Steppenwolf

(A snapshot of the OG crew from Highland Park.)

Tonight

Thanks to one of my bosses

I had a conversation with several

Founders of Steppenwolf

Steppenwolf Theatre Company

Something that has haunted me since 2012 when I first crash landed in Logan Square in a shitty apartment where the rats weren’t even afraid of us

Chicago Theatre

I was there

Because of them

Yes because of Prop Thtr

And Organic Theatre

And Remains Theatre

Yes all of them but

Steppenwolf took risks in a way that none of the others did

One of the men told me that when he moved there

To Chicago in the 80’s after Highland Park

There were 18 equity theatres

When he moved to LA 5 years later

There were 118

118

In 1989

In a meeting the screenwriter William Goldman claimed

Stated as if it were fact and this is the writer behind The Princess Bride so we know it was

He said

There was something in the water

An artistic renaissance in the late 70’s in Chicago Theatre

Tonight I told both of these

Older gentleman now to their face that he was absolutely correct

Do you know how many young people have come to Chicago to do what you did

In their own way?

Do you comprehend the lives you’ve changed?

I could see their answer in their eyes

No

They had no idea

Everything feels like commerce

Like making money is the only thing anyone remembers but

No

I remember

I remember what matters

I remember

I remember

I think I’m actually speechless

Damn

God DAMN

Thank you, Josie