Spenser Davis (Artistic Director) will be the only male actor in “Kate’s Dates,” the upcoming Waltzing Mechanics Summer production. He gets to play a series of douchebags, scumbags, and momma’s boys in a role that is being referring to simply as ‘All the Dates.’ The production will be running from June 9th – July 14th (Thursdays – Saturdays 8:00 p.m.; Sundays 5:00 p.m.) in the Downstairs Studio of the Greenhouse Theater Center. His short play “Rebecca Says Be Cool” is being featured in the Indie Boots Theatre Festival, hosted by Theatre Wit from May 20th-22nd at 7:30 p.m. each night.

Elizabeth Elston (Literary Manager) is playing Snow White in a short play titled “Snow White, who is also called Becky, no, Rebecca… and the Frog Prince,” in the Indie Boots Theatre Festival. She also wants you to vote … but for her show. Awkward company tension here.

Josh Zagoren (Ensemble Member, Co-Founder) is directing… are you kidding me? He’s directing a short play at the same Indie Boots Theatre Festival. His is called “Rebecca’s Broken Less Than Sign Number Three.” Josh is also the voice of Chad the Bird, the only puppet correspondent at the Paper Machete, Chicago’s living newspaper, performed at the Green Mill Lounge every Saturday afternoon.

Dan Krall (Ensemble Member) … we’ll save you the trouble. Dan’s in Josh’s short play. ‘Nuff said.

Travis Barnhart (Ensemble Member) is currently in Open Door Repertory’s production of “Superior Donuts” by Tracy Letts. The show is running until May 19th. Performances are at 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and 2 p.m. on Sunday.

Christine Worden (Ensemble Member) is performing every Saturday night at 11 p.m. in the 10th edition of Waltzing Mechanics’ critically-acclaimed open-run theatrical staple “El Stories.” It performs in the Downstairs Studio of the Greenhouse Theater Center.

ACTOR’S ENSEMBLE  - We have had the pleasure of working with some very funny people over our five years of existence, and we recognize that even the funniest of actors need a home to come back to. That is why we have created a new Actors’ Ensemble, which will serve as a well of talent for us to draw from every time a mainstage production, a staged reading, or one of our signature Hobo Robo short play festivals is on the horizon. Ensemble members include Travis Barnhart, Kristi Parker-Barnhart, Ben Hertel, Christine Worden, and Junction co-founder Josh Zagoren, who is stepping down as Artistic Director but who is not even close to leaving the party so don’t try to make him!

NEW ARTISTIC DIRECTOR - As new changes are underway, Literary Manager Spenser Davis (and co-star of “Hope Springs Eternal,” which won the fifth Hobo Robo Festival, as he continues to remind us) is stepping up to take the wheel as the new Artistic Director. A pioneer for new works, and a playwright and producer himself, he hopes to stay true to the company’s mission while also steering the Junction down avenues that it hasn’t quite ventured down before. In a recent interview, Spenser said, “Get that camera out of my face! Who are you people?”

NEW COMPANY MEMBERS – As Spenser takes over the role of Artistic Director, and Dan Krall remains onboard as Creative Director, the Junction is also welcoming new blood into its gene pool. In addition to ensemble Christine Worden, the Junction has also brought on comedian/blogger Sydney Davis Jr. Jr. as the new Media Coordinator and actress/playwright Elizabeth Elston as the Literary Manager. New additions to the business side of the company are coming, so stay tuned!

MORE DRINKING – Well, Drinking-in-Public Readings, that is. After the success of the first staged reading earlier this year, where six hilarious performers (including ensemble members Christine and Travis) presented Mike Bencivenga’s political sex farce “Summer on Fire,” we at the Junction have decided to make this program a mainstay in upcoming seasons. Not every humorous script that is submitted to us is quite our brand of humor; this free-to-the-public reading series allows us to showcase the work of a funny writer to an audience in a format other than a mainstage production!

WEBSITE 2.0 – And finally, keep an eye on this website. As we enter Summer of 2013, visitors to our site will witness a growth in our web content – this includes a Drinking-in-Public webpage, an ever-tentative company and ensemble roster, and a more thorough Production History, one that will allow readers to gain a more detailed understanding of each and every production that we have undertaken in the past.

THANK YOU for your continued support of Hobo Junction and its unique, artist-comes-first mission. We hope to continue busting the guts of Chicagoans for years to come!