Joyce Piven directed this season’s production of CHEKHOV STORIES: THE EMERGING WOMAN, and, along with Sarah Bendix and Lauren Hirte, served as a private acting coach for cast members of John Cusack’s film GRACE IS GONE.

Shira Piven is working on a variety of projects, including a show with Chicago’s Paula Killen and Lisa Orkin called FULLY LOADED, being performed at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre in NYC. We were thrilled to welcome Shira back home this summer for Piven Theatre Workshop’s annual gala and day of master classes! Adam McKay directed and co-wrote the summer hit TALLADEGA NIGHTS: THE BALLAD OF RICKY BOBBY, which he screened here in Chicago as a fundraising event for Piven. He recently formed a production company with Will Ferrell and Chris Henche, Gary Sanchez Productions, and is producing a series for HBO as well as the film WORST FRIENDS. He is working on the film STEP BROTHERS which he will direct and co-write with the film’s star, Will Ferrell.

Paul Adelstein was recently seen in MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA, in a guest-starring role on NBC’s SCRUBS and in FOX’s PRISON BREAK.

Lara Flynn Boyle recently filmed a multi-episode arc on the Showtime series HUFF and on the NBC series LAS VEGAS.  She also co-starred in the film LAND OF THE BLIND with Ralph Fiennes.

Ann Cusack was recently seen on ABC’s GREY’S ANATOMY, CBS’ GHOST WHISPERER, FOX’s BONES, and in the made-for-TV movie FATAL CONTACT: BIRD FLU IN AMERICA. She has also completed filming on CAKE, and co-starred in ACCEPTED, which was directed by Piven alum Steve Pink.

Joan Cusack starred in FRIENDS WITH MONEY with Jennifer Aniston and Catherine Keener, and as the voice of Abby Mallard in Disney’s CHICKEN LITTLE. She can currently be seen as the host of JOAN CUSACK’S LOCAL FLAVOR on the Travel Channel. She continues her work as narrator for Discovery Kids’ PEEP AND THE BIG WIDE WORLD.

John Cusack recently completed filming on GRACE IS GONE, which was filmed largely in Chicago. He is currently filming 1408 with Samuel L. Jackson.

Hope Davis is starring in the Capote bio-pic INFAMOUS with Sandra Bullock and Daniel Craig, and on ABC’s new series SIX DEGREES. She recently completed filming THE HOAX with Richard Gere and Marcia Gay Harden, is filming CHARLIE BARTLETT with Robert Downey, Jr., and will soon begin filming 1-900 with Dennis Leary.

Alicia Goranson starred in the independent film LOVE LUDLOW.

Harry Lennix had a co-starring role on the ABC show COMMANDER IN CHIEF, and will co-star on FOX’s hit-series 24 beginning in January. He recently completed filming on EASY WINNERS, which he also directed, and RESURRECTING THE CHAMP with Samuel L. Jackson and Teri Hatcher. He’s currently filming STOMP THE YARD with Angela Bassett.

Aidan Quinn starred in the title role of Daniel Webster in the NBC series THE BOOK OF DANIEL. He recently completed filming DARK MATTER with Meryl Streep and is filming the mini-series BURY MY HEART AT WOUNDED KNEE for HBO. With his sister, writer/director Marian Quinn, Aidan filmed 32A in Ireland and performed in THE EXONERATED this summer in Edinburgh and Dublin.

Lili Taylor starred in THE NOTORIOUS BETTIE PAGE and FACTOTUM. She recently filmed STARTING OUT IN THE EVENING and QUEBEC with John C. Reilly. She will soon be filming THE OTHER SIDE with Jason Lee and Ryan Gosling.

Kate Walsh can be seen on ABC’s GREY’S ANATOMY as Dr. Addison Shepherd. She recently completed work on the film ONE WAY TO VALHALLA, and attended the 2006 Piven Gala as our very special guest.

Emilie Beck saw staged readings of her play NUMBER OF PEOPLE performed as part of Piven’s Festival of New Works and at the Pasadena Playhouse in a production directed by Shira Piven and starring Ed Asner. She also directed a production of BECAUSE THEY HAVE NO WORDS at The Lounge Theatre in Los Angeles, and has recently been appointed the Associate Manager of the Center Theatre Group.

Dave Belden appeared in Piven’s production of LADY CHAPLIN AND HER TRAMP, had several short films screened at the Chicago Short Comedy Video and Film Festival, was the cinematographer for feature SOUL MAID, voiced several characters with Flying Leap Radio Players, performed as an onstage violinist in the Joffrey Ballet's CINDERELLA, and recently traveled to Scotland with writer-director MT Cozzola where they were married.

Hannah Bos wrote and performed in the THE SNOW HEN at The Debate Society in New York, and wrote and performed in A THOUGHT ABOUT RYA at The InsightOut Company in Portland, Oregon.

Stephen Fedo premiered his adaptation of Jane Austin’s EMMA at the Reverie Theatre, and adapted four short stories by Chekhov for CHEKHOV STORIES: THE EMERGING WOMAN this fall at Piven.

Ricardo Gamboa performed at the Athenaeum Theatre in THE EIGHT: REINDEER MONOLOGUES.

Aimee Garcia recently guest starred on the ABC sitcom THE GEORGE LOPEZ SHOW, and co-starred with Victoria Abril in LOLA GOES TO ROMA.

Greg Hirte continues to perform in various bands, including MUCCA PAZZA which performed at Lollapalooza this year.

Lauren Hirte will spend this winter and spring touring with the remounted production of Lookingglass Theatre’s LOOKINGGLASS ALICE, and will return to Chicago with the production for an open run this summer.

Emily Johnstone is a proud member of the Flat Track Roller Derby Team of Portland!

Lauren Katz performed at Lookingglass Theatre in the two-person improv show WANTS AND NEEDS with Joey Slotnick. She was recently seen on a two-episode arc on the HBO comedy CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM.

Erik Koelle will soon appear at Raven Theatre in HAPPY END directed by Micky York.

Maggie Lukes directed the children’s show CHILDREN’S LETTERS TO GOD. Carmella Mulvihill and her husband Sean welcomed Fionn Mulvihill Riley to their family on December 12th.

Polly Noonan will star in the world premiere of DEAD MAN CELL PHONE, by Piven alum Sarah Ruhl at Wooly Mammoth in Washington, D.C.

Joe Sikora performed in the L.A. Ovation Award-winning (Best Ensemble) production of KILLER JOE at the Lost Angels Theatre Company.

Jessica Thebus directed AREN’T WE ALL at Remy Bumppo, LADY MADELINE and SONJA FLEW at Steppenwolf, and INHERIT THE WIND at Northlight.