American Theatre magazine, The Understudy, and Pocket Theatrics have announced Re:working Chicago Theatre, a monthly roundtable series sponsored by League of Chicago Theatres beginning in July and concluding in November, that will platform the diverse Chicago voices, work, and methods happening outside traditional institutional recognition, fostering genuine, lively interconnection across Chicago's diverse theatrical landscape.

Chicago theatremakers keep working long after ghost lights flicker on; quiet questions keep us up. What is the role of theatre in an aching time? How are we reenergizing the spaces that have transformed or disappeared? How will the industry change or survive the age of AI? Which business models are better equipped to avoid worker burnout and theatre closure? Our post-pandemic community has been reshaping itself and is ready to congregate and confront the issues currently faced by professionals of each specialization. 

Re:working will include a live audience, be streamed for virtual viewing, and filmed for archival purposes. Each evening will include time before and after for participants and attendees to network. 

“Chicago is one of the largest hubs of theatre in America. Our hope with this roundtable series is to spotlight the artists who call Chicago home and the work they do here outside of traditional award systems. We’re excited to be in conversation with the city,” says Joel Willison, artistic director of Pocket Theatrics.

Says Gabriela Furtado Coutinho, actor/playwright and editor at American Theatre, “This ecosystem is at an interesting crossroads, still recuperating from the challenges of recent years and adjusting to meet our current, fraught moment. But in our hustle and bustle, there aren’t too many opportunities for thought leaders to slow down, gather across institutions and specializations, and rework our individual and collective visions for the future. We hope this series will become a mainstay in Chicago theatre, a juncture to resist siloed struggle and, instead, dream and strategize together.

The Understudy will host the roundtables in its space with a focused conversation on highlighting Chicago artists beyond a classic award show. In partnership with Pocket Theatrics, American Theatre magazine and sponsored by League of Chicago Theatres, Re:working is a space to discuss and share perspectives that relate to and move the Chicago Theatre scene forward. Each roundtable will be facilitated by Gabriela Furtado Coutinho, a Chicago actor/playwright and the digital editor of American Theatre, with four to six featured participants each month.