Chicago Shakespeare Theater

Chicago Shakespeare Theater Chicago's Tony Award-winning Theater on Navy Pier
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A Regional Tony Award recipient, Chicago Shakespeare Theater produces a year-round season—featuring plays, musicals, world premieres, family productions, and theatrical presentations from around the globe—alongside nationally recognized education programming serving tens of thousands of students, teachers, and lifelong learners each year. Founded in 1986, the Theater’s onstage work has expanded to as many as twenty productions and 650 performances annually. Dedicated to welcoming the next generation of theatergoers, one in four audience members is under the age of eighteen. As a nonprofit organization, Chicago Shakespeare works to embrace diversity, prioritize radical inclusion, provide equitable opportunities, and offer an accessible experience for all. On the Theater’s three stages at its home on Navy Pier, in classrooms and neighborhoods across the city, and in venues around the world, Chicago Shakespeare is a multifaceted cultural hub—inviting audiences, artists, and community members to share powerful stories that connect and inspire us.

Did you know that the cast and company of The Repertory have over 300 combined credits here at Chicago Shakespeare Theat...
09/10/2026

Did you know that the cast and company of The Repertory have over 300 combined credits here at Chicago Shakespeare Theater? 😲

From CST debuts, to long-time collaborators, The Rep "Rep"resents the spirit of our 40th anniversary season.

See this amazingly talented cast in THE WINTER'S TALE and A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM, coming soon! 🐻🧚✨

"I love working in Chicago [...] I do like to do something that ignites my passion. That’s true of this show, even after...
09/09/2026

"I love working in Chicago [...] I do like to do something that ignites my passion. That’s true of this show, even after all these years. [...] My idea was to celebrate Black excellence, Black artistry and Black joy. It existed during that period because Harlem was a magical place. And it can exist again now." - Sheldon Epps, Director of PLAY ON!, for the Chicago Tribune

Read the full article by Chris Jones here:

His musical, based on Duke Ellington’s music and Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night,” opens soon on Navy Pier, with hopes for Broadway next.

09/08/2026

Throwback to when these two Chicago Shakespeare legends, Kevin Gudahl and Sean Fortunato, reacted to their old roles.

See them together again this season in both THE WINTER'S TALE and A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM! 🐻🧚

Join us for a night of music, drinks, dance, and the celebration of Black Excellence!On September 22, your ticket to PLA...
09/04/2026

Join us for a night of music, drinks, dance, and the celebration of Black Excellence!

On September 22, your ticket to PLAY ON! includes access to this pre- and post-show event featuring local Black artists. 🎶

Limited spots available. Get your tickets now! 🎟️

09/03/2026

It’s really that simple!

Danny Fender, Assistant Stage Manager for THE WINTER’S TALE and A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM, explains the repertory schedule. 🐻🧚

09/02/2026

The cast of PLAY ON! doesn't stop. They play on and on and on! 🎶

Don't miss this wonderfully joyful production, starting next Friday!

🎟️ chciagoshakes.com

Meet the Chicago Shakespeare Theater Repertory cast! ✨For the first time in CST history, a talented company of Chicago a...
09/01/2026

Meet the Chicago Shakespeare Theater Repertory cast! ✨

For the first time in CST history, a talented company of Chicago actors will perform two plays in repertory. From THE WINTER'S TALE to A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM and back again, this is a Shakespeare experience that you cannot miss.

📷: Jeff Kurysz

CAST: Ronald L. Conner (Antigonus/Snout), Sean Fortunato (Lord/Autolycus/Theseus/Oberon), Kevin Gudahl (Lord/Old Shepherd/Egeus), Dan Haller (Lord/Young Shepherd/Lysander), Erik Hellman (Camillo/Quince), Chiké Johnson (Polixenes/Bottom), Kieran McCabe (Lord/Flute), Felicia Oduh (Mamillius/Perdita/Hermia), Esteban Ortiz-Villacorta (Florizel/Demetrius), Issy van Randwyck (Paulina/Starveling), Patty Roache (Lady/Mopsa/Puck), Grace Steckler (Dorcas/Helena), Demetrios Troy (Leontes/Snug the Joiner), Jessica Dean Turner (Hermione/Titania/Hippolyta)

Pucks of the Past! 🧚✨More than two decades of Pucks, and we're not done yet.See our next Puck, Patty Roache, in this sea...
08/31/2026

Pucks of the Past! 🧚✨

More than two decades of Pucks, and we're not done yet.

See our next Puck, Patty Roache, in this season's A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM.

08/28/2026

This week, the company of the Chicago Shakes Repertory started rehearsals with a read-through of both THE WINTER'S TALE and A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM. ❄️🧚

We kicked things off with a cast photo shoot on the Courtyard Stage. Here's a sneak peek!

(We cannot wait for you to see these photos!)

Even though PLAY ON! is set in Harlem, there are Chicago influences all over this show. The work of artist Archibald Joh...
08/26/2026

Even though PLAY ON! is set in Harlem, there are Chicago influences all over this show.

The work of artist Archibald John Motely Jr. was a direct inspiration for the show's set design, bringing the magic of Black Joy from his canvases to our stage.

Scenic design by the wonderfully talented Beowulf Boritt

Associate Scenic Designers - Shartoya Jn.Baptiste & Alexis Distler

Address

800 E Grand Avenue On Navy Pier
Chicago, IL
60611

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