In addition to supporting accessible theatre through the Accessible Equipment Loan Program (in conjunction with the Cultural Access Collaborative), we have also provided funds to support the following specific artistic goals (listed starting with the most recent).
(Many of the theatre productions included on this page, as well as those resulting from season sponsorships, appear in our concise list of sponsored productions, organized by year.)
The Story Theatre (August 2024): Production support for the world premiere of the love object by Justine Gelfman, an adaptation of Euripides’ Hippolytus, which tackles contemporary issues with decidedly 21st-century settings and sensibilities. The Story Theatre has a great track record of producing innovative, entertaining, and probing new plays, and we always look forward to seeing where their next adventure will take us.
Pulse Theatre Chicago (July 2024): Production support for the world premiere of Beneath the Willow Tree by Isis Elizabeth, to be directed by Aaron Reese Boseman and performed at the Den Theatre in September 2024. This fascinating play with depth, humor, and heart was nurtured in Pulse Theatre’s inaugural New Work Initiative, and we can’t wait to see it on stage.
Cultural Access Collaborative 
(January 2024): Continuing support for the Accessible Equipment Loan Program of the Cultural Access Collaborative (formerly Chicago Cultural Accessibility Consortium). The no-charge short-term loans of assistive equipment enable Chicago theatres and other cultural organizations to make their events accessible to patrons with disabilities. In addition to the Accessible Equipment Loan Program, the Cultural Access Collaborative provides a unified calendar of accessible performances and cultural events, plus ways that cultural organizations can share information for facilitating accessibility.
Blank Theatre Company 2024 season sponsorship. We’re especially excited to see On the Twentieth Century (music by Cy Coleman, lyrics by Comden and Green), a musical that we loved at the Shaw Festival in 2003—our last and only opportunity to see this play until now! We’re also excited about Blank’s other 2024 shows: The Mad Ones by Kait Kerrigan and Bree Lowdermilk, an exciting Chicago premiere, followed by Tony Kushner’s fascinating and still timely A Bright Room Called Day. It’s always a treat to experience Blank Theatre’s phenomenal musical/acting/directing/design chops in an ultra-intimate setting.
Invictus Theatre Company 2024 season sponsorship. In addition to being really excited about the upcoming season, we admire Invictus’s collaborative spirit and their caring and capable leadership. Underlying the exceptional quality of every Invictus production is their stated mission to “work to harness the power of language: to promote diversity, to engender respect, to foster collaboration, and to empower our communities to share their voices.”
Jackalope Theatre Company 2023-2024 season sponsorship. We’re so excited to sponsor Jackalope’s 16th season—our 9th supporting them—and eager to experience their work in the Chicago Park District’s intimate Berger Park Coach House (Jackalope’s temporary home on the lake in Edgewater).
Rivendell Theatre Ensemble (January 2024): Production support for Rivendell’s world premiere of Wipeout by Aurora Real de Asua. We attended a 2022 reading of the play (part of Rivendell’s Fresh Produce Festival: A Celebration of New Plays by Women). The play and performances were totally captivating, and we can’t wait to experience the full production.
Theo Ubique Theater (November 2023) Production support for the Spring 2024 Sondheim Tribute Revue. Quoting from Theo’s website is the best way to explain why we’re so excited to support this show: “In the tradition of Theo’s acclaimed cabaret revues, and with special permission from Music Theatre International, Artistic Director Fred Anzevino will helm a one-of-a-kind tribute evening, created especially for our audiences—this production will never be seen again anywhere else!” (And yes, Sondheim is our favorite composer/lyricist!)
eta Creative Arts Foundation (October 2023): Production support for Pulse Theatre’s presentation of Once on This Island by Ahrens and Flaherty, directed by Aaron Reese Boseman. The outstanding cast, director, and choreographer (Florence Walker-Harris) from the show’s recent presentation by The Drama Group are reunited in this production on Chicago’s South Side.
First Floor Theater (October 2023): Support for First Floor’s fourth Blueprint Commission, with the goal of helping to shape an American Theater future that is more inclusive, brave, and revolutionary than its past.
First Floor Theater 2023-2024 season sponsorship. We value First Floor’s acumen for selecting thought-provoking plays with a fresh perspective, with characters facing moments of radical change. This season will include the world premiere of Pro-Am by Brynne Frauenhoffer, and the Chicago premiere of In His Hands by Benjamin Benne, and we can’t wait to see where these journeys take us.
Invictus Theatre Company
(August 2023): Emergency support to help address smoke and property damage to Invictus’ performance space (the Reginald Vaughn Theater), caused by a fire in an adjacent storefront. Unanticipated expenses such as these can present major challenges to a storefront theatre, and we were happy to contribute toward the needed repairs.
The Drama Group (May 2023): Production support for the company’s upcoming presentation of Once on This Island by Ahrens and Flaherty, directed by Aaron Reese Boseman. The Drama Group’s tagline is “Bringing Broadway to the South Suburbs since 1931” and we’re excited to support and experience this very special production.
Blank Theatre Company 2023 season sponsorship. We’re eagerly looking forward to Merrily We Roll Along and Promises, Promises with Blank Theatre’s special ingredients—a delightful combination of exciting repertoire, musical/acting/directing chops, and intimacy.
First Floor Theater (March 2023): Support for First Floor’s third Blueprint Commission, which has been awarded to Chicago-based playwright NJ Draine. We’re very excited about this year’s playwright, as well as the Blueprint Commission’s continuing goal of helping to shape an American Theater future that is more inclusive, brave, and revolutionary than its past.
Invictus Theatre Company
(January 2023): Production support for the company’s February 2023 production of The Mountaintop by Katori Hall, directed by Aaron Reese Boseman. Invictus is known for the quality of its finely honed productions in an intimate space, and their upcoming production of The Mountaintop represents an inspired combination of material, director, and ambience. We can’t wait!
The New Coordinates (November 2022): Support for Last Ascent by Kristin Idaszak. We’re intrigued by this play that tackles a very personal story—and the reality of climate change—and we’re glad to support its world premiere by The New Coordinates (formerly The New Colony).
BoHo Theatre (November 2022): Support for tick, tick … BOOM! by Jonathan Larson: We’ve had the opportunity to see tick, tick … BOOM! only once (Porchlight Music Theatre in 2010), and are happy to lend support to the upcoming production by BoHo. We’re especially eager to see director Bo Frazier’s take on the play, after their recent direction of Botticelli in the Fire for First Floor Theater, which was viscerally innovative, immaculately detailed, and as provocative as its namesake.
First Floor Theater 2022-2023 season sponsorship. We have the highest regard for First Floor’s company members, leaders, artistry, and integrity. In fulfilling their mission to present “stories of individuals facing moments of radical change,” they embrace plays that we would not have the opportunity to see on any other stage, and we cherish those experiences. We’re always eager to see where First Floor will take us next!
Cultural Access Collaborative (2022, 2021, 2020, 2019): Continuing support for the work of the Cultural Access Collaborative (formerly Chicago Cultural Accessibility Consortium) to make cultural events more accessible to patrons with disabilities. In addition to the Accessible Equipment Loan Program, the Cultural Access Collaborative provides workshops, a unified calendar of accessible performances and cultural events, and a mechanism for cultural organizations to share information for facilitating accessibility.
Chicago Latino Theater Alliance (October 2022): Support for The Wizards by Ricardo Gamboa. We loved this play when we saw a developmental reading as part of Goodman Theatre’s New Stages Festival in 2018, and were delighted to help support Chicago’s world premiere of the fully realized play. More info about the play and its fascinating production is included in our favorite Epics page.
Blank Theatre Company (September 2022): Support for the company’s production of The Wild Party by Andrew Lippa. We’ve been impressed by this young company’s ability to produce devilishly challenging musicals with clever staging and a remarkable level of musical, acting, and directorial talent. We were also excited by the opportunity to see the infrequently produced Andrew Lippa take on The Wild Party (having previously seen only the Michael John LaChiusa version).
Artemisia Theatre (August 2022): Support for the world premiere of Title X by Julie Proudfoot. Artemisia has a substantial and laudable track record of creating plays and productions that empower women. We’re excited to help support the world premiere of their timely illumination of personal impact amid the decades-long struggle for abortion rights in America. Recommended reading: Julie Proudfoot talks about Title X in “Our bodies, but whose choice?” in the Chicago Reader.
Jackalope Theatre 2022-2023, 2021-2022, 2020-2021, 2019-2020, 2018-2019, 2017-2018, 2016-2017, and 2015-2016 season sponsorship. We have great trust in Jackalope’s social conscience and personal integrity. It’s always a privilege to be part of Jackalope’s engaged and loyal audience. (List of the plays and directors is in our Supported Productions page.)
First Floor Theater 2022 “we’re back on stage” season sponsorship. We’re delighted to support First Floor’s return after the pandemic lay-off. We’re especially excited to see The Secretaries: A Parable by Omer Abbas Salem (a world premiere by one of our favorite Chicago playwrights).
First Floor Theater (January 2022): Support for First Floor’s second Blueprint Commission, which has been awarded to Omer Abbas Salem and includes an extensive development process along with two dedicated workshops. The Blueprint Commission’s ultimate goal is to help shape an American Theater future that is more inclusive, brave, and revolutionary than its past.
The Story Theatre (November 2021): Production sponsor for the company’s production of Marie Antoinette and the Magical Negroes, opening in July 2022. We fell in love with this new play by Terry Guest when we attended a developmental reading days before the pandemic lockdown in 2020. We can’t wait to see the full production and how the amazing cast and designers fully realize this fascinating play on stage.
The Story Theatre (September 2020): Support for The Story Theatre’s New Play Festival, a week-long celebration of new work from three Chicago playwrights. In addition to looking forward to the online readings of three new plays, we were also eager to gain insights from the festival’s conversations involving directors, designers, The Story’s governing ensemble, and arts advocates from around the city. (List of the plays and directors is in our Supported Productions page.)
First Floor Theater (September 2020): Support for First Floor Theater’s new Blueprint Commission. This year-long initiative included commissioning a new play by Chicago playwright Ariel Zetina, coupled with a public-facing play development process to pull back the curtain not only on the creation of new works by new voices, but also on the design processes and artistic collaborations. (The play and director are listed in our Supported Productions page.)
The Story Theatre
(March 2020): Production support for the company’s upcoming production of Late, A Cowboy Song. Although in only their second season, The Story Theatre has become one of our favorites, and we can’t wait to see how their talented ensemble and guest artists put their stamp on this play by Sarah Ruhl, whose intriguing description begins “This play is for all the lady cowboys of heart and mind who ride outside the city limits of convention.”
Ma-Yi Theater Company
(February 2020): Support for staged readings of Safe: Three Queer Plays by A. Rey Pamatmat for an audience of Chicago theatre decision-makers, that would ideally result in coordinated full productions of the plays by three Chicago theatres during a coming season. The potential impact of this trilogy (which follows a young gay man of color through the years 2000-2015) and our admiration for a previous play by this playwright (after all the terrible things I do, produced by About Face Theatre in 2016) made us eager to support the project.
Invictus Theatre Company
(January 2020): Production support for the company’s February 2020 production of A Raisin in the Sun. We’re excited to support this intimate production by Invictus, directed by Aaron Reese Boseman, whose previous work we’ve admired (on stage and behind the scenes). We also value his integrity in choosing the cast and design team to bring this story to life.
First Floor Theater (October 2019): Production sponsor for the company’s Fall 2019 production of Sugar in Our Wounds. As in our earlier collaborations with First Floor, they have chosen a previously neglected story, employing a diverse team of artists, and requiring special scenic and technical expertise to realize the play’s unique vision. We’re excited to support this work, and delighted that the production will be directed by Mikael Burke, an artist we’ve admired since seeing his directorial work while an MFA student at DePaul.
Porchlight Music Theatre (August 2019): Principal sponsor for the November 2019 Porchlight Revisits production of the Irving Berlin musical Call Me Madam. We were really charmed by this campy 1950s musical when we first saw the movie version decades ago on television. Donica Lynn, one of our favorite musical theatre actresses, will be playing the title role in the Porchlight Revisits production, and we can’t wait to see her in the role originally created by Ethel Merman!
The Story Theatre (July 2019): Production support for the company’s September 2019 production of At the Wake of a Dead Drag Queen by Terry Guest. We have high regard for The Story Theatre’s leaders and goals, and their inaugural production (Leave Me Alone! by Paul Michael Thomson) made our 2018 Favorites “Under the Radar” list. Their Season Two opener, At the Wake of a Dead Drag Queen, is a story that brought to mind the reasons that we found Leave Me Alone! such a fulfilling theatre experience—coupling an exploration of serious issues with an ultimately gentle but exuberant spirit. We’re happy to help The Story realize their artistic vision for the play.
Firebrand Theatre
2019-2020 and 2018-2019 season sponsorship: We’ve supported every show Firebrand has ever done, from production sponsorships in their inaugural season (2017-2018) to subsequent season sponsorships. We’ve admired their artistic excellence and collaboration from the outset, along with Artistic Director Harmony France’s vision and ability to enlist phenomenally talented and committed artists. Firebrand has performed seldom-done musicals, in innovative ways, consistent with their goal to employ and empower women.
Pride Films & Plays (May 2019): Emergency funds to help replace flooring damaged by storm flooding. Such unanticipated expenses can present major challenges to a storefront theatre, and we were happy to help mitigate the financial impact and minimize the scheduling disruption.
Griffin Theatre
2019-2020, 2018-2019, and 2017-2018 Season Sponsorship: Griffin does consistently outstanding work, and they are meticulous in choosing directors and casts that bring top-quality productions to the stage. Griffin chooses plays, whether classic or contemporary, that we don’t see anywhere else in Chicago and that speak to both personal and social issues. They have remarkable range, also producing musicals with heart and impeccable artistry.
16th Street Theater (March 2019): Production support for 16th Street’s Fall 2019 world premiere of Loy Webb’s His Shadow. Loy is one of our favorite playwrights, and we were honored to sponsor the premiere of her play The Light at The New Colony in 2017-2018.
Teatro Vista and Collaboraction (December 2018): Production support for the spring 2019 remount of La Havana Madrid. We saw Teatro Vista’s premiere production of La Havana Madrid in 2017, first at Steppenwolf and later at Goodman. The play was deeply moving and a glorious experience (see our Chicago History Through Theatre page for more details). We’re thrilled to support the 2019 remount, to be held in the Den Theatre’s Heath Main Stage. The venue’s size and flexibility will enable the first full recreation of the titular historic 1960s-era nightclub, and we can’t wait to experience the play in this true-to-life setting.
Haven Theatre (October 2018): Support for Director’s Haven 2018, which gives directors who are early in their careers the opportunity to hone their craft and direct a full production of a short play.
Pride Films & Plays (September 2018): Support for their upcoming musical Southern Comfort, based on a Sundance award-winning documentary film about transgender friends living life on their own terms in rural Georgia. PFP produces important life-affirming work, and we look forward to seeing their production of this demanding show in its Chicago premiere, coming up in March 2019.
TimeLine Theatre (July 2018): Provide accessible transportation for student participation in TimeLine South, a multi-disciplinary summer theatre program for high school students. This initiative is a partnership between TimeLine and The Harold Washington Cultural Center in Bronzeville (and an extension of TimeLine’s Living History Program).
Porchlight Music Theatre (June 2018): Artist sponsor for E. Faye Butler, starring as Madame Rose in Gypsy beginning in October 2018. We first saw E. Faye Butler in Ain’t Misbehavin’ at Arena Stage in D.C. in 2003, and have been overwhelmed by the power and humanity of her work ever since. It’s hard to convey how honored we feel to facilitate this perfect marriage between legendary artist and iconic musical theatre role.
Interrobang Theatre Project (May 2018): Support for a workshop production of Curves and Edges, a new play by Maeli Goren about the legendary Surya Bonaly’s fearless figure skating career. We were drawn to this project (part of Interrobang’s Playwriting Initiative) because of the fascinating story and our admiration for Maeli and her collaborators, including Breon Arzell (choreographer) and Brianna Buckley (assistant director). We’re intrigued to see how they use their creativity to bring this play to life on stage.
Redtwist Theatre (April 2018): Cover special set expenses for Redtwist’s production of Sagittarius Ponderosa by MJ Kaufman. We have been patrons of Redtwist and their brand of intimate theatre for many years. We wanted to support a crucial design element of this play, and also to applaud Redtwist’s efforts to diversify their choices of plays, playwrights, casts, and crews, as exemplified by this production.
Heartland Theatre Company (March 2018): Support for the installation of hearing assistance equipment. Heartland Theatre (in Normal, IL) has a lovely venue where they present quality productions, and we were happy to help them make the space more accessible.
The Gift Theatre (March 2018): Production sponsor for The Gift’s summer 2018 production of Hamlet. We were eager to support this retelling of a classic, led by director Monty Cole (whose visceral The Hairy Ape for Oracle Theatre in 2016 was revelatory). We admire The Gift’s fearlessness in not only embracing new works, but also exploring classics as new works, seen through a contemporary and inclusive lens.
Firebrand Theatre (March 2018): Production sponsor for Firebrand’s spring 2018 production of 9 to 5 The Musical by Parton and Resnick. We were delighted to support Firebrand’s second production, featuring some of our favorite actors, and coming on the heels of their highly acclaimed Lizzie. We have high regard for Artistic Director Harmony France’s vision and leadership of this important new theatre company.
A Red Orchid Theatre (December 2017): Production support for AROT’s 2018 world premiere of Traitor, ensemble member Brett Neveu’s adaptation of Henrik Ibsen’s An Enemy of the People. We wanted to support the playwright, cast, and crew in achieving their artistic vision for this timely and impactful play.
New Colony (December 2017): Production sponsor for New Colony’s January 2018 world premiere of The Light by Loy Webb. Our excitement for this project resulted from the play’s timeliness, its resonance with audiences during the development process, the chance to show relationships rarely seen on stage, and our deep regard for members of the cast and artistic team.
Firebrand Theatre (November 2017): Production support for Firebrand’s inaugural show, Lizzie by Cheslik-deMeyer, Hewitt, and Maner. Firebrand is “the world’s first musical theatre company committed to employing and empowering women on and off the stage.” We applaud their feminist goals and the company members’ well-established track record of quality work prior to coming together to form their new company.
First Floor Theater (July 2017): Co-producer for First Floor Theater’s March 2018 production of Dontrell, Who Kissed the Sea. We fell in love with this play, by University of Illinois alum Nathan Alan Davis, when we saw an exquisite 2016 U of I student production, directed by alum Tyrone Phillips. We welcomed the opportunity to support First Floor’s Chicago premiere of this poetic, captivating, and ever-timely play.
Definition Theatre Company 2017-2018 season sponsorship, in their inaugural season as a resident company at the Biograph: Definition has a talented, passionate, and diverse ensemble.
The Camino Project: Theatre Y with performer Darren Hill (May 2017): Help support a six-week pilgrimage on the nearly 500-mile Camino de Santiago in Spain, with actor Darren Hill performing Underneath the Lintel by Glen Berger each night along the route, with film maker Greg Scott documenting the performances and the experiences of fellow pilgrims. We wanted to support Darren in his adventurous experiment.
Scene Study: Black Theater in Chicago
(May 2017): Helping to fund a documentary film by Alana Arenas paying tribute to the phenomenal legacy of Black theater in Chicago. We were excited by both the subject matter and our high regard for Alana Arenas and the unflagging quality and integrity of her work. Fundraising for the project is through 3Arts, “a crowdfunding platform with a built-in match that helps Chicago artists finance new creative work.”
Griffin Theatre (March 2017): Production sponsorship for Ragtime. We find Ragtime to be both moving and timely, and were already eagerly looking forward to seeing it (incidentally, in the Den Theatre’s Heath Main Stage) when the opportunity to help sponsor the production arose.
Chicago Film Archive of Performance
(CFAP) (March 2017): Funding for creating archival video recordings of At the Table (Broken Nose Theatre) and peerless (First Floor Theatre). We were thrilled to support the addition of these two outstanding productions to this important archive, which serves as an educational and artistic resource. CFAP chooses shows to archive based on their cultural, historical, aesthetic, and educational value.
First Floor Theater (February 2017): Funding for scenic and costume design for peerless. This project addressed design challenges inherent in staging peerless, as well as supporting diversity of both programming and design artists. Following its original run, First Floor’s production of peerless was selected as one of four shows to be remounted in Chicago’s Theatre on the Lake 2017 season.
