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RADICAL FUTURES
Serving up sci-fi cocktails in a rundown bar.
🍺 PREVIEWS: Oct 9-11
🤖 RUNNING: Oct 16-Nov 22

POSTS STORIES REELS TAGGED

IN PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS! We’re so excited to present our posters for Season 32 at The Factory Theater! Join us all year on Howard Street for the boldest works in Chicago! Featuring robot priests, existential stuffed bears, and guitar playing Jackalopes!

You won’t want to miss any of these world premiere productions, so grab a Season 32 Flex Pass today and get six tickets to our “In Pursuit of Happiness” season!

Poster credits:
RADICAL FUTURES by Ramona Rotten
THE MACHINE by Laura Knickelbine
AN AMERICAN ANIMAL by Janie Stapleton

RADICAL FUTURES
Previews: October 9-11
Running: October 16 - November 21
In a failing dive bar, two estranged friends try to reconnect over hallucinogenic cocktails that trigger visions of tomorrow. As these sci-fi visions grow wilder and more intense, one question looms large: does their friendship have a future?
Written by B.Z. Florida
Directed by Kayla Menz
Poster by Ramona Rotten

THE MACHINE
Previews: February 12-14
Running: February 19 - March 27
When Doll is dropped into a sparsely populated claw machine, she is thrust into a plushie prison break by a group of radical stuffed animals with dreams of freedom.
Written by Bill Daniel
Directed by Chase Wheaton-Werle
Poster by Laura Knickelbine

AN AMERICAN ANIMAL
Previews: June 4-6
Running: June 11 - July 17
Chloe is a black girl who wants to be a wolf biologist when she grows up. Willa is a trans girl who’s trying to learn guitar to pass the time. Paz is a forest ranger who’s been watching the wolves for decades. The Hunter is a white man who wants to kill a wolf. And Jack is a jackalope who tries not to get shot. All five of them spend a summer in and around Yellowstone, watching the wolves, waiting with bated breath until summer ends—and the wolf hunting season begins.
Written by Katherine Gwynn
Directed by Jessica Love
Poster by Janie Stapleton taken in The Factory Theater by @factorytheater

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2 months ago

RAISE A GLASS! Tickets are now on sale for the first show of our 32nd Season: RADICAL FUTURES written by B.Z. Florida and directed by Kayla Menz!
Open a tab at the rundown bar where the drinks give you glimpses of the future! Experience five sci-fi tales of tomorrow as two estranged friends sling drinks and insults as they try to reconcile their feud.
Mixed with robots, aliens, and an elevated risk of liver poisoning, RADICAL FUTURES will be stirring up The Factory Theater this October and November!

Performances: Fridays & Saturdays at 7:30PM, Sundays at 3PM
Previews: October 9th, 10th, and 11th
Running: October 16th through November 22nd
Masked Performance: November 8th
Industry Performance: November 16th

Tickets: https://thefactorytheater1.thundertix.com/events?display=standard

Poster by Ramona Rotten taken in The Factory Theater by @factorytheater

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The Factory Theater kicks off Season 32: In Pursuit of Happiness with the world premiere production of RADICAL FUTURES written by B.Z. Florida and directed by Kayla Menz. Now playing Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30PM and Sundays at 3PM through November 21st.

Featuring:
Eric Frederickson
Bradford Stevens
Annie Beaubien
Hannah Mary Simpson
Squeek Rangel
Matt Chester

With understudies:
Richard Adams
Allan Mayer
AJ Noon
Bailey Neill
Christine Watt
Eugene Jones

Production Team:
Playwright - B.Z. Florida
Director - Kayla Menz
Assistant Director - Mersedez Hoover
Stage Manager - Adriana Rodriguez
Assistant Stage Manager - Max Ching
Scenic Design - Devin Meseke
Technical Director - Anthony Doyle
Lighting Design - Piper Kirchhofer
Master Electrician - Morgan Watkinson
Costume Design - Valerie Cambron
Prop Design - Randy Rozler
Sound Design - Gina Montalvo
Wig Stylist - Olivia Sis
Photos - @oomphotography

Tickets at TheFactoryTheater.com by @factorytheater

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2 days ago

EXTRA PULP! This weekend, The Factory Theater kicks off Season 32: In Pursuit of Happiness with the world premiere production of RADICAL FUTURES by B.Z. Florida!
Set in a failing bar that serves up glimpses of sci-fi futures, this anthology play is inspired by the pulpy science fiction novels of the 50's and 60's. With shots of Asimov, Le Guin, and Bradbury, mixed with garnishes of Butler and Ellison, and shaken with Wells and Clarke, audiences will get a generous pour of what the next 10, 50, or 1000 years might hold.
Don't miss this radical world premiere production directed by Kayla Menz! Running Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays through November 21st. Tickets available at TheFactoryTheater.com! by @factorytheater

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4 days ago

NEXT THURSDAY! The servers need to be monitored. The supply drops keep getting ripped to shreds. There's something in the basement. HOMUNCULUS by Andrew Piechota takes The Factory stage for a one-night-only Overtime reading on Thursday, October 22nd at 7:30PM!
Developed by @avalanchetheatre in 2023 and as part of The Factory's Workshop in 2025, HOMUNCULUS is a strange and beautiful script at the crossroads of technology, nature, and the occult - perfect for fans of our mainstage production of RADICAL FUTURES and those looking for something dark and spooky for Halloween!
Featuring: Jordan Rawlings, Jacque Bischoff, Aaron Sarka, and Britt Nicholson!
Get your $10 ticket now: https://thefactorytheater1.thundertix.com/events/27241 by @factorytheater

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6 days ago

WHAT MAKES A MAN! Our radical cast of futuristic talents take the stage starting tonight! Returning to The Factory Theater, it's the man/myth/legend: MATT CHESTER!

Matt is an actor from Chicago with a passion for both classical and contemporary works, Matt has performed in productions throughout the city. His notable stage credits include Paul in Lane Call: A Night of Closing, Theseus/Hades in Party at the Pantheon, Jeremiah in Within a Shadow, and Theseus/Oberon in A Midsummer Night’s Dream. When he’s not on stage, Matt enjoys exploring new places, spending time with friends and family, and drawing inspiration from the world around him. He brings those experiences into his work, continually seeking greater depth, authenticity, and understanding in every character and project he takes on. And he's very happy to be a part of another story at the Factory.

RADICAL FUTURES starts previews this weekend and runs Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays through November 21st! Get your tickets now at TheFactoryTheater.com! by @factorytheater

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9 days ago

NOT MY CAREER COUNSELOR! Previews for RADICAL FUTURES kick off Friday and our cast is out of this world! Meet HANNAH MARY SIMPSON!

Hannah Mary Simpson (She/Her) is so excited to be part of this great team! Recent theatre credits include Nurse in Romeo & Juliet at GreatWorks Theatre, Leading Player in Pippin at Skokie Theatre, Margaret White in Carrie at Festival 56, Smith/Servant in Henry VI Pt 2 with Back Room Shakespeare Project, Alternate Actor in Jacob Marley's Christmas Carol (solo show) at Breckenridge Backstage Theatre, and Swing in Frog & Toad at Chicago Children’s Theatre. She holds degrees in Theatre and English Literature as well as a minor in Women's & Gender Studies from Ohio Wesleyan University. Additionally, Hannah is a graduate of the Music Program at Second City. When she’s not performing, Hannah loves coaching fellow actors on their Shakespeare pieces. She's a Rogers Park local, and she's thrilled to perform in her favorite Chicago neighborhood. Much love to Max and the cats! hannahmarysimpson.com IG: @hannahmary32

RADICAL FUTURES starts previews this weekend and runs Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays through November 21st! Get your tickets now at TheFactoryTheater.com! by @factorytheater

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10 days ago

DIGGING FOR GEARS! Our all-star cast is ready to bring you the future starting this weekend! Give it up for ANNIE BEAUBIEN!

Annie Beaubien (she/her) is thrilled to be making her Factory Theater debut in Radical Futures! Some of Annie’s favorite credits include Judy Denmark/Ginger Del Marco in Ruthless! The Musical (Citadel Theatre), Kitty (BroadwayWorld 2024 Nominee) in The Drowsy Chaperone (Jeff Nominated Short Run Production), Paula Abagnale (BroadwayWorld 2023 Nominee) in Catch Me If You Can, Josephine “Old Ma” Strong in Urinetown (Jeff Nominated Best Ensemble Short Run, Surging Films & Theatrics), Bus Driver in Don’t Let The Pigeon Drive The Bus!, The Wicked Witch in The Wizard of Oz (AlphaBet Soup Productions), Lana Sherwood in A Christmas Carol: A Live Radio Play (Oil Lamp Theater), Rachel/Everywoman Understudy in MotherFreakingHood! (Mercury Theater Chicago) and Mrs. Bedwin/Widow Corney Understudy/Mrs. Sowerberry Understudy/Old Sally Understudy in Oliver! (Metropolis). This winter, you can see Annie in Pete the Cat with Next Page Productions. Annie graduated from Northwestern University with a degree in Theatre and Biological Sciences. She is represented by Big Mouth Talent and MbM Talent. Much love and many thanks to her family, friends, mentors, and her sweet puppy Baron. IG: @anniebeaubs

RADICAL FUTURES starts previews this weekend and runs Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays through November 21st! Get your tickets now at TheFactoryTheater.com! by @factorytheater

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11 days ago

WILL THEY WEAR WIGS?! Our all-star cast is ready to bring you the future starting this weekend! Give it up for SQUEEK RANGEL!

Squeek Rangel is an improviser, voice actor, and sketch comedian. You may have seen Squeek in an improv show, on a Second City stage, and maybe even in a commercial or two. Above all Squeek loves to play with humor and heart and thanks mom for the initial instinct, The Factory Theater Company for the current opportunity, and the audience for the sustainability of it all. It’s an honor to perform alongside talented, funny peers in worthwhile spaces.

RADICAL FUTURES starts previews this weekend and runs Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays through November 21st! Get your tickets now at TheFactoryTheater.com! by @factorytheater

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12 days ago

OLD FRIEND, SAME BAR! We've got a dream team cast and it's time for you to meet them! Next up, our man with a solution: BRADFORD STEVENS!

A native Chicagoan, earned his MFA in acting from the DePaul Theater School in 2002. He's crazy excited to work with this amazing cast and crew, and dedicates his performance to Mom, Val, LG and Sweetie.

RADICAL FUTURES starts previews this weekend and runs Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays through November 21st! Get your tickets now at TheFactoryTheater.com! by @factorytheater

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13 days ago

SHAKEN, NOT STIRRED! We've got a dream team cast and it's time for you to meet them! First up, our bartender ERIC FREDERICKSON!

Eric Frederickson (he/him/his) got his first shot at The Factory as Dave in 2008’s Ren Faire! A Fistful of Ducats. He’s been hanging around ever since, appearing in ‘Namosaur! (Bigfoot), Fight City (Verne, Steele), Oh Sh#t! It’s Haunted! (Peter Jasonczevik), The HOA (Syd), Kitty James and Destiny’s Trail to Oregon (Ensemble), and Two Out Of Three Falls (King Kong Bruiser). His wife is unreasonably kind to him and his geriatric cat disapproves of his choices.

RADICAL FUTURES starts previews this weekend and runs Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays through November 21st! Get your tickets now at TheFactoryTheater.com by @factorytheater

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14 days ago

It’s Overtime at The Factory! Join us for a one-night-only reading of HOMUNCULUS by Andrew Piechota on Thursday, October 22nd at 7:30PM.

Two debt-laden young workers, Ash and Sage, toil in the depths of a decrepit mansion-turned-crypto-mine deep in the woods near the Columbia River Basin, looking after a massive rig of computer servers. They receive food via airdrop, rest in sleeping bags, and are forbidden from contact with the outside world. As they struggle to adapt to the demands of a distant authority, they spiral, each in their own way, toward mysticism and obsession.

There is someone watching them; there is something in the walls; there is something within themselves, aching to be free- here at the intersection of technology, nature, and the occult.

This script was developed, in part, by The Workshop at The Factory Theater! Tickets on sale now at TheFactoryTheater.com!

Poster by Zack Peercy by @factorytheater

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17 days ago