Wheaton Drama: Putting the Fun in Dysfunction

Say you woke up one day and discovered you were the artistic director of a local theatre. In your new role, you will select the productions that will draw hearty audiences while fitting the company's aesthetic vision. A script about a dysfunctional family jam-packed with infidelity, drug abuse, profanity, suicide, and free-flowing alcohol (a lot of it), lands on your desk. At what point do you say, "Let's book it?"

If you were part of Wheaton Drama's (WD) Artistic Committee, you would say, "Let's do it now!" And that's how August: Osage County became part of the community theater's current season. The tragicomedy, which opens on March 28 and runs through April 13 at WD, 111 North Hale, Wheaton, is promoted on the website with a description that sets up the stage: "A vanished father. A pill-popping mother. Three sisters holding secrets. When the Weston family reunites after Dad's disappearance, the family erupts with hidden truths and long-buried secrets. August: Osage County is a Pulitzer-Prize winning play which will leave audiences 'laughing and wondering, shuddering and smiling long after the house lights are back on.'" It also comes with a warning: "August: Osage County explores difficult themes and uses harsh language that may not be suitable for all audiences."

None of that deters audiences. The play, which premiered at Chicago's Steppenwolf Theatre on June 28, 2007, was written by its Company member Tracy Letts specifically for the acting ensemble. It received positive reviews for its compelling story, razor-sharp dialogue, and strong performances. New York Theatre Guide called it "perfection" and compared Letts to "Shakespeare, George Bernard Shaw, and Oscar Wilde." Five months later, the production moved to Broadway where many actors in the ensemble reprised their roles. It reached widespread critical acclaim, experienced an extended run, and garnered five Tony Awards, including Best Play, Best Actress, Best Direction. It also earned Letts a Pulitzer Prize for Drama.

Still, producing August: Osage County is a bold and edgy move for WD, a nearly 100-year-old non-profit, non-Equity theatre. The method used to bring it to Wheaton was a complicated one that sprang from a time-honored process. "WD is governed by a set of by-laws that have been in place for decades," said Joni Kotche, the Board of Governors sales governor. "One section of the by-laws covers the selection of plays and outlines the timelines and specific requirements necessary to fill out the season."

The undertaking begins with the Artistic Committee, a group of WD members who hold various roles in the organization. After reading several recommended scripts, the team chooses five shows representing a mixture of genres. One of the shows is usually a family-friendly musical (past productions include Willy Wonka, A Christmas Carol, and Elf. Jr.), and the balance could be a blend of comedy, dramedy, farce, or drama. The compiled series must meet five criteria outlined in the by-laws: Community Values, Family Participation, Membership Interest, Push the Envelope, and Mass Appeal.

"Sometimes, a play is chosen after several years of submission, like Sweeney Todd or August: Osage County, which are considered to be 'push the envelope' shows due to their subject matter," explained Kotche. "After reviewing and rejecting it for several years, the Artistic Committee felt it was the right time for August: Osage County. Many theater companies will not produce it as it touches on very serious topics within a highly dysfunctional family. A role in this play could be a 'dream role' for an actor and quite an addition to their resume."

It could also be a positive experience for attendees who, at the play’s conclusion, may feel emotionally challenged, intellectually enriched, and perhaps grateful to return to their own familial spheres.

Get Involved!

For those of you who are interested in supporting WD in furthering its mission of "creating a more engaged community and lasting friendships by sharing our passion for quality theatre," you are encouraged to explore the benefits of membership, where you can "learn, grow, and share your talents." Onstage, behind the scenes, or in the lobby, members contribute to WD's success through volunteer work in a well-respected organization that brings top-notch theatrical arts to people enthusiastic about live shows. Opportunities await you in departments including set design, props, costumes, stage management, and communications.

Tickets for August: Osage County are $18 to $21 and are available through the box office at 630.260.1820 or online at wheatondrama.org. There, you can also find information about performances, membership, upcoming auditions, and classes.

About the Author

Debbie Venezia is the director of Arts DuPage, a countywide arts council under the umbrella of DuPage Foundation that supports, promotes, advocates for, and distributes grants to the arts in DuPage County. Best known for artsdupage.org, its comprehensive event website for arts and entertainment, Arts DuPage showcases the vibrant local arts community, which generates cultural, economic, and social benefits for DuPage County and its residents.

Looking for something to do? Go to artsdupage.org, your guide to arts and entertainment.