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TALENT PATROL Jacob Padrón stands along the "Script Wall" at Steppenwolf Theatre. jacob padrón AN UP-AND-COMING PRODUCER BRINGS HIS PASSION FOR THE GREATER GOOD TO THE STEPPENWOLF GARAGE REP SERIES. BY JENNIFER PISER WRIGHT "T hose who understand the value of community produce better art," became aware of the need for unification in production. "When you're putting says Jacob Padrón, associate producer at Steppenwolf Theatre on that many shows, everyone needs to work together or it doesn't happen." and curator of the theater's Garage Rep, a showcase of ChicagoBoth this respect for collaboration and his organizational talent serve based storefront theaters. Padrón should know: Awareness of something Padrón well in curating Garage Rep's lineup, which he helps narrow from hungreater has been a constant in his life, and it's also what led him to Chicago. dreds of submissions to three plays (this year, She Kills Monsters by Qui Nguyen, Growing up in Gilroy, California, Padrón was heavily inspired by play- See What I Wanna See by Michael John LaChiusa, and BlackTop Sky by wright Luis Valdez, who gave a voice to migrant farm workers by Christina Anderson). "I want works that are layered and texdramatizing their plight in plays such as Zoot Suit. The seed of what tured," he says of the projects selected, "that can be shown on was possible for a young Mexican-American boy sown, Padrón their own or as part of a group." went on to Loyola Marymount University, where, although theater Padrón may have his hands full as a producer, but he's also Personal mantra: "Generosity. was still on his mind, it was the idea of community that took hold. digging into personal projects, like Tilted Field Productions, As a producer, Says the 32-year-old, "I don't think I had actually considered prohis media company, whose latest project is a rock opera based it is a key value." ducing a viable career option." Inspired by the idea of making a on the life of Mary, Queen of Scots, and Project Luminarias, Chicago loves: difference, Padrón worked at a local food pantry for patients with an organization he cofounded to help emerging Latino play"The Art Institute, HIV and joined a Jesuit version of the Peace Corps. wrights. Even when he's not working, he finds inspiration in the Lakefront, After being accepted into Yale University's School of Drama, Chicago. Sums up Padrón, "The feeling of this city just makes A Taste of Heaven though, "I knew I had to go," says Padrón. In New Haven, he honed me want to tell its tales." The Garage Rep series runs February in Andersonville." his already-keen organizational skills, taking charge of the Yale 14–April 21 at Steppenwolf Theatre Company, 1650 N. Halsted Indulgence: "Lying on my Cabaret and producing a grueling 18 shows in one year. He St., 312-335-1650; steppenwolf.org MA PHOTOGRAPHY BY DAVID W. JOHNSON INSIGHT bed, watching a Mad Men marathon." 48 MICHIGANAVEMAG.COM 048_MA_SP_TP_Jacob_Winter13.indd 48 1/2/13 12:31 PM