The James Downing Theatre

Come Experience SLEEPWALK!

Life moves pretty fast! If you’re not careful, you could miss something!

Sleepwalk's opening weekend, was attended and enjoyed by audiences ranging in age from 12 to 80, and received overwhelming praise!

In this multi-media production, the dialogue is fast paced, humorous, and heart touching as Dillon, a teenage boy, deals with the traumas of his life, including the divorce of his parents and the suicide death of his rock star idol. Dillon goes into a dream which is a sleepwalk through dialogues with the deceased Rock Star, his girlfriend May Flowers, and the various personifications of his own brain, both the good and bad. During his sleepwalk encounters, Dillon learns to control his impulses and reaches a better understanding of himself.

Sleepwalk is performed by a young cast, who deal with the serious and difficult topic of teenage depression and suicide presented in a way that makes the play both enjoyable and humorous. Even though William Mastrosimone wrote the play to combat teenage suicide and depression, the word “suicide” is never used and the play is not depressing. Mastrosimone manages to put forth in an entertaining manner, the message that help is available and that the impulses can be overcome.

The play runs 1 hour. There is a question and answer discussion with the cast and director following each performance. This is your chance to question the cast about their roles and their feelings about the characters they portrayed. Or you may want to ask the director his feelings about the play or what goes into putting together a production such as this? All audience members are invited to attend the Q&A.

Performances run through Sunday, November 21^st, at 6740 N. Oliphant Avenue, Chicago, IL 60631. Performance times are 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday evenings and 1:30 p.m. for Sunday matinées. The house opens one half hour before showtime.

And remember, each ticket purchased online at Brown Paper Tickets, or reserved by Calling 224-725-3696 or Emailing  jamesdowningtheatre@gmail.com  will be good for up to TWO people! That's like buying one ticket at full price and getting the second FREE! As an added discount for groups wanting to come experience Sleepwalk, Reserved Groups of 10 or more are just $7 per ticket!

Unreserved tickets purchased at the door are still only good for single person admission and are $20 for Adults and $15 for Students & Seniors, so, reserve your tickets or purchase them Online now and SAVE!

Come experience Sleepwalk for yourself and see what you've been missing!

SLEEPWALK Reviewed

Read the Reviews!

Sleepwalk
Reviewed by Rory Leahy
Friday Nov 12, 2010

The James Downing Theatre is the kind of company that gets all too easily ignored on the fringe of the fringe of the Chicago theatre scene, cursed by its far northwest side geography. This is a pity, as they have done consistently excellent work in a classical vein for years.

Their latest production is “Sleepwalk” by William Mastrosimone, an earnest one act about emotionally troubled teens. It centers on a teen boy named Dillon (Steven Fenstermacher) spiraling into depression, contemplating suicide and dreaming of being visited by his idol (played by Erik Enberg), a certain iconic grunge rock star suicide who goes unnamed, but whose identity is obvious if you have a fleeting acquaintance with American culture post-1991. The rock star attempts to persuade Dillon to avoid his mistakes and seek help instead of hurting himself.

The great potential pitfall with a show like this is the dreaded afterschool special/PSA vibe. Director Thomas Akouris and his youthful cast mostly succeed in avoiding this peril, but they do so by warring against the script, which alternates between typically stilted faux teenspeak, and weak attempts at trippy surrealism. It’s clear that Akouris is more interested in the human relationships between the young characters, which despite all odds come off as fresh and natural.

The greatest pleasure of viewing “Sleepwalk” comes not from its attempted social relevance but simply from watching very talented, very young actors discover their potential. They’re clearly still figuring out what they can do onstage, and amazing themselves in the process, which can’t help but put a smile on any theatre lover’s face.

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Sleepwalk
Reviewed by Paige Listerud
Wednesday Nov 10, 2010

Sleepwalking through life – a play for teens, by teens

There is something funny, frank, and charming about The James Downing Theatre’s amateur production, Sleepwalk, a one-act play by Emmy award-winning William Mastrosimone, cast with mostly non-professional teenage actors. That’s how the playwright intended it—a drama about teen suicide performed by teens for teens. The production is part of the cultural mission of James Downing Theatre, sponsored by the Edison Park United Methodist Church, to raise awareness within the community about this dark but all-too-timely subject.

Young Dillion (Stephen Fenstermacher) faces the depressing prospect of his parents’ divorce, on top of all the other hormonal and social trials of adolescence. When his idol, Rock Star (Erik Enberg) takes his own life, Dillion spirals deeper into depression, contemplating suicide and keeping an already written suicide note with him in his pocket. The play begins with Dillion in a dream state, encountering figures that take him on a stream-of-consciousness emotional journey to the center of his pain and despair. Opposing him is Amygdala (Michael Mejia), a sly, tough, hip-hop Superfly of an Id, who overloads Dillion with negative emotions. Zen Master (Charles Wimmer) attempts to give Dillion some Buddhist balance and guidance to help him weather the psychological storms. But Dillion also has to recognize his overdependence on the figure of the Rock Star to give his life meaning and value.

Dillion’s dream is about reclaiming himself. As the protagonist, Fenstermacher has a personable Everyman quality about him. He can nail Dillion’s anhedonia with almost clinical accuracy. To the extent that Director Thomas Akouris draws natural and immediate performances from his non-professional cast, the show succeeds—and no doubt will succeed in reaching its intended audience with its most necessary message. All the same, expect rough, homespun, uneven acting from the lead and most of the cast. Mejia stands out by delivering his hip-hop verse with moxy and May Flowers (Anisa Pashaj for our showing), Dillion’s hippy girlfriend, is fresh and easy-going in her humorous, sassy and caring role.

It would be nice to see this play produced with more experienced actors and in a theater space that doesn’t flatten sight lines. The only thing that isn’t amateurish about Sleepwalk is Mastrosimone’s script. Still, I doubt that these issues are of any concern to the production or the playwright. Theater that incites discussion and gets communities to pay attention to the emotional trouble teens face in their schools and homes is the real goal here, not critical accolades. What Sleepwalk needs is not a critic but a young audience that needs to be aware of the troubled mind—and that there is help and hope at hand.

Article on SLEEPWALK in Park Ridge Herald-Advocate

 

'Sleepwalk' a play for troubling teenage times

November 4, 2010 

By J.T. MORAND Staff Writer

"Sleepwalk" could perhaps not be performed at the James Downing Theatre at a more poignant time with so many teen suicides grabbing local and national headlines recently.

Five suicides in nearly as many years have occurred in Barrington and suicides by youths who were bullied or taunted for being gay have been reported nationwide, prompting President Barack Obama to comment on the events.

"Sleepwalk," by William Mastrosimone, is about a teenage boy named Dillon, who becomes deeply depressed after his idol, a rock guitarist named Rock Star, commits suicide. Dillon begins to consider killing himself, but Rock Star appears to Dillon in a dream, trying to convince the boy not to take his own life.

The Chicago production is directed by Tom Akouris.

"It's very much a timely piece," Akouris said. "It's an important piece."

It's so important that he decided to step out of his comfort zone of directing large, light comedies to take on "Sleepwalk," which has a young cast of only nine. It's also short, running about an hour. He most recently directed "The Man Who Came to Dinner" at Theatre Nebula in Palatine in 2009 and "Get Smart" for the Elgin Theatre Company in 2007.

"I've never done this type of piece before," he said.

Playwright Mastrosimone, Akouris said, interviewed several psychiatric professionals who work with suicidal teens to gain insight into troubled youth before writing the play, which debuted in 2005. Mastrosimone often writes about tough issues teenagers have to deal with.

"It gives you this intimate look inside the head of a suicidal teenager," Akouris said. "Where else are you going to get a look like that?"

He added, "It's almost like a secret."

The play, although intended to shed light on teen suicide, is not like a public service announcement, director and actors say.

Akouris said there's entertaining dialogue between teens and humor is sprinkled throughout the show. But, most important and convincing is the all-teenage cast.

Anisha Pashaj, 18, of Elmwood Park, plays May Flowers, Dillon's good friend who had been hospitalized for an eating disorder. Dillon was the only one who wrote to her in the hospital. She can tell there's something wrong with Dillon, but she doesn't know he's suicidal.

Pashaj said she can relate to at least some of the feelings Dillon feels.

Earlier this year, her beloved grandmother died, which was a tremendous loss for the Northeastern Illinois University student.

She had a decision to make: Either slip into depression or add overcoming grief to her repertoire of strengths.

Pashaj chose the latter.

"I could kind of relate to it," she said. "It's why I wanted to audition for this play. This is a great thing to do and a great way to learn more about (suicide)."

The characters, she said, are well developed and the play will give pause to youths and adults alike.

"It could be happening to my own best friend," she said teens might think. "Or, parents could think, 'This could be happening to my own child.'"

Akouris is looking forward to the Q & A sessions after each show. He hopes the conversation continues long after the house lights are turned off and the doors are closed.

"If it does anything," he said, "it should inspire discussion."

'Sleepwalk'

7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 1:30 p.m. Sundays, Nov. 6-21, The James Downing Theatre in the Edison Park United Methodist Church, 6740 Oliphant Ave., Chicago. $15-$20. (224) 725-3696, http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/136446

DISCOUNT on Tickets Reserved or Purchased Online for SLEEPWALK

Don't Miss Out!

Now through November 21st, each ticket purchased online at Brown Paper Tickets, or reserved by Calling 224-725-3696 or E-Mailing jamesdowningtheatre@gmail.com will be good for up to TWO people! That's like buying one ticket at full price and getting the second FREE! As an added discount for groups wanting to come experience Sleepwalk, Reserved Groups of 10 or more are just $7 per ticket!

Unreserved tickets purchased at the door are still only good for single person admission and are $20 for Adults and $15 for Students & Seniors, so, reserve your tickets or purchase them Online now and SAVE!

To make a Reservation, on the voice-mail you leave or in the e-mail you send, please provide...

• Your full name (first & last),
• The name & date of the performance you'd like to attend
• The number of Adults you'd like reserved seats for
• The number of Seniors/Students you'd like reserved seats for
• And your phone number and/or your e-mail address

 

The James Downing Theatre Presents: SLEEPWALK

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 15, 2010
Press Contact: Anne Lunde jamesdowningtheatre@gmail.com / (773) 631-1104

Young Dillon was inspired to follow his favorite rock musician’s example in everything – until the star’s suicide. Now, miserable and confused, he considers ending everything himself in Sleepwalk, which opens November 6^th, 2010 at the James Downing Theatre, located in Edison Park United Methodist Church, 6740 North Oliphant Avenue, Chicago, IL 60631.

Performances run Saturday, November 6^th, through Sunday, November 21^st, at 6740 N. Oliphant Avenue, Chicago, IL 60631. Performance times will be 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday evenings and 1:30 p.m. for Sunday matinees. The house opens one half hour before showtime.

Tickets are $20 for adults and $15 for senior citizens and students. A Group Rate of $13 per ticket is available for reserved groups of 10 or more. Seating is limited, so reservations are strongly suggested. Tickets can be purchased online with a credit card at http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/136446, or reserved by phoning (224) 725-3696 or e-mailing jamesdowningtheatre@gmail.com. In your voice mail or e-mail message, please provide: your first and last name; the day and date of the performance you'd like to attend; the number of tickets you’d like reserved (specify how many adult and how many senior or student tickets); your complete phone number and/or your e-mail address. Only cash or checks are accepted at the Box Office.

Dillon may think his situation is hopeless, but in his dreams he is visited by his idol, Rock Star, who teaches him to overcome his fears, make different choices and seek help instead of giving up and giving in. Struggles that are usually internalized become real confrontations for Dillon with his conscience, ego and reason.

Playwright William Mastrosimone created this drama to explore the emotional struggles teens face and foster an open dialogue with teens and adults about counteracting depression and suicide. The story raises tough questions and offers alternatives to making impulsive decisions. Mastrosimone worked with mental health professionals to develop the material.

The show is performed without an intermission, but will be followed by a discussion with the audience, the cast, and director Thomas Akouris.

“Sleepwalk speaks to different people in different ways,” says Akouris. “If you’re a teenager, it tells you this can happen to anybody – everybody at one time or another has feelings like this. It talks about friendship, and teaches us we are never alone. It’s a message that there is help readily available.”

The show offers its own messages to adults whose lives touch those of troubled teens. Akouris says parents can learn, through example, how to be better observers when young people are hurting, and to realize that turmoil in their own lives can impact their families.

Stephen E. Fenstermacher as Dillon and Erik Enberg as Rock Star head the cast, which also includes Anisa Pashaj, Jessica Perelman, Yoni Hankin, Michael Mejia, Charles Wimmer and Eric Bruce. Lighting and sound design is by Steve Kedzierski. Set design is by Joshua Dlouhy. The stage manager is Mary Schenk.

The show is presented by special arrangement with IcarusPlays. The James Downing Theatre is a sponsored program of the Edison Park United Methodist Church and all performances are held in The John Waldron Art Center located at the church.

Auditions for SLEEPWALK

 
The James Downing Theatre announces open auditions for the second show of their 2010-2011 season, William Mastrosimone's Sleepwalk, which will run Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, November 6th thru 21st, 2010.

Open Auditions will be held...
     Saturday, September 25th, 1pm-4pm
     Monday, September 27th, 7pm-9pm
     Tuesday, September 28th, 7pm-9pm

Call-Backs will be held on Wednesday, September 29th, 7pm-9pm.

Auditions & Performances held at the John Waldron Arts Center, housed at Edison Park United Methodist Church, 6740 N Oliphant Ave, Chicago, IL 60631.

Open call, No appointment is necessary. Auditions will be cold readings from the script. Headshot and resume preferred, but not mandatory.

There are roles for 9 men and 2 women:
    1 male adult
    8 young men (stage age 16-21)
    2 young women (1 stage age 16-21, 1 stage age to 35 max)

There is no pay. If you have questions, please e-mail jamesdowningtheatre@gmail.com or contact Director, Tom Akouris, at 312-753-8764.

For more info about Sleepwalk and William Mastrosimone, go to http://www.icarusplays.com.