Workers of Chicago theatre -- unite!
That could be the rallying cry of the League of Chicago Theatres' annual Theatre Community Retreat, given this year Aug. 15-16. A cross between a convention and a seminar, the Retreat promises to be "a mix of informative, `news-you-can-use' sessions and thought-provoking discussions, plus networking and schmoozing."

Events begin Friday, Aug. 15, with a panel on black theatre titled "Melting Pot or Patchwork Quilt: August Wilson, Lila Wallace & Where Do We Go From Here?" Panelists include Teatro Vista's Edward Torres and Jackie Taylor of Black Ensemble Theatre.

Eight seminars will comprise day two of the Retreat:
Beyond Sibling Rivalry - How Stage And Screen Can Get Along; with playwrights Jon Robin Baitz and Theresa Rebeck.

Listening To The Audience; with League staffer Marj Halperin and producer Bob Perkins.

The Art vs. "The Business"; with Steppenwolf's Martha Lavey, American Blues Theatre's Brian Russell and moderator Criss Henderson of Shakespeare Repertory. Shakespeare 1997: Holding The Mirror Up To Nature; with Shakespeare Rep's Barbara Gaines, Griffin's Rick Barletta, and the Goodman's Mary Zimmerman.

Casting About - Being A Chicago Actor; With Dyanne Earley of Marriott's Lincolnshire Theatre, director Henry Godinez, and Phyllis Schuringa of Steppenwolf.

Was Children's Theatre Ever Easy?; with representatives from Chocolate Chips, Chicago Playworks, Young Actors and Historical Perspectives For Children.

PRESSing Issues: Getting Media Coverage; with press reps Cheryl Lewin, Cindy Bandle and Chris Jones.

Subscriptions - Bedrock or Dinosaur?; with Marriott Lincolnshire's Kary Walker, Second City's Bernard Sahlins, Lyric Opera's Danny Newman and Black Ensemble's Jackie Taylor.

The Friday panel occurs at the Royal George Theatre; events on Saturday take place at Northwestern University. For tickets ($45-55) to the Retreat call (312) 977-1730. Reservations must be made by Aug. 6.

--By David Lefkowitz