Columbia College Chicago alum Anna D. Shapiro ’90, artistic director of Chicago’s internationally acclaimed Steppenwolf Theatre Company, will direct the opening production of the troupe’s 41st season — the world premiere of Visiting Edna, by Tony Award-winning playwright David Rabe. Shapiro, who studied directing at the Columbia College Chicago Theatre Department, won a Tony Award for her direction of Steppenwolf’s 2008 Chicago and Broadway hit, the Pulitzer Prize-winning drama August: Osage County.

Visiting Edna concerns the relationship between a woman and her son as she faces the stealthy advance of cancer. “Steppenwolf is thrilled to bring David Rabe back on our stage after last producing his play Streamers in 1985,” says Shapiro. “His distinctly muscular, American, actor-driven style fits the ethos of our ensemble remarkably well, and I have long admired his work.”

“My passion is for new work, and it is an honor to open my first curated season at Steppenwolf with this stunning world premiere from one of America’s greatest living playwrights,” adds Shapiro, who became Steppenwolf’s artistic director in Fall 2015.

In May 2015, Shapiro received an Honorary Doctorate of Arts from Columbia College Chicago and was the commencement speaker at the graduation ceremony for Theatre majors.

The production team for Visiting Edna includes artistic producer Jonathan Berry, a Columbia College Chicago Theatre Department adjunct faculty member.

Visiting Edna runs September 15-November 6 at Steppenwolf Theatre, 1650 N. Halsted, Chicago For tickets, call 312-335-1650 or click here.