"4 Stars- laugh-out-loud hilarious...with their "motivational dancing" and killer roleplaying scenarios, they could get us to sign up for camp again next summer" - Time Out Chicago
"Janice Dutts Goes to Life Camp is a fun time...brimming with pop cuture goodness and, yes, campy humor, lovingly satirizing the self-help movement and its well-meaning psychobabble"- Chicagoist
"fantastic comic timing."- The Reader
Show Information
Runs Friday and Saturdays at 8:00 and Sundays at 7:00
Closes April 14th
Factory Theater at the Prop Thtr 3504 N. Elston Ave, Chicago.
TICKETS:
$10.00 Preview - March 9th
$ 40.00 FACTORY BENEFIT GALA - March 10th
$20.00 general run
$5.00 Industry Night TBA
Today is just another day for Janice Dutts: work, take-out and reruns. Except that today is her birthday – and there’s nobody to celebrate it. When Janice Dutts suddenly realizes she’s forgotten how to live her life, her world is sent into a tailspin of confusion, despair, and dubiously auspicious encounters with a life coach named Regina. One surprise coaching session later, Janice finds herself at P.A.L.S. Life Camp, where the hip-hopping, “edutaining” counselors ensure her that Personal Adjustments for Lifestyle Success will get Janice the life she lacks. But will it be the life Janice is looking for?
The Cast
Laura McKenzie (Janice Dutts)
Laura made her Factory Theater debut as actor and contributor in the late-night hit Chicagostyle. She has since co-written Ménage à Trailer and appeared in Operation Infiltration, The Willing Participant, Top Shelf…, Toast of the Town, Ménage à Trailer, and Being at Choice. A native Texan, Laura has lived and performed all across the country, including doing her one woman show Laura McKenzie Feels Like Makin’ Love in Chicago, New York and Seattle. Other writer-performer credits include: Alice with the Neo-Futurists, Funk Cloud: Fight the Stank! and Waiting On Godot (co-written with Kate Hawley). Laura is a graduate of Northwestern University and company member of Barrel of Monkeys.
Christine Jennings (The Woman)
Christine Jennings is jacked to the max that you are here experiencing the first show of the Factory's 15th season. She is totally stoked to be in another show written by the lovely and talented L Mac. She is dancing on the ceiling due to her love of her Factory family, who she's been with since 1996. Big Irish/Italian love to Roach, Al, Manny, Deak and my B-Boy.
Jennifer Pompa (Regina)
Jennifer is so excited to be in this show, with such an amazing cast & crew. A Factory ensemble member and Chicago native, she was seen last year in Factory Theater’s G.I.’s in Europe. Some other stuff around town that she’s done includes: Brutality of Fact with Eclipse Theater, Being At Choice with Factory Theater, [the] Violent Sex with Visions and Voices Theater and The Cider House Rules, Parts I and II
with the, gone but not forgotten, Famous Door Theatre (Jeff Award-Best Supporting Actress.) Currently, she performs children’s theater at Navy Pier (usually she’s a pirate and yes, she loves it) where she is also the resident Fight Choreographer. Factory favorites include: Poppin’ and Lockdown, White Trash Wedding And A Funeral, The Vinyl Shop and The Death and Life of Barb Budonovich (PSNBC/ New York .) Film and Television credits include: “dot”, “The Jamie Kennedy Experiment” and the upcoming “ Eden Court .” If you like her work in Janice Dutts, feel free to hire her as your life coach.
Shannon O'Neill (Krista)
Shannon is a happy Factory ensemble member. Thanks to Laura, Eric and the awesome cast and crew for this experience. Extra special thanks to Chuck.
Amy Dunlap (Leece)
Amy Dunlap was most recently seen in Radio Theatre Six: A Many-Splendored Thing at Strawdog Theatre where she also performed this fall in Marathon ’33. Amy has been seen at Chicago Dramatists, Stage Left, Vittum Theater, Cobalt Ensemble Theatre, Appetite Theatre and all four Estrogen Fests. Last summer, she had the unique opportunity to travel to Greece where she was living, studying and performing
in Aristophanes’ The Frogs. She loves new work and has had the opportunity to perform new plays by Chicago playwrights Keith Huff, Brett Neveu, Rebecca Gilman, Lisa Dillman, Mark Guarino, Mia McCullough, Hank Boland, and Laura McKenzie (this is the third time!). She is excited to be working with the Factory Theater for the first time. You can see her next in Estrogen Fest 2007 at Prop Theatre in May.
Matt Engle (Brad)
It has been about a year and Matt is glad to be back at the Factory, where he is a proud company member. Some of his favorite Factory roles include Cy Curnin (Toast of the Town), Brian Nowlan (Being at Choice), and frat boy zombie, Grave Matthews (Among the Dead). Over the past year, Matt has acted in and did the fight/slapstick for Strawdog Theatre's Marathon 33. He was also the fight cover in Romeo et Juliette at the Lyric Opera of Chicago. Recently, Matt choreographed the fights for Pine Box Theatre's Hot 'n' Throbbing. Matt would also like to thank everyone who has supported the Factory Theater over the past 15 years. Go Life Camp!
Brennan Buhl (Troy)
This is Brennan's first play with Factory Theater, and of course he thanks them, and good times, people are nice, opportunity....all right. But REALLY he would like to thank them for letting him showcase what he considers his true talent. Basically, motivational dancing. I mean, finally. Most theater companies do not understand this; although, Barrel of Monkeys is another one that does.
The Crew
Nicholas Booth (Sound Design)
Nicholas booth is new to the factory theatre and is thrilled to be a part of such a wonderful group of peeps. he has also designed shows on the raven theatre's west stage. nicholas has a theatre degree from the tropical regions of the university of north dakota.
Allison Cain (Executive Producer)
Allison received her training at Carnegie Mellon University and Columbia College. She has worked almost exclusively on new work since 1990, in Los Angeles , Connecticut , Scotland and Chicago . She became the Artistic Director of the now defunct, Studio 108, after moving to Chicago (where she produced twelve new works, co-directing two of them) and has acted in a multitude of plays with various theater companies throughout the city over the past 16 years. A member of the Factory since 2000, she has been the Executive Director for the past five years and has produced and acted in numerous productions with the company. She is thrilled to ve a part of a company that has been around for 15 years and thanks you for supporting Chicago off loop theater.
Ernie Deak (Assistant Producer)
Ernie Deak has been a proud member of the Factory since 2005, and he still is. He was most recently seen as Gunther Boltendahl in G.I.’s in Europe, probably the most realistic depiction of army life and bingo tournaments ever produced on any stage in the world. Love to Tracy , and a shout-out to all of you who probably wouldn’t hear me if I spoke at normal volume. The Metalocalypse has begun. Enjoy the show.
Maggie Fullilove-Nugent (Lighting Design)
Maggie Fullilove-Nugent is thrilled to be working with The Factory. As a freelance designer and technician she has been fortunate enough to work with several amazing theater companies, including The House Theatre, 500 Clown & Strawdog. Her design credits include Clash by Night, The Petrified Forest & Landscape of the Body (The Artistic Home), S-E-X Oh! (Teatro Luna), 'night, Mother & Jane: Abortion and The Underground (20%), and Brave Potatoes (Lifeline). She is currently the Resident Lighting Designer and Production Manager for North Park University. Maggie is also a company member of Barrel of Monkeys, where she is the Production Stage Manager. Her portfolio can be viewed at www.FULLILIGHT.com. Maggie would like to thank her wonderful friends and family for supporting her in this crazy career called theater.
Joe Gehr (Stage Manager)
Joe Gehr has been working as a stage manager with the Factory for about four years now. He wasn't seen in Here Comes a Regular and Toast of the Town. He was most recently not seen in The Willing Participant and feels like he hasn't done a show in awhile. No wait, he just did one. And another. And there's another. Alright you didn't see him there. Like the wind....
Laura McKenzie (Playwright and Original Music)
Laura made her Factory Theater debut as actor and contributor in the late-night hit Chicagostyle. She has since co-written Ménage à Trailer and appeared in Operation Infiltration, The Willing Participant, Top Shelf…, Toast of the Town, Ménage à Trailer, and Being at Choice. A native Texan, Laura has lived and performed all across the country, including doing her one woman show Laura McKenzie Feels Like Makin’ Love in Chicago, New York and Seattle. Other writer-performer credits include: Alice with the Neo-Futurists, Funk Cloud: Fight the Stank! and Waiting On Godot (co-written with Kate Hawley). Laura is a graduate of Northwestern University and company member of Barrel of Monkeys.
Paul Metreyeon (Props)
Paul is a loyal ensemble member of the Factory. Bask once again in his prop greatness!
Thanks for coming to the show!
Eric Roach (Director)
Eric Thomas Roach is psychotically thrilled and ecstatic to be directing for the Factory for the first time. He's appeared with the Factory on stage in Operation Infiltration, The Willing Participant, Top Shelf..., and Menage a Trailer. The Hypocrites, The Mammals, Lifeline Theatre, Griffin Theatre, and Hi-Volt Theatre have all allowed him to grace stages with his mammoth presence. This cast and crew gets big ups from Jamaica, Queens. They are incredible. The Factory Theater ensemble are my PALS. Love to my Angel.
Rachel Sypniewski (Costume Design)
Rachel M. Sypniewski is very happy to have the opportunity to collaborate on her first Factory show. She has previously designed for Vitalist Theatre,Theatre Entropy, Infamous Commonwealth, The Chicago Academy for the Arts, the Hypocrits, Tantalus Theatre Group, Open Eye and Will Act for Food to list a few. Rachel's most recent design is New Leaf's Jeff Recommended The Permanent Way, currently running at the Lincoln Park Cultural Center. When not designing, Rachel spends her time either stage managing or playing with her two cats, Tiny and Lucky. She is currently the assistant rental manager for Broadway Costumes, Inc. Much love to Robb and the family.
Dan Tamarkin (Technical Director)
Dan Tamarkin is thrilled to be designing for Dutts and working with such a marvelous group of artists. Writer, teacher, and avid bicyclist & mountaineer, Dan is also the Technical Director with American Theater Company where he built an epic set for their current production of Oklahoma! Tamarkin has also worked and played with The Journeymen, European Repertory, National Pastime, Will Act For Food, Chicago Park District & Public Schools, Teatro Luna, Curious Theater Branch, and many others. Most recently, Dan has designed lights for Blind Faith Theatre’s The Gorey Stories and Hizzoner with Prop Thtr. Upcoming works include scenic co-design for Blind Faith’s Toys in the Attic and lighting design for Speaking Ring Theatre’s Past’s Present. Thanks to everyone here tonight for supporting local arts.
Manny Tamayo (Producer)
Manny is a proud member of the Factory ensemble. He also serves as Co-Ensemble Director. He hails from Joliet.
Heather Tyler (Choreographer)
Heather Tyler is a dancer. Heather likes helping others learn how to not look silly while dancing. That's a lie. Sometimes, it's just funnier that way. Inspiration for tonight's choreographycomes from the 1992 National PRIDE tour for Drug-Free Youth. See if you can guess the "Go, go, go-go-away-you-druggy-drugs!" dance move. It's hot this year. A Factory ensemble member,Heather choreographed their hit shows: Top Shelf and GIs in Europe, and she has appeared onstage in many others. Private dance lessons available for the brave and daring.
CW VanBaale (Technical Director)
CW VanBaale is the Technical Director for this show. Recently, he lit Operation Infiltration, GIs in Europe, Willing Participant and Top Shelf for the Factory. By day, he scrambles about as a school teacher. Weaknesses include sound equipment and high fructose corn syrup, as far as you know. Anyway, he also is the T.D. for Will Act for Food and Open Eye Productions, a freelance lighting designer and jerk of all trades. Many thanks to Newton, both Isaac and Iowa.
