Theater News

Steppenwolf for Young Adults Season to Feature 1984 and The Compass

SYA Artistic and Educational Director Hallie Gordon helms ”1984”.

SYA Artistic and Educational Director Hallie Gordon will helm the company's production of 1984.
Hallie Gordon will helm Steppenwolf for Young Adults' production of 1984.

Steppenwolf for Young Adults has announced plans for its 2015-16 season, which will included George Orwell's 1984, adapted by Andrew White, and the world premiere of The Compass, devised and directed by Michael Rohd.

In 1984 (October 21 – November 15), Winston Smith works for the Ministry of Truth located in the nation of Oceania, part of a vast empire in a constant, shifting war against other superstates. Dissent is not tolerated (not even in thought), and Winston and his fellow citizens are under perpetual electronic surveillance by their ever-watchful ruler Big Brother. When Winston falls in love with a coworker, their illegal affair pushes them to rebel and face the darkest and most dangerous corners of the regime. SYA Artistic and Educational Director Hallie Gordon, who directed last season’s critically acclaimed production of George Orwell’s Animal Farm, helms the production.

The Compass examines the process of decision making through live interactive performance that explores the intersection of technology and decision-making. The show navigates questions such as, when someone else, or something else, tells you what to do, what exactly are you responsible for?

SYA hosted a series of free events, titled Project Compass, throughout the 2014-15 season aimed at engaging theater audiences to dialogue about what goes into making a decision and how we are each guided by our own moral compass. These events served as fodder for the world premiere of The Compass.

For more information about these and other Steppenwolf productions, click here.