced the third session of Roundabout TheatreLab, a program of interactive workshops designed to connect audiences interested in exploring the crafts of theatrical writing and directing, directly with Roundabout artists.   

Broadway Advocacy Coalition cofounder and Tony Award nominee Adrienne Warren, rising actress Kara Young, director and activist Jess McLeod have joined the speaker lineup for tomorrow’s Broadway United for Racial Justice.

The NYCLU today announced the Artist Ambassadors class of 2021, a multidisciplinary partnership between the organization and New York’s vibrant performing arts community.

Today, Jess McLeod, Eric Keen-Louie, and Lauren Yee announced the launch of a celebrity digital video campaign aimed at raising awareness about the dramatic rise in hate crimes against the Asian American community.

Need something new to read, watch, or listen to? Check out this week's list of new and upcoming releases! This week's list includes new music from Andy Karl and Orfeh with Andrew Logan, a debut album from Joshua Henry, a new Randy Rainbow parody, and more!

The Kitchen Theatre Company will collaborate with Ma-Yi Theater, the nation’s premiere incubator of Asian-American new plays, on the first of two new play development workshops in its 2020-2021 season.

Mill Girls follows a year in the life of Agnes, a weaver who transforms from farmer's daughter to poet with the encouragement of her fellow mill girls and from poet to activist when the corporation lengthens the workday. 

Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company in association with IAMA Theatre Company will play “wingman” together as they present Hi, Are You Single?

Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company in association with IAMA Theatre Company are excited to play “wingman” together as they present Ryan J. Haddad's celebrated autobiographical solo show Hi, Are You Single?, directed by Laura Savia and Jess McLeod.

Northwestern Universitya??s School of Communication has announced the creation of the Kelsey Pharr, Jr. Speaker Series for the 2020-2021 academic year. The series will feature three artists of color working in the Chicago music theatre scene.

Victory Gardens Theater, under the leadership of Artistic Director Chay Yew and Executive Director Erica Daniels, announces the lineup for its 2020a?"2021 Season. Victory Gardens' 46th Season will include the Chicago premiere of Poor Yella Rednecks by Qui Nguyen; the world premiere of In Every Generation by Ali Viterbi; the acclaimed Chicago play Exit Strategy by Ike Holter; the Chicago premiere of cullud wattah by Erika Dickerson-Despenza, and the Chicago premiere of Heroes of the Fourth Turning by Will Arbery.

A Red Orchid Theatre's (AROT) Ensemble, Board of Directors, and Staff proudly announce the 2020 Root Ball: Revisiting 1967 Old Town. The Root Ball will celebrate more than 25 years of fearless theatre-making while flashing back into 1960s. The 2020 Root Ball: Revisiting 1967 Old Town will be held on Thursday, March 5 from 6:00pm to 10:00pm at Galleria Marchetti, 825 W. Erie in Chicago.

Long Wharf Theatre presents Pride and Prejudice, written by Kate Hamill, adapted from the classic Jane Austen novel, and directed by Jess McLeod. Performances begin on Wednesday, November 27, 2019 for a limited run through December 22, 2019. Opening night is set for Wednesday, December 4, 7:30 PM on the Claire Tow Stage in the C. Newton Schenck III Theatre (222 Sargent Drive, New Haven, CT).

A Red Orchid Theatre presents the Chicago premiere of Do You Feel Anger?, written by Mara Nelson-Greenberg and directed by Ensemble Member Jess McLeod. Do You Feel Anger? runs January 23 - March 15, 2020 at A Red Orchid Theatre, 1531 N Wells in Chicago. The press performances are scheduled for Saturday, February 1, 2020 at 3:00pm and 7:30pm. Single tickets for Do You Feel Anger? go on sale December 16, 2019.

Long Wharf Theatre presents Pride and Prejudice, written by Kate Hamill, adapted from the classic Jane Austen novel, and directed by Jess McLeod. Performances begin on Wednesday, November 27, 2019 for a limited run through December 22, 2019. Opening night is set for Wednesday, December 4, 7:30 PM on the Claire Tow Stage in the C. Newton Schenck III Theatre (222 Sargent Drive, New Haven, CT).

Long Wharf Theatre (Jacob G. Padrón, Artistic Director; Kit Ingui, Managing Director) announced dates, complete casting and creative team for Pride and Prejudice, written by Kate Hamill, adapted from the classic Jane Austen novel, and directed by Jess McLeod. Performances begin on Wednesday, November 27, 2019 for a limited run through December 22, 2019.

Lyric Opera of Chicago announces its latest opera for young people, Earth to Kenzie. This new Lyric commission, created especially for children ages 7-12 by composer Frances Pollock and librettist Jessica Murphy Moo, shows just how far your imagination can take you.

Kit Ingui, Long Wharf Theatre's current Acting Managing Director, will assume the role of Managing Director of Long Wharf Theatre effective immediately. Ingui, with 20 years of experience in Broadway and Off-Broadway production, has become a highly-regarded and key member of the leadership team since joining Long Wharf Theatre in 2017 and served as Acting Managing Director from July to September 2019.

Eleven world premiere plays and musicals seen first by Chicago audiences were among those receiving nominations by the Jeff Awards, announced today. A total of 192 nominations were made in 34 categories that honor Chicago Equity theatrical productions that opened between August 1, 2018 and July 31, 2019. During the 2018-19 season, Jeff Awards judges attended opening nights of 132 Equity productions offered by 43 producing organizations and from these openings, 112 productions were a?oeJeff Recommendeda?? and eligible for award nominations.