American Theatre Critics Association Annual Conference City Images Wednesday June 13, 2012 through Sunday June 17, 2012 Chicago, IL event site Over the past few years I have explored writing […]
American Theatre Critics Association Annual Conference City Images
Wednesday June 13, 2012 through Sunday June 17, 2012 Chicago, IL event site
Over the past few years I have explored writing about the theatre I have been consuming, creating, observing as dramaturg and as audience member. Since 2006 or so I have been learning by doing, and writing with increasing frequency on theatre-related events and on theatre productions. I’ve become involved in working with young people teaching the art of theatre criticism as I’ve been honing my own voice. And this year, as a new member of ATCA, I was thrilled to attend the annual conference in one of my favorite cities in the world, filled with friends and colleagues, and where I found my professional theatrical footing as production dramaturg and script reader and production reviewer/critic. Chicago and ATCA.
I plan several blog postings to cover my experiences this past week — the plays (and there were many) and the panels (there were several) and the people (they were inspirational). In this initial post I’ll allow Chicago itself and some of the venues and views to show off a bit. With all caveats necessary for camera phone photo quality, I give you: Chicago.
6/14/2012. Tribune Tower. 20th Floor Conference room. Looking west toward Lake Michigan. Image by Martha Wade Steketee.6/14/2012. From high floor terrace on east side of Tribune Tower. Wrigley Building white tower dwarfed by looming Trump Tower behind it to the west. Image by Martha Wade Steketee6/14/2012. From Tribune Tower terrace, looking up at the eastern face of the building. Intercontinental hotel with yellow Mosque-top to the north. Image by Martha Wade Steketee.6/14/2012. Hillary Rodham Clinton signature on one of the “Cows on Parade” cows, now gracing the lobby of Timeline Theatre. Image by Martha Wade Steketee.6/14/2012. The “Cows on Parade” cow at Timeline (Hillary’s signature on the other side). Image by Martha Wade Steketee.6/14/2012. Chicago showing off at night, from my Club Quarters tower window in the 36th floor. Image by Martha Wade Steketee.6/15/2012. Tribune Tower from the east on my walk to Navy Pier. From below can see the upper level terrace from which shots were taken the day before. Image by Martha Wade Steketee6/15/2012. Navy Pier centerpiece, just yards from Chicago Shakes. Image by Martha Wade Steketee.6/15/2012. Chicago Shakespeare Building, site of the morning’s panels and discussions. Lake Michigan just beyond. Image by Martha Wade Steketee6/15/2012. Women’s bathroom in meeting area at Chicago Shakes. Rivals the floor to ceiling walls of glass in the women’s room at the top floor Signature Room of the Hancock Tower. Ah, Chicago views. Image by Martha Wade Steketee.6/15/2012. Yes pigs fly — at least in the bar area of a restaurant near Theatre Wit. Oh yes. Image by Martha Wade Steketee.6/16/2012. Jay Pritzker Pavilion outdoor concert venue at Millennium Park. Image by Martha Wade Steketee.6/17/2012. Buildings on Wacker Drive, south side of the Chicago River. Image by Martha Wade Steketee.6/17/2012. Marina City (the “corn cobs”), IBM Building and other buildings on the north side of the Chicago River. Image by Martha Wade Steketee.6/17/2012. Elevated train at State and Lake. Image by Martha Wade Steketee
And who can forget a double Ketel at South Water Kitchen, the on-site Chicago restaurant at the Monaco Hotel, or a late night lettuce wedge at Smith & Wollensky? I’d hop a plane tomorrow for an afternoon chopped salad at Petterino’s.
urban excavations 
And who can forget a double Ketel at South Water Kitchen, the on-site Chicago restaurant at the Monaco Hotel, or a late night lettuce wedge at Smith & Wollensky? I’d hop a plane tomorrow for an afternoon chopped salad at Petterino’s.