THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF EDWARD SNOWDEN Plays at Prop Theatre & Chicago Theatre In November

The People's Republic of Edward SnowdenW.C. Turck, a Chicago-based activist and playwright, has announced the premiere of The People’s Republic of Edward Snowden, a comedic poke at the security state and spy culture through the (fictional) words of NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden, appearing consecutively at Prop Thtr and the Chicago Theatre this November.
 
The man responsible for one of the biggest intelligence leaks in US history is talking again, but this time he’s telling his own story. In this satirical triumph by local activist W.C. Turck, Edward Snowden emerges from his undisclosed location to hold a very personal press conference on what brought him to expose the dirtiest secrets of our National Security Agency. With a razor wit, Snowden reflects on his journey, his new home in lovely Russia, and the comfort he takes in our government’s promise not to torture or execute him. 
 
With a directing team plucked from political sketch comedy company Democracy Burlesque, The People’s Republic of Edward Snowden takes an irreverent, poignant look at freedom and privacy in our time. Is Snowden a traitor? A hero? Could this be “the Most Dangerous Play in America?” You decide.
 
“We think this is an important play. We think this is a play that needed to be done now,” said Turck. “One of the things we want to do here is talk about privacy and freedom, and how the two are inextricably connected. We’re going to do that in a fun, entertaining and comedic way with a great cast and a great directing team.”
 
This is the second play by W.C. Turck, following his 2011 Occupy Chicago collaboration, Occupy My Heart, A Revolutionary Christmas Carol. Based upon the Dickens classic, Occupy My Heart was written as a celebration of the movement, intended to bring the spirit and message of the Occupation to a broader audience. It gained national attention with a series of free performances at Grant Park, Prop Thtr, and Studio BE. Now Turck has once again taken up his pen to illuminate another issue with comedy, heartbreak, and hope.
 
“The goal is to encourage as much conversation as possible,” said Turck. “And hopefully some change from the current security system that we feel threatens our democracy, civil rights, and the rights of those around the world.”
 
The People’s Republic of Edward Snowden
 
Thursdays, November 7th and 14th at 8:00pm.
Prop Thtr, 3502-04 N Elston Ave, Chicago, IL 60618. 
$10 tickets will soon go on sale at RepublicofSnowden.com.  
 
Friday, November 15th at 8:00pm.
The Chicago Theatre, 175 N State St, Chicago, IL 60601. 
$15 tickets will soon go on sale at TheChicagoTheatre.com.
 
For more information, visit the show’s official website: RepublicofSnowden.com.
 
ABOUT THE PLAYWRIGHT:
 
W.C. Turck is a Chicago-based author, activist, broadcaster and playwright who in 2011 wrote and produced the Occupy movement-inspired play Occupy My Heart, A Revolutionary Christmas Carol, which drew standing room audiences and received national attention. Turck grew up amid the civil rights movement, visited the Pine Ridge reservation during the “uprising” in the mid 1970s, witnessed the war in Bosnia, and organized relief for Rwanda during the genocide. Those momentous events have informed his work ever since. The first of his three novels, Broken, One Soldier’s Unexpected Journey Home, was recommended by the National Organization of Mental Health Institutes for its treatment of PTSD. His second book, Everything for Love, a memoir of his experiences in the Bosnian conflict brings a wholly unique human explanation for the conflict. An expert in Balkan history and culture, Turck studied nationalism and genocide, looking for a simple, single framework common to all nationalist movements; an idealized culture, victimized demographic, an external enemy and an internal betrayer. His third e-novel Burn down the Sky, is based on his very real experiences on the front lines of the so-called war on terror. In March of 2012, he published the novel The Last Man, about a world run by a single corporation. Turck is currently the co-host of the popular Chicago public access TV showRevolution and Beer in which a panel discusses political issues over great craft beer. For more visit,RevolutionandBeer.com.
 
ABOUT THE DIRECTORS:
 
Celia Forrest last collaborated with Commedia Beauregard as the assistant director for Corleone, and has previously stage managed the Chicago debut of A Klingon Christmas Carol. Celia studied theater at Macalester College in Minnesota and spent five years working for Stages Theatre Company as a resident artist, actress, stage manager and teacher. She is a producer for Democracy Burlesque, Chicago’s longest running political sketch comedy troupe. 
 
Erik Parsons is currently the artistic director for Democracy Burlesque, Chicago’s only political sketch comedy company (only the politics are naked!). He also helped found the New Suit Theatre Company (entertaining educational theatre for adult audiences) where he served as the associate artistic director from 2009-2011. Growing up in a family of artists and educators, Erik developed a deep affinity for live performance at a young age. Prior to setting down roots in Chicago in 2006, Erik was life-long nomad, having lived in 15 cities and 10 states at last count. Through his travels and experiences, Erik has developed what he calls an ‘equal opportunity sense of snark’, which infuses his artistic work with a distinct sense of humor and unyielding honesty. When he is not producing, directing and/or performing, Erik works with wonderful children on the autism spectrum with HFAS to help them reach their immeasurable potential.
 
ABOUT THE CAST: 
 
Nick Haugland (Edward Snowden) is from Buffalo, New York, and after finishing college at the University of Tampa, moved to Chicago to join Second City. Currently he is a write of wrong and actor of evil with Democracy Burlesque, Chicago’s only political sketch comedy comedy. Past credits include The Rocky Horror Picture Show at the Tampa bay Performing Arts Center, Die Mommy Die! at the Orlando International Fringe Festival and, most recently, at the Abby Hoffman Festival in Chicago.
Arne Saupe (NSA Agent Flenkins) came to Chicago from Kent, Ohio with a degree in Applied Mathematics and has since become a graduate of the acting program at the Second City Training Center. He has appeared in such plays as Johnny Theatre and Leaving Iowa; InnateVolution Theatre’s The Infernal Machine, Right as Rain, and the 5-3-1 New One-Act Play Festival; the Cornservatory’s Dr. Astronaut; and Commedia Beauregard’s Master Works: The Van Gogh plays.   
 
Catherine Povinelli (Russian Agent) was a Finalist in The Most Dangerous Stand Up Comedy Competition.She is an Ensemble Member in The Hard Comedy Offline @ The Camden Fringe Festival London, Belle in The Hard Comedy YouTube Channel’s Real World Disney Princesses, Semi Finalist in London’s Funny Women Stand Up Competition 2012, and has performed numerous stand-up gigs in London, Edinburgh and Chicago. 
 
ABOUT THE VENUES: 
 
Prop Thtr is a Chicago storefront theater focused on original or newly adapted theatrical works based in literary traditions. Prop was established in 1981, making it one of the oldest surviving non-equity theaters in Chicago. Prop Thtr has produced over 80 productions in its history, over 40 of them being world premieres, and is home to a number of Resident Companies and guest performances. For more, visit PropThtr.org.
 
The Chicago Theatre is a breath-taking National Landmark in downtown Chicago hosting hundreds of concerts, comedians, theatrical productions and special events every year. The 3,553 seat auditorium is seven stories high, and the vertical “C-H-I-C-A-G-O,” sign has become an iconic symbol of State Street and Chicago. For more, visit TheChicagoTheatre.com.