www.chicagolandmusicaltheatre.com: In this 2019 Year of Chicago Theatre, small theatres across Chicago are taking major steps to be more inclusive, generous and accessible, reaffirming Chicago’s growing reputation as the epicenter of storefront theatre in the United States. Many small theatres are evolving their company thanks in part to the Chicago-based Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation (the Foundation), which supports more than 50 Chicago small theatre companies with annual budgets below $1 million, to help theatres strengthen operations and focus on producing works and furthering initiatives that are relevant to both the artists and their neighborhood audiences.
3 comments:
After reading the horror stories of sexism and racism in the Exit 63 Theatre article, it's so good to read about all of the good happening in the Chicago theatre scene as well. Just as important as telling the stories of injustice, it's nice to read about groups and individuals actively working to improve their craft and their communities. I especially loved how this article highlighted several theatres, touching on their mission, the steps they each took to stay true to that mission, and how it has positively impacted the community they work in. I appreciate that these storefront theatres are not merely there to become successful financially, or even to make art for the sake of the artists themselves, but rather as a mechanism through which the people of the community can come together to bond, and use the dialogue of theatre to connect and improve the conditions in which they live. Theatre is capable of changing lives and the world, and it sounds like these companies have put a lot of effort into ensuring that they do their part to facilitate that.
It has certainly been a great year for the Chicago theatre scene in regards to facing sexism and racism that's gone unspoken about for numerous years while the rest of entertainment has been put into the spotlight. I think the reckoning is something that will greatly shape what type of work comes from the midwest. Specifically with a theater that is choosing to highlight middle eastern stories- I think that type of work is becoming more and more prominent and really highlights stories and lifestyles that most American audiences never really have an opportunity of seeing. Having worked on several pieces that highlight the middle eastern experience, these stories can be some of the most pressing, urgent, and gripping stories to hear- and it translates beautifully and dramatically on stage. Overall the work being done in Chicago is some of the coolest and ground breaking work and its good to see it finally being aligned with the diverse communities that make up their population.
I grew up close to the city of Chicago, I basically consider it my hometown. What I have always found so admirable about the city is its incredible impressive and present theatre scene. This article made me so happy to read because it was a reminder of home and to see the great strides being made to better the community. Each theatre seemed to have put great thought into what groups needed inclusion or what changes had to be made to fit their needs. It’s heartwarming to see such an effort being made since the entertainment industry is known for not being the best when it comes to equality. Chicago theatres recognize they are becoming a larger staple in the theatre world and their response is to make changes that help them live up to their title. They are making the effort to be better. As someone who is majoring in design and production for theatre, it is great to have a great district to search for jobs so nearby. It is also nice to know that there are so many theatres close to home where I can support equality and share the art I love so much with others there.
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