WHO WE WERE ...

VISIONS AND VOICES began in 1996 as New Playwrights Theatre of San Antonio (NPTSA) and featured:

KILLING LUCIFER by David Scott Hay. "Compelling ... " (San Antonio Express-News) and "Tightly written ... All this superhuman denial of temptation is handled with a graceful blend of obsessive vengefulness, genuine empathy, and humor." (San Antonio Current). 1997

HARD SCRAMBLED by David Scott Hay. "Rough, tough and full of hard knocks...an impressive excursion into 'stage noir' ... " (San Antonio Express-News). The first new company to garner multiple Alamo Theatre Arts Council Globe Award nominations: Best Production of a Drama, Best Direction, two Best Actor in a Drama nominations, and the coveted Best Original Script. NPTSA won two awards: Best Lead Actor in a Drama and Best Original Script.

NPTSA moved to Chicago in 1999 and changed its name to EMPIRE THEATRE CO. (ETC). NO SPLEEN by Carolyn Cohagen, a one-woman show. "A surreal, witty tale" "An intelligent funny story..." (Chicago Reader). 1999

Equity production of HARD SCRAMBLED by David Scott Hay in the Fall (co-produced with Terrapin Theatre Co.). "...taut bristling writing style [which] is stacked with compelling ideas about trust, loyalty, survival and societal expectations." (New City). "Directed with visceral gusto ... " " [Hard Scrambled] delivers a series of dramatic jolts in sudden plot turns that are catnip to actors." (Chicago Reader). 1999

E.A.POE: THE FEVER CALLED LIVING by David Scott Hay. The Athenaeum Theatre reported the highest attendance in that space for the year during POE. An additional goal of ours has been to go beyond a reading in a block box with folding chairs and give new plays the production value they deserve. "...engaging storytelling perfectly framed by John Beckman's set..." (Chicago Reader) "When you first walk into the studio space at the Athenaeum Theatre you encounter an antiquated setting (well rendered by John S. Beckman) of floor-to-ceiling bookcase-shadowbox structures crammed full of mementos. You get excited." (Gay Chicago Magazine) 2000

WHO WE ARE ...

At the start of 2002 we embarked on our next great adventure as we merged with long-time member Brian Alan Hill's new company and became VISIONS & VOICES (V&V). Brian shares the same goal of producing new works that are compelling, challenging and entertaining. We feel that we can best rise to the occasion together and benefit from our mutual strengths. The formal mission statement reads: To promote new works and adaptations in American Theatre through aggressive marketing and powerful, provocative productions.

The addition of "aggressive marketing" plays to our adjunct goal of raising awareness of Chicago's smaller theatre companies. We plan to do this through alliances with other groups similar to our own with cross-promotion and joint productions that will benefit all involved equally. We also hope it will get the community more interested in Chicago theatre as a standard alternative to movies, TV, and sports events for recreation.

TRIVIAL PURSUITS by Brian Alan Hill, directed by former Joseph Jefferson Award-Nominee and Off-Loop favorite Kyle Hamman, The production was Jeff-Recommended. "impressive directorial debut," "[Chris Carrier's] expertise in making the character more than the sum of his hot-shot hypotheses."

VINTAGE RED AND THE DUST OF THE ROAD by Robert Koon. The production was Jeff-Recommended. "compelling and emotionally resonant" "without doubt, the latest local playwright to watch" and "carefully cast and beautifully performed" (Chicago Tribune (rave). "a taut, sophisticated world premiere production" "intelligent, edgy direction" "the actors turn in compelling performances" (Chicago Sun-Times (recommended)). "a local playwright worthy of attention" "Tip of the Week" (New City). "outstanding production" "something wholly original" "exceptionally graceful and restrained performance" (Chicago Reader (highly recommended)) "a flawless production" (Chicagotheater.com). CRITICS CHOICE - every week from Thanksgiving through 12/22; Runner-Up, BEST OF 2002: Theatre (Chicago Tribune). In addition, HARD SCRAMBLED is now in pre-production for release as a motion picture.