Zoé Soteres

Hi! My name is Zoé, and I am an actor, playwright, singer, and director based in Chicago, dedicated to creating and performing grassroots, politically oriented workers’ theatre. Learn more about me and my work below:

Click here for my complete bio.

Click here for my artist statement.

Click here for my actor resumé.

Click here for my playwriting resumé.

Click here for my directing resumé.

Click here for my musical theatre/cabaret resumé.

Click here to learn about my playwriting and directing projects.

Scroll to learn more about what I am currently working on, recent projects, awards and recognition, and more.

I am currently the Artistic Director of Sub Rosa Theatre Collective, and am a board member of the Sarah Siddons Society.

ACTING PROJECTS:

• A currently untitled 640Films short film set to shoot in June 2025

• Bare, a feature film set to shoot in December 2025

• I am currently an ensemble member with Proboscis Theatre Company

SINGING PROJECTS:

• I will be opening for Lexa Maxa on May 14th at 8pm at Davenport’s Piano Bar, which is also my Chicago Cabaret Week debut! Learn more and get tickets here.

• On June 7, I will be honored with the Best New Chicago Vocalist from Chicago Cabaret Professionals, and will perform at the honorary luncheon.

• In October/November of 2025, I will be attending Cabaret Connexion, an international conference in Paris where I will perform and study the art of cabaret.

• My one woman cabaret, “Does This Song Make Me Look Dramatic?”, will premiere in 2026.

• I am currently a member of Chicago Cabaret Professionals.

DIRECTING PROJECTS:

• I am currently assistant directing Kafka’s Metamorphosis at The Theatre School, which opens May 12.

WRITING PROJECTS:

• Read my blog on Durationalism, which was recently published by Sub Rosa here.

• I am currently submitting my full length play, In Pursuit Of, to festivals

• I am co-writing a short film, Marble Faun, for 640 Film Collective, set to shoot in Summer 2025

• My full-length book of theatre theory, Durational Theatre, is currently in development. You can read a blog introduction to it here.

• Other current writing projects: a short story entitled Intimacy, a full length play named Rot, a screenplay called Helen Lapinsky, and many more.

ACTING PROJECTS:

• My one woman show, The Interim, closed on April 20th and received stellar reviews

• Two short films I was in, Brainstorm, produced by Broken Radiator Collective, and Pieces & Bonds, produced by DePaul University, will premiere this year

SINGING PROJECTS:

• Most recent cabaret: A musical revue cabaret (music directed by Beckie Menzie and directed by David Edelfelt) at The Rhapsody Theater on March 24th

WRITING PROJECTS:

• I recently held a reading of my new full-length play, In Pursuit Of, at the Emerald City Café, which also received stellar reviews. Find out more here.

ACTING RECOGNITION

• My acting performance in The Interim was reviewed by Hudson James Therriault of Medium as “both patient and impulsive.” Read more here.

WRITING RECOGNITION

• Reviews forThe Interim noted that, “he pacing is deliberately glacial; each drip of information is meant to be savored, mulled over. […] Soteres’ writing is barebones and realistic. The slow burn is delightful — but be sure to bring your own passion for observation” by Hudson James Therriault of Medium. Read more here.

• Stefan Brün, Executive Director of Prop Thtr, noted that “build of [The Interim} over time and — for my reference world — Grotowski-like, catastrophe bodily climax, lifted me away from the loud world run by discourse and text. The Body ran counter. […] I look forward to investigating, here just […] a big dose of gratitude for such impelling theatre.”

• Of the public reading of In Pursuit Of, director and actor George Keating notes, that it is “An impressive and remarkably viable new play. Soteres’ ability to research and revise her work is uncommon. She manages to write complex ideas in a way that is speakable for the actor and compelling to the audience. The play honors its Russian roots while managing to be horrifyingly American. I long to see this in full production.” More information available here.

• 2020 City Theatre Young Playwright’s Competition Honorable Mention for my one act play, Grand Visions.

SINGING RECOGNITION

• Recognized as the 2025 Best New Chicago Vocalist by Chicago Cabaret Professionals

• Second place winner of Davenport’s 1000 Dollar Sing-Off for my performance of Glitter and Be Gay in October 2024.

• I performed a three song mini-set as a finalist for the Emerging Artists Showcase in August of 2024.

DIRECTING RECOGNITION

• My production of An Enemy of the People at The Den Theatre was reviewed as “a smashing and enthralling performance that is not to be missed” by Rick McCain of Let’s Play Theatrical Reviews. Read the review here.

• My production of The Last Five Years with City Theatre was reviewed as “a balm for local musical fans, a re-introduction to live theater in Pittsburgh and a celebration of what artists of all ages can accomplish with a little vision and elbow grease” by Joshua Axelrod of the Pittsburgh Post Gazette. Read more here.

THEATRE LEADERSHIP RECOGNITION

• 2024 Donald M. Ephraim Award, given to an artist who has “demonstrated exceptional leadership within The Theatre School community and an interest in shaping the entertainment industry through the work of their career.”

• 2023-2024 Sarah Siddons Scholarship Award. Read more here.

• 2020 Zelda Wilmurt Drama Prize for my leadership within the drama community in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

• 2018 Junior Woman of Achievement Award from Cribs for Kids for my non-profit work and artistic leadership. I started an organization called the Young Artist’s Foundation, which raised money for music and arts education across the United States through self-produced, student-led concerts and other performances. Learn more here.