Script/Scene excerpts are selected from playwrights who have submitted to "Freshly Brewed” prior to this event.
This Month’s Director
Mikael Burke
Mikael Burke (Director, he/him/anything respectful) is a Black, queer director, deviser, and educator based in Chicago. A Princess Grace Award-winner in Theatre (2017) and Jeff Award-winning director (2024), his recent credits include Milo Imagines the World by Christian Magby, Christian Albright and Terry Guest (rolling world premiere: Chicago Children’s Theatre and Children’s Theatre Company, Minneapolis), King James by Rajiv Joseph (Forward Theatre, Madison), Oak by Terry Guest (Urbanite Theatre, World Premiere), Othello by William Shakespeare (Theatreworks Colorado Springs), Short Shakes! Romeo & Juliet (Chicago Shakespeare Theatre), Notes from the Field by Anna Deveare Smith (TimeLine Theatre, Chicago Premiere), The Salvagers by Harrison David Rivers (Yale Repertory Theatre, World Premiere), Tambo & Bones by Dave Harris (Refracted Theatre Company, Chicago Premiere, winner of eight Jeff Awards), Blues for an Alabama Sky by Pearl Cleage (Remy Bumppo Theatre Company), Clyde’s by Lynn Nottage (Theaterworks Hartford), and The Magnolia Ballet by Terry Guest (About Face Theatre, Chicago Premiere, winner of two Jeff Awards). Burke has also been recognized with a Black Theatre Alliance Award for Directing (2022), and as one of Newcity Magazine’s 50 Players of Chicago in 2023 and 2025. Burke is an artistic associate at Remy Bumppo Theatre Company, as well as at About Face Theatre, where he previously served as associate artistic director. He’s also an adjunct faculty member at DePaul University and Roosevelt University, and a member of SDC. Burke earned his MFA in Directing from The Theatre School at DePaul University. mklburke.com
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:
May 11th
Selected early-career directors block 5-minute scenes with actors, observation from Lucky.
May 12th
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 Mikael Burke
How to participate
As a Director:
Purchase a ticket and opt in to be considered for directing.
Rehearse a 5 minute scene on May 11th
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. We strongly recommend actors, playwrights, and designers to attend as well
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 be reimbursed if they bought a ticket and 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 rehearse on May 11th at The Understudy.