Re/Generation Studio 2025-2026
Re/Generation Studio is About Face Theatre’s invitation to build the future of queer theatre together. This welcoming series of public workshops is shaped as a collective dreaming space for connecting with each other, learning about new plays, world-building, and exploring new production models. Each workshop will be grounded by staged readings of sections of new plays designed to invite conversation, collaboration, and creation in a shared space. Facilitators will offer key questions and considerations raised by the playwrights and directors and encourage participants to work together to brainstorm and develop creative solutions.
About Face premiered Re/Generation Studio in February 2023 as a vehicle for reconnecting, restoring, and recreating with audiences and artists after the pandemic. The overwhelming response from participants proved to us that these kinds of creative events are necessary to build and rebuild our communities. AFT is thrilled to continue another year of engaging audiences and artists directly with up-and-coming new LGBTQ+ plays.
All workshops are free and open to the public. Workshops are recommended for ages 12 and older.
Friday, May 22nd
Join us for a welcoming reception!
Friday, May 22, 2026 | 5:30-6:30pm
Enjoy complimentary drinks, light bites, and conversations leading into a weekend of connection and camaraderie. Meet up with working folks in the industry, explore the world of theatre-making, and learn how About Face Theatre continues celebrating new work from emerging queer voices. Reception will be held at Goodman Theatre in The Alice, 170 N. Dearborn Chicago.
All the Feels: Queer Romance Onstage
Friday, May 22, 2026 | 6:30-8:00pm
From the first flutter to the long game, two electric plays trace the dizzying search for the one and the sweet work of keeping the spark alive. Plus we’ll take a peek behind the curtain to explore the secret language of design that reveals theatrical and unforgettable LGBTQ+ romance onstage, featuring Modern Gentleman lighting designer Conchita Avitia. Show up as you are! No degree required. Just bring your heart.
Featuring excerpts from Straddle, written by Harrison David Rivers, directed by Megan Carney, and The Council of Femmes, written by Willow Wilhelm, directed by Landree Fleming.
Saturday, May 23rd
Re/Generation Studio: Le Switch
Saturday, May 23, 2026 | 11:00-1:00pm
Produced with Ways and Means Theatre Company
About Le Switch
Marriage equality finally reaches the U.S. and commitment-shy David finds himself unsure how to react to the nation’s honeymoon phase. Nervous in the face of“wedding fever,” he retreats to his home full of unopened books and his grieving activist roommate. When his best friend’s bachelor party takes him to Montreal, he’s unexpectedly swept off his feet by a beautiful young florist. In the months that follow, David and his non-traditional family must decide for themselves what it really means to be committed, what it means to be married and what it means to be queer.
About Ways and Means Theatre
Ways and Means Theatre exists to produce courageous, language-rich theatre that interrogates the human condition with both intellectual fearlessness and deep emotional truth. As an ensemble-driven company rooted in Chicago, we bring together artists and audiences to engage with the great dramatic literature of the past and the vital new works of today — sparking the conversations that move our community forward.
What’s Next: Paving the Way for Chicago’s Emerging Directors
Saturday, May 23, 2026 | 1:00-3:00pm
Calling all directors and creatives – we need your help for some visioning! Picking up where our Director’s Town Hall left off last year, About Face Theatre, Bramble Theatre Company, and Remy Bumppo Theatre Company have been gathering information about how our educational programming can better serve emerging directors in the Chicago theatre community.
During this workshop we’ll review some of the findings from our Emerging Directors survey to give our community a better understanding of what directors need now to thrive. We’ll have a few sample activities to try out based on our findings, with space for feedback. Finally, we’ll do some visioning about the structure of an educational directors program created for and by directors. LGBTQ+ directors and makers will be centered, though everyone is welcome!
Facilitated by: Lexi Saunders, Nayda Naumaan, and Dionne Addai
Produced by: Dan Washelesky, Christina Casano, and Dionne Addai
Our Queer Youth Ensemble Presents: Vantage Point
Saturday, May 23, 2026 | 3:30-5:00pm
The world is full of domino effects – comments made in passing, dismissive tones, micro and macro aggressions. These moments can influence the decisions someone makes even years down the line…
About Face Theatre’s Queer Youth Ensemble presents Vantage Point, an exploration of how our identities shape each moment of our lives—and what can happen when we step into someone else’s perspective.
All are welcome to attend this culminating performance of our youth leaders, and participate in a talk back after the show!
Written and performed by: Amy Boggs, Cassandra Tenorio-McBride, Joanna Sempsey, Miracle Gbegan, Miles Gutierrez, Ira Hidayah Mohammad Noor and Rosalinda Rivera
Directed by Pen Wilder and Dionne Addai
Join us for our closing celebration!
Saturday, May 23, 2026 | 5:00-6:00pm
Come celebrate our Youth Ensemble and the closing of the 4th annual Re/Generation Studio!
