Bernhardt/Hamlet “Jeff Recommended”
The Resident Theatre’s recent production of Bernhardt/Hamlet by Theresa Rebeck was “Jeff Recommended” by Chicago’s Joseph Jefferson Awards. The nominations will be announced in early 2026.
Jennifer at Drury Lane
Resident Artist Jennifer Cudahy is currently appearing in The Da Vinci Code at Drury Lane Theatre. Performances run through June 1. She also recently appeared in their production of A Christmas Carol. She continues an Edge of the Wood tradition, as Resident Artists Grant Kilian and John Chambers also appeared in that production in past years.
The Language Archive “Jeff Nominated”
The Resident Theatre’s November production of Julia Cho’s The Language Archive received four nominations from Chicago’s Joseph Jefferson Awards: Best Production, Best Director (Stacey Lind), and Best Performance in A Featured Role (Jeff Broitman and Ellen Shaw). The awards were presented in late March.
Jack at Northlight
Edge alum Jack Cahill-Lemme recently appeared in The Flying Lovers of Vitebsk at Northlight Theatre.
It Is So (If You Think So!) receives three Lou Award nominations
The Resident Theatre’s production of Pirandello’s It Is So (If You Think So!) received nominations for Lou Awards in the following categories: Best Production – Play, Best Director (Sean Hargadon), and Best Performer in a Leading Female Role (Jeanann Power).
Mr. Chambers in Network
Resident Theatre Artistic Director John Chambers recently appeared in the Chicago stage premiere of Network at Invictus Theatre. The production was “Jeff Recommended” for Chicago’s Joseph Jefferson Awards.
Jeff Award Win for The Minutes
The Resident Theatre’s November 2023 production of Tracy Letts’ The Minutes was nominated for FOUR Joseph Jefferson Awards including Best Production, Best Ensemble, Best Director (Janet Rourke), and Best Performer (Jack Hradecky). At the March 25 ceremony at Park West, Jack Hradecky was one of two WINNERS for his role as Mr. Peel. The ensemble featured Resident Artists Bill Chamberlain, John Chambers, Stephen Loch, and Jeanann Power; returning artists Robert Howard and Herb Metzler; and Sophia Arnold, Tim Ashby, Brian A. Hill, Jack Hradecky, and Barbara Roeder Harris made their Resident Theatre debut.
Jack on Broadway
Edge alum Jack Cahill-Lemme recently appeared in Moulin Rouge! The Musical on Broadway. He went on for the leading role of Christian.
Dakotah wins “Heartstrings Award”
Dakotah Brown won the 2023 Heartstrings Award for “Most Meaningful Cameo in a Male Role–Play” for his performance as William H. Gallegher in Light Up the Sky.
Lou Awards honor The Crucible and Light Up the Sky
The Resident Theatre received SIX Lou Award nominations for the 2022-23 theatre season. Robert Howard WON a Lou Award for Best Performer in a Supporting Male Role–Play for his role as Reverend John Hale in The Crucible. In addition, Evin McQuistion (John Proctor) was nominated in the leading role category. Light Up the Sky received four nominations including Best Production, Best Director (John Chambers), Best Performer in a Leading Female Role–Play (Janet Rourke), and Best Costume Design (Mark Burrows).
Grant on stilts
Edge of the Wood Resident Artist and instructor Grant Kilian recently appeared in A Christmas Carol and as Fyedka in Fiddler on the Roof at Chicago’s Drury Lane Theatre.
Jack on tour
Edge of the Wood alum Jack Cahill-Lemme was recently in the First North American Tour of Moulin Rouge! The Musical.
John does Shakespeare
Edge of the Wood Resident Artist and instructor John Chambers appeared in Julius Caesar with Chicago’s Invictus Theatre.
Resident Theatre Zooms through the pandemic
Due to the ongoing pandemic, the Resident Theatre went virtual with its Zoom Performance series. In May 2020, Stacey Lind directed Shakespeare’s The Winter’s Tale. July brought Noel Coward’s Present Laughter directed by guest artist Eric Ziegenhagen. In August, Abby Walburn directed James Goldman’s The Lion in Winter. In October we presented Samsara by Lauren Yee, directed by acclaimed Chicago director Lavina Jadhwani and November brought Good People by David Lindsay-Abaire, directed by Gus Schlanbusch. In 2021 Lavina Jadhwani returned to helm Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing and Resident Artist Chris Toft directed Arthur Miller’s The Crucible.
Alums on Fire
Edge of the Wood alum and Resident Artist Grant Kilian and Edge alum Pat Weber appeared in episodes of Chicago Fire.
Christa belts it out
Edge of the Wood student and Resident Artist Christa Ciesil appeared as Nina in the All-State production of In the Heights at the Illinois High School Theatre Festival.
Abby working in Chicago
Edge of the Wood alum Abby Pierce appeared in Barbecue with Strawdog Theatre Company and in All My Sons at Court Theatre. She is also a recurring role on season five of Chicago Fire.
Pat in a featured role
Edge of the Wood alum Pat Weber filmed a featured role in the independent psychodrama Teacher, starring David Dastmalchian and Kevin Pollak. The film is helmed by writer and director Adam Dick, who previously co-wrote and produced the feature NightLights and spent nearly three years developing Teacher for the screen.
Rachel and Mitchel helm Brownville Village Theatre
Resident Theatre artists Rachel Curtiss (Seagull, Holiday, The Fantasticks, Our Town) and Mitchell Bean (The Fantasticks) are now Artistic Directors at Nebraska’s Brownville Village Theatre putting up five shows in repertory each summer!
Grant at the Marriott
Edge of the Wood student and Resident Artist Grant Kilian appeared as Arpad in She Loves Me at the Marriott Theatre. marriotttheatre.com/artists/grant-kilian
Jack at All-State
Edge of the Wood student Jack Spellman appeared in the All-State Production of Sweeney Todd at the 42nd Annual Illinois High School Theatre Festival.
Julia at Citadel
Edge of the Wood student Julia Novy appeared in A Christmas Story: The Musical at Citadel Theatre in Lake Forest.
Jack named Best Actor
Former Edge of the Wood student Jack Cahill-Lemme was named BEST ACTOR at the 2016 Illinois High School Musical Theatre Awards held at Chicago’s Broadway Playhouse. He traveled to New York City for a ten-day professional training intensive.
Sophia performs at the Lyric
Edge student Sophia Woo appeared in The King and I at Lyric Opera of Chicago.
The Addams Family reviewed on WGN
Lou Manfredini, WGN Radio’s Mr. Fix-It, gives a shout-out to Edge of the Wood and a rave review of our production of The Addams Family! Listen here! Review begins around the 01:39 mark.
Roisin an award finalist
Edge of the Wood student Roisin Goebelbecker was one of twenty-four finalists for the 2015 Illinois High School Musical Theatre Awards.
Victoria on staff at Actors Theatre
Edge of the Wood alum Victoria Bain was a lighting technician on staff at Actors Theatre of Louisville.
Our Town gets rave review on WGN
The Resident Theatre’s production of Our Town (November 2014), directed by Stacey Lind, received a rave review from Lt. David Haynes on his “Policing the Movies” segment for WGN Radio. Congratulations to cast and crew! Listen to Lt. Haynes with Bob Sirott and Marianne Murciano here! Review begins around the 7:30 mark!