TCG Conference Day 1

Hello friends,

Today I arrived in Chicago for the Theatre Communications Group (TCG) Conference. I'm fortunate to be a TCG Fox Foundation Fellow and I'm speaking at this years event. Soooo nervous.

I left Pittsbrugh this morning, jumped a time zone and arrived in Chi-Town safe, sound and water drenched. I'm staying in what they call The Loop section of Chicago, in a dorm-style suite at a still unknown university center. Like Pittsburgh, Chicago seems to have lots of institutes for higher learning. This building alone houses DePaul, Columbia and Robert Morris students (yes, that's right, just like our Robert Morris University, named after the financier of the American Revolution, but no affiliation to ours.)  At least I think that's what this building is for. Flags for the schools are flying everywhere, along with signs congratulating the Blackhawks on their Stanley Cup Win.

Chicago feels very much like a Pittsbrugh sister city, so far. I'm rooming with 4 other women, one from Theatre Grottesco in New Mexico, 2 from The Cleveland Playhouse and another Fox Fellow, Zishan. Today is a free day to get settled in and learn the lay of the land. I have so much I want to do but alas the rain is keeping from exploring.

I'm meeting up with an old friend, Steve Wilson of Hypocrites Theatre Company here in Chicago, and he's going to let me borrow his girlfriends bike so I can get around easier during the conference. Who wants to wait for a bus or take a cab when there's a set of wheels? So excited to explore this town.

My suite mate, Zishan is amazing. From Turkey, her Fellowship is with LaMama Etc. in NYC where she is studying Muslim women around the world and creating a piece with the Ellen Stuart. Zishan teaches in prisons and travels the world learning the rituals, dances, songs and customs of Muslim women (among other things.) I just spoke with her for what I thought was 10 minutes, but was really an hour! I can't wait to hear her presentation.

So much to soak in. Tomorrow begins the official conference journey. I'll keep you posted and try to relay what's going on in the theatre world, both nationally and internationally.