Anna C. Bahow and Robert Koon are long-time residents of Lincoln Park whose creativity and passion for theater contribute to the bustling theater scene in Chicago. They credit the diversity, sights, sounds and dynamism of Lincoln Park as the spark that has fueled their creative energy.
Although they lived only a mile from one another in Lincoln Park, and even though they ran in the same theater circles, they had never met until their paths crossed in 2002 at Chicago Dramatists and a collaboration was launched.
"Through that experience, we realized that we shared the same approach to theater, and a similar vocabulary in talking about language and character," recalls Bahow. "I appreciate the vitality of Rob's plays, and the opportunity to work on such theatrically vivid text."
Koon adds that he has worked with many directors, but his collaboration with Bahow and trust in her directorial insight gives him room to be more creative and a better writer.
"Anna is detailed and process oriented," says Koon. "I tend to be more instinctive." She gives me the freedom to follow a creative path without worrying about details."
They say they feed off of one another's strengths and their creativity is enriched when they work together.
Bahow, an associate artist at Chicago Dramatists, is committed to the development of new work. Most recently, she directed Timeline Theatre's acclaimed production of "Martin Furey's Shot."
Koon, a resident playwright at Chicago Dramatists, has had his work presented in venues around the country. The Chicago premiere of his play "Vintage Red and the Dust of the Road," directed by Bahow, won a Joseph Jefferson Citation for New Work and a nomination for the American Theater Critics Association Steinberg Award, and was published in the anthology "New Plays from Chicago" this year. His play "Odin's Horse" was named the winner at the Ecodrama Playwrights Festival in Arcata, CA, in 2004.
The two have collaborated on several projects and are excited to be joining forces in the current play, "St. Colm's Inch," the debut production of the 27th season at Chicago Dramatists, which runs through Nov. 6. Performance times are: Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m., and Sundays at 3 p.m. Tickets are $25 for Fridays and Saturdays, $20 for Thursdays and Sundays. Chicago Dramatists Workshop is located at 1105 W. Chicago Ave. For tickets and reservations, call (312) 633-0630. |
