#40. Gwendolyn Whiteside

When the ensemble walked out en masse from American Theater Company in 2009, even observers who cheered the act’s symbolism had little expectation that the reconstituted American Blues Theater would last very long. After all, they were a seasoned ensemble accustomed to operating at the highest levels of professionalism in Chicago who just abandoned their home base and sizable budget, not a bunch of kids moving to Chicago straight off of college from Ohio with a theater degree and starry eyes. But then no one expected Wendy Whiteside, an actor from the ensemble with minimal previous leadership experience, to step into the role of producing artistic director and help guide the company to a cohesive mission, a growing budget and a couple of critically successful seasons featuring revivals of “Tobacco Road” and “Waiting for Lefty.” Not only has Whiteside played a critical role behind the scenes, but she’s also consistently stepped onto the stage, turning in a series of well-received performances dating back to her acclaimed solo turn in the “K of D” at Route 66 in 2009, and since including wearing a prosthetic hairlip in “Tobacco Road,” playing a heartbroken young lover in “Waiting For Lefty” and anchoring the company’s Christmas moneymaker as Mary Bailey in “It’s A Wonderful Life: Live at the Biograph.” Her biggest role to date at the new ABT will come in the spring of 2013, when she teams with esteemed ensemble mate Carmen Roman for a two-hander fresh off Broadway.

• Performed “Jane” in Moony’s Kid Don’t Cry, directed by Dennis Zacek.
• Produced Tennessee Williams’ American Blues: Collected One Acts at American Blues Theater (ABT).
• Participated in Goodman Theatre’s workshop of a new play by Sarah Gubbins.
• Elected to National Board of Directors for Network of Ensemble Theaters.
• Produced Chicago premiere of Mark Roberts’ Rantoul and Die at ABT.
• Participated in staged-reading for Pride Films & Plays, directed by Nick Bowling.
• Participated in Remy Bumppo’s Independence Day celebration at Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park.
• Moderated Ensemble panel at Theater Wit’s Chicago’s Theater (Anti) Conference.
• Served on theater panel for National Endowment for the Arts in Washington D.C.
• Performed “Florrie” in Waiting for Lefty, directed by Kimberly Senior.
• Produced the critically-acclaimed Waiting for Lefty at ABT.
• Guest judge for Chicago Dramatists’ annual “10 Minute Workshop”.
• Appeared on the cover of October’s issue of American Theatre Magazine.
• Produced and reprised role as “Mary Bailey” in It’s a Wonderful Life: Live at the Biograph! at ABT.

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WAITING FOR LEFTY, Florrie

“The performance that stands out is from Gwendolyn Whiteside.  Whiteside doesn’t make the mistake of just showing us the character’s traumas-although her sadness comes across with total clarity-she also reveals her inherent hope.  That’s what makes this scene work so beautifully.  You see a young woman who, in different circumstances, could achieve almost anything and make America a kinder place.”—Chicago Tribune, Chris Jones

“Gwendolyn Whiteside’s performance catalyzes the audience’s emotional understanding of the time.”–Chicago Theatre Review, Devlyn Camp

“…strong performance by the amazing Gwendolyn Whiteside.”—Around the Town Chicago, Al Bresloff

“Quite extraordinary in their connection with the material.  Of the best, Zachary Kenney and Gwendolyn Whiteside give amazing performances taking each of their characters on a full-circle journey in fifteen minutes.”—Chicago Pride, Michael Roberts

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Zach Kenney & Wendy Whiteside

Rehearsals started for “Waiting for Lefty”!

Call (773) 871-300 for tickets.