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1986 - 1993
As Prop picked up speed with experimental new shows, the Chicago theatre scene took notice. Starting in 1986, with the temporary departure of one-half of the artistic directing team, and ending just before Prop's second itinerant period, Prop sets roots as an up-and-coming storefront theatre. From their adaptation of the classic Shakespeare tale of Macbeth (commonly known as Biker Macbeth), into a motorcycle biker gang, to the introduction of RhinoFest, a new works festival with Curious Theatre Branch, this era is marked by its exploration into the Prop style.
A move in leadership
From 1986 to 2000, Stefan Brün (pictured on the right) moved to Germany, only returning to direct The Exception and the Rule by Bertolt Brecht in 1987. Prop leadership remained in the hands of Scott Vehill, along with other staff members who would soon join the team.
1986
This biker-inspired take on the classic Macbeth story put Prop on the map for their hard-hitting, ensemble-based productions.
Macbeth by William Shakespeare
Most commonly known as Biker Macbeth
Show Highlights
Karen Forsberg (now Goodman) joined the team soon before producing her first Prop show: Erotica: Delta of Venus. Goodman has a long-time relationship with Chicago theatre since her mother, Jo Forsberg, was one of the original members of the Second City.
In a male-dominated space at the time, Goodman used her standing to explore ideas of female sexuality in the world of Prop.
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To read a review of the show, click here.
Erotica: Delta of Venus by Charles Mueller and Anais Nin
In 1988, Prop partnered with Curious Theatre Branch to create one of their longest-running programs to date: RhinoFest, a festival of new works for emerging playwrights. The first year of the festival took place over various different venues before settling at Prop.
In this ground-breaking world premiere, Scott Vehill adapted Williams Burrough's novel of the same name into a stage play. Receiving the rights to perform the work of Burroughs was no small feat in the history of storefront theatre, compounded by the fact that Burroughs himself came to see the show.
RhinoFest
The Last Words of Dutch Schultz by William Burroughs and Scott Vehill
Neil Gray Giuntoli opened his Prop debut with The Crate Dweller, which would lead him to receive a Jeff award for Best Supporting Actor in a Play in 1988. Giuntoli himself would go on to receive acclaim for his role in the Child's Play film franchise, but not before establishing himself as a playwright, director, and actor at Prop and other storefront theatres.
The Crate Dweller by Neil Gray Guintoli
Mass Murder by Karen Goodman-Forsberg and Kevin Hackett
In another Jeff award-winning play, Mass Murder rippled into the ensemble theatre world with Goodman-Forsberg at the helm.
The show won Best Actor in a Principal Role - Play and Best Actor in a Supporting Role - Play in 1990. With such a buzz in Chicago, James Earl Jones attended a performance.