This Month’s director
Lucky Stiff
Lucky Stiff (they/he) is a director, writer, and performer working in Chicago and New York. Their work in new play and musical development and performance art has been featured at the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, Steppenwolf Theatre Company, Goodman Theatre, Blue Man Group Chicago, Boy Friday Dance Company, and the McKittrick Hotel (home of Sleep No More) among many others.
They hold an MFA in Directing for Theater from Northwestern University, where they received a grant from the Center for Interdisciplinary Research in the Arts for their original site-specific production BELOW: An Underworld Story. In 2024 they were a Fellow in the Leon Levy Foundation Director’s Group in residence at Roundabout Theatre Company.
This program brings early-career directors face-to-face with established industry professionals in a structured, supportive environment. Each session provides:
Practical Directing Experience: Selected participants direct actors through 5-minute scenes.
Professional Feedback: Receive direct notes and guidance from an accomplished director.
Community Building: Connect and network with fellow directors and industry professionals.
Career Insights: Learn about pathways to assistant directing opportunities with Chicago institutions and more.
EVENT FORMAT:
6:00-7:30 PM — Selected early-career directors block 5-minute scenes with actors, observation from Lucky.
6:30-7:30 PM — Networking event for ticket holders.
7:30-8:00 PM — Scene presentations.
8:00 - 9:00 PM — Q and A with Lucky Stiff.
How to participate
As a Director:
Purchase a ticket and opt in to be considered for directing by March 16th 11:59 PM CST.
Arrive at 6:00 PM for a 1.5 hour rehearsal period.
Present to Featured Director and audience from 7:30 - 8 PM.
Participate in (and/or submit anonymous questions for) the Q&A session.
As an Audience member:
You do not have to be a director to attend
Purchase a ticket for admission.
Participate in Networking event with other audience members from 6:30- 7:30 PM.
Participate in (and/or submit anonymous questions for) the Q&A session.
FAQs
What qualifies as 'early-career director' for this program?
Directors who apply must currently not be enrolled in college and have prior directing experience (at least 2 productions/readings/workshops).
Will I get paid if I act/direct/write for Direct Address?
Yes. everyone involved in the program as an actor, director, or playwright will get a stipend of $20.
Tell me more about these scenes
5-minute scenes involving max. 3 actors. Scenes are from local playwrights. Script in hand, no tech. Each performance is in a different space.
I cant make it to this one, will there be more?
Our goal is to have Direct Address at various locations through Chicago. Please apply to be in our database, if you are interested in hosting reach out to us at chicagodirectaddress@gmail.com
I got selected to direct a scene, what should I expect?
Scenes will be provided to the directors a week beforehand with a cast. Directors arrive at 6 PM for rehearsal.