News/Current Projects
Late 2023
Audiobook SOULS IN LOVE by Sam Yau & Sophie Rouméas and music by John Slywka.
April 2022
Audiobook Soul’s Journey by Sam Yau
Music by John Slywka and Narrated by
This is a beautiful audiobook of poetry set to music. Available on Audible and Amazon.
Listen to A THOUSAND SMALL CUTS. Narrated by Corliss Preston, Music by John Slywka
February 2022
Audiobook SHINE BABY SHINE It’s Now or Never by Karen Wright
Narrated by Corliss Preston
Available on Audible and Amazon
SPRING 2022
Have just made our latest revision to our play: A YOUNG LADY OF FASHION by Nick Corley and myself. Please click on the link for more information or contact us
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William Hogarth
ABOUT
A YOUNG LADY OF FASHION is a Fun, Adventurous and Romantic Romp through 1764 Europe seen through the eyes of a Vivacious, Clever and Fashionable Irish lass, Cleone Knox. With her personal “Diary” as your guide, she will win your hearts navigating through a Tumultuous and Exciting Journey filled with Love, Disappointments, Realization and Regrets as she learns about life from the Eclectic, Eccentric, Charming and sometimes Dangerous characters that fill her world. Think Bridgerton meets Nicholas Nickleby (play).
Art in the Age of COVID-19
Quarantined in Chicago
Strong Roots by Corliss Preston
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March 16, 2020 – ?
STRONG ROOTS
My old roots are stubborn and continue to grow
They bare down and grab into the earth
When the frantic world chaotically whirls to and fro
Deep inside I find strength to give birth
To a trust in the knowing all humans possess
A courage that must be brought up from the depth
I imagine the worse and then check with my heart
To see what raw feelings appear
Then look up to the storm and try bravely to start
To look into the eyes of my fear
And trust in a knowing all humans possess
A courage that must be brought up from the depth
It does not change events or alter the facts
Doesn’t change circumstances or how others may act
But it gives me perspective and empowers my soul
To embrace being alive, being present and whole
When I trust in the knowing all humans possess
A courage inside all and brought up from our depths
Corliss Preston
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Pre-Covid seems so long ago
February 14 – 27, 2020
Romeo and Juliet directed by Michelle Shupe
October19-25.2018
Playing Dionyza in PERICLES for Shakespeare Project of Chicago
February 23-27, 2018
Playing Livia in WOMEN BEWARE WOMEN FOR the Shakespeare Project of Chicago
DECEMBER 2, 2017
SHAKESPEARE ALIVE!
Free workshop for teens sponsored by the Newberry Library and The English-Speaking Union of Chicago in collaboration with the Shakespeare Project of Chicago. We worked on John Gielgud’s 1951 radio adaptation of HAMLET from the Library archives. Great experience.
Current and ongoing
Adding visuals to I GRANT I AM A WOMAN.
The second phase for the project is an installation. We will add video accompaniment to the sound already created.
Stay turned for more.
Enjoy our 1st Video for I GRANT I AM A WOMAN
UNDER YOUR SPELL:CODA from I GRANT I AM A WOMAN
NOVEMBER 3,4,5 2017
NOT TO BE MISSED!!
Goodnight Desdemona (Good Morning Juliet)
By Ann-Marie MacDonald
directed by Michelle Shupe with sound design by John Slywka.
Goodnight Desdemona (Good Morning Juliet) is an exuberant comedy and feminist revisioning of Shakespeare’s Othello and Romeo and Juliet. Constance is the beleaguered “spinster” academic, and unlikely heroine who embarks on a quest for Shakespearean origins and, ultimately, her own identity. When she is propelled through a rabbit hole and lands smack in the middle of the tragic turning points of each play, resulting in a wild, unpredictable ride through comedy and near-tragedy.
VOICE-OVER CLASSES
October 14 – November 11, 2017
Teaching Intermediate Adult Voice-Over Class at RBJ Studio with John Slywka via Impovplayhouse Great class! Great Students!
April 22 – May 20, 2017.
Teaching Adult Voice-Over Workshops at RBJ Studio from with John Slywka and David Brian Stuart via Impovplayhouse
August 27th 2016
UV THEATER PROJECT. Last year was so successful, we thought we would do it again. This year happily participating in THE SEAGULL directed and produced by Daniel Cantor. This is the second of four Chekhov plays that will be presented by the UV Theater Project in residence at the Ragdale Foundation in Lake Forest, IL. Staged on the grounds and in various rooms in the Ragdale house, the audience gets an intimate, magical and immersive theatre experience. What a great place!
September 27, 2015
Our collaborator JOHN SLYWKA created a fantastic visual design at Mayne Stage for Tom Stoppard’s DARKSIDE (incorporating music from Pink Floyd’s Darkside of the Moon) for the Shakespeare Project of Chicago.
August 28,29 2015
UV THEATER PROJECT. Participated in a production of Uncle Vanya directed by JR Sullivan and produced by Daniel Cantor (funded by a Kickstarter). We were all artists in residence for a week at the wonderful Ragdale Foundation in Lake Forest, IL. The play was staged on the grounds and in various rooms in the Ragdale house creating an intimate, magical and immersive theatre experience. What a great place!
June 2015 – Review
Women of Shakespeare Conquer | Bard in Multimedia
Review of I GRANT I AM A WOMAN
Corliss Preston’s spoken-word CD I Grant I Am a Woman, partially financed through a Kickstarter campaign, is a powerful way to experience the words of Shakespeare’s women. This visceral performance piece has layers of meaning that become more and more apparent with multiple listens. Lie silently and alone and allow each word to drape your being…………..
In short, this avant-garde work is to be dined upon, slowly and deliberately, savoring each of its courses, not grotesquely belched as one devouring grub from a fast-food trough. Kudos to Preston and her talented team of creative artists for giving us such meaty food for thought.
The Shakespeare Standard
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Dec 2014. We have finished our CD of I GRANT I AM A WOMAN as promised on time! Support our venture – listen to the clips – buy a CD or download and share with friends and anyone who is interested in progressive takes on Shakespeare. We could not have done this without our Kickstarter supporters. Creating art in our country is never easy, but we have been encouraged by the belief our friends, families and supporters had in us. Enjoy!
October 2, 2014. We have reached our goal and now are busy in the Studio!!! Look at our funded Kickstarter! More information about collaborators Michelle Shupe and John Slywka as well as guest artists and tracks here. I GRANT I AM A WOMAN is to be completed by December 2014.
Sept. 2013 – March 2014. Run of OLD JEWS TELLING JOKES at the Royal George Theatre in Chicago. What a great group of people! Wonderful show – reminding us all of the importance of laughter. A real gift.
Co-Designed/Composed the Sound/Music with John Slywka for TWELFTH NIGHT at Taffety Punk Theatre in Washington DC – directed by Michelle Shupe. Interview with Michelle on Twelfth Night
Reviews Below.