Current Production

Performance Project

Monday, February 10, 5:00 PM
Thursday, February 13, 5:00 PM
Saturday, February 15, 9:30 AM
Saturday, February 15, 12:30 PM

For almost 50 years, the young artists of Piven’s acclaimed Performance Project ensemble have performed original story theatre adaptations meditating on important community themes. This year, as part of the Resilience Season, they will share stories about the courage, hope and the transformations that resilience can bring about.

De-Cruit

Sunday, January 26, 2:30 PM

Open Class Sharing

The public is invited to attend this special DE-CRUIT class in which participating veterans will present speeches from Shakespeare and personal narratives in front of a live audience. The DE-CRUIT® curriculum was specifically designed for military veterans by Army veteran and professional actor Stephan Wolfert in order to assist military veterans unwire their military training and reintegrate into society. At its core DE-CRUIT is the process of interweaving personal writings with Veteran-related Shakespeare texts, applying stage skills for life-skills and completing the communalization of trauma within their community. The open class is an important component of this work and we welcome you to join us.

Performance Project

Monday, February 10, 5:00 PM
Thursday, February 13, 5:00 PM
Saturday, February 15, 9:30 AM
Saturday, February 15, 12:30 PM

For almost 50 years, the young artists of Piven’s acclaimed Performance Project ensemble have performed original story theatre adaptations meditating on important community themes. This year, as part of the Resilience Season, they will share stories about the courage, hope and the transformations that resilience can bring about.

A Lady’s Guide to Mountains

Friday, March 13, 7:30 PM
Saturday, March 14, 7:30 PM

In their quest to be allowed to climb, gain recognition, and survive the most dangerous peaks, female mountain climbers have repeatedly redefined strength, resilience, and what it means to be a woman. A LADY’S GUIDE TO MOUNTAINS explores that history, from roughly 1800 to today, beginning with Henriette D’Angeville’s ascent of Mont Blanc and culminating with Erin Parisi’s current quest to be the first openly trans woman to complete the Seven Summits.

The Olympians

Monday, October 21, 7:30 PM
Tuesday, October 22, 7:30 PM

Forged in the hostile environments of the Jim Crow Era and Nazi Germany, James Baldwin, Ralph Ellison, and Hannah Arendt emerged as Olympians of American 20th-century thought. During the heat of the Civil Rights Movement, they grappled with a dangerous question: what is the role of love in politics? In her new play, The Olympians, Lisa Scott draws on their thoughts to explore the question anew.

Placing Home

Friday, November 15, 7:30 PM
Saturday, November 16, 7:30 PM

Placing Home explores the range of experiences individuals and families hold within the adoption community. Members of the adoption triad navigate complicated and uncharted territory relating to family, identity and home. What role does resilience play in their lives? We invite you to witness the joy, grief, and complexity of adoption through an intimate staged reading of stories collected from members of this community.

You Can Only Take the A.C.T. 12 Times

Written and Performed by Tracy Egan

Directed by Rengin Altay

Friday, September 20, 7:30 PM
Saturday, September 21, 7:30 PM
Sunday, September 22, 2:30 PM
Friday, September 27, 7:30 PM
Saturday, September 28, 7:30 PM
Sunday, September 29, 2:30 PM
Friday, October 4, 7:30 PM
Saturday, October 5, 7:30 PM
Sunday, October 6, 2:30 PM

After a hit run at Chicago’s Greenhouse Theatre, critically acclaimed actor/writer Tracy Egan brings her hilarious one-woman show about the high stakes absurdity of the college application process to Evanston’s Piven Theatre Workshop.  Egan plays 15 characters in the comedy, exploring the way different families navigate the roller-coaster end of high school. Directed by Rengin Altay, YOU CAN ONLY TAKE THE A.C.T. 12 TIMES runs three weeks only, September 20th to October 6th.

*On Friday, September 27, we will be having an ETHS talkback with Yolanda Kim. $5 of every ticket sold that night will be given to ETHS. On Friday, October 4, $5 from every ticket sold will go to support the Evanston Dance Ensemble.

Young People’s Company

Wednesday, December 11, 7:30 PM
Thursday, December 12, 7:30 PM
Friday, December 13, 7:30 PM
Saturday, December 14, 2:30 PM
Saturday, December 14, 7:30 PM
Sunday, December 15, 2:30 PM

For almost 50 years, the young artists of Piven’s acclaimed Young People’s Company have performed original story theatre adaptations meditating on important community themes. This year, as part of the Resilience Season, they will share stories about the courage, hope and the transformations that resilience can bring about.