A scholarly young woman must confront the issue of her mother's untimely death and the possible consequences of her own complicated inheritance in this time-bending play about the elusive nature of madness.
This is a world premiere of a collaborative, ensemble based work exploring women and madness and the link to creative genius. Rivendell Theatre Ensemble has worked with a variety of individuals and organizations from around the United States to create The Walls. The project was conceived in 2004 when a RTE ensemble member found a book called Voices Behind the Walls: Women of the Asylum, a collection of personal stories from women incarcerated in asylums between 1840 - 1940. Commissioned by RTE in 2005, it has been developed through ongoing workshops and retreats over the past four years. The Walls is presented as part of the Steppenwolf Visiting Company Initiative.
Content Advisory
Steppenwolf does not offer advisories about subject matter, as sensitivities vary from person to person.If you have any questions about content, age-appropriateness or stage effects(such as strobe lights or theatrical fog) that might have a bearing on patron comfort, please contact the box office at 312-335-1650.
Watch & Listen
The Walls in Rehearsal
The Walls in Production
Lacy Campbell and Meighan Gerachis
credit: Mark Campbell
The Walls in Rehearsal
The cast and crew of Rivendell Theatre's The Walls in rehearsal for the play, presented as part of the Steppenwolf Visiting Companies Initiative.
Date: May 06, 2009
Tara Mallen and director Megan Carney
credit: Mark Campbell
The Walls in Rehearsal
The cast and crew of Rivendell Theatre's The Walls in rehearsal for the play, presented as part of the Steppenwolf Visiting Companies Initiative.
Date: May 06, 2009
Mierka Girten and Lacy Campbell
credit: Mark Campbell
The Walls in Rehearsal
The cast and crew of Rivendell Theatre's The Walls in rehearsal for the play, presented as part of the Steppenwolf Visiting Companies Initiative.
Date: May 06, 2009
Lacy Campbell and director Megan Carney
credit: Mark Campbell
The Walls in Rehearsal
The cast and crew of Rivendell Theatre's The Walls in rehearsal for the play, presented as part of the Steppenwolf Visiting Companies Initiative.
Date: May 06, 2009
John Zinn
credit: Mark Campbell
The Walls in Rehearsal
The cast and crew of Rivendell Theatre's The Walls in rehearsal for the play, presented as part of the Steppenwolf Visiting Companies Initiative.
Date: May 06, 2009
Danica Ivancevic
credit: Mark Campbell
The Walls in Rehearsal
The cast and crew of Rivendell Theatre's The Walls in rehearsal for the play, presented as part of the Steppenwolf Visiting Companies Initiative.
Date: May 06, 2009
Tara Mallen and Mark Ulrich
credit: Mark Campbell
The Walls in Rehearsal
The cast and crew of Rivendell Theatre's The Walls in rehearsal for the play, presented as part of the Steppenwolf Visiting Companies Initiative.
Date: May 06, 2009
Mierka Girten, Meighan Gerachis, John Zinn and Lacy Campbell
credit: Mark Campbell
The Walls in Rehearsal
The cast and crew of Rivendell Theatre's The Walls in rehearsal for the play, presented as part of the Steppenwolf Visiting Companies Initiative.
Date: May 06, 2009
Tara Mallen (foreground) and Lacy Campbell (background)
credit: Michael Brosilow
The Walls in Production
Images of Rivendell Theatre's The Walls, presented as part of the Steppenwolf Visiting Company Initiative.
Date: May 21, 2009
Ashley Neal, Mierka Girten and Lacy Campbell
credit: Michael Brosilow
The Walls in Production
Images of Rivendell Theatre's The Walls, presented as part of the Steppenwolf Visiting Company Initiative.
Date: May 21, 2009
Lacy Campbell, Meighan Gerachis and Ashley Neal
credit: Michael Brosilow
The Walls in Production
Images of Rivendell Theatre's The Walls, presented as part of the Steppenwolf Visiting Company Initiative.
Date: May 21, 2009
Mark Ulrich and Tara Mallen
credit: Michael Brosilow
The Walls in Production
Images of Rivendell Theatre's The Walls, presented as part of the Steppenwolf Visiting Company Initiative.
Date: May 21, 2009
Mierka Girten
credit: Michael Brosilow
The Walls in Production
Images of Rivendell Theatre's The Walls, presented as part of the Steppenwolf Visiting Company Initiative.
Date: May 21, 2009
Meighan Gerachis and Danica Ivancevic
credit: Michael Brosilow
The Walls in Production
Images of Rivendell Theatre's The Walls, presented as part of the Steppenwolf Visiting Company Initiative.
Date: May 21, 2009
Mark Ulrich and Danica Ivancevic
credit: Michael Brosilow
The Walls in Production
Images of Rivendell Theatre's The Walls, presented as part of the Steppenwolf Visiting Company Initiative.
Date: May 21, 2009
Lacy Campbell and Ashley Neal
credit: Michael Brosilow
The Walls in Production
Images of Rivendell Theatre's The Walls, presented as part of the Steppenwolf Visiting Company Initiative.
"Highly Recommended! Riveting...a stunning world premiere! Masterfully written, brilliantly played!"
- Chicago Sun-Times
"Full of compelling details conveyed with great nuance by director Megan Carney's eight-person cast."
– Chicago Reader
"These women’s stories are both fascinating and gut-wrenching...all of the actors make the most of what they’re given."
- Chicagoist
"(A) Handsome production...appealing performances"
- Time Out Chicago
Content Advisory
Steppenwolf does not offer advisories about subject matter, as sensitivities vary from person to person.If you have any questions about content, age-appropriateness or stage effects(such as strobe lights or theatrical fog) that might have a bearing on patron comfort, please contact the box office at 312-335-1650.