UPCOMING PROJECTS: 

THE DEEP END

WHAT: THE DEEP END - a sci-fi, reality-warping new play by ensemble member Croix Kelchen. 

WHEN: November 20th-22nd, 25th, and 27th-29th.

WHERE: The Den Theatre (1331 N. Milwaukee Ave). 

DESCRIPTION: This reading marks the first step in gaining awareness and excitement around this production coming to full fruition. Community engagement is essential to bring this piece to life, so we hope you will dive in with us by coming to see this reading! 

If you are not able to attend, please consider making a donation to THE DEEP END fundraising campaign! 

Want to support our upcoming projects?

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PAST PROJECTS:

Bad Draft Reading Series #7

WHAT: A reading of playwright Emily Marrazo's "bad draft" (it's anything but, take it from us)

WHEN: Thursday, April 30th at 7:30pm. 

WHERE: The Labyrinth Club, 3658 N Pulaski Rd, Chicago, IL

DESCRIPTIONS: 

Untitled Cult Play by Emily Marrazzo

A family struggles to cope after their eldest daughter, Sadie, becomes entangled in a mysterious group that slowly pulls her away from home. As past and present collide, her younger sister Wendy fights to hold onto their bond while watching Sadie slip further into a belief system that replaces family with something more absolute.


Starstruck Little Femme In Stem by Emily Marrazzo

Hiding from an overwhelming crowd, a pop star is cornered in a bathroom by a determined young fan who refuses to leave without proof of their meeting. What begins as a standoff evolves into a revealing exchange about admiration, boundaries, and the cost of being seen.

Two staged readings followed by a talkback with the playwright!

Bad Draft Reading Series #6

WHAT: A reading of playwrights David Lipschutz's and Alex Kingsley's "bad draft" (it's anything but, take it from us)

WHEN: Saturday, March 14th at 7:30pm

WHERE: Facility Theatre *in the upstairs space* (1138 N California Ave, Chicago, IL 60622)

DESCRIPTION: 

  • The Pi(e) Guy: After a humiliating incident puts timid math professor Archie Medes on leave, he returns home to his mother’s pie shop and becomes entangled in a murder case involving his former high school bully. Using mathematical reasoning, Archie uncovers the victim’s cryptic dying words, transforming him into an unlikely local detective.

  • An Enchilada at the End of Everything: In a frozen post-apocalyptic wasteland outside an abandoned Taco Bell, two lonely survivors pass the time with dark humor, memories of the old world, and fantasies about comfort food and normal life. When Jesus arrives to perform the Rapture and finds no worthy souls left, their conversation reveals that what they truly crave is not salvation but familiarity, connection, and something warm to hold onto at the end of everything.

BAD DRAFT READING SERIES #5

WHAT: A reading of playwright Jo~Anna Leigh's "bad draft" (it's anything but, take it from us)

WHEN: Sunday, February 1st at 7:30pm

WHERE: The Lincoln Lodge (2040 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60647)

DESCRIPTION: “How’s your love life?” A question with an answer far more complicated than you’d expect. 10 vignettes explore the joy, pain, and complexity of romantic relationships.

BAD DRAFT READING SERIES #4

WHAT: A reading of playwright Jordan Ratliff's "bad draft" (it's anything but, take it from us)

WHEN: Thursday, December 11th 2025 at 7:30pm

WHERE: The Labyrinth Club, 3658 N Pulaski Rd, Chicago, IL

DESCRIPTION: On New Year’s Eve 2020, a housekeeper’s shift at a billionaire’s mansion is frozen in time when midnight never arrives, trapping her inside a world where labor has no end. As the walls close in (literally), the story exposes how wealth distorts reality and what it takes to finally refuse exploitation.

BAD DRAFT READING SERIES #3

WHAT: A reading of playwright Eily Worrell's "bad draft" (it's anything but, take it from us)

WHEN: Thursday, October 30, 2025 at 7:30pm

WHERE: The Labyrinth Club, 3658 N Pulaski Rd, Chicago, IL

DESCRIPTION: A dysfunctional family gathers for the funeral of a family matriarch. When the outbreak of the zombie apocalypse disrupts the service, they are forced to confront both outside danger and their own buried wounds.

BAD DRAFT READING SERIES #2

WHAT: A reading of playwright Heather Elaine Abbott's "bad draft" (it's anything but, take it from us)

WHEN: Saturday, September 13, 2025 at 7:30pm

WHERE: The Coach House, 2955 N Spaulding Ave, Chicago, IL

DESCRIPTION: Tracey Martin returns home fr her parents' anniversary, where old friends, family secrets, and a surprise proposal force her to confront fears about living openly and honestly in love

BAD DRAFT READING SERIES

WHAT: A reading of playwright Emma Anderson's "bad draft" (it's anything but, take it from us)

WHEN: Saturday, August 2, 2025 at 7:30pm

WHERE: Studio Momentum, 1541 W Belmont Ave, Chicago, IL 60657

DESCRIPTION: The premiere of a series that breathes new life into abandoned plays - because a bad draft is better than no draft at all!

CUE Initiative: Budgeting Basics for Artists

WHEN: Thursday, March 27, 2025 at 7:00 – 9:00pm

WHERE: Shattered Globe Theatre, 4222 North Ravenswood Avenue #Suite 207 Chicago, IL 60613

DESCRIPTION: Join us on Thursday, March 27th, from 7:00 to 9:00 PM at Shattered Globe Theatre. 

Make sure to also come grow your network during our Pre-Workshop Social at 6:30 PM! 

This workshop, led by personal finance coach Sandra Verthein, will provide valuable and actionable knowledge tailored to our creative community. The proceeds from this tier-based contribution event will support fundraising efforts for THIS IS ART, our upcoming production.

CHILDREN OF GAIA

WHAT: CHILDREN OF GAIA, a new play written by Artistic Director Jordan Ratliff and directed by Magdiel Carmona

WHEN: April 17 & 18, 2025

WHERE: 2955 North Spaulding Avenue Chicago, IL 60618

DESCRIPTION: In the Realm of Gaia, Isaac, an unlikely hero, embarks on a perilous quest to recover the stolen Eye of Gaia, joined by his secret lover and a diverse group of companions. As shifting genres transform the journey into a meta-commentary on storytelling, Isaac discovers that true heroism lies in shaping one’s own narrative and confronting destiny on his own terms.

Valentine's Day Raffle

Raffle runs: Jan 23–Feb 7, 2025

Winner announced on: Feb 8, 2025

DESCRIPTION: The Valentine's Day Raffle is a fundraising initiative by New Wave Theatre Company to support its 2025 season and the CUE Initiative. Participants can enter by purchasing raffle tickets ($2 each or $10 for 6 tickets) for a chance to win prizes like a 4-show punchcard to The Infinite Wrench, 2 VIP tickets to BATSU! Chicago, or Unmatched Battle of Legends Volume 2 board game. Winners will be announced on February 8.

THIS IS ART

WHEN: Oct 31st-Nov 2nd @ 7:30pm & Nov 3rd @ 3pm

WHERE: Rivendell Theatre, 5779 N Ridge Ave, Chicago, IL

DESCRIPTION: You, yes you! Take a look at the poster to the right of this text. No seriously, take a look. What do you see?

What resonates with you? Now look at the character directly 36° next to that image. Are you them? Are they you? Would you willingly go to a ceramics class with them on your free Thursday evening? Would Angela Bassett approve of you two hanging out? QUICK!! Go ahead and throw Lady Gaga's Free Woman in the background and try to wiggle your middle toe. Oh wait also did you know that scallops have up to 200 EYES???

So what does any of this have to do with This Is Art? I have no fucking clue, but that's the point! From Sims The Musical to what can only be described as "Flashlights!!!," anything and everything goes for this quick, multi-sketch show.

Art replicates life.     Life is art.     THIS. IS. ART.

CUE Initiative Workshop 

WHEN: Sunday, October 20, 2024 at 2:00 – 4:00pm

WHERE: West Loop Branch Library, 122 N Aberdeen St, Chicago, IL (community room)

DESCRIPTION: Join us on Sunday, October 20, from 2:00 to 4:00pm at the West Loop Branch Library in Chicago. This workshop, led by personal finance coach Sandra Verthein, will provide valuable and actionable knowledge tailored to our creative community. The proceeds from this tier-based contribution event will support fundraising efforts for THIS IS ART, our upcoming production.

IN THE WINGS: TECH MINGLER

In the Wings: A Tech, Design, & Production Mingler | Tuesday, June 18th, 2024 6:30-8:30pm | The Edge Off Broadway 1133 W Catalpa Ave, Chicago, IL 60640

WHEN: Tuesday, June 18th, 2024 6:30-8:30pm (CST)

WHERE: The Edge Theater Off Broadway, 1133 W. Catalpa Ave., Chicago, IL 60640

DESCRIPTION: Take five from your cue to cue, and come to this event to meet someone new! From stage managers and designers to playwrights and producers, expand your network with other folks in the wings.

Thank you to Clean Air Club for providing air purifiers to help keep us all safe at this event!

LAUNCH PARTY

WHEN: March 2nd, 2024, 7-10pm (CST)

WHERE: Whiskey Girl Tavern, 6318 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60660

DESCRIPTION: Join us at the New Wave Theatre Co. LAUNCH PARTY! 🚀 We are thrilled to engage with the community and share what we are all about. Plus, WE want to meet YOU, too! Meet New Wave members, learn about the company, preview our talent through various performances, and enjoy refreshments. 

Thank you to Clean Air Club for providing an air purifier to help keep us all safe at this event!

HEADSHOT FAIR

WHEN: November 4th, 2023, 10-2pm (CST)

WHERE: Imperial Towers Hospitality Room, 4250 N Marine Dr, Chicago, IL 60613

DESCRIPTION: Tired of paying hundreds of dollars just to get in the audition room? Come to our very first event to get new headshots at an affordable price! You'll also get to meet the team, network, and have light refreshments. All proceeds will go toward paying our professional photographer and putting on future events for emerging artists.