What do an award-winning theater, a woman with the ability to see the future and discussions about fate have in common? More than five Northwestern faculty members and alumni.

“A Parallelogram,” a new play written by NU alum Bruce Norris (Speech ’82), directed by Northwestern professor Anna D. Shapiro and starring NU alum Kate Arrington will conclude Steppenwolf Theater’s 2009-2010 season. Several other NU graduates and faculty members are working behind the scenes as well.

The play revolves around Bee, a woman who meets a future version of herself and learns traumatizing news that makes her reassess her own life. She becomes fixated with the idea of changing her destiny, and the consequences of her actions affect not only her life but the outcome of the world.

“My ultimate outlook is that things rarely turn out the way we’d like them to,” said Norris, who was commissioned by the theater to write the play as a part of its New Plays Initiative.

Part of the play’s appeal is its mystery, said Martha Lavey (Speech ’79), Steppenwolf’s Director of Artistic Development.

“You don’t know everything at the beginning,” said Lavey. “Audience members have to figure out who has an accurate grasp on reality.”

Though Steppenwolf is not affiliated with Northwestern, many graduates have been active with the theater. Many people involved with the play have known each other since their days as NU students, said Lavey.

“All of these people have been beautifully trained by Northwestern. It’s wonderful to have a collaboration to have lasted so many years.”

“A Parallelogram” will run from July 1 to Aug. 29.[email protected]