Upcoming Readings

Tues., April 22 at Dovetail Brewery
Tues., June 17 at The Understudy
Stay tuned for more announcements!

Tuesday, April 22

At Dovetail Brewery (1800 W Belle Plaine)

SYNDROME
by David Isaacson
Directed by Lavina Jadhwani

Featuring Ensemble Members Kirsten Fitzgerald, Lawrence Grimm, and Travis A. Knight with additional casting to follow

 

It is March 2018, and the mysterious, debilitating “Havana Syndrome” has spread to an American consulate in China. Diplomats, CIA agents, corporate consultants, and Communist officials must contend with bizarre neurologic symptoms, new Trump-appointed State Department bosses, and a rapidly dwindling supply of alcohol.

Tickets are FREE!

Reserve Tickets

About A Taste of Red

Readings of plays that excite us, confound us, and make us dream

  • Bathhouse ToR
  • Untitled design (44)
  • Bathhouse ToR (3)
  • Bathhouse ToR (2)
  • Bathhouse ToR (1)
  • Bathhouse ToR (4)
  • 20240514_213023
  • 20240514_213008
  • 20240514_213233
  • Staff Meal Taste of Red

 With our free play reading series, A Red Orchid invites you to take a peek behind the curtain and see how our team goes about exploring a play. What gets our ensemble excited about a script? How do actors, directors, playwrights, and designers all approach the same text differently? How does a play move from the page to the stage? What defines a quintessential A Red Orchid production?

 For us, these conversations are typically casual and cozy, like some friends discussing plays in someone’s living room. We’re traveling to different neighborhoods around Chicago and partnering with small businesses that have perfected this warm ambience. Grab a bite and a drink, relax, let the words wash over you, and feel free to share your thoughts afterward.

We also want to highlight and celebrate the amazing talents of theatermakers from historically marginalized communities. Keep an eye out for readings dedicated to AAPI Heritage Month, LGBTQIA+ Pride Month, and many more!

To receive invitations to these free readings, please sign up for our emails at the bottom of this page.

A Taste of Red 2024-25 Sponsors

Karen & Avi Lothan

with additional support from

Past Taste of Red Readings

The Targeted

by Hanna Kime
Directed by Grace Dolezal-Ng
February 25, 2025 at Kamehachi

Cycle Play

by Megan Tabaque
Facilitated by Associate Artistic Director Travis A. Knight
December 4, 2024 at Picnic Wine & Provisions

Staff Meal

by Abe Koogler
Directed by Associate Artistic Director Travis A. Knight
October 8, 2024 at A Red Orchid Theatre

Bathhouse.PPTX

by Jesús I. Valles
Directed by Ensemble Member Esteban Andres Cruz
August 6, 2024 at The Understudy Coffee & Books

The Cave

by Ensemble Member Sadieh Rifai
Directed by Dana Saleh Omar
May 14, 2024 at The Understudy Coffee & Books

Hells Canyon

by Keiko Green
Directed by Vanessa Stalling
February 13, 2024 at The Understudy Coffee & Books

Veal

by Jojo Jones
Directed by Ensemble Member dado
November 14, 2023 at The Understudy Coffee & Books

Lonely Planet

by Steven Dietz
Directed by Ismael Lara, Jr.
June 6, 2023 at The Understudy Coffee & Books

Black Bear Island

by Karissa Murrell Myers
Directed by Daniella Wheelock
May 23, 2023 at Kamehachi

Half of Chopsticks

by Stephanie Kyung Sun Walters
Directed by Wai Yim
May 9, 2023 at Kamehachi

Hongo

by Exal Iraheta
Directed by Ismael Lara, Jr.
February 27, 2023 at Hopleaf Bar

A Marriage Proposal

by Anton Chekhov
Directed by Ava Calabrese Grob
February 13, 2023 at Hopleaf Bar

And Tell Sad Stories on the Death of Queens

by  Tennessee Williams
Directed by Kyle Stoffers
February 13, 2023 at Hopleaf Bar

The Housing Situation on Neptune

by N.J. Draine
Directed by Peter Ruiz
February 1, 2023 at Mrs. Murphy & Sons’ Irish Bistro

Revolution

by Ensemble Member Brett Neveu
Directed by Artistic Director Kirsten Fitzgerald
January 25, 2023 at Mrs. Murphy & Sons’ Irish Bistro

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