A History of The Route 66 Theatre Company
Founded in 2008 by Stef Tovar, Route 66 distinguishes itself from other Equity theatre companies in that it fosters cooperation with theater professionals in Los Angeles and Chicago, utilizing and enhancing the distinct and complementary gifts of each city. Los Angeles is a worldwide hub for the lucrative television and film market. Chicago is renowned for its broad base of “storefront” live theatres, the development of new works with an impressive and growing audience for live theater. With offices in both Chicago and Los Angeles, the long-term goal of Route 66 is to build a solid board in both cities and to become a nationally recognized, not-for-profit theatre company that brings “Chicago style” theatre to cities across the country.
We choose plays and musicals that are rooted in the stories of Americana but with a “Chicago Style”: frank in their execution and bold in their conception. In creating an intimate theatrical experience, we seek a dialogue with our audience and invite them to be part of our artistic family. We provide an open and collaborative environment where artists are treated with respect. Route 66 operates under the rules of Actors' Equity and we believe that providing a good salary with health and pension benefits is vital in creating a strong artistic home for our artists.
Our outreach program employs today's versatile media to re-imagine stories of the past and capture new stories in the present. Launched in June 2009 in conjunction with Chicago's Roger C. Sullivan High School, Route 66 hopes to bring together the culturally rich cities along "The Mother Road" and tell the tales of this country's youth.
This company is made up of seasoned veterans that have been revered for many years by the Ovation committee (of Los Angeles), the Jeff Awards committee (of Chicago), as well as critics, the theatrical community and audiences from both cities. This experience allows for making passionate but practical decisions.
Our first production, John Kolvenbach’s ON AN AVERAGE DAY, was a critical hit in both Los Angeles and Chicago. After a sold out, five week run in LA in February 2008 (garnering an LA Ovation nomination and several LADCC nominations), The Route 66 Theatre Company brought the entire production along the Mother Road for the Chicago premiere in August. It ran six weeks and was Jeff Recommended as well as the “Critic’s Choice” in the Chicago Tribune and other local papers.
At the same time that Route 66 was producing ON AN AVERAGE DAY, it produced the World Premiere of Jenniffer Wiegel’s one-person show, I’M SPIRITUAL DAMMIT!, based on her book STAY TUNED. This was an audience favorite as Ms. Weigel has a large following in Chicago (as a broadcaster and the daughter of the late, famed sportscaster Tim Wiegel) and nationally with the release of her book—attracting celebrities such as Richard Roeper, Gene Siskel and other Chicago television personalities. The production was remounted at the Chicago Center of the Performing Arts in 2009 and Ms. Weigel plans on bringing it to Universities across the country.
Chris Jones, Chief Critic for the Chicago Tribune wrote of our inaugural production “The Route 66 Theatre Company made an auspicious, hopeful debut this weekend. This new Equity troupe seems to have its act together—starting with its name. Using the Mother Road as guiding principle seems savvy. You feel as if you know what you’re signing up for when you buy a ticket: dramas of the parched heartland, linked by the desperation of the lonely, dusty road. And Route 66 has further significance: it joins Chicago and Los Angeles. Unlike the busy trajectory between Chicago and New York, the theatrical road from Chicago to L.A. mostly gets ignored. Given the twin backgrounds of this experienced founding ensemble, that might change.”
We hope you'll "take a road trip" with Route 66 by attending our productions or joining us for our monthly reading series at Murphy's Irish Bistro. Check back here for updates!
Mission
Founded in February of 2008, The Route 66 Theatre Company produces theatre that knowingly encounters risk and embraces the American spirit of exploration. Committed to our home base in Chicago where the historic Route 66 began and collaborating with our artists in Los Angeles, Route 66 connects cultural divides by giving life to the vibrant stories that link America together.
People
Stef Tovar
Founder and Artistic Director
Jacquey Rosati
Managing Director
Blair Robertson
Producing Director
Ashley Bishop and Kelli Marino
Co-Directors of Education and Outreach
Rita Vreeland
Resident Production Manager
Company Members
Danny Cistone
Johnny Clark
Gloria Coco
Brandon Dahlquist
Lisa Dillman
Jaclyn Holsey
Katie Jeep
Steve Key
Ron Klier
Meredith McDonough
Heather Meyers
John Mohrlein
Preeti Nath
Jenniffer Weigel
Gwendolyn Whiteside
Jarrod Zimmerman
Board of Directors
Anne Moffat
President
Andrea Bonevelle
Michael Conklin
Karl Fernandez
Laurie Savin
Steven Wilhelm
Marty Higginbotham
Marketing and Media Consultant
Noreen Heron and Associates
Public Relations
CHICAGO (Main)
1953 W. Henderson St., #1
Chicago, Illinois 60657
LOS ANGELES
P.O. Box 2293
Los Angeles, California 91610
Voicemail
(773) 308-6927

Route 66 is generously sponsored by a generous grant from the Bruce B. Boyd Foundation as well as Murphy's Bleachers and Murphy's Irish Bistro and the law firm of Nixon Peabody. For info on our Monthly Reading Series at the Bistro and to be part of our mailing list, email stef@route66theatre.org.
Become a "Fan" of Route 66 on Facebook!
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Route 66 presents:
THE K OF D: AN URBAN LEGEND
BY LAURA SCHELLHARDT
A Chicago premiere
Starring Gwendolyn Whiteside
Directed by Meredith McDonough
Sound Design by Lindsay Jones
Lighting Design by Jesse Klug
Set Design by Steve Key
Stage Managed by Jaclyn Holsey
At A Red Orchid Theatre
1531 N. Wells Street
Chicago, IL
(Wells/North Ave)
Previews
Tickets: $15
June 4-7, 2009
Thursday-Saturday at 8PM
Sunday at 3PM
Opening Night
Tickets: $30 (includes reception)
June 9, 2009 at 7PM
Regular run
Tickets: $20 (Thursday and Sunday) $25 Friday and Saturday
June 11-July 12
Thursday-Saturday at 8PM
Sunday at 3PM
Gwendolyn Whiteside brings an entire town to vivid life in this riveting fable. After a reckless driver kills her twin brother, Charlotte McGraw becomes a supernatural wonder to others when it appears she has received an eerie power from his dying kiss.
This luminous new script by Laura Schellhardt was the winner of ACT Theatre's 2006 New Play Award and is presented by The Route 66 Theatre Company in its Chicago premiere. This quirky and touching play offers the unexpected perspective of a child on the big questions of life and death.
Presented by a generous grant from The Bruce B. Boyd Foundation
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Victory Gardens Greenhouse, August 2008
The Chicago Premiere of
John Kolvenbach's
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In a co-production with the
VS. Theatre Company
of Los Angeles
Directed by Ron Klier
with Johnny Clark and Stef Tovar
ON AN AVERAGE DAY IS THE CHICAGO TRIBUNE'S "CRITIC'S CHOICE"!
Check out Chris Jones review
"Highly Recommended!"
--Chicago Reader

On an Average Day was nominated for an L.A. Ovation Award for Best Scenic Design (Danny Cistone) and three Los Angeles Drama Circle Awards--winning for Best Fight Choreography-Ned Mochel.
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"The Route 66 Theatre Company is launched!"
--Playbill.com
June 12th, 2008
Dear Friends and Patrons,
This is to inform you that your contribution to The Route 66 Theatre Company is not at this time a tax deductible item due to the fact that, although we have applied for tax exempt status, we have not received it as of this date, June 12th 2008. Our application is currently pending.
We hope to receive tax-exempt status this by December 31, 2008. Upon receiving the federal government exemption letter under 501C3, you will be entitled to deduct the amount of contribution. We will inform you if and when we receive our federal tax-exempt status so that you may deduct it on your 2008 federal income tax form.
Thank you for support,
Stef Tovar, Artistic Director