UIC Theatre – ‘Gloria’

“Gloria” by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins, directed by Tyrone Phillips.

“Gloria” is a dramatic comedy focusing on the lives of working Americans and dynamics in the workplace. The play made its debut off-Broadway in May 2015 and was a finalist for the 2016 Pulitzer Prize for Drama.

The play takes place in modern-day Manhattan, on a normal workday for a group of aspiring writers who are growing tired of the monotony of their desk jobs. Dean stumbles in hungover from a party at the home of the “office freak,” Gloria, the night prior. As the day goes on, everyone goes about their business, though tensions are high with a dispute over who should be allowed to write a story on a deceased singer. Gloria begins to act stranger than usual.

Questions on the reasoning behind going postal and workplace toxicity are posed during the play.

About the director:

Tyrone Phillips is the founding artistic director of Chicago’s Definition Theatre and is currently leading a capital campaign for the organization’s new home in Woodlawn. Named one of Newcity’s Players of 2020 (the 50 leaders of Chicago’s theater, dance, opera and comedy culture of 2020), he is a graduate of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and has studied at Shakespeare’s Globe in London. As a first-generation Jamaican-American, Tyrone is passionate about equity and inclusion in the entertainment industry and has completed advanced anti-racism training to lead change in our community through education. Select directing credits include the critically acclaimed World Premiere production of “Byhalia, Mississippi” (Joseph Jefferson Awards nomination for Best Director), “Dutchman” (Definition Theatre), “The MLK Project: The Fight for Civil Rights” (Writers Theatre), and “Dontrell Who Kissed The Sea” (Illinois Theatre). UIC Theatre is thrilled to welcome back Tyrone who “directed Luck of the Irish” during our 2018-19 Theatre Season.