1. What is your organization or company? Give background history including
by whom, when, and why it was founded.
Steppenwolf Theatre in Chicago. Gary Sinise cofounded this theatre group with a couple of high school friends from Highland Park High School in 1974. It seems that they founded it to do theatre that they wanted to do. Steppenwolf was named after a book Rick Argosh (one of the other founders) was reading at the time called Steppenwolf by Hermann Hesse. They basically didn’t want to deal with the paperwork of changing their name and it already had a resonance with the locals. Over the course of the 1980s the theatre company continued to expand with new members and new spaces. It now has forty-four ensemble members.
2. What do they do or make – describe the products and services and what
makes them unique.
They are a contemporary theatre company. They provide shows, arts education, food, drink, and merchandise. Steppenwolf operates year-round with primarily contemporary programming. (Their first Shakespeare play was The Tempest and premiered in 2007.) They include programs to show new plays, and to educate children and young adults. They also have yearly events for the public, such as Gala, and Unlocked which are both fundraising events. Other events are Women in the Arts and Veteran’s Night. These events are to acknowledge these groups Women in the arts is a luncheon to honor distinguished women in the theatre world today and Veteran’s Night is every dress rehearsal where veterans are invited to come for free. They also have the Front Bar which is located in the front of the new 1700 Theatre. Steppenwolf is unique because of their innovative theatre model, their ability to attract wonderful talent, and how they market themselves. They use multiple theater spaces so that they can have longer run times and keep the lights on for longer, and they have multiple ways to earn income. Instead of marketing their shows they market their brand, name, and community relations.
3. Describe the culture of the organization or company. What is the work
environment like – the atmosphere? What is the building like –
exterior/interior, architecture, fittings and furniture? How do the employees
work together? What are the jobs and roles of individuals? How does
management treat them?
The atmosphere is one of innovation and invention. Steppenwolf has three theater spaces. The 1700 Theater, Downstairs Theater, and the Upstairs Theater. The Downstairs Theater houses 515 patrons, the Upstairs Theater houses 299 people, and the 1700 Theater can seat 80. The 1700 Theater is a black box space that they do new plays and dance concerts. People in leadership positions are: Anna D. Shapiro Artistic Director, David Schmitz Managing Director, and Terry Kinney Jeff Perry Gary Sinise Founders. They have several employees for many areas throughout Steppenwolf operations. People for teaching youth, people dedicated to audience experience, development, marketing, etc.
4. Who is the targeted audience? What are their demographics? (Age, gender,
income level, where they live, own or rent, etc.)
They draw audience members from around the world. They have a very accessible section of their website to help people from out of town to come and see their shows. The education part of their operations opens them up to younger audiences. So far, I have not seen anything that involves children’s theatre.
5. What is the organization or company mission statement? Tagline? (Can be
the same – Nike’s is, “Just Do it!”
Steppenwolf Theatre Company is where great acting meets big ideas. Our passion is to tell stories about how we live now. Our mission is to engage audiences in an exchange of ideas that makes us think harder, laugh longer, feel more.