Artist Handbook

Welcome

There might not be breadsticks, but it’s still true – when you’re here you’re family. Steep’s ensemble, staff, and board of directors are proud to share our home with you, and we’re thrilled that you’ll be working with us to create great theatre. We care deeply about the wellbeing of our artists and our art, and we sincerely hope that you find your time at Steep enjoyable and engaging. This document outlines some of the policies we have in place to make sure that everyone is treated well and has everything they need to throw themselves into the work on stage. If you have any questions, please speak up in whatever way you find most comfortable.

Steep Contact Information

Box Office
Lisa Troi Thomas, Audience and Artist Experience Manager
lisa@steeptheatre.com
773-749-3186

Peter Moore, Founder & Artistic Director
peter.moore@steeptheatre.com
773-255-4900

Marisa Macella, Executive Director
marisa@steeptheatre.com
773-649-3186 (office)
610-506-9451 (cell)

General Information

WHO WE ARE

Lots of information about Steep and its history can be found online at steeptheatre.com.

What We Do

A full calendar of scheduled performances can be found online:  Ticketing Calendar
Previews
Previews will be held on the Saturday, Sunday, and Wednesday before opening but are subject to change so please check with your Stage Manager.
Regular Performances
Steep typically performs on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 8pm and Sundays at 3pm. Steep reserves the right to add modify this schedule, but that will not be done without prior communication with all artists involved in running the show.

Special Performances

Over the course of each run we will program a variety of special performances. Here's a description of the most common of these performances. For additional information, you can ask your stage manager, a Steep company member, or a member of Steep's staff.

Post-Show Receptions - After every performance we encourage our audiences to linger in the lobby, enjoy wine and cheese, and chat about the work on stage. We hope you'll join us for these informal receptions whenever you're interested and available.
Alumni Night - We invite everyone who's participated in a Steep show in the past to come back for a special performance once per run. Alumni tickets are $15, and we have better than average reception. It's a really fun night and a good way to get to know some of the people who have made Steep what it is.
Open Captioned Performances - Two performances per run includes open captioning. The script will be displayed on a screen near the stage, one line at a time, during the performance. 
Audio Described Performance - One performance per run includes audio description for blind and low vision audience members. The description is typically done from the booth and conveyed over wireless headset, so you won't know it's happening. Before all audio described performances we host a touch-tour, at which blind and low vision patrons have the opportunity to hear from the cast, and interact with the set and some props and costumes. This provides a more complete picture of the world of the play. We will ask the cast to arrive early for this performance and participate in the touch tour. The cast will receive additional information about what to expect from our Access Coordinator.
Talk-Backs - Once or twice per run we program a post-show talk back. These are typically associated with a visit from the playwright, a large student group, or some similar event. We typically won't ask the cast to be part of the talk-back panel, but we hope you'll stay and enjoy the conversation if you're interested.

At Steep

In April 2022 we purchased a former church that we intend to renovate to create our new theatrical home. Structurally it’s not quite a theatre yet, but we’re excited to get to know the space together as we fill it with performance and Steepiness. As we repurpose this space, if there’s anything you need to do your work, please speak up so that we can find a solution!

Snacks!

The eating and drinking landscape of our corner of Edgewater is in flux, but here are a few reliable recommendations:

  • While our block used to be home to two great independent coffee shops, your best bet now is the Starbucks on Broadway, just south of Berywn.

  • For quick bites and grab-and-go snacks, Steep is right in between a Jewel on Broadway/Berwyn and a Mariano’s on Sheridan/Foster. On Broadway, there’s a Chipotle next to the Starbucks, just north of Berwyn you’ll also find a hamburger joint called Grill & Garden (they have pretty good falafel) and good Korean spot called Bibim Town. It looks like a Panera To Go is moving in soon, too!

  • For a heartier meal, or if you’re looking for somewhere to send friends and family before or after the show, there are three restaurants in a little cluster at the corner of Broadway and Balmoral: Pizzeria Aroma, Pearl’s Southern Comfort, and Burke’s Public House.

  • If you’re looking for a drink after the show, Burke’s is our go-to!

Getting Here

If you drive, parking is available while you’re at Steep during rehearsals and meetings. We are still learning about our public parking options, and will will confirm performance parking soon.

If you take the CTA, Steep is near several bus routes. The Berwyn Red Line station is currently closed for renovation, but the Argyle station isn’t far away.

If you take a ride share, please have the driver pick up or drop off in the parking lot rather than in front of the theatre - this is a courtesy to our neighbors, and we appreciate your help!

Policies

Chicago Theatre Standards

Steep Theatre was one of about a dozen theatres that piloted the Chicago Theatre Standards, and we’re proud to continue using the document to guide our work. The Chicago Theatre Standards do not seek to define artistry, stand as a legal contract, or mete out justice or punishment. It seeks rather to create awareness and systems that respect and protect the human in the art, to cultivate an environment of mentorship and learning, and to foster safe places to do dangerous things. We are committed to ensuring that Steep is a safe, welcoming, and supportive place to create theatre, and we’re thrilled that you’re here! Steep ensemble member Joel Reitsma loves talking about the Theatre Standards and is happy to answer any questions you have: joelreitsma@gmail.com

Anti-Racism Plan

Expressing our intent to be an anti-racist organization was an important step in Steep’s ongoing work to create a truly welcoming and inclusive space for theatre and conversation. It is also a critical part of how we see our role as a community-focused arts organization. Over eighteen months, a group of Steep ensemble, board, and staff members explored every thread in the fabric of our operation with an eye towards anti-racism, anti-bias, and inclusion. The result of that work is a series of 134 specific action items that support 32 organizational commitments, allowing us to live our values every day while we build new practices and dismantle ideas we once took for granted. This is our script for the years ahead, and we are grateful to be doing this work. This plan is a living document. It is thorough, and it is imperfect. It will take years to implement, and over that time it will evolve and grow as we work and learn together. We are developing, and will continue to refine, internal methods of holding ourselves accountable to this work and to live up to the commitments that we make to ourselves, to you, and to every artist and audience member who joins us in our artistic home and in our art.

Covid-19 Guidelines

Steep has worked to build a comprehensive plan for combating Covid-19 in our space and keeping both audiences and artists safe. These policies are a combination of equity rules as well as standards implemented by over 70 Chicagoland theatres. Please be sure to look these guidelines over and let us know if you have any questions.

Complimentary Tickets

Everyone involved in a production is entitled to 4 comps to be used during previews, and 2 comps to be used during the run of the show (which includes opening night). Comps may not be used during the final 2 weeks of the run.
Additional professional comps are available for agents, casting directors, and artistic directors.
Comps must be reserved at least 24 hours in advance of the performance, and comp requests will be approved subject to ticket availability.  To request comps, you must e-mail your request to lisa@steeptheatre.com with “comp request” and the date of the performance in the subject line. Include the following information in the body of the email:

  • Your name

  • The date of the performance

  • The number of tickets

  • The name of the person who will pick up the tickets

  • You will receive a reply to your email to confirm the reservation

Extensions

The initial run of each Steep production is six weeks. Steep productions are often extended due to popular demand, and Steep’s production schedule is designed to accommodate up to four weeks of extension. All artists involved in running a show (including stage management, actors, and understudies) are expected to be available for, at minimum, the first two possible extension weeks. These artists are also expected to hold the second two possible extension weeks and notify Steep immediately if any conflicts arise. Any conflicts with any possible extension performances should be communicated to the stage manager as soon as they arise. The stage manager will relay this information to Steep. Steep understands that holding dates is difficult and will announce extension plans as early in the run as possible
Summary
Weeks 1-6: regular run

Conflicts

If any conflicts with any rehearsal or performance should arise, contact your Stage Manager or Production Manager immediately.

Keeping Everyone Safe

Steep places a high value on the safety of our space and everyone who calls it home, if even for an hour or two. To that end, we ask that you take an active role in protecting the building and the people who make up Steep Theatre. The following actions put Steep in danger, and are therefore prohibited.* 

  • Engaging in any illegal activity at Steep Theatre, unlawful activities performed on Steep’s wireless network and at Steep-sponsored events.

  • Removing or borrowing Steep property without prior authorization.

  • Causing deliberate or careless damage to any Steep property or the property of any member of the Steep community.

  • Unauthorized or inappropriate use of the theatre’s facility or equipment.

  • Engaging in sports pools or unauthorized gambling.

  • Engaging in sexual activity at Steep Theatre.

  • Fighting or provoking a fight at Steep Theatre.

*This list is not exclusive, and we ask that you use your best judgment, follow the law, and treat Steep with respect.

Alcohol, Cigarettes, Marijuana & Illegal Drugs

Steep is a very social place, and alcohol is sometimes a part of the fun. Steep Theatre Company asks that you be responsible in your consumption of alcohol at the theatre and at Steep events.  Do not consume alcoholic beverages or use any other intoxicating substances in a manner that would impair your performance; interfere with the performance of others; adversely affect Steep Theatre’s business; jeopardize the safety of the artists, the audience, or the public; or damage Steep Theatre’s relations with the public. While the use of marijuana is legal in the State of Illinois effective 1/1/20, Steep Theatre and The Boxcar are public places, and it is illegal and against Steep Theatre policy to use marijuana on Steep Theatre property.

Giving alcohol to minors at Steep or at Steep Theatre events is expressly prohibited by law and by Steep Theatre Company.  We ask you to be diligent in ensuring that anyone consuming alcohol at Steep Theatre or at Steep Theatre events has reached their 21st birthday. It is illegal and against Steep Theatre policy to have open alcohol containers in public spaces such as the sidewalk in front of the theater. Steep Theatre Company requests that if you plan on consuming alcoholic beverages at the theater or Steep Theatre Company events that you do not drive.

Smoking is prohibited indoors and within 15 feet of any door.  

Possessing, distributing, selling, transferring, using, or being under the influence of illegal drugs or controlled substances is prohibited at Steep Theatre.

Harassment

Steep Theatre Company prohibits sexual harassment and harassment because of sex, race, color, national origin or ancestry, religion, creed, physical or mental ability, medical condition, marital status, sexual orientation, age, gender identity, or any other basis protected by federal, state, or local law at Steep Theatre.  Any such harassment will not be tolerated.  Steep Theatre Company is committed to taking reasonable steps to prevent unlawful harassment from occurring at Steep Theatre and to investigating any complaint of harassment at Steep Theatre. Steep Theatre prohibits any retaliation against any employee who complains of harassment or who participates in an investigation.

The Concern Resolution Path outlined below is the first place to turn to seek support. You also have the right to file a harrasment claim with the following agencies:

Chicago Commission on Human Relations
312-744-4111 | cchr@cityofchicago.org

U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)
321-872-9744 | https://publicportal.eeoc.gov/Portal/Login.aspx

Illinois Department of Human Rights
312-814-6200

Concern Resolution Path

If you feel unsafe, if something feels wrong, or you’re aware of individuals putting themselves, others, or Steep at risk by violating these policies, please speak up. We take complaints seriously and seek to address concerns in a sensitive and timely manner. 

Who to call – level one

If you feel comfortable doing so, we encourage the first line of action to be directly addressing your concern with the parties involved. This helps to foster an honest and open community and is often the fastest path to a resolution.

Who to call – level two

If you are not comfortable directly addressing the other parties involved or if no resolution can be agreed upon, your next points of contact can be any of the following:

Your Stage Manager (see production contact sheet)
Your Director (see production contact sheet)
Your Non-Equity Deputy (see production contact sheet)
Lisa Thomas, Audience and Artist Experience Manager, lisa@steeptheatre.com

Who to call – level three

If your issue has not been resolved through levels one and two, or if you are an individual in level two who needs further assistance to resolve the concern, your next points of contact can be any of the following people. The contacts at this level will consult with each other and review legal or other implications of any decision.

Peter Moore, Artistic Director & Ensemble Member, peterhsmoore@hotmail.com, 773-225-4900
Marisa Macella, Executive Director, marisa@steeptheatre.com, 610-506-9451, 773-649-3186 (theatre)
Ted Lowitz, Steep Board Member, tedlowitz@gmail.com, 312-758-2638

In case of physical emergency or criminal activity, call 911.

 

Thank you for being a part of Steep Theatre. We’re thrilled that you’re here!