[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 45 (Friday, April 2, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E502-E503]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  HONORING STEPPENWOLF THEATRE COMPANY

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. RAHM EMANUEL

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 1, 2004

  Mr. EMANUEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate Steppenwolf Theatre 
Company for three decades of excellence in Chicago's fine arts 
community for producing highly popular and consistently first-rate 
theatre.
  Steppenwolf Theatre Company began performing plays in a church 
basement of Highland Park, Illinois back in 1974. With the leadership 
of Terry Kinney, Jeff Perry and Gary Sinise, the group incorporated in 
1975 and has now grown to include thirty-five premier theater artists 
with wide-ranging and nationally recognized talent.
  In that time, Steppenwolf Theatre has made Chicago proud time and 
again by making tremendous advancements in the vitality and diversity 
of American Theatre--both for its actors and its audience. Today, the 
city demonstrates its appreciation and continued patronage with a 
subscription base of 25,000 members and growing.

[[Page E503]]

  The Steppenwolf Theatre Company has evolved effortlessly with 
changing times, while maintaining relationships with established 
playwrights such as Sam Shepard, Lanford Wilson and Alan Ayckbourn. 
They have reinvented classics like John Steinbeck's The Grapes of 
Wrath, and more recently produced and developed the world premiere of 
Man from Nebraska by ensemble member Tracy Letts.
  With their original principals of ensemble collaboration and artistic 
risk still flourishing, Steppenwolf now approaches its 30th anniversary 
as a professional theater company. The Company has been lavished with 
high praise from national and international media, art critics and 
audiences alike.
  This persistent effort has earned Steppenwolf several prestigious 
awards. Most recently, they include the Joseph Jefferson Award for 
Chicago Theatre Excellence and the 2003 Equity Special Award for 
leadership in national and international acclaim for Chicago Theatre, 
and for excellent training and outreach programs, partnership and 
support of theatres, playwrights and artists new to the scene.
  Mr. Speaker, I join with all proud residents of the Fifth District 
and the City of Chicago in congratulating the Steppenwolf Theatre 
Company on its many achievements in thirty years, and wish it continued 
success as it further solidifies its unique and landmark status in our 
great City.

                          ____________________