Artist Bio

(Bio as of January 2009)

The Hypocrites Theatre Company most recently collaborated with the Goodman on A Global Exploration: Eugene O’Neill in the 21st Century during the 2008/2009 Season. Founded by director Sean Graney in 1997, The Hypocrites Theatre Company has spent the last decade challenging the theatrical norms of Chicago. Inspired by various 20th century styles, The Hypocrites seek to break the emotional distance between artist and audience, inviting the spectators to become actively involved in the performance while questioning themselves and the world around them. The company initially staged classics of the absurdist and expres­sionist traditions, such as Beckett’s Endgame, Büchner’s Woyzeck and Ionesco’s The Bald Soprano. Though such avant-garde works are not generally met with large audiences, the quality and integrity of the company’s work quickly solidified The Hypocrites’ place among the most adventurous of Chicago’s off-Loop theaters. Their first major success came with their production of Sophie Treadwell’s Machinal, which garnered critical raves and six Jeff Citations. Graney has been cited by Chicago magazine as “Chicago’s best avant-garde director” and was recently selected for participation in the prestigious National Endowment for the Arts/Theatre Communications Group Development Program for Directors.