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yesterday’s stories. today’s topics. From Artistic Director PJ Powers a message prior to reading the play chosen to write her disser- “She is confronted with a clear decision: Be passive about what Tesla’s Letters. After read- tation about him. But like ing it, I discovered he was so many Americans in the she encounters or take an active role and make a difference.” responsible for many of the 1990s — myself included conflict at a distance.I t’s We are delighted to put this Daisy’s story. Through her, scientific breakthroughsI — her complacency is related Dear Friends, someone else’s problem. play in the hands of director Jeffrey Stanley encourages take for granted today. to a war raging halfway Nick Bowling, a TimeLine us to stand up and notice I have never been accused across the world, a war that When I first read this I never needed that infor- founding Company member the world around us, to of being much of a “tech was easier to overlook than puzzle-of-a-play, I was mation before: The technol- whose work through the awaken from a slumber of guy.” I’m not particularly to fully understand. struck by its complexity ogy I use day-to-day worked, years has been quite diverse. complacency. handy with tools or wires and embarrassed by my and that was enough for me. Perhaps naively, Daisy Perhaps the most similar and gadgets. I like my lack of knowledge about He makes an important No questions asked. travels to Tesla’s homeland, trait is the theatricality and computer to do what I need Tesla and the conflict in the distinction: It is one thing to the former Yugoslavia, to humanity he brings to the it to do, and I expect my cell In many ways, it is that Balkans. At first the play be a witness to history, but conduct research about material. In style and tone, phone and iPod to function type of complacency that seems focused on honoring it is a far greater thing to be her hero and gain access to Tesla’s Letters couldn’t be as needed. is at the heart of Jeffrey a great scientist’s life, but a participant in it and enact his private letters. To her more different from Nick’s Stanley’s play. Set in 1997, it becomes clear that it’s change, however small or But that’s the extent of dismay, she finds herself in three most recent produc- his story focuses on an equally focused on Daisy, big. We think that distinc- my knowledge. I’ve never a world of danger and suf- tions for us —Guantanamo, American student named a normal American who tion is worth discussing, and really looked into how fering she’d prefer to ignore. Fiorello! and The Children’s Daisy who is writing about finds herself in an extraor- we’re proud to share this things work or why things Surrounded by turmoil, she Hour — but once again the life and work of Tesla. dinary circumstance. She play with you to get the work, and I haven’t sought isn’t sure how or even if she you’ll find a wealth of is confronted with a clear conversation rolling. to learn more about the Daisy’s complacency isn’t should get involved. The beauty, mystery and decision: Be passive about inventors who make my life exactly like mine, however. easier choice is to focus on intrigue in his production. Best wishes, what she encounters or take easier. So the name Nikola She knows everything about the work that brought her an active role and make a It is my great hope you, Tesla meant nothing to me Tesla, idolizes him and has there and keep the ethnic difference. too, are enlightened by

Special Events and Resources the conversation

TimeLine hosts several Sunday Scholars Series The panel is moderated by Post-Show Discussions Company Member works and the process that opportunities for you to TimeLine Board member Discussion brought Tesla’s Letters to Immediately following the Stay after performances on hear from TimeLine artists Peter H. Kuntz, managing TimeLine’s stage. performance on Sunday, Thursdays, November 15 The heart of TimeLine is our about their experiences, director of programs and November 18, TimeLine will and 29 and December 6 and seven Company members, Other Resources ask questions about and production for the Chicago host our Sunday Scholars Sundays, November 25 and who shape the artistic vision comment on the production Humanities Festival. Don’t miss our historical Series. This one-hour panel December 2 for free post- and choose the program- and engage fellow audience lobby displays and discussion features experts Visit our Web site at show discussions moder- ming for the organiza- members in conversation production study guide, talking about the themes timelinetheatre.com to ated by a TimeLine Com- tion. Join them after the about the themes of the available for perusal in the and issues of the play. Tick- learn more about Sunday pany member and featuring performance on Sunday, play. We hope you will join lobby and via download at ets are $10; $5 for TimeLine Scholars, including the final the production dramaturg December 9 for an informal us for one or more during timelinetheatre.com. subscribers; call the Box list of panelists and their and members of the cast. discussion to hear more the run of Tesla’s Letters: Office to order. biographies. about how the Company Jeffrey Stanley Yugoslavia

Yugoslavia the playwright the history statistics 1991

effrey Stanley’s semi- shoe: A Lecture on Tragedy, the Tennessee National The Ottoman Empire Population per republic: autobiographical war- an autobiographical comedy Screenwriting Competition, J he Turkish Ottoman • Serbia — 9,800,000 time drama Tesla’s Letters that Stanley directed and in and the Laurel Entertain- Empire seized areas of • Croatia — 4,800,000 premiered to rave reviews which he also performed. ment Award for Screen- T the Balkan Peninsula during in New York in 1999 at The writing Excellence. His • Bosnia — 4,400,000 He has been hired to write the 15th Century. The Turks Ensemble Studio Theatre. award-winning short film • Macedonia — 2,000,000 screenplays for several had been conquering parts Lady in a Box, starring Sarita The script was published independent companies. of Europe since 1354, and • Slovenia — 1,700,000 Choudhury, marked his film- in 2000 by Samuel French, He has been a guest writer after much turmoil, they • Montenegro — 584,000 directing debut. Inc., which named the play in The New York Times and gained control of Serbia Percentages of total one of the 10 best dramas of Time Out New York, and Stanley holds a master of in 1459 and held it for the Yugoslav population: 1999. The play received its he was a senior advisor for fine arts degree from the next four centuries. Under European premiere at the The End That Does (Equinox dramatic writing program at the sultanate, many Serbs • Serbs — 36% Edinburgh Fringe Festival in Books, 2006), produced by New York University’s Tisch left their homelands of • Croats — 20% Scotland, United Kingdom, Boston University’s Center School of the Arts, where Kosovo and Serbia to move Portrait of Karadzordze. (Museum • Muslim Slavs — 10% in August 2000, and its for Millennial Studies. he studied under playwright to other areas in the Balkan of the 1804 Revolution in Topcider, • Albanians — 9% regional premiere at the Peninsula, including parts of Belgrade) Mill Mountain Theatre in Croatia. • Slovenes — 8% Roanoke, Va., in January Tesla’s Letters was published in against the Ottoman • Macedonian Slavs — 6% Serbia began retaining its 2001. It has been produced Empire, the Kingdom of Ser- 2000 by Samuel French, Inc., autonomy with uprisings in • “Yugoslavs” (people who by numerous theaters and bia was proclaimed in 1882. declined to declare them- 1804 and 1815. read in college and high- selves members of any specific which named the play one of Much of the time after the school classrooms around The first uprising was led ethnic group) — 3% departure of the Turks was the world. the 10 best dramas of 1999. by a Serbian trader named • Montenegrins — 2% marked with dynastic rivalry Dorde Petrovic (also know Based on Stanley’s experi- between the Karadzordzevic • Hungarians — 2% as Karadzordze or “Black ences in Belgrade, where he Stanley is also a theater David Ives. He also received and Obrenovic families. George”) who, with Russian Source: encarta.msn.com traveled in 1997 to research director, with credits that his bachelor of fine arts support, helped the Serbs the life of Serbian inven- include a New York revival degree from Tisch, in film fight against theT urks. But tor Nikola Tesla, the play of Sam Shepard’s political and television production The Balkan Peninsula, 1740. (Tito – A Pictorial Biography) after Russia was threatened follows an American grad comedy The God of Hell. with a minor in cultural by a Napoleonic invasion, student who finds herself He has been a resident of anthropology. Serbia was left vulnerable. reluctantly drawn into the the artists’ colony Yaddo Stanley has taught at NYU, By 1813 Karadzordze and his ethnic rivalries that caused in Saratoga Springs, New the Imaginary Academy followers were forced to the breakup of Yugoslavia in York, and a Copeland Fel- summer film workshop in retreat. the 1990s. low at Amherst College in Istria, Croatia, sponsored by Massachusetts. The second was led by Milos Stanley’s other plays include the Soros Foundation, and Obrenovic. This time, again Medicine, Man, commis- His screenwriting awards mediabistro.com, an online with the support of Russia, sioned by the Mill Mountain include the Alfred P. Sloan community that offers the Serbs drove the Turks Theatre; Fishing with Tony Foundation Screenplay job postings and classes out of much of Serbia. and Joe, commissioned by Award, the New York for those in the magazine, The Ensemble Studio The- Picture Company Award for television, film, radio or As a result of the upris- atre; and The Golden Horse- Best Dramatic Screenplay, publishing industry. ings and subsequent wars

George Bernard Shaw: a timeline Yugoslavia statistics now the six independent World War I Ferdinand during a visit to republic in the new king- nations after the Sarajevo, the Bosnian capi- n 1908, the Austrian-Hun- dom, and the most influen- break-up of yugoslavia tal. This act is considered tial. Croatians opposed the garian Empire annexed Croatia: I one of the main reasons for new nation from the start, Bosnia, and Serbia set out • Independence — June 25, 1991 the outbreak of World War I. and ethnic and religious to attain Bosnia, where • Capitol — Zagreb many Serbians lived. This Soon after war began, the tensions mounted. In 1929, in an attempt to unite the • Population — 4,493,312 led to the Balkan Wars of Austrian-Hungarian Empire (July 2007 est.) Serbs and Croats, the king 1912-13. Russia, who had occupied Serbia. In 1918, • Religions: Roman Catholic abolished the constitution pledged continued support thanks to a successful 87.8%, Orthodox 4.4%, other of Serbia, began to mobilize Allied offensive, the empire and renamed the country Christian 0.4%, Muslim 1.3%, troops, which caused Ger- collapsed, and Serbian ter- The Kingdom of Yugoslavia; other and unspecified 0.9%, none 5.2% (2001 census) many, allied with Austria- ritories were liberated. The his policies, however, were Hungary, to threaten war Kingdom of Serbs, Croats opposed by the Fascist lead- • Size — Slightly smaller than West Virginia on Russia. and Slovenes was formed; it ers of the time and further alienated non-Serbs. He was ruled by King Alexander. Slovenia: In 1914, Gavrilo Princip, a was assassinated in 1934 • Independence — June 25, 1991 Bosnian Serb, assassinated At the time of its inception, by a member of a Croatian Austrian Archduke Franz Serbia was the dominant separatist organization. The Balkan Peninsula before World War I (Tito – A Pictorial Biography) • Capitol —Ljubljana • Population: 2,009,245 (July 2007 est.) • Religions — Catholic 57.8%, World War II Adolf Hitler was convinced bombing Belgrade in 1941 millions of men, women and Yugoslavia was established Muslim 2.4%, Orthodox 2.3%, that Yugoslavia also would and sending ground forces children, mostly Serbs, were as a communist state; it other Christian 0.9%, unaffili- t the start of the 1940s, ated 3.5%, other or unspecified join the Axis powers, but to invade Yugoslavia. After executed in these camps. comprised the area of Amost of the countries 23%, none 10.1% (2002 census) public demonstrations a brief period of fighting, modern-day Bosnia and surrounding Yugoslavia had During the war, two • Size —Slightly smaller than against Nazism sprang up Yugoslavia was conquered, signed agreements with organizations emerged Herzegovina, Croatia, New Jersey throughout the kingdom. and the newly formed Inde- either Germany or Italy. to resist the Nazis: the Macedonia, Montenegro, Hitler responded with force, pendent State of Croatia Yugoslav Army in the Serbia, and Slovenia. Tito, Macedonia: became a puppet regime to Fatherland, a largely Ser- seen as a national hero by • Independence — Sept. 8, 1991 Nazi Germany. bian guerilla army, and the the citizens, became the • Capitol — Skopje Germany’s intention was communist Partisans, led by country’s prime minister. • Population — 2,055,915 to have as few German Josip Broz Tito. Yugoslavia was among the (July 2007 est.) troops as possible tied up in countries that suffered the • Religions — Macedonian In 1944, the Germans had Orthodox 64.7%, Muslim 33.3%, occupying a country, leaving greatest losses in World War retreated from the Balkans, other Christian 0.37%, other policing to the locals, such and much of what had been II: 1,700,000 people (10.8 and unspecified 1.63% (2002 as the Croats. Croatia set Yugoslavia had been liber- percent of the population) census) about a policy of “racial ated by Tito’s partisans. By were killed, and national • Size — Slightly larger than purification.”C oncentra- the end of the war, the com- damages were estimated at Vermont tion camps were created for 9.1 billion dollars according munists had taken control. continued ... anti-fascists, communists, to the prices of the period Serbs, Gypsies and Jews; On Nov. 29, 1945, the Fed- (over 100 billion dollars by erative People’s Republic of today’s prices). The Balkan Peninsula during World War II (Tito – A Pictorial Biography) Yugoslavia statistics now

continued ... In the almost 30 years of constitution, supreme court, From Tito to the present Albanians in Kosovo to want his presidency, Yugoslavia parliament, president and separation from Serbia. Bosnia and Herzegovina: he Federation of remained remarkably stable prime minister. Yugoslavia continued In 1991 Slovenia, Croatia, • Independence — March 3, 1992 despite being a country T In 1974, the constitution for almost 10 years after and Macedonia declared • Capitol — Sarajevo with a complex ethnic mix. was changed again, naming Tito’s death with a collective independence. With 90 • Population — 4,552,198 Ethnic hostilities, however, Tito President for Life. It presidency that consisted percent of its population (July 2007 est.) weren’t mended; Tito sim- gave the six republics and of representatives from ethnic Slovenians, Slovenia • Religions — Muslim 40%, Orthodox 31%, Roman Catholic ply did not tolerate ethnic the two Serbian provinces the six republics and the was able to break away with 15%, other 14% (2002 census) nationalism, and outspoken of Kosovo and Vojvodina, two autonomous provinces only brief fighting. However, • Size — Slightly smaller than nationalists were arrested even more autonomy and within Serbia. In an effort to Bosnia and Montenegro West Virginia or killed. voting power: Control of equalize them, the presi- had Serbian inhabitants in Montenegro: In 1961, Yugoslavia became education, health care and dency rotated between the greater percentages, and housing would be exercised republics and provinces Milosevic intended to unite • Independence —June 3, 2006 Josip Broz Tito a founding member of the Non-Aligned Movement, entirely by each republic or annually. This gave more them all in one Serbian • Capitol — Podgorica province. The republics also power to the smaller repub- republic. (In 1992 the citi- • Population — 684,736 The Tito years along with India, Egypt and (July 2007 est.) Indonesia. The movement were granted the right to lics and the provinces. zens of Montenegro voted s Prime Minister, Tito declare independence. to remain with Serbia, and • Religions: Orthodox, promoted a policy of neu- Serbia’s displeasure toward solidified his control the two republics formed Muslim, Roman Catholic A trality during the Cold War. Tito’s most remarkable the independent role by purging the government The Federal Republic of (breakdown unavailable) achievement while presi- assigned its provinces of all non-communists: In 1963, the country was Yugoslavia). • Size —Slightly smaller than dent was being able to began during Tito’s presi- Tens of thousands who did renamed The Socialist Fed- Connecticut maintain unity in an ethni- dency and strengthened As Croatia moved toward not support communist eral Republic of Yugoslavia, cally diverse country with a after his death. independence, Croatian Serbia: ideals, mostly Serbs, were and a new constitution was long history of violence. His Serbs protested. Croatia • Independence — June 5, 2006 executed. adopted, giving more power In 1989, Slobodan Milos- death in 1980 marked the responded by evicting most • Capitol — Belgrade to its six republics, Bosnia, evic, a banking official from At first, the country fol- beginning of rising ethnic of its Serbian population. • Population —10,150,265 (July Croatia, Macedonia, Monte- Belgrade, succeeded in a lowed a Soviet model, but tensions. 2007 est.) negro, Serbia, and Slovenia. coup to become president Croats and Serbs engaged in 1948 Tito chose to break • Religions —Serbian Orthodox Each republic was given a of the Serbian Republic. His in a civil war until a cease- from the Soviet Union, mak- 85%, Catholic 5.5%, Protestant nationalist calls for Serbian fire was declared in 1992.I n 1.1%, Muslim 3.2%, unspecified ing him the first socialist domination led to the vio- 1995 however, Croatia again 2.6%, other, unknown or atheist leader to successfully defy lent break up of Yugoslavia waged a military campaign 2.6% (2002 census) Joseph Stalin’s leadership. along ethnic and religious against Serbs living in Croa- • Size — Slightly larger than This rift with the Soviet lines. tia. About 200,000 Serbs South Carolina Union brought Tito inter- were forced to leave. national recognition. He He cancelled the political Source: www.cia.gov eventually created Titoism, autonomy of Kosovo and Bosnia was the most his own brand of socialism. Vojvodina. Most of the ethnically diverse repub- other republics opposed lic. In 1992, Bosnian Serbs Hugely popular, Tito was Milosevic’s stand on Kosovo, wishing to remain part of elected president in 1953. especially Slovenia and Cro- Milosevic’s “Greater Serbia” atia, and they responded by declared themselves a The Balkan Peninsula, Tito’s Yugosla- demanding further inde- separate entity. Bosnia via, with (inset) the six republics and two provinces of Yugoslavia. (Tito pendence. This prompted found this to be illegal and – A Pictorial Biography) Nikola Tesla the scientist

declared its independence the bloodiest war in Europe paign against Kosovo led to During this time, Tesla from Yugoslavia. since World War II: More massacres and the expul- developed plans for an alter- than a million people died. sion of ethnic Albanians nating-current (AC) induc- The Yugoslav Army now living in Kosovo. War broke tion motor that converted went to war in Bosnia. Bosnia was preserved as out, and large numbers of electrical power to mechani- Much of the republic fell to a single state, but was Albanians were killed or cal power. the Serbs, which began its partitioned into two areas: forced to flee their homes. policy of ethnic cleansing. A Muslim-Croat federation In 1882 he took a job with representing 51% of the These acts prompted NATO It became clear to the the Continental Edison country’s territory and a to bomb Serbia and Mon- United Nations that Serbia’s Company in Paris. He Serb republic holding the tenegro in 1999 after failed aim was political domina- continued working on his remaining 49%. peace talks. The Serbian mil- tion and that this would be induction motor after hours. itary was eventually forced achieved by isolating ethnic In the province of Kosovo, Finding little interest in his to leave Kosovo later that groups, exterminating them meanwhile, a peaceful radical device in Europe, year; since June 1999, the if necessary. When images resistance movement by he moved to New York province has been governed of starving prisoners in con- Albanian leaders failed and with only 4 cents in his by peace-keeping forces centration camps came out in 1997 an armed resistance pocket and went to work for from NATO and Russia. of Bosnia, the world began emerged — the Kosovo Thomas Alva Edison. to realize the full scope of Liberation Army (KLA). In 2000, uprisings began Noting Tesla’s aptitude, the genocide. With the goal of securing all across Serbia to bring Edison challenged him independence from Serbia, down Milosevic, and he In November 1995, U.S.- to improve upon his own the KLA began attacking was forced to step down as sponsored peace talks in direct current (DC) electric- Serbian policemen. president in 2000. Follow- Ohio resulted in the leaders ity model — for a $50,000 ing a warrant for his arrest of Yugoslavia, Croatia and In 1998, Milosevic led a bonus. on charges of abuse of Bosnia and Herzegovina brutal military campaign power and corruption, he Tesla believed the secret lay signing a peace treaty, the against the KLA that Nikola Tesla, holding a gas-filled wireless light bulb. (“Electrical surrendered to Yugoslav in alternating current, which Dayton Peace Accords, end- included executing civilian Experimenter”, February, 1919) security forces in 2001. He changes direction 50 or 60 ing the 3½-year war. It was non-combatants. His cam- was charged at The Hague times per second, allowing it ikola Tesla was born Tesla started inventing at to travel over long distanc- Slobodan Milosevic for genocide in Bosnia and war crimes in Croatia and Nat the stroke of age 4, creating a paddle-less es. Edison’s DC model was Kosovo — the first head midnight during an electri- water wheel out of a crude weak and required power of state to face an interna- cal storm, July 10, 1856. His disc and a twig. stations to be placed every parents, who were Serbs, two miles. tional war-crimes court. He He studied engineering at lived in Smiljan, a village died in 2006 before the end the Technical University of Upon presenting his AC in the province of Lika, of his trial. Graz, Austria, and the Uni- model to Edison, Edison Croatia, which was part versity of Prague, but it was acknowledged the improve- Yugoslavia was officially ter- of the Austria-Hungarian his fascination with electric- ment, but refused to give minated as a country when Empire. His father was a ity that drew him to his first Tesla the $50,000. When he Serbia and Montenegro, its Serbian Orthodox priest; his job in 1881: an electrical asked for it, Edison replied, two remaining republics, mother, though illiterate, engineer for the American “Tesla, you don’t under- declared their indepen- was an inventor of house- Telephone Company in stand our American humor.” dence in 2006. hold gadgets to help in her Budapest. Outraged, Tesla left Edison’s housework. Elizabeth K. Auman

the interview In early October TimeLine welcomed Elizabeth K. Auman as the company’s new Man- company to start his own, Tesla continued to make his funds when he realized aging Director. She comes to TimeLine with 15 years of experience at Chicago’s Victory where he would produce important discoveries with the power would be free, Gardens Theater, 12 of them as General Manger. During her tenure she was a part of motors and generators for wireless electricity in Colo- saying, “If anyone can draw the senior management team that guided the theater through budget growth from his alternating current. rado Springs, where he built on the power, where do we $1.2 million to $3 million and an $11.8 million capital campaign to purchase and reno- a laboratory in 1899. There, put the meter?” The trans- Tesla garnered 40 patents vate the historic Biograph Theater. We are delighted she is bringing her tremendous he created a powerful Tesla mitting tower was never for his inventions using experience and skills to TimeLine to lead our company to new heights. coil, which threw sparks that completed. AC power, and in 1888 he could be seen 10 miles away TimeLine Artistic Director PJ Powers (PJP) chatted with Elizabeth Auman (EA) about presented them in his first Tesla, who received several and transmitted electricity what led her to TimeLine and what excites her about her new position. lecture, “A new system of honorary degrees during that lit 200 lights 25 miles motors and transformers of his life, eventually held 700 away, without the use of (PJP) How did you first get alternate currents.” patents. He is credited with wires. He also reported involved in the arts/theater? the invention of the fluo- After seeing the presenta- that, in discovering terres- rescent light, laser beam, (EA) i don’t exactly remem- tion, George Westinghouse, trial stationary waves, he wireless communications, ber. It always has been an inventor and indus- had received radio signals remote control, robotics and something that my family trialist, bought all Tesla’s from another planet. vertical take-off aircraft. participated in. I remember patents, believing AC power Pursuing his vision of world- Tesla’s coil was used in the my mom taking me to see was the future of electricity. wide wireless electricity, in experimentation of X-rays, shows when I was really In an effort to discredit 1901 he began constructing electrotherapy and wireless little. My parents were Tesla, Edison spoke openly a tower on Long Island to electric transmission; today, teachers, and we always about the dangers of AC, at transmit power without it is used in radio and televi- went to see the shows that times publicly electrocuting wires anywhere in the sion sets. Tesla was the their school was doing. My cats and dogs to show the world. He envisioned being first to demonstrate radio, mother was an art teacher power of Tesla’s current. able to send communica- although the inventor Gug- and always wanted to be an tions and to power indus- lielmo Marconi was later actress. She went to Catho- In 1893, Tesla and The West- tries and transportations. credited with the invention. lic school her entire life and inghouse Co. were commis- said the nuns would not sioned to light the World’s J.P. Morgan, the chief Tesla died in New York City let her become an actress. I started college I was an (PJP) Why did you choose Columbian Exposition in investor, eventually pulled on January 7, 1943. My dad is a writer, and my arts-management major for Chicago? Chicago, enabling them to brother is a writer/artist/ a while and then switched show the world the wonder (EA) I grew up in the Mid- musician. Art of all kinds to a theater degree — I felt of AC power. Tesla’s final Tesla’s house and the church where he was born in Croatia. west, and Chicago was the always has been part of I would learn more about victory for AC was won in only city I really knew. After my life. I think my brother what it actually took to 1895 with his design for the I graduated, I moved here started working on plays produce [a play] by being in first hydroelectric power with a classmate. We had no before I did because he theater classes as opposed plant at Niagara Falls. He idea what we were doing. could sing, and the middle to taking classes about was then acknowledged by She was a props designer school only did musicals. insurance. When I gradu- the world to be a hero, and and called a friend of ours ated, I still really had no idea the battle over electricity In high school I started who got us jobs at the what all the potential job had been won. acting in plays but was Goodman, working on “A opportunities were in the- also always interested in Christmas Carol.” I was the ater so I moved to Chicago AC still powers the world. numbers and money. When child wrangler for the kids. and hoped for the best. BACKSTORY: THE CREDITS After that, I started working all avenues of trying to on the second floor of the Dramaturgy & at Chicago Shakespeare part figure out a problem. He Biograph the week before, “TimeLine is such a Historical Research time, and a woman there can talk me off a cliff faster so some things aren’t that by Jason Harrington got me another part-time than anyone else, and different. There are some successful growth story, job at Victory Gardens. because of the tremendous things a Tony Award doesn’t Written by Jason Har- During my first two years in growth and success Chicago change. I haven’t taken out and I feel honored to be rington, PJ Powers Chicago I was working part Shakespeare has had, Criss the garbage yet at Time- and Lara Goetsch time in four box offices.O n has great perspective. Line, but I think I will be part of the next chapter.” Edited by Karen A. Callaway more than one occasion I doing that in a few minutes and Lara Goetsch (PJP) So now you come from sold someone tickets to the — my coffee-cup tower is a well-established, Tony spaces. Space limitations non-profit theater scene? Photography and Graphic wrong show at the wrong about to tumble over. In all Award-winning theater to a can inspire some of the What do successful artists Design by Lara Goetsch theater because I could not honesty, I don’t know what smaller, emerging com- most extraordinary designs and companies have in Tesla’s Letters Cover keep all the plays straight. the brand-new challenges pany, and you launch the I have seen in Chicago. Art- common? Photo by Ryan Robinson Luckily, I’ve been able to will be, but I’m excited to next phase of your already ists at TimeLine are able to make a living working in meet them. I’ve always been (EA) What strikes me most extraordinary career with embrace the playing space Backstory is published theater. fascinated with the orga- is the continual growth. us, as we take TimeLine to and create an environ- four times each season. nizational growth process Although there have been (PJP) Who have been your the next level. What kinds of ment that is imaginative and navigating through the companies that have Pictured on front cover mentors during your career? new challenges do you envi- and functional. What I love process. That is what I’m dissolved, each has been (from left): Sound designer sion for yourself here? about TimeLine’s mission of (EA) I have had several. John most looking forward to replaced by several more Andrew Hansen; assistant producing stories inspired Walker, who was my first (EA) They might be old here. TimeLine is such a suc- companies. The joke at stage manager Joseph by history that connect with boss at Victory Gardens, challenges! When I started cessful growth story, and I Victory Gardens 12 years Heaton, actor Janet Ulrich today’s issues is that it is really opened my eyes to at Victory Gardens, the feel honored to be a part of ago was, if someone wanted Brooks and scenic designer ever-changing. By connect- all the job possibilities in staff was very small, and it the next chapter. to produce a show in the Collette Pollard; projections ing with the day’s issues, theater. John let me work on still is in comparison to the studio during the summer designer Mike Tutaj; (PJP) What interests you what is relevant today is not so many things at Victory amount of programming the only requirement was director Nick Bowling most about TimeLine’s work necessarily what will be rel- Gardens. If I wanted to work they do. During the inter- a checkbook. It is a much and stage manager John and mission? evant five years from now. on marketing, we would view process with TimeLine, different story now; there is Kearns; and costume figure out how to make that people kept mentioning (EA) Several things. I’ve (PJP) Victory Gardens is a 12-month theater season designer Lindsey Pate. happen. When I wanted to having to take out the gar- always been fascinated by known for nurturing new in Chicago. The artistically Pictured on back cover move out of the box office, bage. My response was that companies that can so cre- artists through its com- successful companies have (from left): Actor Janet he worked with me to create I had to clean the bathrooms atively produce in smaller mitment to original plays an unwavering commitment Ulrich Brooks; sound a new position. When John and for making theater to excellence on the stage. designer Andrew Hansen left to produce movies, spaces available for emerg- This unfortunately doesn’t and projections designer Marcie McVay continued to “I don’t know what ing companies to present always mean the company Mike Tutaj; actor Jason allow me to grow in my job their work. So you’ve had a runs as a viable business Karasev; director Nick and continually challenged the new challenges pretty great vantage point entity. What excites me the Bowling; actors Tien me in my role as general to witness a lot of changes most about TimeLine is the Doman and Joel Stanley manager. Criss Henderson and new players in the commitment to excellence Huff; scenic designer at Chicago Shakespeare also will be, but I’m excited Chicago theater scene over of art and business on equal Collette Pollard, actor has been a great mentor and the years. What strikes levels. Jason Karasev and assistant friend. Criss is the person I to meet them.” you most about the city’s director Bridget Dehl; and call when I have exhausted actor Tien Doman. Tesla’s Letters the play

November 20 07 November 10 - December 23 previews 11/6 - 11/9 S u M T W T h F S a CHICAGO PREMIERE The Cast 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 (in alphabetical order) 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 by JEFFREY STANLEY 18 19 2 0 21 2 2 2 3 24 Janet Ulrich Brooks: Biljana directed by NICK BOWLING 2 5 2 6 2 7 2 8 2 9 3 0 Tien Doman: Daisy Ideas about war and peace, Joel Stanley Huff: Dragan December 20 07 the uses of science and Su M T W Th F Sa Jason Karasev: Zoran the exercise of humanity 1 reverberate in this witty, 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 suspenseful, intellectual The Production Team 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 puzzle of a drama. An Collette Pollard: 16 17 18 19 2 0 21 2 2 American student travels Scenic Designer 2 3 to the former Yugoslavia in Lindsey Pate: 1997 to research the work Costume Designer Regular Performance of Nikola Tesla, the Croa- Diane D. Fairchild: Preview Performance tian-born Serbian scientist Lighting Designer Opening #1 featuring post-show reception Sold Out who invented electricity as Andrew Hansen: Original Opening #2 featuring post-show we use it today. But as she Music & Sound Designer reception Sold Out delves deeper into Tesla’s Post-Show Discussion with cast Mike Tutaj: & production crew Free life and homeland, she is Projections Designer Sunday Scholars a one-hour post- soon forced to make a deci- Julia Eberhardt: show panel discussion with experts sion about whether to get on the themes and issues of the play Props Designer Tickets $10; $5 for subscribers involved with the unex- Jason Harrington: Company Member Discussion pected world of turmoil and Dramaturg post-show discussion with suffering around her. TimeLine’s Company members Free John Kearns: Show times Running Time Stage Manager previews 8 pm Seth Vermilyea: Tesla’s Letters runs approxi- Wednesdays & Thursdays 7:30 pm mately two hours, including Production Manager fridays 8 pm one intermission. Lara Goetsch: saturdays 4 pm & 8 pm Director of Marketing sundays 2 pm and Communications NOTE No performance at 4 pm on Saturday 11/10 PJ Powers: Artistic Director Additional performance on Friday 11/23 at 4 pm Elizabeth K. Auman: Managing Director RESERVE YOUR TICKETS NOW: (773) 281-8463 x24