Jake Fruend Design
Buffalo Blank.jpg

Mary-Arrchie Theatre

PRINT & DIGITAL DESIGN

For three decades, Mary-Arrchie was the epitome of the Chicago storefront theatre experience; rough, provocative, and deceptively simple.

Before their artistic home was demolished in 2016, the company saw fit to produce one final season of work, culminating in a production of David Mamet's American Buffalo.

The company felt that the play was a perfect encapsulation of their work, and they wanted a "grand gesture" to accompany their final production.

The company felt that the play was a perfect encapsulation of their work, and they wanted a "grand gesture" to accompany their final production.

Using a replica of an old Buffalo Nickel, I cut-out the image, and found a new home for it among the stars and bars. The result was simple, but effective.

"In the 40 years since American Buffalo was first produced, I have not seen a better visual representation of this play."

"In the 40 years since American Buffalo was first produced, I have not seen a better visual representation of this play."

- Albert Williams, Chicago Reader

Every summer for 30 years, Mary-Arrchie also produced the "Abbie Hoffman Died for Our Sins" Play Festival, a 72-hour non-stop fringe theatre extravaganza.

Every summer for 30 years, Mary-Arrchie also produced the "Abbie Hoffman Died for Our Sins" Play Festival, a 72-hour non-stop fringe theatre extravaganza.

Early “Abbie Fests” featured unknown young actors like Nick Offerman and Michael Shannon, and grew to include hundreds of artists and itinerant companies performing over 250 pieces of work in a single weekend.

The skull of Abbie Hoffman seemed like the proper symbol for the end of this era in Chicago theatre.

The skull of Abbie Hoffman seemed like the proper symbol for the end of this era in Chicago theatre.

Previous "Abbie Fest" posters were simple, utilizing a hand-drawn caricature of the famous "Yippie." For this final incarnation, we wanted something that would reflect the weight of the moment.

We even made shirts. Rest easy, Mary.

We even made shirts. Rest easy, Mary.