Let your imagination take flight...
The dragonfly is associated with change and transformation.
It carries joy and hope in flight, and is a symbol of luck in many cultures.
At Dragonfly Theater Company, we aspire to offer an environment that helps
artists and playwrights achieve their full potential
Dragonfly Theatre Company promotes a life-long appreciation of theatre
using the lessons of past classics and the bold visions within new scripts.
We do this to help every generation understand and nurture the complexity and diversity of our world.
July 22 - 31, 2021
Hard Candy by Jean Gottlieb
Hard Candy is a laugh out loud, adult themed comedy that takes a revealing look at the human side of the phone sex industry.
A consultant for the phone sex industry signs on to help a small company and finds a group of women struggling with more than slow business growth. As she navigates through a series of revelatory online meetings, the consultant comes to realize this eccentric family of women has just as much to offer her as she has to offer them. At once old-fashioned and forward looking, this funny, heartwarming and quirky play explores the idea of family, friendship and finding your tribe.
A virtual world premiere presentation at the BorderLight International Theatre
and Fringe Festival
July 22 - 31, 2021
Thanks to everyone who supported BorderLight Festival
and
Dragonfly Theatre!
Coming Spring 2022
TAKE FLIGHT
New Plays Festival
An inspiring, interactive weekend of new plays that address the ideas of growth, change and transformation.
Our team of readers select the shows but the festival audience votes for the one script that will 'take flight' with a full production in our next season.
Play submissions will be accepted until November 1st., 2021
New Play
ADAPTATION
GHOSTS OF WHITECHAPEL
A full-length Zoom play in one act
by Kate Black-Spence
An adaptation of the stage play “Ghosts of Whitechapel”
by Kate Black-Spence
and Chris Brickhouse
Streaming online
October 15 - 31, 2021
Dragonfly Theatre Company stands with those who call for change, inclusivity, and equality.
We do not tolerate any form of discrimination on the basis of race, complexion, religion, creed, gender, gender expression, age, national origin, ancestry, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status in any of our endeavors or from any of our participants.
We recognize that art institutions, including ours, need to work relentlessly to be
inclusive and welcoming to artists from diverse backgrounds.
Our new company welcomes and continues to encourage these artists to
join in our creative efforts.
This statement of solidarity will influence our daily practices in administration, in rehearsals and productions, and will guide our actions in all the activities of our theatre. This is an ongoing, continual movement toward a more equitable society, and
we pledge wholeheartedly to support inclusivity.
Notices and Auditions
We are currently accepting Headshots and Resumes
for our upcoming play
Ghosts of Whitechapel by Kate Black-Spence
Dragonfly Theatre Company is casting the zoom play Ghosts of Whitechapel by Kate Black-Spence.
Auditions will take place via zoom, by invitation only, on Friday August 13 and/or Saturday August 14 and will consist of cold readings from the script.
Rehearsals: Aug 22 - Sept 23, evenings; with some daytime rehearsals as schedules allow. (3-4 rehearsals per week max)
Performance recordings Sept 25, 26 and as needed on Sept 28
Pay: $50 stipend plus an equal cut of the box office.
You may request a full script by emailing dragonflytheatrechicago@gmail.com
Other info:
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We are accepting Headshots and Resumes until Saturday August 7th, 2021. Auditions are by invitation only. Invitations will be extended by Sunday, August 8th, 2021. Submit your HS/R to dragonflytheatrecasting@gmail.com
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All rehearsals and performances will be done on-line. The performance will be recorded, edited and streamed. The script will be memorized.
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Rehearsal days and times will be set at the convenience of the cast and production team, but will be limited to times between 6pm and 10pm (week days) and between 10am to 10pm (weekends) CST. If schedules allow, daytime rehearsals may be scheduled.
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Cast member physical location/time zone is not restricted as long as cast members can make all rehearsal and performance times.
Each cast member must have/provide:
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A computer (Mac or Windows OS) with multi-core processor (Intel i5 Gen 6 or better) and 4gb RAM (or better), webcam and microphone.
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A reliable internet connection with at least 3mbs upload and 10mbs download.
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A minimum 12'x10' private space in which to rehearse and perform.
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Actors must agree to box and ship any provided equipment/costumes/props back to Dragonfly Theatre upon strike (Dragonfly will cover cost of shipping).
Dragonfly Theatre will provide if necessary:
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Ring lights; green screen
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Specialty Props
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Specialty costume items
Character Breakdown:
Mary Ann “Polly” Nichols: Endlessly practical. Strong backbone, structured, austere, stern, tough but compassionate. Can hold her own. Takes the telling of their stories very seriously and expects the girls to do the same.
Annie Chapman: Has suffered great loss and is stronger than she gives herself credit. Soft spoken, reserved, religious, prone to bouts of extreme alcoholism and the guilt that follows. The others think she is in denial, she thinks she is the exception; an outsider, a temporary visitor to the underbelly of society.
Elizabeth “Liz” Stride: Natural storyteller. Sometimes/often her stories are more real to her than truth. Loves to be admired, looks up to Catherine. Strong sense of humor. Her truths are tragic so she keeps them boxed up and buried.
Catherine Eddowes: Robust personality, assertive, if this play were modern she would be working to create a prostitution union. Loved to fight in her youth, still most capable, but knows the value of discussion. Was a literate reader and story writer. Has seen it all.
Mary Jane Kelly: Should be cast as visibly the youngest. Unconventionally intelligent. Capable of passing in posh society. Light, airy approach makes her easy to underestimate. Calculates her moves. Excellent business acumen. Similar to Sugar from Crimson Petal and the White.
The play takes place in Whitechapel, the East End, London.
Reference YouTube: 'Voices of Victorian London' 1996 episode of the BBC docuseries Timewatch (Snadhghus)
Send headshot and resume to dragonflytheatrecasting@gmail.com
We are currently accepting full length & one act plays for the
“Take Flight” Festival 2022
a new and unique staged reading performance series.
Plays must have strong dynamic female characters (think Bechdel test)
Preference will go to plays by female/diverse authors that address the ideas of
Growth, Transformation, and Change
We also prefer plays that can be performed as on-site or virtual readings.
Three to five finalists will be chosen for a staged reading.
Audience voting determines which play is eligible for full production.
Submission guidelines listed below.
Submission guidelines for the “Take Flight” Festival are as follows:
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Full-length OR one-act plays in any genre: comedy, drama, multimedia, etc.. Musicals will not be accepted at this time.
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Translations, collections of one-acts, children’s plays and plays that have received more than two full-scale, professional productions prior to submission are not eligible.
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Plays with casts larger than 8 people and unfinished works or drafts will not be considered at this time.
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Plays that have had workshops, readings or non-professional productions will be accepted.
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Electronic submissions only please.
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Only one submission per playwright is allowed each year.
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Eligible play may be produced either virtually online or live onstage.
Please include the following information in one attached PDF file, not in the body of your email.
Please do not attach multiple files. Complete submission packages must include:
Your contact information; Your playwriting resume; Title of the play; Character breakdown and description including total number of characters; Time and place of the play; Synopsis (no longer than 1 page); a concise paragraph describing the development history of the play you are submitting (if any), and the full script.
Incomplete submission packages will not be considered.
Email your complete submission package to
DragonflyTakeFlight@gmail.com by November 1, 2021.
Do you have a great new adaptation
you've been sitting on,
waiting for the right opportunity?
We are accepting submissions for adaptations of classic texts (*Shakespeare mostly but if you got something else in the public domain, we're willing to take a look).
When submitting an adaptation, please include a brief
synopsis or theme explanation (150 words or less),
a cast list with brief character descriptions,
a production or reading history,
and an author bio and contact information.
Preference will go to scripts by female/diverse authors
that incorporate modern/current ideas and themes.
The full script should be sent as a pdf attachment to DragonflyAdaptations@gmail.com.
Please allow six weeks before inquiring as to the status of your play.
Mugshots and Humblebrags
Stephanie Murphy
Artistic Director
Stephanie has been working as an actor, director, playwright, and arts educator for over 15 years. Chicago credits include work with Eclectic Full Contact, HartLife Productions, Buffalo Theatre Ensemble, Corn Productions, and New World Rep. She has an MFA in Performance from the University of Georgia.
Jean Gottlieb
Managing Director
Jean is the former Artistic Director of Footsteps Theatre in Chicago (1991-1999) and New World Repertory Theatre in Downers Grove (2003-2009). She graduated with honors from DePaul University’s Theatre School (formerly the Goodman School of Drama) with an MFA in Directing, and is a certified Montessori Teacher.
Jean has directed over thirty productions in her career, ranging from Shakespeare to children’s theatre to contemporary original works. She has appeared on various Chicago stages as an actress over the years, most recently appearing as Prospero in The Tempest for Hong Kong Live Play Readings. She is also a playwright, with three of her plays reaching full production, one receiving an After Dark Award from Gay Chicago Magazine.
Mike Speller
Artistic Director
Mike Speller began his professional acting career educating kids for CLIMB Theatre, acting with Fanny Hill Dinner Theatre, then opening Walt Disney World’s Adventurers Club. His Chicagoland credits include Timeline, City Lit, Lifeline, New World Rep, Spartan, Gallery Theater, and Mary-Arrchie companies.
As an independent artist, Mike is an accomplished writer as well. He's adapted literary classics for Fringe Festivals all over the country. He has also created original shows exploring topics from Dreams to divas, Medieval knights to men-in-crisis, not to mention rock stars and were-dogs. His shows have been staged throughout the Midwest courtesy of Strawdog Theatre, the Great Plains Theatre Conference, Bethany College, Prologue Theater, and The Mystery Shop, among others.
Here'sWhat We Are Working On
Eavesdrop
Our unique video/podcast is a combination of interview and master class, designed to improve your game as a performer. We'll talk about the tricks of the trade and the
ins and outs of
the business.
And we'll entertain you too.
Score.
Storytime
Stories for children ages 2 - 6
We'll read original stories created just for your little ones; and we'll include a follow-up
lesson on vocabulary and comprehension.
Great for playtime, bedtime, or quiet time for mommy and daddy. We promise to make learning fun!
Storytelling
for Adults
Survival tales, romantic interludes, coming-of-age adventures, or a "normal" night out? Everyone has a story to tell. Our creative staff will help you recall, create, and share the memories and messages that connect us all.
Classes for ages 18 & older.
Donate
Here are a few ideas:
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Monetary gifts are tax exempt and any amount is deeply appreciated. Businesses will often match donations, so ask your company to give too!
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Sponsor a show: Your name or company will be featured as the show sponsor on all related materials.
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Donate stock, IRA's or real estate, or include Dragonfly Theatre in your will. You will secure the future of our Theatre and all the artists it serves.
In Kind donations
Donate your expertise!
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We are looking for volunteers for IT help, Web Design, Set Building, Costume Construction, to name a few.
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Donate goods: before you throw it out, consider donating it! We need furniture for sets, clothing for costumes, assorted stuff for props.
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Have another idea? Send us an email!
See A Show
Attend a performance!
Right now, like many other theatre companies, our productions are
limited to online shows.
We hope to be back on the boards soon, entertaining you live, but we also believe that online theatre is here to stay.
You will always find a show to watch, a story to listen to, a class to enjoy, right here on our website.
So enjoy a performance, and tell your friends about us!
Word of mouth is our best advertisement
Let your imagination take flight...
We're new!
Although all three of us have been active in theatre for decades with other companies, Dragonfly Theatre is a brand new venture!
Interested in getting involved?
Email us to find out how!
DragonflyTheatreChicago@gmail.com
Patience please! Our website is under construction so some of the buttons may not work.
PRIVACY POLICY:
Cookies are small pieces of data stored on a site visitor's browser. They are typically used to keep track of the settings users have selected and actions they have taken on a site. We receive, collect and store any information you enter on our website or provide us in any other way (ie your email address). We may contact you to send updates about our company. For these purposes we may contact you via email. Our company is hosted on the Wix.com platform. Wix.com provides us with the online platform that allows us to sell our services to you. Your data may be stored through Wix.com’s data storage, databases and the general Wix.com applications. They store your data on secure servers behind a firewall. All direct payment gateways offered by Wix.com and others used by our company adhere to the standards set by PCI-DSS as managed by the PCI Security Standards Council, which is a joint effort of brands like Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover. PCI-DSS requirements help ensure the secure handling of credit card information by our store and its service providers. We reserve the right to modify this privacy policy at any time, so please review it frequently. Changes and clarifications will take effect immediately upon their posting on the website. If we make material changes to this policy, we will notify you here that it has been updated, so that you are aware of what information we collect, how we use it, and under what circumstances, if any, we use and/or disclose it. Wow. You even read the boring stuff. You are awesome. Want even more sleep inducing text? Visit AllAboutCookies.org