The Steppenwolf Story
John Mayer \u2013 actor, director, and chair of the Theatre Department at Cal State Stanislaus\xa0\u2013 has written\xa0Steppenwolf Theatre Company of Chicago: In Their Own Words, the (so far) definitive chronicle of Chicago's groundbreaking theatre ensemble. A high school friend of two of the company's founders \u2013 Gary Sinise and Jeff Perry \u2013 John interviewed dozens of artists and administrators who were instrumental in Steppenwolf's evolution, and reveals such tidbits as Sinise's early fundraising efforts (which involve a hubcap); the greatest summation of Steppenwolf ever; shout-outs to amazing influential teachers; what an MFA really gives you; tensions between art and commerce; memories of John Malkovich\u2019s landmark production of Balm In Gilead; and, most importantly, how passion, chutzpah, drive, and the ability to adapt and change creates long-term artistry. (Length 21:31)