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Heat Wave

February 21st-April 6th

Co-Production with Live Bait Theater
Tickets $17-25
Thursday through Saturday at 8:00 pm
Sunday at 3:00 pm
For more information call (773) 878-9761

Based on the book Heat Wave: A Social Autopsy of Disaster in Chicago by Eric Klinenberg, this moving new play looks at the heat wave of 1995 which took the lives of 739 Chicagoans. More people died in our city than in New Orleans or Mississippi during Hurricane Katrina.

Could it have been prevented? Who was listening?

The play examines one of the country’s worst weather-related disasters from all perspectives, creating a vivid portrait of a city in crisis, but with its resources and humanity firmly intact. Heat Wave tells the story no one wanted to listen to. Come join us for an evening of exploration and healing as we struggle to make sure nothing like this ever happens again.Directed by Ilesa Duncan

About the Artists

Ilesa Duncan (Director) recently directed Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grill for CATCO in Columbus, Ohio and Salt in a Wound for eta. She continues her long association with Pegasus which includes Ev’ry Time I Feel the Spirit, Breath, Boom, YPF 2005,2007 and most recently tick, tick…BOOM! Other credits include Red Rain at Lincoln Center Theatre/HERE, Waiting to Be Invited at Victory Gardens, and the Jeff award-winning comedy Love Child at Chicago Theater Co., Theater on the Lake and Live Bait Theater. Regional credits include A Raisin in the Sun at CATCO in Columbus, Shakin’ the Mess Outta Misery at Indianapolis’ Phoenix Theatre, and The Trial of One Short-Sighted at the Marcus Center in Milwaukee. Additional Chicago credits include Eastville at Writers’ Theatre, and Shakin’ The Mess Outta Misery and the Joseph Jefferson awarded Do Lord Remember Me at Chicago Theatre Co. A member of Lincoln Center Theatre’s Director’s Lab, Duncan is a NEA/TCG Directing Fellow.

Steven Simoncic Playwright/Adapter

  • Shows & Tickets
    • Productions
    • Galleries
    • Buy Tickets
    • Visit
    • Health and Safety
  • Education
    • Overview
    • Young Playwrights Festival
    • YPF in the Schools
    • How to Participate
    • Submission Guidelines
    • Entry Form & Script Upload
  • News & Events
  • About
    • Overview
    • Mission & Values
    • History
    • Achievements & Awards
    • Staff & Board
    • News & Events
  • Connect
    • Contact Us
    • Support
    • Join Our Mailing List
    • Actors
    • Directors, Designers & Production Team

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Chicago, IL 60642

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where epic stories take flight