The First Look Repertory of New Work 2008 productions are:

"Pursued by Happiness" by Keith Huff
Wednesday, July 23, 2008 – Sunday, August 10, 2008
An unexpected meeting between two 40-something biochemists touches off a whirlwind romance. But when it’s time to meet the parents, a series of shocking revelations test the new couple’s relationship in this dysfunctional dark comedy from the author of "A Steady Rain."

"Perfect Mendacity" by Jason Wells
Thursday, July 24, 2008 – Sunday, August 10, 2008
When a top secret, internal memo from a scientific research facility is leaked to the media, Dr. Walter Kreutzer is forced to take a lie detector test about its origins. With his career on the line, Walter gets tangled up in investigations of bioterrorism and racially motivated killings. As suspicions escalate that Walter’s wife is involved, the play’s riveting plot twists uncover the insidious hypocrisy of government sanctioned discrimination.

"Fair Use" by Sarah Gubbins
Friday, July 25, 2008 – Sunday, August 10, 2008
A plagiarism case involving a famous author is the backdrop for this romantic comedy set in a high-powered law firm. A series of questionable love letters fuel this breezy cross-examination of negotiating modern dating and relationships.

Individual tickets to First Look Repertory of New Work cost $20. A First Look Pass to all three plays is available for $45. Tickets are available at www.steppenwolf.org or by calling Audience Services at 312-335-1650. First Look 101 costs $75 ($45 for students with valid ID) and includes access to all First Look 101 events, plus tickets to all three First Look Repertory productions. To enroll in First Look 101, contact Audience Services at 312-335-1650. Space is limited to 101 members.

The designers for First Look are: Kevin Depinet (sets), Debbie Baer (costumes), Keith Parham (lights), and Joseph Fosco (sound). Jonathan Templeton is the Lead Stage Manager. Stage Managers include Kathleen Petroziello and Cassie Wolgamott.

Keith Huff, a resident playwright with Chicago Dramatists, is the author of "A Steady Rain," currently running at The Royal George Theatre and slated to premiere Off-Broadway this fall.

Jason Wells' previous play, "Men Of Tortuga," was produced in First Look 2005, and subsequently at Asolo Rep in Sarasota, Florida.

Sarah Gubbins recently completed her MFA in Writing for the Screen and Stage at Northwestern University. "Fair Use" was named one of the Finalists in this year’s Kendeda Graduate Playwriting Competition.

First Look Repertory of New Work is a developmental process that culminates in performance before an audience, rather than in a staged reading or workshop presentation. Scripts undergo significant revision during the workshop/rehearsal process and may be revised even after being publicly presented during First Look Repertory of New Work. They are presented with full, if minimal, design support because in our view, the design process is an integral aspect of developing the play. The intent is to develop the plays for future production at Steppenwolf and other theaters across the country.

First Look has gained both local and national recognition since its inception in 2005. Six of the nine plays presented during First Look’s first three seasons have enjoyed subsequent productions at other theaters, including: "Men of Tortuga" by Jason Wells produced by Asolo Repertory Theatre in Florida; "Butcher of Baraboo" by Marisa Wegrzyn produced by 2econd Stage Theatre in New York; "100 Saints You Should Know" by Kate Fodor produced by Playwrights Horizons in New York; "Spare Change" by Mia McCullough produced by Stage Left Theatre in Chicago; "Gary" by Melinda Lopez produced by Boston Playwrights’ Theatre in Massachusetts; and "When The Messenger is Hot" by Laura Eason produced by 59E59 Theaters in New York.

First Look 101 will take enrolled members on a one-of-a-kind backstage journey through Steppenwolf’s new play development process. The program is open to anyone interested in, and wanting to know more about, creating new plays. Space is limited to 101 members.

First Look Repertory of New Work is sponsored by the Harold and Mimi Steinberg Charitable Trust.

Steppenwolf is located near all forms of public transportation and is wheelchair accessible. Street and lot parking are available. Assistive listening devices are available for every performance.

Committed to the principle of ensemble performance through the collaboration of a company of actors, directors and playwrights, Steppenwolf Theatre Company's mission is to advance the vitality and diversity of American theater by nurturing artists, encouraging repeatable creative relationships and contributing new works to the national canon. The company, formed in 1976 by a collective of actors, is dedicated to perpetuating an ethic of mutual respect and the development of artists through on-going group work. Steppenwolf has grown into an internationally renowned company of forty-one artists whose talents include acting, directing, playwriting, filmmaking and textual adaptation.