Production Information

How to find us Chicago Dramatists is located at 1105 W. Chicago Avenue, at the intersection of Chicago and Milwaukee Avenue. The Chicago-Blue Line stop is right outside our door. The Red Line is just a ten-minute bus ride away. For driving directions, click here. I'M CONFUSED AND WOULD LIKE MORE INFORMATION. Call our reservation number to listen to recorded information and reserve tickets: 773-828-4331. I'm a member of the press and I'm confused and would like more information. Contact our press rep, Molly Kobelt (molly dot kobelt at gmail dot com).

I've never been to a play on a Wednesday before. Will it be awesome?

Yes.

Can I pay at the door with a credit card?

Unfortunately, no: we're cash-only at the door. But there's an ATM in the restaurant next door to the theater. If you prefer to buy your tickets with a credit card ahead of time, visit brownpapertickets.

Are there any strobe lights, frightening sound effects, or smoking in this show? Please. We're dentists. Is this show appropriate for my children, who are all huge fans of dentistry? ****, no. Please only bring guests who don't mind adult language. No guests under 14 years of age will be admitted. I'm a dentist. Do you give discounts for dentists? We give hugs.

And check out our friends, The New Colony, and their show, That Sordid Little Story!

DENTAL SOCIETY MIDWINTER MEETING has no direct or indirect affiliation with the Chicago Dental Society, the CDS, or the Chicago Dental Society Midwinter Meeting.

Selected Press

"Jacqmin's passionate morality play in the guise of a super-smart comedy of manners is bound to hit a nerve with professionals and patients alike. And you don't have to be an endodontist or dental hygienist... to appreciate its keen observations, bittersweet charms, and the work of its crackerjack cast of six under Megan Shuchman's bristling direction. ... [Jacqmin] deftly weaves varied scenarios, both antic and increasingly dark, into a tight little knot of escalating expectations. And she has a talent for revealing the absurdities in grand topical issues. A riff on dentists' billing practices is priceless. ... The exceptionally well-cast actors... are superb. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED."
—Chicago Sun-Times

"‘Dental Society Midwinter Meeting’ contains a great deal of sharp satirical writing, aimed squarely at a profession we all love to hate. ...Better yet, Jacqmin paints a vivid picture of the dental gestalt. It's a very funny and smart portrait of moral earnestness and, yes, vulnerability that compensates for the merciless lampooning that brings out the schadenfruede in those of us who — our fault! our fault! — are frequent victims of the chair. ...Amusing, slick and creative."
—Chicago Tribune

"A deceptively light-on-its-feet satire. ... The exceedingly clever script by Jacqmin pokes loving fun at its dentist characters without condescending to them. Words can't express briefly the merits of the six-member ensemble cast."
—Newcity Stage

"Resembling a slick, sophisticated and smart extended Second City sketch, Laura Jacqmin's new one-act comedy, with the bizarre, but aptly descriptive title, is fresh, insightful, very funny and sharply produced. ...Here is an entertaining new play that is modest in scope, offering a captivating premise, challenging themes, memorable characters and intelligent dialogue and supported by slick, stylish direction. Director Megan Shuchman has assembled a talented ensemble of six actors whose engaging and sharp delivery hit all the right notes in this world premiere. ...Don't wait to schedule your six-month appointment with this group of daffy dentists. In addition to some oral hygiene pointers, you may learn a few lessons about the quirkiness of the human condition."
—Centerstage

Actor Bios

	Rhonda Marie Bynum (Female Dentist 1) is thrilled to make her Chicago Dramatists debut. Chicago credits include THE OLD SETTLER (Writers' Theatre), THE SNOW QUEEN (Victory Gardens Theater), SKETCHBOOK 9 (Collaboraction), TALKING BONES, STOOPS, and HEAT (eta Creative Arts Foundation) and many performances as an ensemble member of Erasing The Distance. Rhonda Marie is a recent graduate of the School at Steppenwolf. Sincere thanks to family and dear friends for their undying support!
	COLLIN GERAGHTY (Male Dentist 1) originally hails from northern Wisconsin, but happily calls Chicago his home now. Professional stage highlights include: THE BROTHER/SISTER PLAYS (understudy — Steppenwolf); PERICLES (Edinburgh Fringe Festival); BACH AT LEIPZIG, THE CRUCIBLE, and A CHRISTMAS CAROL (Milwaukee Repertory Theater); MACBETH, MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR, and THE PLAY'S THE THING (American Players Theatre); IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE: THE RADIO PLAY, and The Silver Project (American Theater Co.). Collin also improvises from time to time. Collin is a graduate of Marquette University and a member of the Screen Actors Guild. Endless thanks to: family, friends, and most of all Kathleen.
	DANA BLACK (Female Dentist 3) is honored to be working with Laura, Megan and Chicago Dramatists all for the first time. Dana recently finished BAAL with TUTA and WILD NIGHTS WITH EMILY at Caffeine Theatre where she has appeared in numerous shows and also serves as an Artistic Associate. Other recent productions include TWO BY PINTER: THE LOVER and THE COLLECTION (Piven Theatre), PANGS OF THE MESSIAH (Silk Road Theatre Project) and BEAUTY ON THE VINE (BackStage Theater Company). Dana has understudied at Steppenwolf Theatre for DEAD MAN'S CELL PHONE as well as understudying the Pulitzer Prize-nominated THE CLEAN HOUSE at the Goodman Theatre. Dana appeared as Queenie in TimeLine Theatre's Jeff Award winning THIS HAPPY BREED which won 8 awards including Best Production and Best Ensemble. Dana received her BS in Theatre from Skidmore College in upstate New York and has since studied with the British Academy of Dramatic Arts, the School at Steppenwolf and Act One Studio in Chicago.
	JUSTIN JAMES FARLEY (Male Dentist 3) is pretty thrilled to be a part of DENTAL SOCIETY MIDWINTER MEETING. He was last seen in the world premiere of SUMMER PEOPLE (The Gift Theatre) and THE CRUCIBLE (Steppenwolf). He wishes to thank Laura and Megan, all family and friends, Ashley, and everyone involved with this production. Floss.
	RAKISHA POLLARD (Female Dentist 2) attended the School at Steppenwolf in 2009 and has, since then, appeared in the Sinnerman Ensemble's production of Chekhov's IVANOV (directed by Sheldon Patinkin), WNEP Theater's NIGHTHAWKS SANDWICH and, most recently, Griffin Theatre Company's STAGE DOOR as Louise Mitchell. Before moving to Chicago in 2008, Rakisha practiced insurance defense law in Kentucky. She'd like to thank Megan and Laura for letting her be part of this amazing process.
	PAIGE SMITH (Male Dentist 2) DENTAL SOCIETY MIDWINTER MEETING is the second collaboration between Paige, Laura, and Megan after he appeared in BROTHER at American Theater Company's 10 x10 Festival. He was most recently seen in XIII Pocket's ADORE, part of Steppenwolf's 2010 Garage Rep Series. Paige Smith is a XIII Pocket ensemble member, earned a BA in theater arts from Kansas State University, and has worked onstage locally with Chicago Shakespeare Theater, Mid-Tangent Productions, City-Lit Theater, Collaboraction and Around the Coyote. He has also had the privilege of acting and writing for more than five years in Chicago's own Cool Table, an award winning sketch comedy pack that has performed in Los Angeles, Milwaukee, Indianapolis, New York, Lollapalooza and beyond.

Designer/Staff Bios

MICHAEL MROCH (Scenic Designer) is currently a senior at Columbia College earning a BFA in Theater with concentrations in Directing and Scenic Design with an Art History Minor. Recent design credits include THE HOUSE OF YES (Artistic Home), FIND HAKAMADARE (Geopolis Theater Company), OF MICE AND MEN, (Columbia College), SELF-DEFENSE (ActOne studios) and has assisted on THE GOOD SOUL OF SZECHWAN and UNCLE VANYA (Strawdog). Michael has also been the dramaturg for LEGION (WildClaw), UNCLE VANYA and THE CHERRY ORCHARD (Strawdog), and has directed THE MIRACLE WORKER, ROPE, and THE MARRIAGE PROPOSAL (Columbia). He is currently designing THE TALLEST MAN (Artistic Home) and IPHIGENIA AT AULIS (The Neopolitans).

MYRON ELLIOTT, JR. (Costume Designer) is pleased to be dressing so many dentists. Though this is his first collaboration with Ms. Shuchman, he designed costumes last year for Ms Jacqmin's SKI DUBAI (Steppenwolf Theatre's 5th Annual First Look Repertory of New Work). Recent projects include I DO, I DO (Theatre at the Center), and the co-design of two new dance pieces with Concert Dance, Inc. He has also designed costumes for Aurora University, Indiana Repertory Theatre, American Theatre Company, Profiles Theatre, Stages St. Louis, and Ohio Light Opera. Mr. Elliott is a staff employee of the Steppenwolf Theatre Costume Shop. Love to E, KF, and P, in that order.

MEGAN SHUCHMAN (Director) serves as Professional Leadership Coordinator at Steppenwolf Theatre Company and Associate Director of Arts Education at Northlight Theatre. As a director and teaching artist, she has worked for such companies as Steppenwolf, Northlight, Victory Gardens, Timeline, American Theatre Company, 2nd Story, and the side project. Megan is directing the world premiere of Jacqmin's DEAD PILE with XIII Pocket next year. She is a graduate of the University of Michigan.

LAURA JACQMIN (Playwright) was the winner of the 2008 Wasserstein Prize, a $25,000 award to recognize an emerging female playwright. Her play SKI DUBAI was produced in Steppenwolf Theatre Company's 5th Annual First Look Repertory of New Work. Her play LOOK, WE ARE BREATHING was workshopped at the 2010 Sundance Theatre Lab on Governors Island, dir. Mark Brokaw. Other plays include FOLK SONG, DO-GOODER and AND WHEN WE AWOKE THERE WAS LIGHT AND LIGHT. Her work has been produced and developed by the Goodman Theatre, Ars Nova, Victory Gardens Theater, Northlight Theater, Icicle Creek Theatre Festival, Page 73 Productions, Joe's Pub, Second Stage, Ensemble Studio Theatre, Chicago Dramatists, The 24 Hour Plays Off-Broadway, the Contemporary American Theatre Festival and more. From 2007 to 2008, she was a contributing writer for The Onion A.V. Club and A.V. Club Chicago. Jacqmin is a member of the 2010-2011 playwrights unit at the Goodman Theatre. She lives in Chicago where she is currently working on commissions from the Goodman Theatre, InterAct Theatre and Ensemble Studio Theatre. BA Yale University; MFA Ohio University. www.laurajacqmin.com

CHASE CORMAN (Lighting Designer) Recent designs include THE CABINET, LAIKA'S COFFIN and CAPE AND SQUIGGLE with Redmoon Theatre, ION with Caffeine Theatre, and FLOW MY TEARS THE POLICEMAN SAID and MACBETH with DePaul University. Other recent work includes object lighting design for Redmoon's WINTER PAGEANT, LAST OF MY SPECIES, and ONCE UPON A TIME. Other recent assisting credits include FIRST WORDS (MPAACT Theatre) and WILD NIGHTS WITH EMILY (Caffeine Theatre).

Emily Duffin (Production Assistant) is absolutely thrilled to be working on DSMM! She is currently the production manager at the Chicago Dramatists. She stage managed THE GIMMICK (Pegasus Players), did props design and assistant for THE ARTIST NEEDS A WIFE and REWIND (the side project) and most recently, she co-production managed JADE HEART (Chicago Dramatists). Emily got to travel to Novafeltria, Italy as a Stage Management Intern on LA TRAVIATA for the program La Musica Lyrica. Thank to the Duffin FamJam and Chicago Dramatists for all the help and support!

Christopher Kriz (Sound Design) is pleased to be working with Chicago Dramatists again, having most recently designed AIMING FOR SAINTHOOD. Other recent theatre credits include BAAL (TUTA), EQUUS (Redtwist), SPIN (Theatre Wit), THE HIDING PLACE (Provision Theatre), THE WRECK OF THE MEDUSA (The Plagiarists), MASTER HAROLD AND THE BOYS (TimeLine Theatre), J.B. (Chicago Fusion Theatre), ALL MY SONS (TimeLine Theatre), THE RUBY SUNRISE (Gift Theatre,) THE CASTLE OF OTRANTO (First Folio Theatre) and THE WALLS (Rivendell Theatre). To hear more of his work, please visit www.christopherkriz.com