The League of Chicago Theatres awards the 2023 Samuel G. Roberson Jr. Resident Fellowship to Tonika Lewis Johnson and Rivendell Theatre Ensemble

Chicago (March 23, 2023) – The League of Chicago Theatres has awarded the 2023 Samuel G. Roberson Jr. Resident Fellowship to artist/activist Tonika Lewis Johnson and Rivendell Theatre Ensemble to collaborate on The Folded Map Project. The fellowship is funded by the McMullen & Kime Charitable Trust and administered by the League of Chicago Theatres. The 2023 Samuel G. Roberson Jr. Resident Fellowship is an annual grant awarded to a Black Theatre Artist to fund a residency or collaboration with a Chicago area non-profit organization. Johnson and Rivendell Theatre Ensemble will collaborate …

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Women’s History Month Programming

Radial Gradient at Shattered Globe Theatre  Runs Jan 27 – Mar 11, 2023 Three women enter a research study hoping to create positive change after a hate crime takes place at a liberal university in America. Post-show event on Sunday, March 5. This performance features a short spoken word and dance performance by Global Girls following our 3:00pm matinee performance. https://chicagoplays.com/event/radial-gradient/ Lady Day At Emerson’s Bar and Grill at Mercury Theater Runs Jan 27 – Mar 26, 2023 Turn back the clock to 1956 for an intimate cabaret performance with the greatest …

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Moonshot Report

Making theatre repertoire decisions is complex, high-risk, and difficult work. These decisions set the trajectory for all that follows, and the process of making them deserves far more attention. After decades of audience erosion, the future of theatre clearly depends on more people choosing to attend. But that will require far more than continuing to invest in improving marketing and fundraising functions. It will require holistic new strategies to produce work compelling enough to artists and audiences to overcome the significant underlying social, cultural, and economic changes that have driven the erosion. …

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The Saints Arts Grants Program Is Back

The Saints encourage theater, dance, and music organizations to apply for our grant assistance to be used for artistic development or production-related purposes. Some examples applicants can request funding for but are not limited to: Covid compliance, costumes/puppetry, the commissioning or licensing of works, improvements to applicant-owned premises, community engagement and enrichment projects, showcasing the talents of diverse or culturally specific artists, or computer and technical items such as sound or lighting needs. Budget requests for grants up to $5,000 will be considered for projects occurring from June 1, 2023 through May 31, 2024. Requesting organizations must be established …

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Black History Month Theatre Events

Check out these events and shows happening at member theatres around the city for Black History Month this February 2023! Goodman Theatre Presents: the ripple, the wave that carried me home, a Co-Production with Berkeley Repertory Theatre. A family responds to injustice and a daughter reckons with her political inheritance in this new play by “a poet, a playwright to pay attention to”. Runs Jan 13 – Feb 12, 2023. https://chicagoplays.com/event/the-ripple-the-wave-that-carried-me-home/ Redtwist Theatre Presents: The Great Khan, a revolutionary, multicultural play about the effects of systemic racism on two Black American teens. The …

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MLK Day 2023 Theatre Events

Check out these events and shows happening at member theatres around the city for Martin Luther King Jr. Day 2023! Auditorium Theatre Auditorium Theatre is presenting Step Afrika! on January 14. This production highlights the preservation of history through exceptional dance, as well as continuing and growing traditions through art. Learn more at https://auditoriumtheatre.org/events-details/step-afrika/. Fleetwoood Jourdain The Music Institute of Chicago and the Fleetwood Jourdain Theatre will present a free musical celebration of Dr. MLK, Jr., on Sun., Jan. 15 at 3 p.m. at Nichols Concert Hall, 1490 Chicago Ave. Learn more …

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Ideas from Meet & Greets 

 Member Resources Bring back working committees through the League where members can get more involved and help the League push forward Bring back the PAV Fund or provide resources for similar services  Resources for best practices in providing Internships and Apprenticeships  Collective insurance and healthcare for small theatre companies so that everyone can pay less  Can we leverage bargaining power to receive better rates for insurance?  Connecting with TAP – Theatre Advocacy Project  Coalitions of theatres by size or neighborhood for more collaboration Covid standards and masking recommendations by theatre size  Affinity …

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