The New Colony

Specialties

The New Colony exclusively produces theatrical world premieres.

Using a technique developed by the company, The Stangler Method, The New Colony collaboratively works with playwrights, directors, actors, designers, filmmakers, musicians and artists to develop and workshop plays, musicals and films that challenge and inspire current and new arts-​supporting audiences.

Blending Chicago’s roots of risky, invigorating theater with innovative, modern techniques, The New Colony is at the forefront of a new arts movement for the 21^st Century.

«They embody a self-​perpetuating excitement for theater and each other that makes it easy to believe they may change the way new plays are made.» — Newcity Stage

History

Established in 2007.

In November of 2007, a group of Chicago theater professionals and entrepreneurs began talking about the need for a theater company entirely dedicated to the future of the art form.

The creation of new works and the development of a new theater-​supporting generation would be the company’s mission.

After months of discussions regarding the company’s purpose, business structure, artistic structure, and types of individuals we would want to found the Artistic Ensemble, Administration and Board of Directors, the foundation of The New Colony was laid.

In April of 2008, The New Colony was registered with the State of Illinois as a Not-​for-​Profit Corporation, received 501©(3) Tax-​Exempt status from the IRS, and voted in its first Board, Executive Team, and the organization’s governing documents.

The New Colony’s first season was marked by rave reviews, sold out performances, and invitations to collaborate with some of Chicago’s most respected artistic institutions.

Meet the Manager

Andrew H.

Manager

Andrew is a founder and Artistic Director of The New Colony.

He co-​created the 2006 FringeNYC Best Musical, 58!, and co-​wrote and directed Love is Dead: A NecRomantic Musical Comedy which won the 2008 FringeNYC award for Outstanding Music and Lyrics and three After Dark awards.

His recent directing projects are the three-​time Jeff Nominated production of Torch Song Trilogy and The New Colony’s productions of Amelia Earhart Jungle Princess and the critical and box office hits FRAT and Tupperware: An American Musical Fable, the latter of which he co-​wrote with his Love is Dead collaborators.

He and The New Colony were featured at Collaboraction’s Sketchbook 9 with their play A Domestic Disturbance at Little Fat Charlie’s Seventh Birthday Party and collaborated with Victory Gardens Theater on their late night shows Literally Sexy and Walk of Shame.

He is currently working on The New Colony’s Second Season Première, Calls to Blood, with his award-​winning collaborator, James Asmus.

The New Colony also recommends

Victory Gardens Theater

31

reviews

Performing Arts

Andrew H. says,

«Victory Gardens has been, and still is, one of the national leaders for the creation, production and promotion of theatrical world premieres.»