" ["post_date"]=> string(19) "2020-03-06 13:21:43" ["post_excerpt"]=> string(0) "" ["post_parent"]=> int(0) ["post_status"]=> string(7) "publish" ["post_title"]=> string(15) "Ellida's Choice" ["post_type"]=> string(4) "post" ["slug"]=> string(14) "ellidas-choice" ["__type":protected]=> NULL ["_edit_lock"]=> string(12) "1642540801:6" ["_edit_last"]=> string(1) "6" ["_yoast_wpseo_content_score"]=> string(2) "30" ["article_description"]=> string(165) "How is Ellida similar to other Ibsenian heroines? Learn about the choice she's faced with in THE LADY FROM THE SEA and how she navigates society's gendered confines." ["_article_description"]=> string(19) "field_5927045f742d7" ["article_byline"]=> string(58) "By Carissa Villagomez, Marketing and Communications Intern" ["_article_byline"]=> string(19) "field_592de516b020a" ["add_feed"]=> string(1) "0" ["_add_feed"]=> string(19) "field_5939a562bed44" ["_thumbnail_id"]=> string(5) "13854" ["_yoast_wpseo_primary_production-section"]=> string(3) "231" ["_yoast_wpseo_primary_category"]=> string(2) "14" ["_yoast_wpseo_estimated-reading-time-minutes"]=> string(1) "6" ["post_date_gmt"]=> string(19) "2020-03-06 19:21:43" ["comment_status"]=> string(4) "open" ["ping_status"]=> string(6) "closed" ["post_password"]=> string(0) "" ["post_name"]=> string(14) "ellidas-choice" ["to_ping"]=> string(0) "" ["pinged"]=> string(0) "" ["post_modified"]=> string(19) "2022-01-18 15:20:00" ["post_modified_gmt"]=> string(19) "2022-01-18 21:20:00" ["post_content_filtered"]=> string(0) "" ["guid"]=> string(37) "https://www.courttheatre.org/?p=13850" ["menu_order"]=> int(0) ["post_mime_type"]=> string(0) "" ["comment_count"]=> string(1) "0" ["filter"]=> string(3) "raw" ["status"]=> string(7) "publish" } [1]=> object(Timber\Post)#3870 (51) { ["id"]=> int(12754) ["ID"]=> int(12754) ["object_type"]=> string(4) "post" ["ImageClass"]=> string(12) "Timber\Image" ["PostClass"]=> string(11) "Timber\Post" ["TermClass"]=> string(11) "Timber\Term" ["custom"]=> array(13) { ["_edit_lock"]=> string(12) "1661280713:6" ["_edit_last"]=> string(1) "9" ["_thumbnail_id"]=> string(5) "11899" ["_yoast_wpseo_content_score"]=> string(2) "30" ["article_description"]=> string(127) "Court Theatre is excited to announce that we received 15 Jeff Awards nominations for our productions during the 2018/19 Season!" ["_article_description"]=> string(19) "field_5927045f742d7" ["article_byline"]=> string(0) "" ["_article_byline"]=> string(19) "field_592de516b020a" ["add_feed"]=> string(1) "0" ["_add_feed"]=> string(19) "field_5939a562bed44" ["_yoast_wpseo_primary_category"]=> string(2) "17" ["_yoast_wpseo_primary_subscription-type"]=> string(0) "" ["_yoast_wpseo_primary_production-section"]=> string(0) "" } ["___content":protected]=> NULL ["_permalink":protected]=> NULL ["_next":protected]=> array(0) { } ["_prev":protected]=> array(0) { } ["_css_class":protected]=> NULL ["post_author"]=> string(1) "9" ["post_content"]=> string(7149) "  Court Theatre is excited to announce that we received 15 Jeff Awards nominations for our productions during the 2018/19 Season, with each production from the past season earning at least one nomination! This achievement continues to reinforce the consistent quality of our artistic contributions to Chicago’s theatre scene. Each year, the Joseph Jefferson Awards committee honors outstanding Chicago area theatres and artists. We look forward to celebrating with the rest of the nominees at the 51st annual Jeff Equity Awards on Monday, October 21.

2019 Court Theatre Jeff Award Nominations

Production – Play – Large
Photograph 51” – Court Theatre
Radio Golf” – Court Theatre
Ensemble – Play
For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide/When the Rainbow is Enuf”  – Court Theatre
New Work – Play
David Auburn – “The Adventures of Augie March” – Court Theatre
Manual Cinema – “Frankenstein” – Court Theatre
Director – Play – Large
Ron OJ Parson – “Radio Golf” – Court Theatre
Vanessa Stalling – “Photograph 51” – Court Theatre
Performer In A Principal Role – Play
Chaon Cross (Rosalind Franklin) – “Photograph 51” – Court Theatre
Performer In A Supporting Role – Play
James Vincent Meredith (Roosevelt Hicks) – “Radio Golf” – Court Theatre
Alfred H. Wilson (Elder Joseph Barlow) – “Radio Golf” – Court Theatre
Scenic Design – Large
Arnel Sancianco – “Photograph 51” – Court Theatre
Sound Design – Large
Kyle Vegter and Ben Kauffman – “Frankenstein” – Court Theatre
Original Music
Kyle Vegter and Ben Kauffman – “Frankenstein” – Court Theatre
Puppet Design
Lizi Breit and Drew Dir – “Frankenstein” – Court Theatre
Projection Design
Rasean Davonte Johnson – “Frankenstein” – Court Theatre

We’re also proud to share that the following artists who have spent time as a member of Court’s family were recognized for their work across the city: E. Faye Butler, Sean Fortunato, Barbara E. Robertson, Alexis J. Roston, Kelvin Roston, Jr., Alex Goodrich, Todd Rosenthal, Jeffrey Levin, Mike Durst, Andre Pluess, and Aeriel Williams and Wendy Robie, two of the actors in our upcoming production of Oedipus Rex. We are privileged to be part of the incredible theatre community in Chicago, and thank the audiences and artists in the community for making this such a rewarding city to make theatre. See all of the nominations here. Subscribe for the 2019/29 Season so you don’t miss a moment! Up next at Court: King Hedley II by August Wilson, featuring the work of several of the above nominees, including Kelvin Roston, Jr. and Ron OJ Parson!" ["post_date"]=> string(19) "2019-09-03 11:11:19" ["post_excerpt"]=> string(0) "" ["post_parent"]=> int(0) ["post_status"]=> string(7) "publish" ["post_title"]=> string(62) "Court Theatre Receives 15 Jeff Nominations for 2018/19 Season!" ["post_type"]=> string(4) "post" ["slug"]=> string(61) "court-theatre-receives-15-jeff-nominations-for-2018-19-season" ["__type":protected]=> NULL ["_edit_lock"]=> string(12) "1661280713:6" ["_edit_last"]=> string(1) "9" ["_thumbnail_id"]=> string(5) "11899" ["_yoast_wpseo_content_score"]=> string(2) "30" ["article_description"]=> string(127) "Court Theatre is excited to announce that we received 15 Jeff Awards nominations for our productions during the 2018/19 Season!" ["_article_description"]=> string(19) "field_5927045f742d7" ["article_byline"]=> string(0) "" ["_article_byline"]=> string(19) "field_592de516b020a" ["add_feed"]=> string(1) "0" ["_add_feed"]=> string(19) "field_5939a562bed44" ["_yoast_wpseo_primary_category"]=> string(2) "17" ["_yoast_wpseo_primary_subscription-type"]=> string(0) "" ["_yoast_wpseo_primary_production-section"]=> string(0) "" ["post_date_gmt"]=> string(19) "2019-09-03 16:11:19" ["comment_status"]=> string(4) "open" ["ping_status"]=> string(6) "closed" ["post_password"]=> string(0) "" ["post_name"]=> string(61) "court-theatre-receives-15-jeff-nominations-for-2018-19-season" ["to_ping"]=> string(0) "" ["pinged"]=> string(0) "" ["post_modified"]=> string(19) "2019-09-03 11:14:27" ["post_modified_gmt"]=> string(19) "2019-09-03 16:14:27" ["post_content_filtered"]=> string(0) "" ["guid"]=> string(37) "https://www.courttheatre.org/?p=12754" ["menu_order"]=> int(0) ["post_mime_type"]=> string(0) "" ["comment_count"]=> string(1) "0" ["filter"]=> string(3) "raw" ["status"]=> string(7) "publish" } [2]=> object(Timber\Post)#3710 (52) { ["id"]=> int(11898) ["ID"]=> int(11898) ["object_type"]=> string(4) "post" ["ImageClass"]=> string(12) "Timber\Image" ["PostClass"]=> string(11) "Timber\Post" ["TermClass"]=> string(11) "Timber\Term" ["custom"]=> array(14) { ["_edit_lock"]=> string(12) "1549404334:9" ["_edit_last"]=> string(1) "9" ["_thumbnail_id"]=> string(5) "11899" ["_yoast_wpseo_metadesc"]=> string(155) "Critics are praising the cast and creatives responsible for PHOTOGRAPH 51 at Court Theatre. See why Rosalind Franklin's story is resonating with the press." ["_yoast_wpseo_content_score"]=> string(2) "30" ["_yoast_wpseo_primary_category"]=> string(2) "14" ["_yoast_wpseo_primary_subscription-type"]=> string(0) "" ["_yoast_wpseo_primary_production-section"]=> string(0) "" ["article_description"]=> string(144) "Critics are praising the cast and production team responsible for PHOTOGRAPH 51. See why Rosalind Franklin's story is resonating with the press." ["_article_description"]=> string(19) "field_5927045f742d7" ["article_byline"]=> string(0) "" ["_article_byline"]=> string(19) "field_592de516b020a" ["add_feed"]=> string(1) "0" ["_add_feed"]=> string(19) "field_5939a562bed44" } ["___content":protected]=> NULL ["_permalink":protected]=> NULL ["_next":protected]=> array(0) { } ["_prev":protected]=> array(0) { } ["_css_class":protected]=> NULL ["post_author"]=> string(1) "9" ["post_content"]=> string(6479) " Critics across Chicagoland highly recommend Anna Ziegler’s Photograph 51. Chris Jones of the Chicago Tribune awarded the production four stars and wrote that "there is no better 90 minutes in town." Audiences and critics alike agree that Vanessa Stalling’s production is as powerful as it is empowering. See for yourself what the buzz is about — get tickets to Photograph 51.
“Stalling directs with the pacing of a murder mystery... fascinating. And never dull for a second. If you know a young girl or woman interested in science, there is no better 90 minutes in town. Actually, that’s true for anyone. For the role of Franklin has allowed the actress Chaon Cross to do the best work of her career. If this were a movie, there would be Oscar chatter." —Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, ★★★★ Highly Recommended
“A compelling portrait of scientists as well as of science itself...The combined forces of Arnel Sancianco’s set design, Keith Parham’s lighting design and Paul Deziel’s projections are both understated and...spectacular.” —Catey Sullivan, Chicago Sun-Times
“Anna Ziegler's imaginative rendering of an often-overlooked piece of history...vindicates Franklin's role in this breakthrough discovery. In the hands of leading lady Chaon Cross, the result is a complex heroine with a brilliant mind, a rigorous work ethic, exceptional integrity, and a sensitive soul. ” —Emily McClanathan, Broadway World Chicago
“Chaon Cross delivers an exhilarating and flawless performance...Photograph 51 is an empowering statement about equality, perseverance and truth. While “the world wins,” the moving and heartfelt performance of Chaon Cross reveals Franklin as a complex, compassionate, driven chemist with an extraordinary thirst for knowledge. Most importantly, as art and science intersect, Rosalind Franklin’s rightful place as a trailblazer is assured. —Ed Tracy, PicksInSix
Photograph 51’s spectacular set that reminds of double helices, carbon molecule diagrams, a screen for projected computations, and a fast shot that might be electricity, atoms on the march or just the psychic charge of scientific discovery...The timing in this performance shows an expert touch by director Vanessa Stalling. —Amy Munice, Picture this Post, Highly Recommended
“...a biting, emotionally vivid production at Court Theatre – a company whose connection to the University of Chicago (a renowned hotbed of scientific activity and Nobel laureates) only adds a frisson of interest to the story.” —Hedy Weiss, WTTW’s Chicago Tonight
Photograph 51 emphasizes the tragedy of not only the stolen ideas from Franklin’s data but also her lack of recognition as an equal or even as a competent human by her colleagues. The Court’s production is a powerful story of the real woman behind one of the greatest accomplishments in biological history. —Alina Kim, Chicago Maroon
“Ziegler’s tight, impressive drama weaves emotion, tension and context into the events leading up to that world-changing discovery and Franklin’s role in it.” —Lisa Trifone, Third Coast Review

Photo of Chaon Cross by Michael Brosilow.

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See why Rosalind Franklin's story is resonating with the press." 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["_article_description"]=> string(19) "field_5927045f742d7" ["article_byline"]=> string(0) "" ["_article_byline"]=> string(19) "field_592de516b020a" ["add_feed"]=> string(1) "0" ["_add_feed"]=> string(19) "field_5939a562bed44" ["_yoast_wpseo_primary_category"]=> string(2) "14" ["_yoast_wpseo_primary_subscription-type"]=> string(0) "" ["_yoast_wpseo_primary_production-section"]=> string(0) "" ["_wp_old_date"]=> string(10) "2018-11-27" ["_yoast_wpseo_estimated-reading-time-minutes"]=> string(1) "5" ["_yoast_wpseo_wordproof_timestamp"]=> string(0) "" } ["___content":protected]=> NULL ["_permalink":protected]=> NULL ["_next":protected]=> array(0) { } ["_prev":protected]=> array(0) { } ["_css_class":protected]=> NULL ["post_author"]=> string(1) "9" ["post_content"]=> string(5626) " In preparation for our upcoming production of Photograph 51, we spoke with scenic designer Arnel Sancianco to learn more about his process, and how he went about designing a stunning set for Anna Ziegler's play about ambition, science, and Rosalind Franklin. For Photograph 51, you began with research images, and then transitioned into sketches, a "white model," some color options, and a scale model. What is the purpose of each of these steps? Was this approach specific to Photograph 51 or just your general approach? Each one of these steps was a different way I was communicating with our director, Vanessa Stalling. As a designer, it’s hard using just words to describe what I’m envisioning in my head. I need to make sure Vanessa is seeing exactly what I’m seeing, without causing any further confusion. Vanessa originally sent me this image below and I used that as a jumping off point. How does your research and initial conceptual work aide your conversations with the director and other designers? The model, I think, is the most valuable tool set designers have in their arsenal. It’s a near accurate representation of what exists in my head in a tangible, three-dimensional form. The earliest model originally had two rows of windows. It was Keith Parham, the Lighting Designer, who pointed out that if we had one more layer of windows we could really get some mesmerizing depth in the design. How do you approach a play like Photograph 51? How much input do you receive from the director and other designers? This is my second Anna Ziegler play that I’ve designed and I really love the fluidity of her writing. Her scenes flow seamlessly into the next and it’s this pacing that builds a momentum that I don’t see in many other playwrights. Knowing this I made sure that my set didn’t get in the way of Ziegler’s writing. We don’t have time for major wall shifts or expensive transitions. Movements like that didn’t feel right with the way play ebbed and flowed. In terms of input from my team, you’ll note how collaborative we’ve been working just to create the physical space for the play. I may be responsible for the set, but we are all working to create a singular experience for the Court audiences. Before we were able to move forward with the final model, Kieth, Paul, Vanessa, and I all agreed that we needed to test out the layering of windows in full scale to see how they would interact with projections. What was one of your main goals with this set design? Along with trying to handle projections and creating an all-encompassing space for the story to unfold, I really wanted to create a feeling of observation. There’s a unique feeling that any marginalized person feels when they’re put into a position of power. It’s this exposed feeling that someone is watching your every move, waiting for you to fail so you can be another example of your race or gender’s incompetence. That, I think, is what’s at the very core of Photograph 51. This feeling of pressure that got in the way of Dr. Franklin, and stopped her from seeing what was right in front of her. You mentioned on Instagram that your initial design proposal was over budget. In what ways did you scale it back, while still maintaining the features from your initial designs that you considered most integral? The original design was a full panoramic experience that spanned the entire width of the theatre. As we approached the bidding process, we were preparing to scale back, and we kept in our minds a set of "must haves” for the final design. The window idea was one of those "must haves," along with the upper-level bridge where our chorus of men could perch themselves. As stressful as the cutting process is, I thoroughly enjoy it at the end. It’s an exciting way to challenge your design’s values and point-of-view. Anything that doesn’t support the perspective of the play or the action of the story is deemed unnecessary, and I cut it without regret. The panoramic design was an awesome (and I mean to use this word in the biblical sense) take on this window idea, but the width didn’t really do much more. We discovered as we narrowed the design’s wings that the smaller space allowed for quicker transitions and created a more focused energy to the play. Fun fact: I was in Philadelphia, in rehearsal for another show, when we decided to focus the design down. I grabbed all the scrap board I could find in the prop shop and built a model in my hotel room to show Vanessa what the new design would look like.
Photograph 51 runs January 17 - February 17 Get Tickets." ["post_date"]=> string(19) "2018-11-28 01:02:45" ["post_excerpt"]=> string(0) "" ["post_parent"]=> int(0) ["post_status"]=> string(7) "publish" ["post_title"]=> string(43) "Behind the Design: The Set of PHOTOGRAPH 51" ["post_type"]=> string(4) "post" ["slug"]=> string(42) "photograph-51-scenic-design-arnel-sanciano" ["__type":protected]=> NULL ["_edit_lock"]=> string(12) "1685973669:6" ["_edit_last"]=> string(1) "6" ["_thumbnail_id"]=> string(5) "11677" ["_yoast_wpseo_metadesc"]=> string(152) "We spoke with scenic designer Arnel Sanciano to learn more about his approach to crafting the set of PHOTOGRAPH 51, opening at Court Theatre January 17." ["_yoast_wpseo_content_score"]=> string(2) "30" ["article_description"]=> string(116) "We spoke with scenic designer Arnel Sancianco to learn more about his approach to crafting the set of PHOTOGRAPH 51." ["_article_description"]=> string(19) "field_5927045f742d7" ["article_byline"]=> string(0) "" ["_article_byline"]=> string(19) "field_592de516b020a" ["add_feed"]=> string(1) "0" ["_add_feed"]=> string(19) "field_5939a562bed44" ["_yoast_wpseo_primary_category"]=> string(2) "14" ["_yoast_wpseo_primary_subscription-type"]=> string(0) "" ["_yoast_wpseo_primary_production-section"]=> string(0) "" ["_wp_old_date"]=> string(10) "2018-11-27" ["_yoast_wpseo_estimated-reading-time-minutes"]=> string(1) "5" ["_yoast_wpseo_wordproof_timestamp"]=> string(0) "" ["post_date_gmt"]=> string(19) "2018-11-28 07:02:45" ["comment_status"]=> string(4) "open" ["ping_status"]=> string(6) "closed" ["post_password"]=> string(0) "" ["post_name"]=> string(42) "photograph-51-scenic-design-arnel-sanciano" ["to_ping"]=> string(0) "" ["pinged"]=> string(0) "" ["post_modified"]=> string(19) "2023-06-05 09:00:22" ["post_modified_gmt"]=> string(19) "2023-06-05 14:00:22" ["post_content_filtered"]=> string(0) "" ["guid"]=> string(42) "https://www.courttheatre.org/?p=11669" ["menu_order"]=> int(0) ["post_mime_type"]=> string(0) "" ["comment_count"]=> string(1) "4" ["filter"]=> string(3) "raw" ["status"]=> string(7) "publish" } } --> chaon cross - Court Theatre
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chaon cross

Ellida’s Choice

How is Ellida similar to other Ibsenian heroines? Learn about the choice she's faced with in THE LADY FROM THE SEA and how she navigates society's gendered confines.

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