Actor/Arts Educator: PETER G. ANDERSEN

Posted on April 1, 2020April 1, 2020 by GO BANG MAG

Peter Andersen is a theatre artist originally from Wisconsin who is based out of Chicago. He is a graduate of Emerson College where he obtained his BFA in Acting.

Peter is currently finishing his season as a teaching artist for Steppenwolf Theatre Company, Northlight Theatre Company, and Writers Theatre.

This summer he will be assisting Bill Brown at American Players Theatre.

His passions include Shakespeare, Photography, Museums, and Laughter.

GO BANG! Magazine: How and when did you get an interest in Theatre?

Peter Andersen: I have had an interest in Theatre almost my entire life. I started performing in my home town of Milwaukee with several of the local repertory companies, and then pursued my BFA in Acting in Boston. I’ve also always held an interest in Arts Education. I personally believe it is the job of the artist to give back to the community they practice in, and teaching alongside acting has been my way of doing that.

GO BANG! Magazine: What about it attracts you?

Peter Andersen: Theatre is so fascinating to me because of its ability to bring people together and ask difficult questions about our collective humanity. It is one of the few spaces that people from a wide array of backgrounds can come together in this way. It encourages people to develop empathy for stories that are radically different than their own. This is why I think it is so important to expose young people to theatre. They are in a place where they are eager to ask these difficult questions and theatre is space where they can be challenged to do so.

GO BANG! Magazine: How did you get involved with Writers Theatre and what is your role?

Peter Andersen: I first started working with Writers as both an assistant director and a teaching artist. Now I am the Education Manager where my primary responsibility is managing The MLK PROJECT, our touring educational production.

GO BANG! Magazine: Are you also an actor or a staff member only?

Peter Andersen: I am a freelance actor around the city when I have the time! Most of my time is spent working in the Education Department at Writers.

GO BANG! Magazine: What is The MLK Project: The Fight for Civil Rights and when did it begin?

Peter Andersen: The MLK Project: The Fight for Civil Right started 14 years ago as a conversation between playwright Yolanda Androzzo and Artistic Director Michael Halberstam. It is a one-woman show that follows a Chicago student’s personal transformation through studying the Civil Rights Movement. Alaya uses her fists as an outlet for anger, but after interviewing local heroes of the Movement she discovers she can put “anger into action” and that her power is in her voice and her hip hop, not violence. Weaving together real interviews, poetry, hip-hop, history and multimedia projections the performance features stories of both celebrated and unsung Chicago-based Civil Rights Activists.

GO BANG! Magazine: How do you make your choices each year?

Peter Andersen: The MLK Project: The Fight for Civil Rights has been touring Chicago for the last 14 years. To make sure the script stays relevant we make small changes each summer. This year was the 50th anniversary of the death of Fred Hampton, and our playwright Yolanda wanted to ensure that students knew that and understood the depth of his impact in Chicago. As such, we added a small section about Fred Hampton and the Black Panther Party.

GO BANG! Magazine: What other educational programs does the Writers Theatre offer?

Peter Andersen: Writers Theatre has a number of educational programs. Our flagship program is The Novel Series, which is a theatre and literary arts curriculum designed to allow students to explore literature and the artistry of bringing text to life. Students engage in a layered investigation of text and enter a rigorous artistic process that includes deep academic enrichment and meaningful text-to-self and text-to-world connections.

The Novel Series was developed by Writers Theatre in collaboration with teachers and administrators in Chicago schools. It takes the best practices of literature programs like Writers Workshop, Guided Reading, and Literature Circles and blends them into a student-driven, arts-integrated program. The program fosters a love of reading, appreciation of how themes and events in literature relate to real life, and stretches students’ creative potential.

We also invite schools to matinees of our productions and offer workshops and curriculum based on each production, and we have a teen Youth Council that meets biweekly at the theatre to see plays, participate in workshops with industry professionals and contribute their perspective to the long-term vision of Writers Theatre.

GO BANG! Magazine: What is the Writers Theatre working on now, that our readers can be on the lookout for, after this COVID-19 is over?

Peter Andersen: With the recommendation of Governor J.B. Pritzker and Mayor Lori Lightfoot, Writers Theatre has suspended performances of The Last Match. Writers is currently looking into many options when it comes to presenting the remainder of our 2019/20 Season as well as looking ahead at announcing our 2020/21 Season.

While we wait, WT is sharing many different forms of art and enrichment on our social channels, including resources and study guides from our WT Education, counting down our 10 most successful YouTube videos of all time and sharing never before seen footage of some of WT’s favorite artists!

Those interested in keeping up with Writers Theatre’s programming affected by COVID-19 should visit our official page for updates: https://www.writerstheatre.org/response

GO BANG! Magazine: In conclusion, the COVID-19 pandemic has caught the world off guard. How are you dealing with it?

Peter Andersen: Right now, our Education Department is planning on moving a lot of our programming to online platforms. We want to ensure that we can continue to program resources and curriculum to young people during this difficult time. Follow our social media links below to learn more!

FOLLOW WRITERS THEATRE: https://www.writerstheatre.org/

WT Education Facebook: www.facebook.com/WTEducation
WT Education Instagram: @wt_education

WT Main Facebook: www.facebook.com/WritersTheatre
WT Main Instagram: @writers_theatre
WT Main Twitter: @writerstheatre

Pierre A. Evans is a freelance writer of Entertainment, Music, Art, Culture, Fashion and Current Events, and previously for SoulTrain.com, NDigo.com, ChicagoDefender.com, EmpireRadioMagazine.com, and UrbanMuseMag.com, an author, singer/songwriter, actor, model, poet, dancer, and DJ. He is also the Owner of Pinnacle Entertainment Productions and the Owner/Publisher of GO BANG! Magazine. Follow him on Facebook @Pierre Andre Evans, Twitter @Playerre, and on Instagram @Pierre_Andre_Evans.

Playwright/Musician: VICTOR GULLEY

Posted on April 1, 2020April 1, 2020 by GO BANG MAG

Victor Gulley was born and raised in Evanston, IL. After high school, he went to Howard University to pursue a business degree. After working in the computer field as a Network engineer, Victor was asked to create a theatrical production for a company he was working with in 2005. His first theatrical production was well received, to the point that he was sought after to write other productions.

Upon seeing the success of these five productions, he started his own company, The After Work Program. The purpose of the program was to give people who have a passion for the arts an outlet for their passion. It encompassed photographers, graphic artists, musicians, actors, stage hands and marketing areas.
The first production “Games People Play” in 2008, not only had a sold out performance, but we also gave a part of the proceeds back to local charities to assist them with their goals. “Supernatural” was the second production, doing runs from 2009–2013. This production also toured to Minneapolis, MN. The last performance was done at the Salvation Army, where we again donated a portion of the proceeds to help them with their drug and alcohol program.

In 2012, Victor created A Taste of Theater. A Taste of Theatre Festival exposes, educates and entertains a diverse audience of professional, intermediate and novice playwrights, thespians and staff members. Playwrights compete by showcasing one scene of their play. Just like movie previews or trailers provide the public with insight about the movie they intend to see, A Taste of Theatre does the same thing for live theater, allowing playwrights to give you a “Taste” of their play.

In 2013, after a two year wait, we debut our third production “A Long Goodbye.” This production was done in South Bend, Indiana and again in Chicago, IL. Also in 2013, Victor created a cable access tv show called “A Taste of Theater” which interviews playwrights and showcases one scene of their play. The TV show is aired on more than 50 stations across the US. The show will soon be aired internationally.

In 2016, A Taste of Theater app was released. This app will connect theatre companies with actors, stage crew and venues. Once this connection is made, the public will be able to find any play in the country.

GO BANG! Magazine: When did you first get “bit” by the theater bug?

Victor Gulley: 2005

GO BANG! Magazine: What is it about theater that attracts you?

Victor Gulley: It is a place where you can get immediate feedback on a story and how it affects others. It also has the power to educated, inspire and move people to action, whether that is forgiveness or faith.

GO BANG! Magazine: Not only do you act in plays, you’ve written and produced a few as well. Please describe the plays you’ve written.

Victor Gulley: The most inspiring play I have written was called “Supernatural.” It was a play about how angels protect people 24/7, 365 days a year. Often time we have no idea they are there working on our behalf, but they are. This play gave the audience an idea into the depths of how far an angel will go to protect you, even from yourself. But at the same time, how limited they can help due to Free Will.

This play follows a woman as she goes through the ups and downs of life from money issues to an abusive relationship. But during that entire time, she is protected not only from those things, but from the devil himself, who is attempting to claim her salvation. It is not until the end of the play that you find out the angel assigned to watch over her has a purpose in mind. He was her love in heaven and vowed to protect her until she came back. Their love is “Supernatural.”

GO BANG! Magazine: Even more than just being a playwright, you’re the founder of “A Taste of Theatre” (ATOT). Please explain when you created it and what it is.

Victor Gulley: I create A Taste of Theatre in 2011, with the first event happening in 2012. This event is a training ground and showcase for self-producing playwrights. These playwrights only showcase one scene of their play for the audience to vote on. The play with the most number of votes wins the playwright award.

GO BANG! Magazine: Soon after that, you created the “A Taste of Theatre Festival.” What year did you create it and what was its purpose?

Victor Gulley: The first one was held in 2012 at the Portage Theater in Chicago with Shelly Garrett.

GO BANG! Magazine: Besides the original purpose of the festival, you soon added two other aspects, “Acting with the Stars” and theater workshops. Please explain to our readers what those events are.

Victor Gulley: It was also a training ground to bring professionals such as Shelly Garrett, Tommy Ford, Drew Sidora and Cynda Williams to teach playwrights on how to effectively run their shows more professionally. The “Acting with the Stars” program was created as a training ground for the actors. It gave the up and coming actors an opportunity to perform a scene from a Hollywood film, with the actor who was in the film. This past year, the actors were blessed to work with Leon, Robert Townsend, Eric Lane, Cynda Williams, DeEtta West and Thea Camera.

GO BANG! Magazine: Keeping up with technology, you recently developed the “Upstage” app. Please describe the purpose of the app.

Victor Gulley: MyUpstage.com modernizes the management of theatrical shows. We do this by connecting playwrights, who only write plays, with theatre companies who are looking for submissions. Then we connect theatre companies with venues, so they can have a place to have their show at. Theatre companies then can use the product to find the production team members to manage the show, like the director, stage manager or light and sound techs, then lastly, the actors who perform in the show. Once theses connections are made, the public can use the website or app to find any play within 50 miles of their phone.

GO BANG! Magazine: In addition to writing plays, you’re also a musician. How would you describe your style of music?

Victor Gulley: My music has always been inspired by Lionel Richie, Prince, Yanni or Quincy Jones. So, it would be technically classified as Rhythm and Blues.

GO BANG! Magazine: Are you currently working on anything new in theater, music, or business that our readers should be on the lookout for?

Victor Gulley: We are working on a play called “Imprisoned.” Plus, we will continue the festival when God inspires us to move forward. In addition, we are also looking for other ways to super-serve the theatre community.

GO BANG! Magazine: In conclusion, the COVID-19 pandemic has caught the world off guard. How are you dealing with it?

Victor Gulley: We have a meetup group that meets online to write plays. The current play is called “Imprisoned.” It is a play about a woman who hasn’t seen her mother in 20 years. When they reunite, the mother moves into the home of the daughter. Once the mother is in the home, she is sexually assaulted by the husband of the daughter. In the end, you find out that the daughter forced her husband to do this, because she wanted the mother to know how it felt when she was a child and her husband sexually assaulted her.

YOU CAN FOLLOW A TASTE OF THEATER:

Facebook @A Taste Of Theater

Instagram: @atasteoftheater

UpStage App:

Instagram @Upstage

Business: WRITERS THEATRE

Posted on March 28, 2020March 28, 2020 by GO BANG MAG

For over 25 years, Writers Theatre has captivated Chicagoland audiences with inventive interpretations of classic work, a bold approach to contemporary theatre and a dedication to creating the most intimate theatrical experience possible.

Under the artistic leadership of Michael Halberstam and the executive leadership of Kathryn M. Lipuma, Writers Theatre has grown to become a major Chicagoland cultural destination with a national reputation for excellence, being called the top regional theatre in the nation by The Wall Street Journal. The company, which plays to a sold-out and discerning audience of more than 60,000 patrons each season, has garnered critical praise for the consistent high quality and intimacy of its artistry—providing the finest interpretations of both classic and contemporary theatre in its two intensely intimate venues.

In February 2016, Writers Theatre opened a new, state-of-the-art facility. This established the company’s first permanent home—a new theatre center in downtown Glencoe, designed by the award-winning, internationally renowned Studio Gang Architects, led by Founder and Design Principal Jeanne Gang, FAIA, in collaboration with Theatre Consultant Auerbach Pollock Friedlander. The new facility has allowed the Theatre to continue to grow to accommodate its audience, while maintaining its trademark intimacy. The new facility resonates with and complements the Theatre’s neighboring Glencoe community, adding tremendous value to Chicagoland and helping to establish the North Shore as a premier cultural destination.

Writers Theatre opened its 14^th annual tour of The MLK Project: The Fight for Civil Rights, written by Yolanda Androzzo, directed by Sophiyaa Nayar and featured Adhana Reid. A special Martin Luther King, Jr. Day public performance took place at 10:30am on January 20, 2020 at the Chicago History Museum, 1601 N Clark Street in Chicago. The kickoff event also included a post-show community discussion. The event was free and open to the public, and audience members also received free museum admission for the remainder of the day. The closing performance was also free and open to the public, at 7pm on February 28, 2020 at DuSable Museum of African American History, 740 East 56^th Place in Chicago. Tickets were free and were reserved in advance by calling 773-947-0600. Visit dusablemuseum.org/events for more information.

Weaving together poetry, hip hop and history, The MLK Project: The Fight for Civil Rights is a one-woman show that follows Chicago student Alaya’s personal transformation through studying the Civil Rights Movement. Alaya used her fists as an outlet for anger. After interviewing local heroes of the Movement, she discovers she can put “anger into action” and that her power is in her voice and her hip hop, not violence.

Seen by more than 83,000 students, this dynamic, cross-cultural, multi-media performance interlaces personal interviews of Chicago-based Civil Rights activists, featuring both celebrated and unsung heroes of the Movement, such as Reverend Samuel “Billy” Kyles, spoken word artist and activist Sista Yo, Reverend Jesse Jackson and Puerto Rican poet and activist David Hernandez, among others.

The 2020 production toured to more than 35 venues during its 6-week run, including:

Chicago Public Schools, community centers, and juvenile detention centers. All performances on the tour included a post-show discussion and a study guide with wrap-around curriculum.

The 2020 tour of The MLK Project is made possible in part by support from Allstate, Major Corporate Sponsor. Additional supporters of The MLK Project and Writers Theatre’s education programs in 2020 include: The Crown Family, Polk Bros. Foundation, Dr. Scholl Foundation, and The Seabury Foundation.

Writers Theatre Education Programs are aimed at exploring text, nurturing the creativity of young people and instilling appreciation of the arts for future generations. Through comprehensive programming in schools, on-site and through community-based initiatives, WT Education’s curriculum is designed to emphasize collaboration, cultivate self-expression, encourage imaginative inquiry and promote civic responsibility.

Find Writers Theatre on Facebook at Facebook.com/WritersTheatre, follow @WritersTheatre on Twitter or @Writers_Theatre on Instagram. For more information, visit www.writerstheatre.org.

Pierre A. Evans is a freelance writer of Entertainment, Music, Art, Culture, Fashion and Current Events, and previously for SoulTrain.com, NDigo.com, ChicagoDefender.com, EmpireRadioMagazine.com, and UrbanMuseMag.com, an author, singer/songwriter, actor, model, poet, dancer, and DJ. He is also the Owner of Pinnacle Entertainment Productions and the Owner/Publisher of GO BANG! Magazine. Follow him on Facebook @Pierre Andre Evans, Twitter @Playerre, and on Instagram @Pierre_Andre_Evans.

Business: A TASTE OF THEATER

Posted on March 28, 2020March 29, 2020 by GO BANG MAG

A Taste of Theatre is a 501(c) organization dedicated to supporting self-producing playwrights by providing them a platform to showcase one scene of their play.

2012 – The very first festival occurred at the Portage Theatre. At the event, Shelly Garrett, the American Association of Community Theatre, Actors Equity, Mike Oquindo, IATW Rep, Dramatist Guild rep and the marketing director from Writers theatre provided insight on how participants can improve the marketing, performance and technical aspect of their shows. Monique Lisa won the Shelly Garrett award.

2013 – A Taste Of Theatre TV show was created to provide theatre professionals opportunities to showcase their work on cable access tv stations around the world. Cape Town South Africa, Phillidelphia, Chicago, Atlanta, Minneapolis, Boston, and 50 other cities.

2014 – A Taste of Theatre started a radio show on WGSJBC’s called – Playwright Tuesday’s Playwrights were given a free platform to talk about their shows. . A Taste of Theatre Festival continued at Carver Military Academy featuring Shelly Garrett. In addition ATOT started a new platform, Acting With The Stars. This is where up and coming actors perform a reading from a Hollywood movie with the actor who was in the movie. Cynda Williams and Cedric Young gave personal feedback to up and coming actors to help them improve their acting skills. Sabrina Perrin won the Shelly Garrett. Devin Banks won the Acting with the Stars competition.

2015- A Taste of Theatre festival occurred at Gwendolyn Brooks College prep with Phillip Van Lear, Lydia Diamond, Antoine McKay, Tommy Ford and special performance by Black Ice and Muzic Fusion. Playwrights showcased one scene of their play. The acting with the Stars winner Joy Steele Harris. Jackie Chambers won the ATOT Festival award.

2016 – A Taste of Theatre Festival occurred at Gwendolyn Brooks College prep. Featuring Jerome Benton from the time, Illunga Adel, Eric Lane, Drew Sidora, Cynda Williams and Harold Dennis. Roy Sherriff won the Playwright Award. Domonique Glover won the Acting with the stars competition.

2017 – A Taste of Theatre festival occurred at Gwendolyn Brooks College Prep again. This year acting workshops were taught by Runako Jahi. Drew Sidora, DeEtta West, Thea Camera and Eric Lane, The winner of the festival was Loretta Haskins. Mel Yarbrough won the Acting with the stars competition. A Taste Of Theater Team was started to serve as a support group for playwrights to share with one another what works and what doesn’t work. In addition, various members have not only volunteered to assist with other plays but have provided props and other support as well.

2018 – A Taste of Theatre completed their app Myupstage.com. This app modernizes the management of theatrical shows. THen the public can use it as a search tool to find any play within 50 miles of their phone.

2019 – A Taste of Theatre Festival returned featuring Robert Townsend and Leon Robinson from the five heartbeats. Robert taught Directing by the stars. The winner of the event was Jarren Hampton.

You can follow A TASTE OF THEATRE at http://www.atasteoftheatre.org/ and ALL social media platforms.

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