Jonathan Templeton is the lead stage manager. Stage managers include Kathleen Petroziello and Cassie Wolgamott. Edward Sobel is the program director. Whitney Dibo is the program assistant.

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," according to Steppenwolf. "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. The intent is to develop the plays for future production at Steppenwolf and other theatres across the country."

Steppenwolf has long been a champion of both ensemble acting and new works.

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.

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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, FL.

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.

Ensemble member Tim Hopper directed the world premiere of Mia McCullough's play Taking Care in the Garage Theatre. He has appeared in 16 Steppenwolf productions including The Crucible, The Violet Hour and Hedda Gabler.

David Cromer received accolades for his direction of Next Theatre’s production of Adding Machine, which transferred to Off-Broadway. He also directed and appeared in The Hypocrites’ production of Our Town. At Steppenwolf, he directed the world premiere of ensemble member Austin Pendleton's Orson's Shadow and Richard Greenberg's The Dazzle.

Meredith McDonough has directed new plays at Actors Theatre of Louisville, Williamstown Theatre Festival, The Public Theater, LAByrinth Theatre Company, and also was the New Works Program Director for the National Alliance for Musical Theatre. She is currently a member of the Women's Project Director's Lab.

Six of the nine plays presented during First Look's first three seasons have enjoyed subsequent productions at other theatres, including: Men of Tortuga by Jason Wells produced by Asolo Repertory Theatre in Florida; Butcher of Baraboo by Marisa Wegrzyn produced by Second 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.