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New commission for

Shakespeare 400 Chicago and Navy Pier Centennial

undreamed shores

A solo micro-journey from Australia's one step at a time like this

in 3rd Chicago Shakespeare collaboration

 

Chicago—October 4, 2016—Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) announces the debut of a new collaboration with acclaimed artistic collective one step at a time like this entitled undreamed shores, a solo pedestrian micro-journey along Navy Pier. The coincidence of Shakespeare’s legacy celebration, Shakespeare 400 Chicago, and Navy Pier’s Centennial Anniversary in 2016 has inspired CST’s third partnership with the Melbourne-based artists, who astonished audiences and critics alike with the large-scale urban journeys Since I Suppose (2014) and en route (2011). Now shifting their focus to a walk along the Theater’s home on the shores of Lake Michigan, the new commission takes the shape of a contemplative voyage led by a voice-guided soundscape, which explores the possibility of discovering new perspectives in our everyday world. Specially crafted to be enjoyed by one person at a time, undreamed shores premieres in a limited engagement, October 7–23, 2016—with availability for only 200 travelers.

Inspired by Shakespeare’s fascination with water imagery and the natural beauty of Lake Michigan, undreamed shores embraces the creative potential of an act as simple as walking. This solo micro-journey guides individuals as they traverse Chicago’s famous landmark—accompanied by the sounds of spoken audio tracks, Shakespeare’s text and music, and the sights of the lake and its environs on Navy Pier. Each of the travelers on the journey borrows a specially programmed smartphone, which serves as the navigational tool of their excursion.

The artists of one step at a time like this are creators of participatory and site-responsive works with a digital media component. Chicago Shakespeare’s partnership with one step began with their 2011 production of en route, which opened CST’s 25th Anniversary season and enjoyed a four-week extension by popular demand. Presented in association with the Chicago Office of Tourism and Culture, en route was the centerpiece of Chicago’s 2011 summer tourism initiative, Urban Excursions: Explore Chicago. one step’s first Shakespeare-inspired collaboration was Since I Suppose in 2014, which used Measure for Measure as a framework, moving the audience through places of power, prayer and pleasure in downtown Chicago. The company now returns to Chicago with undreamed shores, five years since its first collaboration—on the occasion of Chicago Shakespeare’s 30th Anniversary Season.

Shakespeare 400 Chicago brings together the city’s world-class institutions and leading artists from around the globe to interpret and reimagine Shakespeare’s work in 850 events throughout 2016. The yearlong international cultural festival is engaging more than 500,000 Chicagoans and visitors in events spanning theater, opera, music, dance, cuisine, exhibitions, workshops and discussion series.

undreamed shores is presented by Chicago Shakespeare Theater and Richard Jordan Productions Ltd. from October 7–23, 2016, with staggered start times from 1:30 p.m.–5:50 p.m. Tickets are on sale now, starting at $25. Due to the unique nature of undreamed shores, tickets are only available by calling the Box Office at 312.595.5600 during regular business hours. For more information, visit www.chicagoshakes.com/undreamed.

 

ABOUT CHICAGO SHAKESPEARE THEATER
Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) is a leading international theater company and the recipient of the Regional Theatre Tony Award®. Under the leadership of Artistic Director Barbara Gaines and Executive Director Criss Henderson, CST is dedicated to creating extraordinary production of classics, new works and family programming; to unlocking Shakespeare’s work for educators and students; and to serving as Chicago’s cultural ambassador through its World’s Stage Series. Through a year-round season encompassing more than 650 performances, CST attracts 225,000 audience members annually. One in four of its audience members is under eighteen years old, and today its education programs have impacted the learning of over one million students. CST is proud to take an active role in empowering the next generation of literate, engaged cultural champions and creative minds. During 2016, CST has spearheaded the Shakespeare 400 Chicago festival in addition to announcing the creation of an innovative performance venue, The Yard at Chicago Shakespeare. www.chicagoshakes.com

ABOUT SHAKESPEARE 400 CHICAGO
Shakespeare 400 Chicago is a yearlong international arts festival in 2016 celebrating the vibrancy, relevance and reach of Shakespeare as the world commemorates the four hundred years since the playwright’s death in 1616. Spearheaded by Chicago Shakespeare Theater, the festival unites 60 of the city’s world-class institutions, and welcomes scores of leading artists from nations around the world including Australia, India, Mexico, the United Kingdom and beyond. Events spanning theater, opera, music, dance—even cuisine—celebrate, interpret and reimagine Shakespeare’s work. Shakespeare 400 Chicago will engage more than 500,000 Chicagoans and visitors to our City through 850 events. With leading support from the Julius Frankel Foundation, the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation and the Pritzker Military Museum & Library, this quadricentennial celebration is the world’s largest and most comprehensive celebration of Shakespeare’s enduring legacy. www.shakespeare400chicago.com 

 

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Contact Us
 

Hannah Kennedy
Director of Communications
hkennedy@chicagoshakes.com

Emma Perrin
Public Relations & Digital Media Manager
eperrin@chicagoshakes.com
Chicago Shakespeare Theater
Media Office
312.667.4957

Cathy Taylor
cathy@cathytaylorpr.com
Cathy Taylor Public Relations
773.564.9564

Chicago Shakespeare Theater
on Navy Pier
800 East Grand Avenue
Chicago, IL 60611

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