This Week, Get Your Thanks On.

In October, we kept IT seasonal with pieces about what scares us. This month, we nod to the next holiday around the corner, with a complete Thanksgiving extravaganza played out before your eyes.

Each of the writers was given, as their prompt, a different phase of Turkey Day madness to write their 3-5 page scene about. We’ll take you all the way from the big grocery shopping run to the kiddie table to kicking the guests out in one warp speed hour or less.

Writers arrive at 7 and cast their scenes from our lovely and talented actors. Then they have a few minutes each to rehearse before the show goes on at 8. We make theatre faster than it takes to make a turkey – and (hopefully) it doesn’t make you nearly as sleepy!

Instant Theatre
Chicago Dramatists
1105 W Chicago Ave
Chicago, IL 60622

Wednesday, November 17th, 2010
Participating writers @ 7pm
Audience @ 8pm.
Everybody applauds @ 9pm.

Maximum Impact, Minimum Prep

This week, get over your Hippopotomonstrosesquipedaliophobia

Cramming for the SAT vocab section? Instant Theatre has you covered.

This month, each writer was given a different uncommon or unusual word as their prompt. Come see what they came up with, and maybe even learn a new word or two.

The writers were also charged with incorporating a super secret special challenge into their scenes. Watch the scenes, and see if you can guess it.

Bring a friend or three. It's FREE.

Instant Theatre
Chicago Dramatists
1105 W Chicago Ave
Chicago, IL 60622

Wednesday, September 29th, 2010
Participating writers @ 7pm
Audience @ 8pm.
Everybody applauds @ 9pm.

Maximum Impact, Minimum Prep

Remember Circle time as a kid?

Singing nursery rhymes and Learning your ABC's?

All of your preschool teachers and parents sought to prepare you for the world to come.

Well this week, join Instant Theatre as we take you back to the rug, sit you down and examine what is behind your favorite childhood songs.
Instant Theatre
Chicago Dramatists
1105 W Chicago Ave
Chicago, IL 60622

Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Participating writers @ 7pm
Audience @ 8pm.
Everybody applauds @ 9pm.

Maximum Impact, Minimum Prep

Song Book

Yo be the Jury!

Look out!

This week Humanity is on trial.

Our Dramatists are going to look into the hearts and minds behind the choices we make in order to determine if the perpetuation of the species is worth it.

You the Audience will be come the jury, and decide the fate of humanity.

No pressure. Be there!

Instant Theatre

Chicago Dramatists

1105 W Chicago Ave

Chicago, IL 60622

Wednesday, January 20th, 2010

Participating writers @ 7pm

Audience @ 8pm.

Everybody applauds @ 9pm.

Maximum Impact, Minimum Prep

Simple Machines and Christmas

Instant Theatre invites you to Experience a night of 3D entertainment at Chicago Dramatists this coming Wednesday December 16th, at 8PM.

Our writers were given a prompt on December 10th and asked to embody a simple machine. It is up to you to guess what play became what machine.

Be there for Holiday Cheer and creative atmosphere inspired by the all mighty deadline.

Instant Theatre

Chicago Dramatists

1105 W Chicago Ave

Chicago, IL 60622

Wednesday, December 16th, 2009

Participating writers @ 7pm

Audience @ 8pm.

Everybody applauds @ 9pm.

Maximum Impact, Minimum Prep

Where is the Beanstalk today?

Instant Theatre Comes to you this month in search of Jack's Beanstalk

Human beings, when you throw them in a pot to cook, boil down to the same basic needs-- wants-- drives of all other Human beings. It just so happens that Instant Theatre is searching out those basic chemicals through Jack's Beanstalk.

Come join us as our writers uncover what makes up those magic beans, bought for the price of cow.

This is a free event!

Come climb a plant of dreams and terrors!

Instant Theatre

Chicago Dramatists

1105 W Chicago Ave

Chicago, IL 60622

Wednesday, October 28

Participating writers @ 7pm

Audience @ 8pm.

Everybody applauds @ 9pm.

Maximum Impact, Minimum Prep

On The Run

August 26th Instant Theatre is on The Run!

Be it
your nose,
your feet,
the past,
the future,
or the ever present present,

IT invites you to look at what we are all running from.

As always, we'll have an unannounced theatrical challenge for the writers. Are you a savvy enough theatre connoisseur to suss out the secret?

REMEMBER: it's a FREE hour of theatre- that's right- NO charge!

Instant Theatre

Chicago Dramatists

1105 W Chicago Ave

Chicago, IL 60622

Wednesday, August 26th

Participating writers @ 7pm

Audience @ 8pm.

Everybody applauds @ 9pm.

Maximum Impact, Minimum Prep

Class Warfare

July 29th Instant Theatre takes on Class

Hello,

This is Dana Lynn Formby Chicago Dramatists' new Co-Host for IT!

Broke?

Laid off?

Had to lay someone off?

Unemployed?

Employed and under the thumb?

The thumb but connected to the hand of the man?

The hand of the man, loosing grip on what once was firm?

This weeks Instant Theatre is for you! Watch actors climb up and down rungs on a ladder made of the American Dream. Our writers are ready to show you what and who is holding up that ladder.

As always, we'll have an unannounced theatrical challenge for the writers. Are you a savvy enough theatre connoisseur to suss out the secret?

REMEMBER: it's a FREE hour of theatre- that's right- NO charge!

Instant Theatre

Chicago Dramatists

1105 W Chicago Ave

Chicago, IL 60622

Wednesday, July 29th

Participating writers @ 7pm

Audience @ 8pm.

Everybody applauds @ 9pm.

Maximum Impact, Minimum Prep

Science Fictions

REMINDER! This week's Instant Theater is on SATURDAY! That's right, we've hit primetime!


As much as I try to hide it, the fact that I'm a sci-fi geek keeps making itself apparent. In honor of the reboot of the Star Trek franchise, this week's theme is Science Fictions.

Yes, that "s" on the end is on purpose. Because we're not only talking futuristic science fiction here. We're also hoping our writers will explore some of the great historical fictions of science. In addition to phasers and teleporters, we'll also see pieces about leeches, phrenology and razor-blade-sharpening pyramids.

As always, we'll have a unannounced theatrical challenge for the writers. Are you a savvy enough theatre connoisseur to suss out the secret?

REMEMBER: it's a FREE hour of theatre- that's right- NO charge!

Instant Theatre
Chicago Dramatists
1105 W Chicago Ave
Chicago, IL 60622

Saturday May 16th
Participating writers @ 7pm
Audience @ 8pm.
Everybody applauds @ 9pm.

Maximum Impact, Minimum Prep

Chicago Spring Fever

One of my favorite things about Chicago is that the entire city goes collectively nutso on the first truly warm weekend.

Instant Theater is setting out to capture that particular slice of Chicago tradition with its CHICAGO SPRING FEVER theme.

That's right, come out and see short pieces that celebrate the great Chicago melt-down. Each piece will be the playwrights own vision of a quintessential Chicago spring moment.

As always, we'll have a unannounced theatrical challenge for the writers. Are you a savvy enough theatre connoisseur to suss out the secret?

REMEMBER: it's a FREE hour of theatre- that's right- NO charge!

Instant Theatre
Chicago Dramatists
1105 W Chicago Ave
Chicago, IL 60622

Wed April 22, 2009
Participating writers @ 7pm
Audience @ 8pm.
Everybody applauds @ 9pm.

Maximum Impact, Minimum Prep

IT'S SO HARD TO SAY GOODBYE...

It's so Hard to Say Goodbye is March's Instant Theatre theme!!

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25th @ Chicago Dramatists at 8pm.

If your mind went to the 1991 Boyz II Men song... then I love you. Cause that's exactly what I was thinking.

Come out and watch our playwrights make their own four part Motown Philly harmony as they put their own spin on a classic theme.

...oh, and as always, there will be a little "writer's challenge" injected into the evening to really make these writer's work. So check it out and see if you can figure out the challenge before it's revealed at the end of the performance...

REMEMBER: it's a FREE hour of theatre- that's right- NO charge!

Instant Theatre
Chicago Dramatists
1105 W Chicago Ave
Chicago, IL 60622

Wednesday, March 25th
Participating writers @ 7pm
Audience @ 8pm.
Everybody applauds @ 9pm.

Maximum Impact, Minimum Prep

THE HEAT IS ON!!

The Heat Is On is January's I.T. theme!!

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 18th @ Chicago Dramatists at 8pm.

Oh-wo-ho, oh-wo-ho
Caught up in the action I've been looking out for you
Oh-wo-ho, oh-wo-ho
(Tell me can you feel it)
(Tell me can you feel it)
(Tell me can you feel it)
The heat is on, the heat is on, the heat is on
the heat is on Oh it's on the street, the heat is - on

If you have any idea what those words sound like as sung by Glenn Frey... then you've got to see this month's Instant Theatre.

And I'm sure they'll be some Valentine's Day stuff tossed in there, too. Cause let's face it, the heat is on ALL the friggin' time!!

So come on out and see just how HOT our playwrights get!

REMEMBER: it's a FREE hour of theatre- that's right- NO charge!

Instant Theatre
Chicago Dramatists
1105 W Chicago Ave
Chicago, IL 60622

Wednesday, February 18th
Participating writers @ 7pm
Audience @ 8pm.
Everybody applauds @ 9pm.

Maximum Impact, Minimum Prep

A WORD FROM THE DISENCHANTED!!

A Word From the Disenchanted is January's I.T. theme!!

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 28th @ Chicago Dramatists at 8pm.

Could I... um, could I could have a word with you over here, please...
I've got one word for you...
If you could sum things up in one word...

Who speaks for the disenchanted, anyway?

Instant Theatre believes the disenchanted are the silent majority oppressed by those snotty harbingers of political correctness.

Without a doubt, the disenchanted need a forum. And I.T. is gonna give it to em!!

Come on out and hear what they've got to say...

REMEMBER: it's a FREE hour of theatre- that's right- NO charge!

Instant Theatre
Chicago Dramatists
1105 W Chicago Ave
Chicago, IL 60622

Wednesday, January 28th
Participating writers @ 7pm
Audience @ 8pm.
Everybody applauds @ 9pm.

Maximum Impact, Minimum Prep

Folks Speak Out about I.T.!!

December 2008's Instant Theatre was a year-end bash to end all years...
Does that make any sense?!
Whatever.

13 Playwrights.
6 Actors.
Prizes, wine, cupcakes.

It was- truthfully- A BLAST!!

Here's some video. Check it out for yourself...

HOW F***ed ARE WE?!

(and happy holidays from your Instant Theatre hosts, Chris & Aaron!)

How F***ed Are We?! is December's I.T. theme!!

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17th @ Chicago Dramatists at 8pm.

Dude, this is totally F'ed UP!
We are F***ed.
Don't you dare F*** me over!!

Unemployed?
Divorced?
Slipped on the ice?
Didn't win the Lotto?
Denied promotion?

We've all been F***ed with, F***ed up, or some form of F***ed.
And, as my 8th grade religion teacher used to say, some of us have been F***ed six ways from Sunday...

Well, she didn't say the F***ed part- just the six ways from Sunday part. Anyway, come out and watch our playwrights F***!

I mean, let's admit it, there's nothing better than watching someone ELSE get F***ed. You know what I mean- you dirty devil, you...

And as a special holiday bonus: a prize for most inventive scene. Winner will be determined by the audience. Or by Chris and Aaron. Probably by Chris and Aaron. And also the audience, if they agree with Chris and Aaron.

REMEMBER: it's a FREE hour of theatre- that's right- NO charge!

Instant Theatre
Chicago Dramatists
1105 W Chicago Ave
Chicago, IL 60622

Wednesday, December 17th
Participating writers @ 7pm
Audience @ 8pm.
Everybody applauds @ 9pm.

Maximum Impact, Minimum Prep

FISH out of WATER!!

Fish Out of Water is November's I.T. theme!!

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 19th @ Chicago Dramatists at 8pm.

And what a theme it is! So many opportunities to create 2-3 minutes of genius on stage!!

Is it the new kid at school?
A president making his/her first major decision?
Or the first fish that pulled itself onto land and sprouted two legs and started walking around and eventually evolved into US?!? OMG!!
So many possibilities!!

Come experience a fish out of water. It may be uncomfortable, or it may be totally comfortable- depending on how far out of the water that fish is...

REMEMBER: it's a FREE hour of theatre- that's right- NO charge!

Instant Theatre
Chicago Dramatists
1105 W Chicago Ave
Chicago, IL 60622

Wednesday, November 19th
Participating writers @ 7pm
Audience @ 8pm.
Everybody applauds @ 9pm.

Maximum Impact, Minimum Prep

SCARE TACTICS!!

If some guy asks you to go for a romantic moonlit walk on this path... DON'T GO!!

SCARE TACTICS is October's I.T. theme!!

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 22nd @ 8pm

SCARE some people into doing what they don't want to do. Is there any other way...?

Maybe you put on some scary makeup and lower the lights...
Or maybe you threaten lives...
Or you swear to reveal that deep dark secret...
Or you predict the next terrorist attack...

Who knows? Only our playwrights do!!

Come out and watch some folks get SCARED!!!

You'll crap your PANTS as you watch theatre like you've never seen it- FAST and FURIOUS!!!

REMEMBER: it's a FREE hour of theatre- that's right- NO charge!

Instant Theatre
Chicago Dramatists
1105 W Chicago Ave
Chicago, IL 60622

Wednesday, October 22nd
Participating writers @ 7pm
Audience @ 8pm.
Everybody applauds @ 9pm.

Maximum Impact, Minimum Prep

IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER!!

Whoa, there- don't drop that kid, big guy..."In the Name of the Father" is September's I.T. theme!!

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 29th @8pm

Could it be religious?

"In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit..."

Are we talking about our Founding Fathers?

"Four score and seven years..."

The Godfather of Soul?

"HAH!!"

What if someone was hailed as the father of abstract art when all he was doing was throwing out the garbage?

"Jackson Pollock was not a garbage man, I tells ya!!"

Oh, SO many POSSIBILITIES!!
Join us and watch our playwrights work out their father issues!!

REMEMBER: it's a FREE hour of theatre- that's right- NO charge!

Instant Theatre
Chicago Dramatists
1105 W Chicago Ave
Chicago, IL 60622

Monday, September 29th
Participating writers @ 7pm
Audience @ 8pm.
Everybody applauds @ 9pm.

Maximum Impact, Minimum Prep

DON'T BET ON IT in August!!

"Don't Bet On It" is August's Instant Theatre theme!!!


WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27th @ 8pm

Sometimes your horse makes it across the finish line...
And sometimes the horse falls flat on its ass- taking you down with it.

The moral being: If you think the outcome is certain- DON'T BET ON IT!!!!

What if the laws of gravity suddenly failed?
What if your girlfriend said no when you dropped to one knee?
What if that Fed-Ex package simply did not arrive in the 24 hours promised?
What if you woke up transformed into a cockroach?

Our playwrights will show us the rug being pulled out from under all sorts of crazy stuff. So come check it out!!

REMEMBER: it's a FREE hour of theatre- that's right- NO charge!

Instant Theatre
Chicago Dramatists
1105 W Chicago Ave
Chicago, IL 60622

Wednesday, August 27th
Participating writers @ 7pm
Audience @ 8pm.
Everybody applauds @ 9pm.

Maximum Impact, Minimum Prep