2017 HEAR Now Festival Featured Programming:
Purchase an ALL ACCESS FESTIVAL PASS, to attend any of our events, or select individual tickets to specific events you want to attend:
Individual Event Ticket Cost:
$15.00 for Saturday Night AUDIO Tonight!
Individual event tickets will be available at the door for:
AUDIO Tonight! (Saturday night).
ADDRESSES FOR OUR VENUES:
Each event below lists the location and address.
CLICK HERE FOR THE 2017 HEAR MAP FOR A COMPLETE LIST OF LOCATIONS AND ADDRESSES.
Individual Event Ticket Cost:
$15.00 for Saturday Night AUDIO Tonight!
Individual event tickets will be available at the door for:
AUDIO Tonight! (Saturday night).
ADDRESSES FOR OUR VENUES:
Each event below lists the location and address.
CLICK HERE FOR THE 2017 HEAR MAP FOR A COMPLETE LIST OF LOCATIONS AND ADDRESSES.
|
|
|
Special thanks to Bondfire Radio for live streaming this year's AUDIO Tonight! Tune in by clicking the HEAR Now / Bondfire link at the start of the program. |
|
Masters of Ceremony:
Simon Jones
Simon Jones
Simon is best known for his multiple portrayals of Arthur Dent, protagonist of Douglas Adams' 1979 novel "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy". Jones first portrayed the character on radio in 1978 and again on television in 1981. Jones also featured in the film The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (2005) in a cameo role. He is a voice actor and audiobook narrator.
Simon is also known for his multiple appearances on the Broadway stage. including The Real Thing, Benefactors, Getting Married, Private Lives, The Real Inspector Hound, The Fifteen Minute Hamlet, and Waiting in the Wings. In 2009 he appeared in Blithe Spirit, with Angela Lansbury and Rupert Everett.
He has appeared in various TV series, including Brideshead Revisited (in which he played the Earl of Brideshead, or "Bridey", heir to the Marquess of Marchmain), and the second series of Blackadder (playing Sir Walter Raleigh). His films have included Club Paradise, Privates on Parade, and The Devil's Own, and in remake of Miracle on 34th Street.
Simon is best known for his multiple portrayals of Arthur Dent, protagonist of Douglas Adams' 1979 novel "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy". Jones first portrayed the character on radio in 1978 and again on television in 1981. Jones also featured in the film The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (2005) in a cameo role. He is a voice actor and audiobook narrator.
Simon is also known for his multiple appearances on the Broadway stage. including The Real Thing, Benefactors, Getting Married, Private Lives, The Real Inspector Hound, The Fifteen Minute Hamlet, and Waiting in the Wings. In 2009 he appeared in Blithe Spirit, with Angela Lansbury and Rupert Everett.
He has appeared in various TV series, including Brideshead Revisited (in which he played the Earl of Brideshead, or "Bridey", heir to the Marquess of Marchmain), and the second series of Blackadder (playing Sir Walter Raleigh). His films have included Club Paradise, Privates on Parade, and The Devil's Own, and in remake of Miracle on 34th Street.
Julia Whelan
Julia Whelan
Julia has appeared in many films and television series, including ABC’s Once And Again.
After receiving a degree in English and Creative Writing at Middlebury College and Oxford University, Julia began narrating audiobooks. She has since recorded hundreds of novels and been awarded Earphone and Audie Awards, and been named one of Audiofile Magazine’s Best Voices and Audible's Narrator of the Year.
Julia has appeared in many films and television series, including ABC’s Once And Again.
After receiving a degree in English and Creative Writing at Middlebury College and Oxford University, Julia began narrating audiobooks. She has since recorded hundreds of novels and been awarded Earphone and Audie Awards, and been named one of Audiofile Magazine’s Best Voices and Audible's Narrator of the Year.
Featured in AUDIO Tonight!
Dr. Gladys Caines-Coggswell
"The Power of Storytelling"
Gladys Caines-Coggswell
This story tells of a son's desire to be a story-teller and how he helped people to see the power of story-telling.
In 1979 when Dr. Gladys Caines-Coggswell had her first storytelling performance, she told one of her own stories of a miraculous transition from victim to victorious. She had people crying, laughing and inspired. As a media favorite, her dynamic performances, workshops, speeches and books have been written about, televised and highly recommended. Her stories have brought audiences to their feet. She is one of the nation’s leading experts in the areas of inner healing, humor, violence/substance prevention stories and story based seminars.
Gladys has held the title of Missouri’s Master Storyteller nine times through the Missouri Traditional Artist Apprenticeship Program. She is listed in the Missouri’s Touring Roster and has been the subject of numerous articles, several television specials and books. There have been numerous joys that have highlighted her career – among them, telling in China and at the National Storytelling Festival’s Exchange Place where she received a standing ovation from over 2,000 appreciative story listeners.
Recently Gladys has put on another hat, as she performs powerful historical role of Adeline, Mother Martha Chisley Talton and Lucey Delany who all served as slaves in Missouri.
Gladys is returning this year to the HEAR Now Festival with a new tale for all ages.
In 1979 when Dr. Gladys Caines-Coggswell had her first storytelling performance, she told one of her own stories of a miraculous transition from victim to victorious. She had people crying, laughing and inspired. As a media favorite, her dynamic performances, workshops, speeches and books have been written about, televised and highly recommended. Her stories have brought audiences to their feet. She is one of the nation’s leading experts in the areas of inner healing, humor, violence/substance prevention stories and story based seminars.
Gladys has held the title of Missouri’s Master Storyteller nine times through the Missouri Traditional Artist Apprenticeship Program. She is listed in the Missouri’s Touring Roster and has been the subject of numerous articles, several television specials and books. There have been numerous joys that have highlighted her career – among them, telling in China and at the National Storytelling Festival’s Exchange Place where she received a standing ovation from over 2,000 appreciative story listeners.
Recently Gladys has put on another hat, as she performs powerful historical role of Adeline, Mother Martha Chisley Talton and Lucey Delany who all served as slaves in Missouri.
Gladys is returning this year to the HEAR Now Festival with a new tale for all ages.
Skinny
|
|
We all hear noises in the middle of the night as we lay under blankets in our beds: A bump, a creak, a tick or a hiss in the dark that we hope is just the wind. WildClaw Theatre brings them all to life, for your ears and before your eyes. Two cops, Vicks and Booth, investigate a call about the strange screams in the basement. Maybe they're brave, maybe they're just doing their job, either way they're going down there...and you're coming too.
Joe Griffin
 John Luzar
Kimberly Logan
Ele Matelan
Norine McGrath
Josh Zagoren
|
Joe Griffin started playing with sound in 1980 when he set up a microphone in his parents' haunted basement and invited the ghosts to speak up. He studied sound recording at Michigan State University, and has been a recording engineer/sound designer for 25 years, give or take. Joe has been co-music director of Deathscribe, Wildclaw Theatre's annual festival of radio horror plays, for the past three years. His sound design and music have been heard in Festival 56’s War of The Worlds (co-designed with Ele Matelan), Commedia Beauregard’s A Klingon Christmas Carol and Bard Fiction, Steep Theatre’s Coronado, The (edward) Hopper Project with WNEP Theatre (in conjunction with the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs), and the last ten years of summer Shakespeare at Moraine Valley Community College in Palos Hills, IL. Joe is currently working on the audio drama series "Tales of Richard: Post-Apocalyptic Cabinet Maker" with Toxic Bag Productions, and gearing up for Deathscribe X with Wildclaw.
John Luzar is delighted to be returning to a stage in his home town, and also to be working with WildClaw for the first time. Chicago credits include TREASURE ISLAND and THE MARK OF ZORRO (Lifeline), FATBOY (A Red Orchid), THE ROPER (The Den) HOT GEORGIA SUNDAY and GOLDSTAR, OHIO (ATC), MEN OF STEEL (Theater Wit), THE LION IN WINTER (TimeLine), STREET SCENE (The Artistic Home), DEALER’S CHOICE (Steep), REN FAIRE! A FISTFUL OF DUCATS and THE GREY GIRL (Factory) ERRATICA (American Demigods) and MARATHON ’33 (Strawdog), and work with The New York International Fringe Festival, Chicago Dramatists, Stage Left, Metropolis, Teatro Luna, City Lit, A Crew of Patches, Blindfaith, Boxer Rebellion, Senachai, Adventure Stage Chicago, Chicago Jewish Theatre, and the Bailiwick. He also assistant directed for David Cromer on Seanachai’s production of JOURNEY’S END with Seanachai. Kimberly Logan studied Classical Acting at the London Academy of Performing Arts and interned at Asolo Repertory Theatre & Peterborough Players. Since moving to Chicago, she’s worked with a variety of store-front and regional theatres, including Stage Left Theatre, Theatre at The Center, Circle Theatre, Redtwist Theatre, TimeLine, Raven Theatre, Livewire, and Oak Park Festival Theatre. As a member of Babes With Blades Theatre Company, Kimberly performed in Julius Caesar and Titus Andronics and several world premiere productions, including Witch Slap! and 180 Degree Rule. Ele Matelan is delighted and honored to represent Chicago's WildClaw Theatre with the HEAR Now Festival! Ele joined WildClaw as an actor and writer in 2012, and serves as WildClaw’s Director of Public Outreach and resident Foley artist. In addition to at her haunted home, she has designed and performed Foley for companies including Hartlife NFP, Lifeline Theatre, Starlight Radio Dreams, Festival 56, Stone Hearth Theatre, and Locked Into Vacancy Entertainment. You can hear Ele’s voiceover performances as Cassie Wilkins, Switchblades Cobalt, and more(!) in the award-winning, post-apocalyptic audio drama Our Fair City, currently available at OurFairCity.com. Norine McGrath has worked at theatres all around Chicago over the last 9 years. She was the tech director and assistant director for Blackbird Theatre Company, has stage managed and assistant directed at City Lit and for Painted Lady Productions. She is currently working with Outlaw Production Collective to workshop and produce new plays in Chicago. Directing credits include Of Mice and Minotaurs, The Diary of Anne Frank, Watbanaland, and Margaret Fleming (Assistant Director to Ryan Washabaugh) as well as several short pieces for the Royal Non Such Presents’ byot series. Her favorite projects were assistant directing for Sheldon Patinkin during Volpone, stage managing Frankenstein, and putting on the Art of Adaptation Festival at City Lit for the past 5 years. Josh Zagoren is from Iowa, schooled in Boston and has been a writer/actor in Chicago since 2006, performing in four WildClaw productions (Legion, Carmilla, The Shadow Over Innsmouth and the 2015 remount of The Revenants) as well as hosting our annual Deathscribe. On the sly, he performs every Saturday as Chad the Bird of The Paper Machete at Chicago’s Historic Green Mill Lounge. |
Binaural MacBeth
HEAR Now is presenting a special 'reading' of Act IV, Scene 1, while at the same time shaping some staging around a binaural microphone head, that plays with proximity, intensity, and arrangement. The result will be a combination of live theatre-going and full-cast audio drama, though in a highly immersive sense, since it will sound to the listener as if they are sitting center stage, atop the very cauldron containing the witches' brew.
(To be perfectly honest, this is something of an experiment, but we cannot conceive of a better context for all of these
technical and performance elements!)
(To be perfectly honest, this is something of an experiment, but we cannot conceive of a better context for all of these
technical and performance elements!)
Cast:
|
MacBeth: Dion Graham
Witch 1: Julia Whelan Witch 2: Samantha Desz Witch 3/Lennox: P.J. Ochlan
Apparition 1/Chorus: Patricia Napolitano
Apparition 2/Chorus: Delaney Cinnamon Apparition 3/Chorus: Bill Chessman
|
|
Amanda Rose Smith - Co-Producer / Director
Originally a musician, after earning a BA in Music Composition from Smith College, Amanda discovered that she loved recording as much as she loved composing, and moved to NYC where she completed a Masters Degree in Music Technology at New York University.
Since then she's worked in various industries, as a live sound engineer, recording audiobooks, music, film, television, video games, and commercials. She was ADR engineer on season 2 of Netflix's "Orange Is The New Black" and dialogue editor for Telltale Games' "The Walking Dead: The Game". Amanda continues to compose music in addition to recording, editing, and directing voiceover. |
Binaural microphone and head
|
Neil Hellegers - Co-Producer / Director
Neil is an actor and educator who lives in Brooklyn, NY with his wife, son, and orange mutt. Neil has acted with The Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival, Trinity Repertory Company, Aquila Theatre Company, and others, performing Shakespeare and contemporary texts nationally and internationally. He came to audiobook narration through a strong dedication to storytelling and a cripplingly voracious reading habit. He has produced titles with Tantor Audio, Blackstone Audio, Deyan Audio, Audible Studios, Listen2ABook, and others. Neil has taught Shakespeare and acting technique at the University of Pennsylvania, the Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival, West Point Military Academy, the New York City Student Shakespeare Festival, and elsewhere. His TV and Film credits include UNBREAKABLE KIMMY SCHMIDT, GOTHAM, THE BLACKLIST, BLUE BLOODS, YOUNG ADULT, REACHING FOR THE MOON, and others. Neil has an MFA from Trinity Rep Conservatory and is a proud member of AEA and SAG-AFTRA.
|
The Poet's Corner
Jason Kao Hwang
|
Tony Brewer
|
Tony Brewer
|
Tony Brewer is a poet, spoken word performer, screenwriter, sound effects artist, and roller derby announcer. He is also executive director of the Spoken Word Stage at the 4th Street Arts Festival in Bloomington, Indiana. He has three books (The Great American Scapegoat, Little Glove in a Big Hand, and Hot Type Cold Read) and wrote and co-produced a DVD, 8 Wheels of Death, the world’s first roller zombie romantic comedy.
Jason Kao Hwang is a composer, violinist and educator, has created works ranging from jazz, classical, “new” and world music. Asian Improv Records recently released EDGE, Mr. Hwang's new jazz quartet, featuring Taylo Ho Bynum(cornet), Andrew Drury(perc). Ken Filiano (bass). His chamber opera, The Floating Box, A Story in Chinatown (New World Records), was named one of the top ten opera recordings of 2005 by Opera News. Mr. Hwang's seminal ensemble (1990-2004), The Far East Side Band, released two CDs, Urban Archaeology (Victo Records) and Caverns (New World Records). As violinist, he has worked with Anthony Braxton, Henry Threadgill, Butch Morris, Reggie Workman, Vladamir Tarasov, Tatsu Aoki, Frances Wong, and William Parker. Mr. Hwang currently performs with William Hooker's The Gift and Pheeroan Aklaff's Malcheck Muzikum. Mr. Hwang has received support from Meet the Composer, National Endowment for the Arts, New York State Council on the Arts, New Jersey State Council on the Arts, Rockefeller Foundation, the Mary Flagler Cary Charitable Trust and others.
Jason Kao Hwang is a composer, violinist and educator, has created works ranging from jazz, classical, “new” and world music. Asian Improv Records recently released EDGE, Mr. Hwang's new jazz quartet, featuring Taylo Ho Bynum(cornet), Andrew Drury(perc). Ken Filiano (bass). His chamber opera, The Floating Box, A Story in Chinatown (New World Records), was named one of the top ten opera recordings of 2005 by Opera News. Mr. Hwang's seminal ensemble (1990-2004), The Far East Side Band, released two CDs, Urban Archaeology (Victo Records) and Caverns (New World Records). As violinist, he has worked with Anthony Braxton, Henry Threadgill, Butch Morris, Reggie Workman, Vladamir Tarasov, Tatsu Aoki, Frances Wong, and William Parker. Mr. Hwang currently performs with William Hooker's The Gift and Pheeroan Aklaff's Malcheck Muzikum. Mr. Hwang has received support from Meet the Composer, National Endowment for the Arts, New York State Council on the Arts, New Jersey State Council on the Arts, Rockefeller Foundation, the Mary Flagler Cary Charitable Trust and others.
VoiceScapes Audio Theater
Kidnapping 101
from VoiceScapes Audio Theater
by Tom & Ellin Curley
What happens when the phone rings and it is a first-time kidnapper?
Starring Robin Miles and Butch D'Ambrosio
with guest Bill Dufris
VoiceScapes is a group of audio actors, directors, sound engineers, writers and producers who met and worked together in Missouri each year at the National Audio Theatre Festivals. Because they all live in or near New York City, they decided to create a New York City based contemporary audio theater company - VoiceScapes Audio Theater. They have performed at the four previous HEAR Now Festivals as well as the Paley Center in New York City for AES, the Lillian Booth Actor's Home in Engelwood, NY, and various other
library venues in the NY Metro Area
from VoiceScapes Audio Theater
by Tom & Ellin Curley
What happens when the phone rings and it is a first-time kidnapper?
Starring Robin Miles and Butch D'Ambrosio
with guest Bill Dufris
VoiceScapes is a group of audio actors, directors, sound engineers, writers and producers who met and worked together in Missouri each year at the National Audio Theatre Festivals. Because they all live in or near New York City, they decided to create a New York City based contemporary audio theater company - VoiceScapes Audio Theater. They have performed at the four previous HEAR Now Festivals as well as the Paley Center in New York City for AES, the Lillian Booth Actor's Home in Engelwood, NY, and various other
library venues in the NY Metro Area
Robin Miles
Robin Miles
With more than 200+ audiobook titles, director and Golden Voice, Robin Miles, seems born to do voice work and brings tremendous talent and experience to both sides of the glass. Her awards include multiple Audies, Ben Franklins, Audiofile Earphones, and a 2009 Grammy nomination. Her voice has been chosen for Audiofile Magazine’s Best Voices of 2008 (fiction & non-fiction), Publishers Weekly Best Audio, and Best of the Best Kids Audio. Her clients include Audible, BBC Audiobooks America, Hachette, Harper Audio, McMillan Audio, Penguin, Live Oak Media, the Department of Homeland Security, and Brilliance Audio, among others.
An accent specialist with a love of language and literature, Robin skillfully guides celebrities & authors, veterans & novices through archaic historical texts, contemporary, even poetic works with equal skill. Her award winning titles span across genres, including Roots (non-fiction), Here in Harlem (poetry), The Lincoln-Douglas Debates (historical non-fiction), Hollywood Station(contemporary fiction), Midnight Robber (Sci-Fi), and My Secret War (children’s).
Before starting Voxpertise®, Ms. Miles was Assistant Professor of speech at SUNY Purchase Conservatory of Theater, taught acting at the Neighborhood Playhouse, ESL at Kaplan's NY International Center, and coached upper level managers for Merrill Lynch. She holds degrees from Yale University, the Yale School of Drama and a certificate from the British American Drama Academie in England.
With more than 200+ audiobook titles, director and Golden Voice, Robin Miles, seems born to do voice work and brings tremendous talent and experience to both sides of the glass. Her awards include multiple Audies, Ben Franklins, Audiofile Earphones, and a 2009 Grammy nomination. Her voice has been chosen for Audiofile Magazine’s Best Voices of 2008 (fiction & non-fiction), Publishers Weekly Best Audio, and Best of the Best Kids Audio. Her clients include Audible, BBC Audiobooks America, Hachette, Harper Audio, McMillan Audio, Penguin, Live Oak Media, the Department of Homeland Security, and Brilliance Audio, among others.
An accent specialist with a love of language and literature, Robin skillfully guides celebrities & authors, veterans & novices through archaic historical texts, contemporary, even poetic works with equal skill. Her award winning titles span across genres, including Roots (non-fiction), Here in Harlem (poetry), The Lincoln-Douglas Debates (historical non-fiction), Hollywood Station(contemporary fiction), Midnight Robber (Sci-Fi), and My Secret War (children’s).
Before starting Voxpertise®, Ms. Miles was Assistant Professor of speech at SUNY Purchase Conservatory of Theater, taught acting at the Neighborhood Playhouse, ESL at Kaplan's NY International Center, and coached upper level managers for Merrill Lynch. She holds degrees from Yale University, the Yale School of Drama and a certificate from the British American Drama Academie in England.
Butch D'Ambrosio
|
Butch D'Ambrosio
If Mr. D’Ambrosio existed and enjoyed talking about himself, he might tell you that he got his first rejection from MAD magazine when he was 12 years old. That he was the youngest intern and the last one under Bill Gaines, back in the day when the legendary publisher of Tales From The Crypt hand wrote the checks (back in the days when internships paid money). That he was a contributing member of the Usual Gang of Idiots for a long while. He might tell you that his involvement in audio theatre goes back almost as far, having been lucky enough to hook up with certain people… then MRTW… the NATF. Some of his other interesting things are too long ago to be relevant, a short film, a season writing for a Sesame Workshop animated children’s show, years of involvement with local theatre groups, a sketch group, doing sound effects, spending five seasons at a RenFaire, etc.. Some more recent things include writing for 24 hour play festivals, and creating now abandoned Twitter accounts focusing his dislike of Justin Beiber and the Royal Wedding in Haiku. He is more interested in finishing novels than having people actually read them and, again, if he existed, he might be looking forward to ski season. |
Bill Dufris
Willliam Dufris
(Pocket Universe Productions)
William is producer/director of AudioComics and Pocket Universe Productions. He recently produced The Starling Project by Jeffrey Deaver (w/Alfred Molina) and Locke & Key by Joe Hill and Gabriel Rodriguez (w/Tatiana Maslany, Haley Joel Osment, Kate Mulgrew and Stephen King) for Audible Studios... winning an Audie Award for each.
William is also an award winning audiobook narrator and the voice of BOB in the original animated series of BOB The Builder.
(Pocket Universe Productions)
William is producer/director of AudioComics and Pocket Universe Productions. He recently produced The Starling Project by Jeffrey Deaver (w/Alfred Molina) and Locke & Key by Joe Hill and Gabriel Rodriguez (w/Tatiana Maslany, Haley Joel Osment, Kate Mulgrew and Stephen King) for Audible Studios... winning an Audie Award for each.
William is also an award winning audiobook narrator and the voice of BOB in the original animated series of BOB The Builder.
|
Additional AUDIO Tonight Cast includes:
Becky Stapf
|
AUDIO Tonight Production Team
Tom Curley - Director
|
|
|
Ray Archie - Master Mixer
|
Scott Cinnamon - Stage Manager
|
