I was reading Chicago Tribune Chris Jones’ Blog, which is a daily read for me, and apparently there is mutiny at the American Theater Company. You can read the article HERE.
Basically they are having 23 ensemble members leave the company. That’s kind of intense. I mean we’re theater people, which means we tend to be a bit more dramatic than normal folk. Temper tantrums are fairly common. Someone leaving a show or being asked to leave for “artistic differences” is also a pretty common happenstance. BUT 23???!!!! The most I’ve ever witnessed was five at one time and I thought THAT was insane. (The aforementioned example was from a show I was in Polly Pretty Polly: Songs of Death and Seduction. Maybe I’ll tell you the story sometime. It’s a doozy.)
Many of the members were original company members that not only helped found their company 25 years ago, but also helped build their venue with their own hands. Now I don’t know exactly what’s going on. Clearly they are having major disagreements with the Artistic Director and with their board. I do, however, think it’s very sad.
The year I left Columbia College I was invited to participate in The Actor’s Congress held at ATC. There were different panels held. I was on the up-and-coming actor panel. I made a right fool of myself that day with my good friend Jess Godwin and ATC company member Matthew Brumlow. Jess and I were yelled at by some people in the crowd for being naive about our goals and ambitions. I’m sure we were. There’s a transcript of it somewhere online. I’m afraid to look for it. YIKES.
Anyway, at the after party I talked to many of the original ATC company members as well as other prominent actors in Chicago. First of all, they were an absolute delight; wonderful, down to earth people. I remember toasting with Kate Buddeke and talking to her and other members in depth about the beginnings of the American Theater Company. I was so impressed with their history and that they had built their theater with their own hands. That night and those people left an impression on me.
I hope the best for American Theater Company and for the defected members who are forming their own company American Blues Theater (ATC’s original name).
Katie Jeep as Laurie and Matthew Brumlow as Curly in American Theater Company’s gritty version of Rogers and Hammerstein’s Oklahoma!
Tags: Actor's Congress, American Blues Theater, American Theater Company, Chris Jones, Craziness, Mutiny