Profiles Theatre

Acclaimed playwright and filmmaker Neil LaButte’s “autobahn” is set to drive into Chicago and appear at the Profiles Theatre. autobahn is a tantalizing cycle of short plays full of edgy humor and shocking revelations all set in automobiles, which explores the confines of this truly American space. What other locale hosts as much human drama as the front seat of the American automobile? Neil LaBute offers a brutally honest and voyeuristic peek at the things we say - and the things we leave unsaid - from behind the steering wheel. Each encounter is a startlingly accurate portrayal of life and relationships in Middle America.
 
autobahn received its World Premiere production in January, 2006 at The Studio Theatre in Washington, D.C. The Washington Times raved, "Neil LaBute's portrait of the car as a moving confessional forms the basis of this disturbing, edgy and harrowing evening." And the Washington Post exclaimed, “LaBute finds demons tucked away in every cranny of American normalcy. He's a poet of the nether regions of the discount aisles and fast food drive-throughs. ‘autobahn’ is both creepy and satisfying." Variety hailed it, “a provocative and clever collection that reveals LaBute's well-known gift for dialogue and is certain to please his expanding legion of devotees."
 
Neil LaBute is an acclaimed playwright, screenwriter and film director. He studied Theatre at Brigham Young University where he produced a number of plays that pushed the envelope at the Mormon university, some of which were immediately shut down after their premieres. Mr. LaBute also did graduate work at the University of Kansas, New York University and the Royal Academy of London. In 1993, he returned to Brigham Young University to premiere his play “In The Company of Men”. Afterward, he taught drama and film at IPFW in Fort Wayne, Indiana, where he adapted and filmed the play, launching his career as a film director. The film won the Filmmakers Trophy at the Sundance Film Festival and several other major awards at various film festivals, as well as the New York Film Critics Circle. His next film, “Your Friends and Neighbors”, was based on his earlier play, “Lepers”, which received its World Premiere in Chicago in 1992. In 2000, Mr. LaBute refocused his attentions to the stage with “Bash: Latter-Day Plays”, followed by “The Shape of Things” in 2001 (which he also made into a film), and “The Distance from Here” in 2002. His 2002 play, “The Mercy Seat”, was one of the first major theatrical responses to the September 11 terrorist attack. Mr. LaBute’s 2004 play, “Fat Pig”, won the Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Off-Broadway Play. His 2005 plays include “Some Girls”, “Wrecks” and “This is How it Goes”.
 
Profiles Theatre’s production of autobahn will be directed by Associate Artistic Director Darrell W. Cox. Mr. Cox is most often associated with his work as an actor onstage having most recently appeared as Clint in Profiles’ production of  “The Glory of Living”. He has been seen at Steppenwolf in the World Premiere of “Men of Tortuga”, the Midwest Premiere of “Orange Flower Water” (which also traveled to the Galway Arts Festival), and the World Premiere of “Wendall Greene”. He will appear next at the Goodman in “The Shawl” and “Home” as part of the David Mamet Festival this spring. Mr. Cox has received three Joseph Jefferson Citations for Principal Actor for his performances in Profiles’ productions of “Blackbird”, “Some Voices”, and “Eye of God”. He has also received two After Dark Awards for Outstanding Performance for his work in Profiles’ “Popcorn” and “Carnal Knowledge”.

As a director, Mr. Cox has staged numerous productions at Profiles over the years including the Midwest Premieres of “The Radiant Abyss” and “Wonder of the World”, ”The Water Engine”, “How the Other Half Loves”, and “The Twilight Zone: The Series”, among others. The production team for autobahn includes: Annette Olszewski (Assistant Director); John Zuiker (Set Design); Joe Jahraus (Light Design); Eric Burgher (Sound Design); Sal V. Armano (Costume Design); Paul Jaquith (Stage Manager).
 
The ensemble cast of autobahn will feature Profiles’ Company Members: Eric Burgher (“The Glory of Living”, “The Radiant Abyss” and “Noise”); Artistic Director, Joe Jahraus (“The Glory of Living”, “Reparation” and “Noise”, among others); Annette Olszewski (“The Glory of Living”); Julie Zarlenga (making her Profiles’ stage debut). Returning to the Profiles’ stage are the following: Bill Hyland (“The Glory of Living”); Veronica Sheaffer (“The Glory of Living”); Amy Speckien (“The Glory of Living” and “Noise”). Making their Profiles’ debuts, and completing the ensemble are: Katie Crawford, Tyler Gray, Brian Kavanaugh, Jack McCabe and David Earl White.