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DirectorsLab to Auction Director’s Memorabilia

DirectorsLab Chicago Benefit to Auction Autographed Memorabilia by Some of the Biggest Names in American Theater

DirectorsLabChicago, founded in 2005 by Chicago-based directors Elizabeth Margolius and Karin Shook, has grown into an international yearly event at the Chicago Cultural Center where directors from around the world gather to exchange ideas and discuss what it means to be a director.  This year, the inaugural event on Monday, July 27th at 7pm at the Chicago Cultural Center in the Cassidy Theater, open to the public, brings a frank and in-depth conversation with some of the city’s most prominent stage directors as they discuss the varied approaches to their work.  But the excitement doesn’t end there!  Immediately following the event there will be a reception and benefit silent auction, to assist their mission of bringing the highest level of quality to the Lab.

In the spirit of directing for the theater, items up for auction are pages of notes written during the rehearsal period of some of the most important productions by some the rising stars of American theater, as well as autographed memorabilia by some of the biggest names in theater.  Items to be featured include autographed notes (notes actually written on-stage during a performance!) from the off-Broadway production of Our Town, directed and starring David Cromer, signed notes from Tony© award-winning Chicago Shakespeare Theater’s Barbara Gaines-directed production of MacBeth, autographed notes from Charlotte Moore’s Irish Repertory Theater off-Broadway production of The Yeats Project, and signed notes from the Tony© award-winning Mary Zimmerman’s original 1996 and 2009 revival of the currently running and much-praised Lookingglass Theater production of The Arabian Nights.  But the centerpiece of the evening is a poster from the recent one night only Lincoln Center event A Life in the Theater, a One on One Conversation with Stephen Sondheim, Hosted by Frank Rich, autographed by both Mr. Sondheim and Mr. Rich! 

All notes have been professionally matted and framed within entirely handmade custom frames, ready to hang and be envied! Have you ever wondered what a director was thinking when they made a certain decision about a show you were seeing?  NOW is your chance to own an historic piece of American Theater history.  Cash and check payments only, so bring your checkbook or go the ATM and be prepared for what’s sure to be very spirited bidding!  All proceeds of which are to benefit DirectorsLabChicago’s mission of being THE place to be for learning what it means to be a director in the theater!

Questions regarding the event should be directed to Kevin Hanna, via email, to Kevin@directorslabchicago.com.