Patton Chiles began her career in theater playing The Young Nun in a Missouri Repertory Theater production of Morning Star, a role for which she thankfully would no longer be considered. She moved to St. Louis and was immediately cast at the Theatre Project Company, a company that turned out a generation of wonderful theatre artists, many of whom are still working in St. Louis. Patton worked as an actress for many St. Louis companies, including the dearly departed TNT and the St. Louis Repertory Company.   While working at the Muny Student Theatre Company, Patton became an accidental playwright. (They asked her what she thought would be an interesting play for children. She told them, and they asked her to write it.) 

In 1991 she became Co-Artistic Director of a radio theatre company known as Holy Roman Repertory Theatre Company. The company was not Roman, Holy or a Repertory. It was a company that used theater to tell historical stories using only verbatim quotes for dialogue, surrounding that dialogue with the music from the time period. Patton and her Co-Artistic Director, Larry Roberson, transitioned the company from a radio company to an Equity theatre company, changing the name to Historyonics Theatre Company. 

Having written well over fifty plays, in 2005 Patton began to work more with Cecilia Nadal’s company, Gitana Productions, whose mission is “Global healing through the Arts.” Patton is Adjunct Faculty at Washington University and St. Louis University, where she teaches Acting One, Public Speaking, Script Analysis, and Approaching the Arts. Students from both St. Louis University and Washington University have been involved with Gitana’s theatre productions.

Kevin Kline Award Nominations

2011: Outstanding New Play or Musical: Eye on the Sparrow: The World Within St. Louis (Gitana Productions)

2010: Outstanding New Play or Musical: My Heart is Always Shaking (Gitana Productions)

2009: Outstanding New Play or Musical: Complacency of Silence: Darfur (Gitana Productions)

2006: Outstanding New Play or Musical: Dancing on Air (Historyonics)

10 Questions: 

1.  What is your favorite theatrical memory?

As an actor or a director? There really are way too many favorite memories for me to have an actual favorite "favorite memory". My most memorable moment as an actor was when I first walked out on stage as Sister Mary in SISTER MARY IGNATIUS EXPLAINS IT ALL FOR YOU. The Archbishop at the time forbade St. Louis Catholics to see the show, so of course it was sold out!

2.  When did you know you were going in to the theatre?

It was the first time I got a laugh on stage - I think my sophomore year in high school.

3.  What does St. Louis Theatre mean to you?

The first thing that came into my head when reading this question was "Life's blood". I have lived in St. Louis longer than I have lived anywhere else - though I did not go to high school here. Amazingly and gratefully, I've made a living and raised two children working in St. Louis theatre. How lucky is that?

4.  What’s in your fridge right now?

Soy milk. Soy sauce - Wheat Free. Tofu. Apples. Eggs. Bananas are on top of the fridge. Makes you want to come right over for dinner doesn't it?

5.  What was the first car you drove?

A little powder blue Chevrolet something. A Covair I think?

6.  What’s the last book you read?

Half the Sky by Nicholas Kristoff - should be required life reading.

7.  What’s your favorite St. Louis restaurant?

Easy - Mai Lee.

8.  If you weren’t in the theatre, what would you be doing?

I would be doing whatever the universe assigned me to do - it would involve people and storytelling somehow.

9.  What is the most played song or artist on your iPod?

NPR. Talk radio all day every day, much to my children's irritation.  I don't even have an iPod.

10.  What is your guiltiest guilty pleasure?

I have no idea. I suppose I'll have to create one now.

Insight Theatre Company

June 9-19

Insight’s production of Becky’s New Car will feature Susie Wall in the starring role of Dietz’s heroine, Becky Foster, who leads a typical working class life with her roofer husband Joe (Jerry Russo). Becky is committed to her dull, stale marriage but overly devoted to her job at a local car dealership. When millionaire Walter Flood (John Contini), appears at the dealership one day and assumes her to be widowed—and she doesn’t correct him—Becky begins to lead a double life that soon spins out of control.

Muddy Waters Theatre Company

June 10-26

A bouncy romp through three decades of American feminism by Pulitzer Prize winning playwright Paula Vogel.

The Black Rep

May 25-June 26 

The day of July 10th, 1993 marks a special moment for Robert Charles Wilson. 50 years ago he enlisted to become a Marine at Montford Point. He proudly served his country In WWII at Iwo Jima and after exiting the service trained as a classical opera singer. But his only shortcoming in life was separating from his wife, Gwen, when she refused to chase his dream of becoming a famous singer. With their only son R.C. in town to celebrate the anniversary of his father's enlistment, this day brings a wave of memories back Robert, along with a few unexpected turns in this World Premiere theatre event.

ACT INC

June 10-26

Based on the lives of the Barrymores, we see three generations of this acting family. Surprisingly modern, much of the action centers on young Gwen deciding whether to forsake the stage for a normal family life. Matriarch Fanny is aghast at this, as well as at son Tony, who has left the stage for Hollywood. Witty, funny & lively, you’ll love this soap opera that is--The Royal Family

ACT INC

June 3-19 

This quintessential 1950’s romantic comedy became the movie Indiscreet. Broadway actress Jane and international banker Phillip (neither has ever married) are introduced. Phillip gives Jane his standard line--he is married and can never divorce--Jane doesn’t care, and they fall in love. Jane discovers the lie, and plots revenge, just as Phillip plans to undo the lie so that he can propose to Jane. Can this resolve to anyone’s satisfaction?

I started in St. Louis theatre back in 1995 when I became co-founder of The NonProphet Theater Company. I have since been honoured to work with the best of the best and the cream of the crop. I have performed with The NP’s, The Orange Girls, The New Jewish Theatre, HotCity and HotHouse, Mustard Seed, ACT Inc, ECHO, Shakespeare Festival and several others. I have shared the stage with some of THE most talented actors in the world and been directed by true visionaries. Being a part of the current community has been very exciting. Watching the growth and local support warms my soul and gives me hope. I can’t imagine living anywhere else.

It’s wonderful.

Kevin Kline Award Wins 

2010:  Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Play: Wonder of the World (The Orange Girls)

2008:  Outstanding Ensemble in a Play: Women's Minyan (The New Jewish Theatre)

Kevin Kline Award Nominations

2009: Outstanding Ensemble in a Play: Primal (SATE)

2008: Outstanding Ensemble in a Play: You Can’t Take it with You (Stray Dog Theatre) 

10 Questions:

 1.  What is your favorite theatrical memory?

Onstage: that’s tough. I truly have many. I’ve shared the stage with some pretty remarkable actors. “Laughter on the 23^rd Floor” was a great one. So much talent –true comics- in that show. I had a blast. And “Wonder of the World” was pure joy. So was “Crumble” with ECHO.

Off stage: there are many there as well. There are some actors here in town that have gifted me some amazing moments as an audience member. Michelle Hand tops that list. She blows me away. Every time.

2.  When did you know you were going in to the theatre? 
I was always involved. Since I was six, I have been performing in some capacity. But in 1994, I went back to school to major in theatre. I’ve never looked back. It feeds me -- literally and spiritually.

3.  What does St. Louis Theatre mean to you? 
It’s home.

4.  What’s in your fridge right now? 
Berries for Lola, margarita makings & beer for the big girls in the house, Greek yogurt, pet food, soy milk, tomatoes, hot dogs, turkey breast slices and I’m sure a science experiment is hiding in there somewhere.

5.  What was the first car you drove? 
That I drove? Legally? That’s difficult to say. Illegally? A 1964 ½ baby blue Mustang with a black ragtop. So awesome.

6.  What’s the last book you read? 
I just finished re-reading “The Last Night of Ballyhoo” (the Play) and am currently reading “The Portable Dorothy Parker” that my daughter bought for me.

7.  What’s your favorite St. Louis restaurant? 
My house. I love cooking and am pretty darned good at it.  I also really enjoy Everest Cafe & Bar on Manchester in the Grove and Wasabi Sushi (either location)

8.  If you weren’t in the theatre, what would you be doing? 
I’d probably consider either going back into teaching or back into restaurant management.  Or being a Sugar Daddy’s arm candy.

9.  What is the most played song or artist on your iPod? 
Right now Sara Bareilles, OK GO & the Beatles. But usually it’s just on shuffle.

10. What is your guiltiest guilty pleasure?
Cadbury Creme Eggs. Seriously. I’m addicted. It’s a good thing “they’re only here for a short time.” 

Stages St. Louis

June 6-July 3

Sound the all-dog alert, Pongo and Perdita’s fifteen adorable puppies have been dog-napped by the evil Cruella De Vil and her bumbling henchmen! But her cruel plan to turn these pups into the most elaborate coat London has ever seen goes awry thanks to the efforts of London’s ruff-est, tuff-est dogs and the resourceful cat, Sergeant Tibbs. Based on the beloved 1961 film, Disney’s 101 Dalmatians is an exciting canine caper that will leave you cheering to the joyful tunes of “Dalmatian Conga,” “Cruella De Vil,” and “Twilight Bark.” It’s sure to be a furry and friendly adventure for children ages 3 to 101!

Stages St. Louis

June 3-July 3

The one singular sensation that exhilarated Broadway for over fifteen years returns to STAGES! Winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Drama and 9 Tony Awards, including Best Musical, A Chorus Line forever changed the face of Broadway. Telling the triumphant and heartbreaking story of a group of young dancers auditioning for the chorus of a Broadway musical, A Chorus Line speaks eloquently to anyone who’s ever put himself on the line to land a job. With an unforgettable score that includes “I Hope I Get It,” “One,” and “What I Did For Love,” A Chorus Line is a celebration of the music, movement, and emotion of musical theatre. Don’t miss the dance sensation that rocked Broadway and conquered the world: Michael Bennett’s masterpiece, A Chorus Line.

The New Jewish Theatre

June 1-19

Inspired by the playwright’s family history, this is the story about two Eastern European Jews who immigrated to a small Texas town in 1909, out of the thousands of Jewish immigrants who ended up in the American Southwest through the Galveston Project. The play spans 30 years, beginning when Russian immigrant Haskell finds himself in Hamilton, Texas, and discovers that he is the town’s only Jew, who struggles to hold onto his sense of culture, family and a place. This uplifting story of a family’s American Jewish roots in Texas is both funny and heartfelt, bringing a new slant to the age-old story of immigration and assimilation. A touching search for personal and cultural roots.