Idle Muse Theatre Company
We are a 501c3 non-profit theatre company operating in the Chicago Storefront space. Our mission is to produce plays which explore and examine the circular relationship between the individual and the world; plays about individuals who are called upon to define themselves in relation to a larger political or social context.
Rites and Sacrifices, the first ever formally commissioned script by Idle Muse, is a sharp retelling of a classic text in the style of a fast-paced political drama adapted by Chicago playwright Jennifer L. Mickelson.
Who's using who - and for what purpose - when the grieving wives and mothers of Argos petition Theseus, newly-crowned King of Athens, to intervene on their behalf? Chicago playwright Jennifer Mickelson explores the human cost associated with the rituals of war in a sharp new adaptation in the style of a fast-paced political drama inspired by the rebel Greek dramatist Euripides' original text, The Suppliant Women.
Give the Dead their Due!
"Gather your forces, King of Athens. Make the Theban outlaws pay homage to the gods and give the dead their due!"
-Aithra, Rites and Sacrifices
The target for our Give the Dead their Due campaign is $1500. All funds raised will go directly toward production costs for Rites and Sacrifices, which will be performed February 20 - March 23 at Collaboraction's Pentagon Theatre, located in The Flat Iron Arts Building in Chicago's Wicker Park neighborhood.
Production Costs for Rites and Sacrifices Include:
- $5000 for Theatre Space Rental
- $500 for Materials and Set Construction
- $500 for Costume Rental and Construction
- $200 for Video and Media Creation
- $200 for Lighting Instrument Rental
- $200 for Prop Creation and Rental
- $150 for Printing and Marketing Expenses
What Your Donation Means to Idle Muse
As a 501c3 non-profit theatre company, Idle Muse's production budget comes primarily from a combination of donations, grants and ticket sales. If we meet our goal, $1500 will not cover all of the above expenses, but it will go a very long way toward making this production a reality.
Since 2006, Idle Muse Theatre Company has been transporting audiences to whole new worlds with jewel-box productions in tiny, storefront spaces. We believe that theatre is, at its core, an act of community and the magic of that experience lives in the space between audience and actor.
By sponsoring our Give the Dead their Due fundraising campaign, not only will you be supporting an organization creating meaningful work in the nationally-recognized Chicago storefront theatre space - but you'll also be fostering the development of new work, which is the lifeblood of any thriving theatre community.
An organization with a proven track record of success!
In the first four productions of our eligibility, Idle Muse received three Recommendations from the Joseph Jefferson committee, which recognize excellence in Chicago theatre, and two Jeff award nominations.
Here are some recent reviews of our work:
"...the entire cast captivates with
their stellar performances, it's ladies' night as the gals dominate this
stage..."
--Katy Walsh, Chicago Theatre Beat, review of Enchanted April
"As the wisteria and
hydrangeas of San Salvatore blossom, so too does the inward life of the
soul..."
--Anthony Mangini, Chicago Critic, review of Enchanted April
"...Idle Muse’s Shakespeare’s R & J is a masterpiece of the classic."
--Katy Walsh, Chicago Theatre Beat, review of Shakespeare's R&J
"See this play to experience the craftsmanship of Chicago storefront theatre." --Tom Williams, Chicago Critic, review of
Lion in Winter
Other Ways You Can Help
We live in the age of information! There are many ways to spread the word about this campaign. Word of mouth with your personal recommendation is absolutely still the best marketing and organization like Idle Muse can receive - so please, tell every one you can about what we do and what we're trying to accomplish.
- Like Idle Muse and this campaign on Facebook and Google+!
- Better yet: post the link to this campaign on Facebook and Google+ with your recommendation!
- Email the link to this page to friends and family!
- Buy Advance Tickets to this and other Idle Muse productions!
- Email us to volunteer! We're always in need of extra hands!
Idle Muse Theatre Company recognizes that, as a people, we spend our lifetimes exploring what it means to define our identities in a world that is constantly struggling to do the same. As we do so, that world becomes an expression of our own internal struggles, writ large.
Thank you, so very much, for reading!