RANCH TRIANGLE — Steppenwolf Theatre named Audrey Francis the 47th member of its ensemble Wednesday.
The sharp-featured, clear-eyed Francis most recently played a ruthless corporate bean-counter in "The Fundamentals" at Steppenwolf and, before that, a considerate former partner of Eamonn Walker's retired New York City police officer in "Between Riverside and Crazy," in which she nonetheless eventually revealed an agenda of her own.
"Audrey has been a member of the Steppenwolf family for years and her work on our stages and with our students has proved, time and time again, that we share essential beliefs about theater-making and its power," said Steppenwolf Artistic Director Anna Shapiro. "It’s an honor to finally officially add her to the ensemble, and we all look forward to our work together for many years to come."
"Steppenwolf has been a source of inspiration for me both on and off stage since I moved to Chicago," Francis said. "I am incredibly grateful, honored and humbled to be invited into the company of so many artists I respect."
Francis has performed in seven Steppenwolf productions and also teaches at the School at Steppenwolf. She has also appeared at the Goodman Theatre and in the Chicago-based TV series "Chicago Med," "Chicago Fire" and "ER."
Francs also credited Chicago's Black Box Acting community and "every artist who believes that what we do can elicit change."
Francis most recently played a profit-minded hotel executive opposite ensemble member Alana Arenas in "The Fundamentals."
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