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JORDAN RATLIFF IS BRINGING A NEW WAVE OF THEATER TO CHICAGO
March 19, 2023 / By Vocalo Radio
"Chicago is this ever-changing… place where there’s always new theaters that are coming, and theaters that are closing and new theaters that come out of it, artists that are revolving in and out of Chicago. So there’s always changing work that’s going on in Chicago. One thing that I’ve been working on is, I’m building a new theatre company in Chicago, we are called New Wave Theatre Company. And our mission is, specifically, to get rid of this disconnect for new theater artists. We want to create a hub and a haven for new theater artists to come and explore their art, make mistakes, get their foot in the door in professional theater. It’s very network-based. And, I mean, that’s theater, isn’t it? Yeah, it’s all network-based, but… for somebody like me, who comes right out of college… not everybody has those resources of being able to come out having this deep-seated network of people to connect them with. I think that’s my new biggest thing, so keep an eye out for New Wave Theatre" Company.
Theater Review: one in two
March 1, 2023 / By Scott Morgan
"...after absorbing director Jordan Ratliff's devastatingly powerful PrideArts production of one in two, the ALL CAPS advertising feels very appropriate. The symbolic shouting of PrideArts' poster art matches one in two's anguished and angry conclusion. The play culminates as a condemnation of how HIV/AIDS continues to disproportionally affect men of color who have sex with other men."
Theo Ubique Builds A Beautiful City With Inspired Take On The Classic GODSPELL
May 4, 2022 / By A.A. Cristi
To build the world of the story, Theo welcomes designers Yeaji Kim (she/her; Scenic Designer), Maggie Fulliulove-Nugent (she/her; Lighting Designer), Rueben Echoles (he/him; Costume Designer), Lonnae Hickman (she/her; Properties Designer) and Stefanie Senior (she/her; Sound Designer). The production team also includes Jordan Ratliff (he/him; Assistant Director/Choreographer), Nicholas Reinhardt (he/him; Production Manager) and Kaitlyn Souter (she/her; Stage Manager).
Recent theatre grad Jordan Ratliff talks about (re)directing Gay Card during COVID
May 26, 2021 / 5:59am / By Claire Katz-Mariani
"… But since COVID ruined everything—it really did—I decided that I worked way too hard to get all the rights and get everything together with quite a big production team and everything, so I was like, “I don't want to let this show die. I worked too hard to get this approved.” So I said, “You know what, my whole college career has been me being outside the box and how I can make my own work.” So I figured, trying to do it in a film kind of way with Zoom somehow, incorporating Zoom and stuff like that with COVID guidelines and everything in mind, was a nice challenge for me. And I wanted to see if I could do it… I wanted to push myself and see what I really could accomplish if I put my mind to something."
Five things in arts this month: May 2021
May 3, 2021 / 5:59am / By Debra Domal
"Illinois Theatre doesn't just train talented actors and techinicans. They also nurture emerging playwrights, directors, and dramaturgs. This month's Theatre Studies New Work Festival offers the chance to watch "three teams of Illinois Theatre students serving as playwright, director, and dramaturg to collaborate in the development and production of a substantial piece of theatre. " All staged readings will be streamed from the Colwell Playhouse stage. This program contains adult content and is recommended for ages 16 and up. Each of the following offerings will last approximately two hours. Between Us by Dan Kipp; Caitlin Chrastka, dramaturg; Rebecca Goodman, director, Fugitives in America by Jordan Ratliff; Alexis Webb, dramaturg; Jacqueline Moreno, director, and, We’re All Gonna Die Here by Rachael Fox; Gina Maggio, dramaturg; Mariana Seda, director. Closed captioning will be available. Check out all three and you'll be able to say you saw them before they made it big."
The journey to racial equity and radical inclusion in Illinois Theatre
September 17, 2020 / 10:00am / By Claire Katz-Mariani
"Undergraduate Theatre Studies senior Jordan Ratliff also feels that — while there is always room to grow — there is a largely open atmosphere in the department for discussing and promoting racial equity. “Two years ago, I was part of the student advisory board, and we tried to make an initiative to have meetings with underrepresented groups. And one of them was for underrepresented racial groups.” While this initiative ultimately dissolved due to scheduling issues, he says that the students who were able to attend these meetings found them to be extremely helpful for discussing the problems they were experiencing as well as potential solutions."
New student-written play Love Life premieres on campus this weekend only
March 8, 2019 / 9:00am / By KT Burke
"Be open. Be willing to take criticism. You definitely need a thick skin if ou are going to direct your own writing. Make sure you get second and third and fourth and fifth opinions on everything. Going in with an open and flexible mind will make the experience all the more enjoyable."