Project 891 Theatre Company
This was the website for the Project 891 Theatre Company. When the site's domain expired project891theatre.com disappeared from the web. The new owner of the domain has chosen to honor this wonderful theater group with a nostalgic tribute to the company's 3rd season using content from the site's 2010-2012 archived pages.
Project 891 Theatre Company is a theatre company in Chicago that focuses on lesser-known and "undiscovered" plays. Project 891 was the name given to the Federal Theatre Project's New York unit which saw the production of some of the most groundbreaking and innovative theatrical events of the 1930's including the "Voodoo" Macbeth, Dr Faustus and The Cradle Will Rock.
It is in this same spirit that we "throw our hat into the ring" with a new theatrical endeavor.
2011-2012 Season
directed by Michael Rashid
Michael Rashid directs the Chicago premiere of WTC View for Project 891 Theatre Company to great affect. With an engaging cast, lead by Ron Popp as Eric, it comes to pass that the story has less to do with jet planes crashing into buildings then it has to do with the more universal story of how those left behind deal with death.
Showbiz Chicago
There is a real danger for a play on this subject to degrade into cheap melodrama, but WTC View never does. It offers a balanced perspective on serious emotional issues and even some good laughs, making this Project 891production definitely worth a view.
Chicago Theater Beat
A good cry is not director Michael Rashid's goal. Sloan's characters serve to illustrate the steps leading to recovery from sudden loss, the actors portraying our damaged survivor's rescuers likewise emphasize the roll-up-your-sleeves-and-deal-with-it kind of resiliency
Windy City Times
directed by Michael Rashid
This is an unusual and unexpectedly funny play, light-hearted and yet historically provocative, pulled off with a wry smile and a wink.
Chicago Theatre Beat
Like Keene 154 years before, director Michael Rashid has inspired the best and the most (Hoffman almost turns into a Wagnerian harridan as the cracked belle Verbena) from a crackerjack cast. Highly Reccomended."
Chicago Stage Style
Under Michael Rashid's nimble direction for the Project 891 Theatre Company, an ensemble led by the stately Mary Anne Bowman in full diva mode as Laura Keene... retain their dignity with never a giggle or wink, even when engaging in cat-spats and chases (rendered even more uproarious by the combatants' voluminous hoopskirts).
Windy City Times
2010/2011 Season
Directed by Ron Popp
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It’s the swinging 60’s in London but in a nearby town we are introduced to Kath, her father and her brother Ed, three lost and lonely souls. Enter Mr. Sloane, a young, good-looking con man who is about to turn the family's entire world upside down. Joe Orton's dark comedy shocked audiences when it was first staged and has lost none of it's power.
Entertaining Mr Sloane will be performed March 4-March 27 2011 at the City Lit Theatre. Fridays and Saturdays at 8, Sundays at 2:00.
Tickets on sale soon!!
"As refreshing as it is dangerous" Chicago Theatre Blog
"8 out of 10. Solid and entertaining" Chicago Theatre Addict
"Highly Reccomended" New City Stage
Directed by Jason W. Rost
★★★★
One of the Top 25 Shows of 2010
“Should a Jewish Christmas tree be topped with a star? That argument launches The Last Night of Ballyhoo, Alfred Uhry’s delectable examination of Southern Jewish culture in the mid-20th century, now playing in anearly perfect site-specific production at Edgewater’s historic, 1914 Gunder Mansion”
Chicago Theater Blog
“ Compelling. . Rost’s site-specific staging in Edgewater’s former Gunder Mansion feels perfectly old-society and makes remarkably clever use of depth and sightlines.
Time Out Chicago
2009/2010
Epic Proportions by Larry Coen and David Crane
Directed by Ron Popp
"Project 891’s slapstick ode to the biblical movie epic is intentionally short on production values but long on charm. Its “hey kids, let’s put on a show” aesthetic rivals the glorious cheesiness of the original productions themselves."
New City Stage
"...the nine actors who play the movie’s “cast of thousands” commit completely to the ridiculousness—with infectious energy. Every moment is dialed up to 11."
Time Out Chicago
"Project 891, a newer Chicago theatre company who focuses on lesser known and undiscovered plays, tackles the gladiatorial task of staging PROPORTIONS in Chemically Imbalanced Theatre's teeny tiny space. With swords, spears, and one-liners flying, it's a space which highlights the skilled cast's comedic slapstick timing as a story unfolds about the greatest Hollywood epic never completed."
Broadwayworld.com
This was such a super performance. I simply couldn't get over it. My one downfall when I go to the theater, whether its a huge venue or a tiny venue like this, I inevitably get into my professional mode as a manager of teams who do commercial cleaning services for all sorts of situations- businesses, pre/post special events, and even post construction cleaning. I just automatically do a mental check list of what would need to be done, in this case, after the performance concludes. It sounds crazy, but doing my mental exercise never diminishes from my enjoyment of the show. However there are times when I am thankful that am not cleaning up after the show!
Directed by Michael Rashid
"Ron Popp and Matt Hays are engrossing as Leopold and Loeb--simultaneously creepy and sympathetic as they chart the lovers' shifting dynamics of dominance and submission"
Chicago Reader
"An evening of first rate theatre. It’s Rashid’s design team......with stunning, gray-scale costumes from Liz Hoffman and eerily opulent filmic backdrops by Jim Vendiola—whose stark vision unites the evening into a gorgeous, coherent whole."
Time Out Chicago
"The performances are the greatest power of the production. Matt Hays (Richard Loeb), Ron Popp (Nathan Leopold), Gary Murphy(Clarence Darrow), and Robert Kaercher (Robert Crowe) are its four pillars. Each actor has been cast with precision."
Chicago Theater Blog
Coming Soon, the Intergalactic Premiere of
Jim and Dave ('s Blood Meets Jupiter)
Project 891 Theatre Proudly Presents
The intergalactic premiere of a new musical by Kalena Victoria Dickerson, Steve Clark and Ed Plough.
Jim and Dave('s Blood Meets Jupiter)
directed by company member Michael Rashid
Special Sneak Peak!!
Project 891 Theatre Company will be performing selections from Jim and Dave('s Blood )Meets Jupiter.
Enjoy a Pan Galactic Gargleblaster as you explore a brand new sky show, Cosmic Wonder, listen to the beats of DJ Lani Love and check out programs about the “wonders” of our universe.
More Background On Project891Theatre.com
Project 891 Theatre Company was a Chicago-based performance collective devoted to bringing lesser-known and “undiscovered” plays to life. The name came from “Project 891,” the title of the Federal Theatre Project’s New York unit—an experimental branch that produced some of the most daring theatrical works of the 1930s, including Voodoo Macbeth, Dr. Faustus, and The Cradle Will Rock.
The founders of Project 891 Theatre Company adopted that same rebellious spirit, aiming to create a space where unconventional works could thrive outside mainstream programming. From the start, their mission was to showcase compelling, thought-provoking theater that pushed audiences to see familiar themes—love, identity, faith, and tragedy—in new ways. The company sought to balance accessible entertainment with meaningful art, promoting bold material often ignored by larger institutions.
Artistic Vision and Philosophy
Project 891 defined itself through a commitment to storytelling that was both emotionally resonant and socially conscious. The group believed that great theater didn’t require massive budgets or flashy venues; instead, it demanded passion, integrity, and collaboration. Productions often featured compact casts and creative staging choices that made the most of Chicago’s smaller black-box theaters.
The company favored scripts that combined humor with humanity—plays that could make audiences laugh one moment and reflect deeply the next. This artistic philosophy led to a series of intimate yet powerful performances that drew praise from critics and theatergoers alike. Each show was chosen to challenge assumptions, celebrate individuality, and highlight underrepresented voices in American drama.
The People Behind the Stage
Ron Popp – Artistic Director
At the creative helm was Ron Popp, an actor, director, and playwright whose energy and vision helped shape the company’s tone. Popp’s range as both performer and director was remarkable: he portrayed Nathan Leopold in Never the Sinner, Virgin Mary/James in Terrence McNally’s Corpus Christi, and Quince in A Midsummer Night’s Dream. His directorial credits included Dog Sees God: Confessions of a Teenage Blockhead, The Laramie Project, and The Heidi Chronicles.
A graduate of the University of Indianapolis with a focus on playwriting, Popp received recognition from the Kennedy Center/American College Theatre Festival for his full-length play Coming Home. His leadership helped Project 891 earn a reputation for tackling daring scripts with heart, precision, and purpose.
Liz Hoffman – Managing Director
Liz Hoffman, the company’s managing director, was equally instrumental. An actor and writer with degrees in both Theater and English from Loyola University, she had collaborated with numerous Chicago ensembles, including Speaking Ring, Ground Up, Loop Players, and the Bailiwick Directors’ Fest. Hoffman’s work extended beyond acting; she penned short plays for A Reasonable Facsimile Theatre Co.’s annual Christmas Spectaculars and won the Women’s Theater Alliance’s Short Play-Off Competition in 2007.
Known among her colleagues not only for her creative drive but also for her warmth and humor, she was affectionately remembered for her “kick-ass chocolate chip cookies” that became something of a backstage legend.
Richard Fields – Lighting and Scenic Design
Richard Fields, a Texas-born scenic and lighting designer, contributed visually stunning environments that gave each show its distinctive atmosphere. Having earned his BFA from Baylor University and pursued an MFA at Northern Illinois University, Fields’ work was exhibited internationally at Prague’s prestigious Quadrennial Scenofest. His design credits for Project 891 included Not About Nightingales, Tartuffe, and These Shining Lives, where his mastery of light and shadow elevated the emotional impact of each scene.
Kiri Palm – Company Member
Kiri Palm, who joined Project 891 in 2010, embodied the company’s spirit of collaboration. A stage manager, playwright, and actor with dual degrees in Theatre and German Studies from Southern Illinois University, Palm brought scholarly insight and humor to the ensemble. Her short play Unser Zuverlaessiges Haus was featured at the 2011 Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival. She also presented research at the Mid-America Theatre Conference—an early milestone in what became a dynamic multidisciplinary career.
Michael Rashid – Director and Company Member
Michael Rashid directed some of Project 891’s most acclaimed works, including the Chicago premiere of WTC View. With degrees from Western Michigan University and West Virginia University, Rashid had previously founded the Black Elephant Theatre before joining Project 891. His direction was widely praised for emotional nuance and pacing that turned small-scale productions into powerful experiences.
Notable Productions and Seasons
2009–2010: A Comedic Breakthrough
The company’s debut season included Epic Proportions by Larry Coen and David Crane. The show, a parody of Hollywood’s grand biblical epics, delighted critics with its infectious energy. New City Stage described it as “long on charm,” while Time Out Chicago praised its “infectious commitment to ridiculousness.”
That same year, Project 891 staged Never the Sinner by John Logan, dramatizing the notorious Leopold and Loeb murder case. The production earned rave reviews from Chicago Reader and Time Out Chicago for its riveting performances and atmospheric design.
2010–2011: Exploring Human Frailty and Humor
During this season, the company presented Entertaining Mr. Sloane by Joe Orton—an audacious black comedy about sexuality and manipulation. Set in a small British town, the play shocked and amused audiences in equal measure. Critics hailed it as “refreshing and dangerous,” with New City Stage rating it “highly recommended.”
Another highlight was The Last Night of Ballyhoo by Alfred Uhry, staged in the historic Gunder Mansion in Edgewater. This site-specific production earned four stars from Chicago Theater Blog and a spot among the “Top 25 Shows of 2010.” Reviewers praised Jason W. Rost’s direction for its “clever use of depth and sightlines” and its “perfectly old-society atmosphere,” capturing the essence of Southern Jewish life in the 1930s.
2011–2012: Emotional Recovery and Historical Satire
Project 891 opened its third season with WTC View by Brian Sloan, marking the play’s Chicago premiere. The production, directed by Rashid, centered on personal loss and emotional resilience in the aftermath of 9/11. Critics from Showbiz Chicago, Windy City Times, and Chicago Theater Beat all commended its sensitivity and balance—calling it “a balanced perspective on serious emotional issues” that “never devolves into melodrama.”
That same year, the company staged Our Leading Lady by Charles Busch, a witty historical play about actress Laura Keene and the night of Lincoln’s assassination. The Windy City Times lauded the ensemble for maintaining “dignity with never a wink,” while Chicago Stage Style declared the production “highly recommended.”
Original and Upcoming Works
Project 891 also ventured into new, imaginative territory with the planned “intergalactic premiere” of Jim and Dave’s Blood Meets Jupiter, a musical by Kalena Victoria Dickerson, Steve Clark, and Ed Plough. Directed by Michael Rashid, the show embodied the troupe’s inventive nature—mixing sci-fi humor with musical theater flair. The company promoted the production alongside a unique event experience featuring a “Pan Galactic Gargleblaster” and DJ Lani Love, reinforcing their flair for thematic creativity.
Reviews and Reception
Across multiple seasons, Project 891 Theatre Company became known for staging deeply engaging performances in intimate venues. Critics consistently highlighted the group’s ability to transform small stages into emotionally rich spaces.
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Chicago Theater Beat described their shows as “balanced and affecting.”
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Time Out Chicago noted their “remarkably clever use of space.”
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Windy City Times emphasized the company’s ensemble precision and respect for text.
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New City Stage repeatedly featured their productions as “highly recommended.”
The company’s work struck a chord with both critics and audiences seeking substance over spectacle. Its blend of humor, intellect, and sincerity made it a favorite among Chicago’s off-Loop theatergoers.
Behind the Scenes: A Developer’s Perspective
Even the website had a personal touch. The company’s custom software developer once described working with Project 891 as “a dream come true”—highlighting how the backstage crew shared the same passion as the performers. The developer humorously lamented that they were “still using FoxPro,” an outdated database system, but added that the creative energy of the team made every challenge worthwhile. This small anecdote captured the company’s DIY ethos: innovative, slightly chaotic, but always fueled by love for the craft.
Cultural Significance and Legacy
Though Project 891 Theatre Company eventually went dark when its website domain expired, the ensemble’s legacy endures through archived pages and the memories of Chicago’s theater community. It stood as a model for how independent theater can thrive through vision, grit, and camaraderie rather than commercial backing.
In a city famous for storefront stages and experimental ensembles, Project 891 carved out a niche by spotlighting overlooked scripts and fresh talent. Its work paralleled the ideals of its namesake Federal Theatre Project: making art accessible, relevant, and socially aware.
Many of its members went on to continue their creative pursuits in other Chicago companies, spreading the collaborative spirit that defined the group. The re-emergence of Project891Theatre.com as an archival tribute ensures that new audiences can rediscover the company’s bold productions and spirited storytelling.
Project 891 Theatre Company exemplified the best of Chicago’s independent theater scene—raw creativity, ensemble collaboration, and fearless experimentation. By reviving forgotten works and giving new playwrights a platform, the troupe honored the past while pushing theatrical boundaries forward.
Their shows, whether heartfelt like WTC View or delightfully absurd like Epic Proportions, reminded audiences that theater’s power lies not in scale, but in connection. Though its final curtain fell years ago, Project 891’s influence continues to echo in Chicago’s stages and the enduring ethos of discovery that defined its short but brilliant life.
