Founded in 1988, Strawdog Theater Company is[when?] located in North Center at 1802 W Berenice Avenue.
2015–2016 - Season 28
In a Word
by Lauren Yee
directed by Jess McLeod
D.O.A.
by from the script by Russell Rouse & Clarence Greene
directed and adapted by Elizabeth Lovelady
Once in a Lifetime
by George S. Kauffman and Moss Hart
directed by Damon Kiely
History
Lawrence Novikoff and Paul Engelhardt founded Strawdog Theatre Company in 1988 after performing together in a production of Euripides's Helen. Strawdog was intended to be a home for a company of actors drawn to a gritty, realistic theater style. The group took their name from Sam Peckinpah's movie "Straw Dogs" and was founded with the commitment to the ensemble approach, which remains the backbone of Strawdog today[when?][1].
In 2000, the Company went through a period of restructuring. Many ensemble members left the Company and new members were recruited. This personnel change led to a shift in leadership and focus for the ensemble. Jennifer Avery and Michael Dailey took over as Co-Artistic Directors. They added many new ensemble members of varying disciplines, restructured the administration of the Company and gradually moved its focus from gritty kitchen sink dramas to a wider range of styles.[citation needed]
In August 2003, the Company hired Nic Dimond, a former ensemble member, to helm the Company as Artistic Director.[citation needed]
Strawdog first garnered national attention when Terry Teachout ("America's Theatre Critic") of The Wall Street Journal named Aristocrats one of the best shows of 2007.[1] The next year, Teachout once again lauded Strawdog for their production of RUR, a rarely seen parable about robots and technology.[2]
