Blog
A World of Change
A World of Change The Lasting Environmental Legacy of SPLASH HATCH In 1997, Kia Corthron’s play SPLASH HATCH ON THE E GOING DOWN had its world premiere. The play addressed issues of climate change and environmental racism at a time when these topics were only beginning to enter the public...
I Never Looked Back
I Never Looked Back An Interview with New Managing Director Libby Amato Libby Amato has a nearly 20-year history with Next Act. In 2004, she started as a House Manager at our previous venue, the Off-Broadway Theatre. Since then, she has occupied no fewer than nine roles within the organization:...
The Tribute Campaign Cascades Onwards!
The Tribute Campaign Cascades Onwards! By Tawnie Thompson, Development Manager The many new faces, and the building and technical upgrades here at Next Act Theatre are the direct result of the early success of the Tribute Campaign launched in July of last year in conjunction with Producing Artistic Director emeritus...
Another New Face!
Another New Face! The Next Act team continues to grow and change. Join us in welcoming our new Technical and Facility Manager, Katie Anderson! Katie Anderson is a technical theatre specialist who has worked on just about every type of live event you can think of. After graduating from Kalamazoo...
Still, There Is Hope
Still, There Is Hope Reflecting on SPLASH HATCH ON THE E GOING DOWN with Kia Corthron Playwright Kia Corthron wrote SPLASH HATCH ON THE E GOING DOWN in the mid-1990s - the play received its world premiere in 1997. SPLASH HATCH… tackles many current topics and issues, wrapping them up...
Answering the Call
Answering the Call by Cheryl Lynn Bruce, Director of SPLASH HATCH ON THE E GOING DOWN For our 2023-2024 season launch party, we asked for some remarks from Cheryl Lynn Bruce, the director of our first production, SPLASH HATCH ON THE E GOING DOWN. A Chicago-based director, actor and playwright,...
Blow the Horn! Ring the Bell!
Blow the Horn! Ring the Bell! Next Act's Tribute Campaign Is Going Well! by Jane Flieller, Development Director Photo by Ross Zentner. Photo by Mark Frohna. As you may have heard, Next Act Theatre launched an important campaign on July 1, 2022. The Tribute Campaign is a two-year initiative created...
Next Up
Next Up Cody Estle Takes a Seat in the Artistic Director's Chair In April 2022, Next Act Theatre announced a big change: Producing Artistic Director David Cecsarini would be retiring in January 2023 following 30 years in the position. A nationwide search was conducted for a new Artistic Director, and...
Cez Says “See Ya!”
Cez Says "See Ya!" by A.J. Magoon Photo by Mark Frohna. On Sunday, December 11, 2022, Next Act Theatre hosted The Retirement Roast of David Cecsarini. A full house of friends, artists, patrons and other guests joined us as David was given the lovingly-comedic send-off he deserved. Panelists included longtime...
Behind the Curtain
Behind the Curtain “HAPPINESS” in Conversation with Mary MacDonald Kerr, Cassandra Bissell and Mickle Maher THERE IS A HAPPINESS THAT MORNING IS by Mickle Maher is hard to describe in one sentence - or a whole paragraph. In order to prepare for Next Act’s production of this play, we put...