WHAT'S NEW!!!!!!
12/20/2011
News. News. NEWS! First off, I am currently in rehearsal for the new play "Motion" for it's world premier with Signal Ensemble Theatre. This is a script I absolutely love. This is a piece for both Football AND Theater enthusiasts. It tackles the issues that exist in the business of the biggest sports industry in, possibly, the world. I will be playing the role of "Raymond", the do-it-all, Rhodes Scholar corner, who is staring at the possibility of being the #1 pick in the NFL draft. Will he go number one? Will he get passed up? Come find out!
Now on to more BIG news. After a lot of discussion, I am proud to announce that beginning May 2011I will be joining Utah Shakespeare Festival for their 51st season. This is a very exciting and humbling opportunity that I cannot wait to take on. In the coming months updates on roles, shows and dates will be announced. It will be hard to be away from the city of Chicago, which has become my theater home, but I promise to return.
Finally, I am pleased to share that I will begin down the road of recording my first solo album. I have begun work on my debut EP with 40 Acres Productions of Chicago. This team has taken me on as a member of their team and are investing much time, talent, creative energy and money in my music. It is great to be surrounded by such a talented group of artists who believe in my abilities. Again, more info on release dates, possible tour/concerts and appearances will be forth coming.
I continued to find myself blessed with the opportunities that tend to come my way. I also continue to be thankful for the support of friends, family, faith, fans and this wonderful artistic community. Thank you for stopping by and please keep visiting!
12/18/2011
I know it has been a while since my last update, but I am currently in the midst of some negotiations. I am also finalizing some projects to come. Until then, I am waiting to make any announcements. Thank you so much for your continuous support by visiting my site. Please keep stopping by, as I am preparing to make an announcement very soon. Thanks again!!!!!!
9/7/2011
I have to start by saying that Cyrano is already a hit after officially opening on Sunday. Critics are loving the show and raving that "The House has another hit on their hands"! Hedy Weiss calls it "a winning hybrid". You can read her review here. Chris Jones says Stanton is "Eye-poppingly perfect"! Read his review for the Chicago Tribune. Around the same time as the reviews began to hit, we were honored with the title Jeff Recommended!!!! Ticket sales are moving at great speeds and sell out crowds were held even in previews. This is a show you definitely don't want to miss! We run through October 16th at The Chopin theater space. Please come out and support live theater and bring your friends! Thank you so much for stopping by and checking in!
7/30/2011
Thanks for droppin' by yet again. Still plenty of things happening and I couldn't be happier with my current projects. Currently I am rehearsing for the fall production of "Cyrano" with the House Theater. I will be playing the lead role of "Christian" in this epic story, which has always been one of my favorites. The piece is directed by the brilliant, 4-time Jeff Award winning director, Matt Hawkins. This cast is truly a great one to work with and just reminds me of how spoiled I am in my career. For more info, just visit http://thehousetheatre.com/. We open September 4th and run through October 16th. Previews begin August 25th and there is already an exciting buzz around this show. So check it out!!!
In other news, the success of the concert with Sun Valley Opera far exceeded any of our expectations! The quartet, now titled, "FOUR SCORE" has now been formed and is already moving forward with an incredible marketing and creative team. Future concerts are already being pursued and hammered out. I will continue to keep my loyal web-site peeps informed on the latest happenings with the group. To check out one of the articles about me and the concert we performed, click on the following link:
http://m.magicvalley.com/entertainment/music/article_e80c0edd-4980-59cb-9d16-74c9316832e1.html
Thanks again to everyone for your continuing support and please continue to drop in for news and updates!!!
6/6/2011
Well. Well. Well. Things are heating up here in Chicago both literally and figuratively. It's with a truly heavy heart that I say farewell to an incredible show, Soul Samurai. A great cast, incredible crew and now the best friends an actor can ask for. It was a great run which critically acclaimed in nearly every review. Thanks to Mitch Golob and everyone at Infusion Theater for your dedication to the show and actors involved.
The next few months are going to be very exciting ones as well. In the next 2 weeks I will begin work on the feature film Altered, the action/thriller/horror filming here in Chicago through June and July. You can get all the low down at the movie's website http://www.thealteredmovie.com/ or check us out on facebook at http://www.facebook.com/thealteredmovie. I will be playing the role of Jason in this mind twisting feature. Also, in the film frontier, I will be working on the original music in the Chicago feature film "Something Strange" with Tibsen Entertainment. This is a story of "How far a man will go to provide for his family before he loses his soul", according to director Darnell Nesbitt.
Following the film excitement, I will be heading to Sun Valley Idaho in July. I will be sharing the stage with 4 fantastic artists at Sun Valley Opera in their 10 anniversary celebration concert. I'm truly humbled to work with the type of talent and experience that will be surrounding me. check out more info at http://www.sunvalleyopera.com/index.php.
Finally, in most recent news, I am pleased to announce that I will be a part of The House Theater's fall production of "Cyrano" in the role of Christian. This is another opportunity that I am both humbled and excited to jump into. I will get another opportunity to work with the brilliant Matt Hawkins as he will be directing this beautiful tale. For more info on the theater check out there website http://thehousetheatre.com/.
Thank you once again for stopping by and come back soon for more info on the ongoing projects!!!!!!!!
4/13/2011
Updates. Updates! UPDATES! With a heavy heart I bid adieu to the tremendous cast and crew of MacBeth at Chicago Shakespeare who have been like family since December of last year. It was honestly the hardest it has ever been for me to say good bye to an extraordinary group of theater folk. They all touched my life and made for the most intense, hilarious and informative 4 months of my career. Thank you to all involved.
With that being said, the show must go on! I am currently preparing to enter tech for my next project with Infusion Theater here in Chicago entitled "Soul Samurai". If you want to see some of the most incredible martial arts and katana fighting to touch a Chicago stage, then come and see the choreography of, Jeff Award winning fight director, Geoff Coates. This is by far the most physically demanding show that I have taken part of. You will see me appearing in the role of Queens Shogun "Grand Master Mack". For more info just visit Infusion's website. So come out and enjoy a post-apocalyptic NYC Samurai tail. You'll laugh. You'll cry. You might even get a little turned on.
Thanks for continuing to visit. Come back soon!!!!!
2/16/2011
As 2011 has rolled in, so has more news. First, MacBeth is running beautifully at Chicago Shakespeare Theater. There are only a few more weeks at Navy Pier some come out and catch a Saturday performance for only $20!!!!! The reviews have been great and audience responses have been even better. I'm am humbled every day getting to work with such a great cast. This is definitely one NOT to miss.
In other big news, the tv pilot that has been in the works for quite some time now is finally given life! The show is now entitled "A King's Way"and the pilot will air on February 26th at 11:30 p.m. on WCIU-U Too. Check with your cable provider for channel listings. In this you can see me as All-American running back, Isaiah Hunter. We are currently filming the next few episodes in the series, so we are in this thing for real! Please support us and the Chicago film industry by tuning in. If you would like to see more about our series find and like us on facebook. You can see sneak peaks, pics and other fun info.
Again, thank you so much for stopping in and please keep coming by for more info and other goodies. Have a great day!!!!!
12/28/2010
I would like to start off by thanking everyone who was involved with The Apple Tree at The Illinois Theater Center. It was such a fantastic experience and critics called it "ITC's best holiday production". It was a great pleasure to work with that particular group.
As one show shuts down, another begins. That being said, rehearsals have begun for MacBeth at Chicago Shakespeare Theater in their Short Shakes program. Under the brilliant direction of David Bell, this show promises to be beautiful, intense and highly imaginative. In this production I will be seen as Lenox and Murderer 2, as well as undertaking the fight captain position. MacBeth will run at CST 1/22/11-3/5/11. It will then do a short regional tour for one month.
With even more news, some of you may recall the pilot "Chicago", if not, I still have the clip and trailer on this website. There is currently a multi-episode deal with a station (that must remain nameless for now), and we will proceed with the filming of episode to in very early 2011. Not much can be said in the midst of negotiations, but when things are official you can read about it here.
Thanks for visiting, and please keep stopping by for more exciting news. Happy Holidays!
11/8/2010
As 2010 winds down and the mercury drops in the windy city, things continue to press on. Lately I have been doing frequent readings with Chicago Dramatists. I will be there this coming Saturday on the 20th. I have really enjoyed developing projects with some of the best playwrights anywhere.
Romeo and Juliet closes the 21st of this month. So if you haven't caught it yet, you should make your way out. I have had the opportunity to go on multiple times and I have been fortunate to work with some amazing talent.
On the 16th of this month I will begin rehearsals for The Apple Tree at Illinois Theater Center. I will be playing the roles of Adam, Sanjar, and Flip. I'm excited and ready to accept the challenge of the show. If you are looking for info on that show simply visit http://www.ilthctr.org/10-11_3_AppleTree.htm. That is a short run (Dec 3-19) so make sure to get your tickets early!
10/4/2010
Things continue to move forward and there are quite a few updates to deliver. As Romeo and Juliet closes, I will begin working on the musical "The Apple Tree", in which I will be playing the lead, at the Illinois Theater Center. Following that, as mentioned before, I will begin MacBeth with Chicago Shakespeare Theater. You can then catch me in "Soul Samurai" with InFusion Theater at the Theater Wit stage. I will be playing the role of the shogun Grandmaster Mack in this blade heavy, high-octane, multi media show .
I have been warmly embraced by the Chicago theater world as of late and I am very thankful for it. Thank you for stopping in again and checking and I'll have more detailed info.
9/8/2010
Life continues in the windy city and I am glad to say thing are faring well. I will be performing a reading of a new play entitled "Thirst" with the Chicago Dramatists this Saturday September 11th. It is a nice challenge to take on a difficult character in such a short period of time.
In other great news, I will be performing in Chicago Shakespeare Theater's "MacBeth" which shall run as a part of their Short Shakespeare program. That is set to open in January 22 through March 5th and will then tour until April 8th. Shakespeare has become a great love for me as an actor and I always feel blessed to have the opportunity try and tackle it.
As always, many other things are in the works and you can stay tuned to see what happens next! Thanks for stopping by yet aain.
8/7/2010
Just got off set for my last day of filming for the pilot "Chicago". It should be airing in the next 2-3 months (tv stationed to be finalized). It has been a great experience working with the cast and crew. More news on the show should be coming soon.
In other new, I will begin rehearsal with Chicago Shakespeare Theater as an understudy for their production of Romeo and Juliet. Life is going to be quite busy over the next few months and I am finalizing a few more future gigs through April of next year. Stop by soon and check out the latest news.
7/12/2010
So updates, Updates, UPDATES! So things continue to move and progress and keep me from updating my News tab. I just got finished shooting a special with HGTV and Sears last week. Good times and good people. The discussions and meetings with the Pilot of Chicago have finally moved out of meeting rooms and back into filming again. I cannot say much about what is going on, but we are finally moving forward again. Looking forward to being on set again.
On top of all of that fun, I will be understudying with Chicago Shakespeare Theatre in their production of "Romeo and Juliet". That is set to begin rehearsal in August. I'm excited to be a part of one of the nation's best Shakespearian companies.
On a sad note, however, I want to extend my condolences to the family of playwright Keith Anwar. I had a chance to work with Keith on his piece Kabulitis, and it was one of the most moving pieces that I have ever had a chance to be a part of. Keith had a great mind, a strong presence and a beautiful story. May he rest in piece and his story soar.
5/24/2010
Quite some time has passed since my last update, but I am still alive. I am currently on an elective short break from the stage to concentrate on film and other various points of life. I am about to dive into producing a project that will remain unnamed for the time being. More info will slowly be released over the next couple of months. We are currently piecing together the last head members of the team. stay posted and updates will come more often and in greater detail. Thanks for checking in!
4/17/2010
Sorry for those of you who didn't get a chance to see the trailer. The production staff has decided to wait for the series to sell before releasing the official trailer to the public. Come back regularly and you'll know when I know! Also, you can read the latest review of my latest show Ghosts of Treasure Island which compliments me greatly by saying my performances is "One of the most striking parts of the play". Just visit http://chicagotheaterblog.com/2010/04/15/ghosts-of-treasure-island-adventure-stage-review/. Thanks for stoppin' by.
4/16/2010
Not any huge updates to give. However, the pilot of the t.v. show "Chicago" is about to continue production. This is a project I have a major role in, so all of us involved are really hoping that we can make big noise. See the newest trailer for the show at <video no longer available>.Thanks for checking in. Come back soon!
3/29/2010
So it has been too long since my last news update. My apologies. Things continue to move along nicely in Chicago. Tech week begins for Ghosts of Treasure Island and we open April 10th. Get your tickets and come see a great show. Also on the docket, I will be doing a staged reading of a beautiful play entitled "Kabulitis" by Keith Anwar with Polarity Ensemble Theatre. More info will come as that unravels. Also, I will be performing on May 22 at Pamela's Parkside in Arlington Heights with the talented and gorgeous Ms. Jill Sesso. For more info on this gig go to http://pamelasparkside.com/. More big things in the workings. Keep stopping by and stay posted. Thanks for visiting!
3/9/2010
Well thing continue on the stage in Chicago. Currently, rehearsals kick it up as I prepare with Adventure Stage Chicago for their production of Ghosts of Treasure Island. This swashbuckling tale is listed for young audiences, but don't get it twisted, this is no kiddy tale. It is a fast paced pirate endeavor with mutineers, quick wits, dim wits and lots of sea-legged combat. I will be playing the role of Captain Billy Bones as well as the distrusting, George Merry. I am also proud to be the fight captain for this combat intensive show. you can find more info on the show and tickets at http://www.adventurestage.org/ . Thanks for stopping by and keep checking for updates as big things are still in the air!
2/22/2010
Things are starting to truly heat up here in Chicago! Well everything but the weather. Many callbacks and potential future projects on the horizon. Suburbia is going very well, also. Reserve your tickets today because almost each show has been full with a waiting list to follow. Keep checking the website because there might be some big news in the next couple of weeks.
2/10/2010
Alright everyone SUBURBIA opens next week. Make sure you get your tickets, which again are FREE!!!! Just reserve your tickets by emailing mailto:TheNineChicago@gmail.com or calling 312-772-4014. Keep checking back for more updates. I'm auditioning for some major film and television projects currently. We'll see which ones stick!
1/29/2010
We have now broke ground on the Pilot episode here in Chicago. We have shot more than half of it and are taking a break and shooting the rest in a couple of weeks. However, you can check out a rough editor's cut in my media section to tide you over. On top of that, Suburbia opens February 19th. Come and check it out for NO COST to you!!!!! To Reserve Tickets email http://TheNineChicago@gmail.com or via phone at 312-772-4014. More updates to come friends!
1/14/2010
Hey everyone! Currently I am working on a couple of projects! I will playing the starring role of Isaiah Hunter in a television pilot (to be named later) that is getting set to shoot very soon. With executive producer Darryl Pitts and writer/director Vaun Monroe, I am confident that this could be the dramatic series that puts Chicago film back on the map! I will stream more info as it comes. Also, I have started rehearsals with The Nine Chicago on their upcoming project "Suburbia" as Norman. You can find more info on show dates and the production itself at http://www.theninechicago.com/ . Thanks for checking in guys! I will update as regularly as I can.
