Definition Theatre

Definition Theatre The face of America is changing, and it is the Definition Theatre's belief that the American theatre must follow suit.

Our ensemble is a collective of artists, art administrators, educators, and designers who prioritize working towards and representing an equitable theatre industry. We now exist in a country where the lines of race, gender, partisanship, class, and culture are blurred, our individualized stories are interwoven, and our national pride needs to be rooted in our multiculturalism. Contemporary America

n theatre must reflect the cities of America, be a window to the outside world. The Definition Theatre's belief is that when theatre is most vivid, vital, and the most effectual, it is as though we are viewing a microcosm of human existence on the stage. The power of theatrical work lives in its ability to cause an empathic response from the audience. This is attained via playwrights and actors imbuing the worlds and relationships with certain overlying truths that transcend the categorical boxes that society is sadly so beholden to as separatist devices. Good theatre screams to us that our stories are all connected, through our universality, our specificity. The Definition Theatre wants to spread these ideologies through communities through performances and workshops to further instill the interconnectedness of our stories.

06/05/2026

Chicago will change—and they will too.
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is onstage now.
🎟️ Tickets + more at definitiontheatre.org

FIRST LOOK: keerah — onstage now!📸 Joe Mazza, Brave Lux inc.
06/04/2026

FIRST LOOK: keerah — onstage now!

📸 Joe Mazza, Brave Lux inc.

We're teaming up with The Wick and Wine Experience, a graduate of the small business incubator for a special event on ...
06/03/2026

We're teaming up with The Wick and Wine Experience, a graduate of the small business incubator for a special event on June 13 before our matinee of !

Your $75 ticket provides entry to both the workshop and the 3p performance—allowing for a full afternoon of guided reflection 🧘🏾‍♀️
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🎟️ Advance registration required. Learn more at definitiontheatre.org/event/krh-twwe

05/29/2026

YEAHHHHHH👏🏾👏🏾

The Amplify World Premiere of by Netta Walker, directed by McKenzie Chinn, onstage now until June 28.

see you there 🫡

Our first preview is already sold out !!!! 🚨 — Join us for the second performance of by Netta Walker, the second fully...
05/22/2026

Our first preview is already sold out !!!! 🚨 — Join us for the second performance of by Netta Walker, the second fully realized production developed through our Program.

We’re celebrating the nearly 50 playwrights who have participated in the program, marking our ongoing commitment to nurturing bold new voices.

Reserve 🎟️’s at definitiontheatre.org/event/krh-amplifycelebration

A peek inside our first rehearsal for our next Amplify World Premiere, keerah by Netta Walker! Performances begin May 29...
05/04/2026

A peek inside our first rehearsal for our next Amplify World Premiere, keerah by Netta Walker! Performances begin May 29.
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📸 Sulyiman / Black August Productions

meet the team behind our amplify world premiere of “keerah” by Netta Walker! 👌🏾📸— Sulyiman / Black August Productions
04/30/2026

meet the team behind our amplify world premiere of “keerah” by Netta Walker! 👌🏾

📸— Sulyiman / Black August Productions

We’re back with more new work and we’re continuing to amplify black female voices on our stage. Our second Amplify World...
03/31/2026

We’re back with more new work and we’re continuing to amplify black female voices on our stage. Our second Amplify World Premiere from Winner Netta Walker, directed by McKenzie Chinn, is onstage May 29.

Tickets are onsale now at definitiontheatre.org 🔥

Definition Community,Prior to the Friday March 13 performance of Black Cypress Bayou, our theater was vandalized with ...
03/19/2026

Definition Community,

Prior to the Friday March 13 performance of Black Cypress Bayou, our theater was vandalized with hate speech. A member of our team discovered the phrase “Murder Black Women” written on the exterior of our entrance window. The incident was immediately reported to UCPD and CPD as a hate crime, and additional security measures were put in place to ensure all cast, crew, and audiences were safe.

We condemn this act and any harm directed toward our team and the Hyde Park community. This occurred as we closed this incredible production—a story told and led by Black women whose artistry, strength, and storytelling we remain deeply committed to uplifting.

We continue to center and protect Black women on and off our stage.

If you have any information regarding this incident, we welcome you to come forward and connect with CPD.

We’ve added one final performance on closing night, 3/15 at 7:30p—otherwise all remaining performances of are now Wait...
03/05/2026

We’ve added one final performance on closing night, 3/15 at 7:30p—otherwise all remaining performances of are now Waitlist only!

🎟️

If a performance is sold out, the box office will open 1 hour before each performance to release any available tickets or begin an in-person waitlist. At-the-Door tickets are released 5-15 minutes before the start of each performance, in order of the waitlist. You must be physically present to claim your ticket. Special offers are not applicable at-the-door, with the exception of $15 student tickets, with valid ID.

📸 Joe Mazza, Brave Lux inc.

Address

1160 E 55th Street
Chicago, IL
60615

Opening Hours

Thursday 6pm - 10pm
Friday 6pm - 10pm
Saturday 2pm - 5pm
6pm - 10pm
Sunday 2pm - 5pm

Telephone

+13124690390

Website

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