Court Theatre, the professional theater in residence at the University of Chicago, achieved notable success at the 2025 Equity Jeff Awards, winning nine awards. The theater's production of "Berlin," a world-premiere adaptation by playwright Mickle Maher based on Jason Lutes’ graphic novel, received recognition for Best Production, Best Ensemble, Best Direction and Best New Work.
Angel Ysaguirre, executive director of Court Theatre, said the company was nominated for 21 awards during its most successful season to date. “On behalf of senior artistic producer Gabrielle Randle-Bent, senior managing producer Heidi Thompson Saunders and the Court Theatre staff, artists, Board and community, I am thrilled to share that the 2024/25 season was the most successful in our 70-year history,” Ysaguirre said.
“This recognition proves the enduring relevance of classic theatre and demonstrates that our audiences are hungry for the connection, intimacy and urgency inspired by live performance.”
In addition to honors for "Berlin," performers Stephen Schellhardt and AnJi White won acting awards for their roles in "Falsettos" and "East Texas Hot Links." In short-run categories, Timothy Edward Kane received Best Performance and Charles Newell won Best Direction for "An Iliad."
Ahead of Berlin’s production process, students from UChicago participated in an “Adaptation Laboratory” course offered by the Division of Arts & Humanities. The course allowed students to engage directly with professionals involved in developing Berlin. Professors Mickle Maher—who also wrote Berlin’s script—and David Levin led the class. Levin served as dramaturg on Berlin’s development.
The course received support from the Center for Disciplinary Innovation at the Franke Institute for the Humanities. Over nine weeks during Winter Quarter, students collaborated with members of Berlin’s creative team including scenic designer John Culbert; movement director Julia Rhoads; costume designer Jacqueline Firkins; and sound designer/composer Mark Messing. Director Charles Newell also joined several sessions to discuss staging ideas with students.
College philosophy student Billy Johnson described his experience: “This class was an exciting opportunity to get to know the creative team behind Berlin. For the final, I made a cardboard model for my idea for the set—it was probably the most fun and fulfilling project I’ve done.”
Raquel Buriani, a BA/MA student studying psychology as well as cinema and media studies added: “The class helped me understand how theater professionals adapt text into art for the stage. The weekly guests made it especially engaging.”
Levin noted that collaboration with UChicago students had a significant impact on both faculty members teaching and on Court’s production itself: “This teaching opportunity was totally transformational for Mickle and me, and enormously impactful for the Court production,” he said.
The Center for Disciplinary Innovation continues to offer interdisciplinary courses bridging scholarship with practice across campus.