The Skokie

08/14/2026

First and foremost, thank you!

When we launched our Indiegogo campaign, our goal was to raise $25,000 to help support the reimagining and reopening of The Skokie. Thanks to an incredible response from the community, we raised more than $30,000.

Since the campaign ended, we’ve heard from quite a few people who missed the deadline and asked if there was still a way to participate. We’ve also heard from so many of you who would love to see movies return to The Skokie.

So, by request, Late Pledge is now open.

There is absolutely no pressure to contribute. You’ve already helped us accomplish something pretty amazing.
But for those who wanted to participate and didn’t get the chance, every additional pledge helps as we continue working toward reopening. And if contributing isn’t possible, every share, comment and like helps us reach more people and is just as appreciated.

Our stretch goal is focused on upgrading our film equipment and adding a larger screen, helping us create an enhanced film experience and bring movies back to The Skokie alongside comedy, music, theatre, storytelling and other live events.

There are also some great rewards still available, including discounts on space rentals, classes and tickets, along with gift cards, memberships and more.

Whether you pledged, shared our campaign, encouraged us along the way or are simply following our progress, thank you. We are incredibly grateful for all of the support.

And we’d love to hear from you!
What movies do you remember seeing at The Skokie? 🎬

The Skokie Theatre has stood on Lincoln Avenue since 1915. For over 100 years, it has gathered people in the dark for laughter, music, and shared experience. Now under new ownership, this historic 150-seat venue is being restored as The Skokie — a home for live comedy, music, storytelling, classes...

08/04/2026

Hello! We just finished an interview with CBS and they’re in search of vintage photos of The Skokie Theatre. So many of you have shared your stories we thought to reach out.

Please keep in mind that the photos may be televised as part of a news segment which will air some time next week.

We loved this idea so much we’re already discussing ways in which we can incorporate some of these on the walls of The Skokie! Feel free to add them in comments below or email to: [email protected]

We can’t wait to see what we get! Thank you.

08/01/2026

We're down to our final two days and we're almost there, thanks to you. 💛
Every pledge counts, and every share makes a big difference too. If you've been meaning to back us, this is the time.
Scroll down to rewards, and you'll find discounted tickets, discounted classes, and founding member perks. A piece of Skokie history at the start of a new chapter for its downtown, one we'd be building together. 🎭

The Skokie Theatre has stood on Lincoln Avenue since 1915. For over 100 years, it has gathered people in the dark for laughter, music, and shared experience. Now under new ownership, this historic 150-seat venue is being restored as The Skokie — a home for live comedy, music, storytelling, classes...

07/25/2026

A little more about our Founding Member recognition...
https://www.indiegogo.com/en/projects/the-skokie/venue/
Starting at $250, Founding Members will have their name recognized as part of the theater.

The description on Indiegogo is really just the beginning. We're still exploring thoughtful, meaningful ways to recognize our Founding Members and create something that truly reflects your place in The Skokie's story.

After the campaign ends, we'll reach out to each Founding Member personally to talk through what that recognition could look like. We see this as something we'll create together rather than a one-size-fits-all reward.

If you'd prefer to remain anonymous, that's absolutely an option too, and we'd still love to find a meaningful way to recognize your support. We're excited to shape this alongside the people who help make The Skokie possible.

07/23/2026

We’re so excited to share this! Thank you to The Skokie Patch for featuring our vision for The Skokie. We can't wait to welcome you through our doors later this year. ❤️🎭

Under new ownership, the Skokie Theater is set to get several improvements, including a new bar, improved seating and feature restoration.

07/18/2026

🎭 $100 Early Bird Classes. Comedy, Improv, Storytelling & More.
We're excited to offer discounted pricing for our classes launching this fall through our Indiegogo campaign. Every pledge helps bring the theater back to life and comes with a reward worth getting excited about.

Whether you've never touched a stage or you've been dying to try, we'll help you get outside your comfort zone, meet great people, and take the stage in a real showcase to share your talent.

They also make a great gift. Good for 5 years, so we hope you grab one for yourself, and another for a spouse, sibling, parent, friend or save as a gift for the holidays, and give an experience they won't forget.

👉 Just pledge $100 on our Indiegogo (link here) and select the class reward.
https://www.indiegogo.com/en/projects/the-skokie/venue

Under new ownership we are enhancing the space and expanding the programming. The lobby and upstairs lounge are getting a redesign. The bookings are getting broader. The room is getting busier.

07/11/2026

What do you want to see on your stage, Skokie?
Favorite band? A comedian who makes you cry laughing? A magician who fools you every time? A guy who trained his three cats to perform Shakespeare? A ventriloquist whose puppet is also a ventriloquist? A juggler who juggles increasingly inappropriate things (starts with balls, ends with a kayak)?
Tell us in the comments. We're taking notes.
TheSkokie.com

07/09/2026

We've been getting so many wonderful questions about what's coming for The Skokie Theatre, and we love it. It tells us everything we need to know about how much this building means to this community.

So here's a peek at what we're working toward.

Our renovation plans focus on honoring the building's history while making it ready for its next chapter. That means refreshing the lobby so it feels warm and welcoming the moment you walk in, restoring the iconic marquee that's been a fixture on Lincoln Avenue for over a century, upgrading the stage, sound, and lighting so every show feels like an event, and creating a real bar and lounge space where people can gather before and after performances. The goal is simple: when you walk through those doors, you should feel like something special is about to happen.

To those of you who have already backed our Indiegogo campaign https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/the-skokie/venue thank you! Genuinely. We are about to hit $10k!

You're not just helping fund renovations. You're choosing to be part of a new beginning for a building that has meant something to this community for over 100 years. That matters more than we can say.

If you've been thinking about joining them, we'd love to have you. Every contribution at any level goes directly into bringing this venue to life. You can find us too at TheSkokie.com.

And if a contribution isn't in the cards right now, we understand. A share or a like on this post helps more than you might think. It puts The Skokie in front of neighbors who don't know we're coming back even stronger, and that's how a community project like this one grows.

Thank you, Skokie. We're building this for you. 🎭

The Skokie Theatre has stood on Lincoln Avenue since 1915. For over 100 years, it has gathered people in the dark for laughter, music, and shared experience. Now under new ownership, this historic 150-seat venue is being restored as The Skokie — a home for live comedy, music, storytelling, classes...

07/09/2026

Today, Will's Place across the street from us marks a milestone. Three years since they opened their doors.

If you haven't been, you should know what Will's Place is. It's a nonprofit café at 7927 Lincoln, and it exists to create meaningful employment for adults with disabilities.

Their motto is "Where there's a will, there's a way."
They serve incredible sandwiches, pastries, and Dark Matter Coffee, and every meal there supports something bigger than a meal.

We dressed the marquee for them today.
Being a great neighbor means noticing your neighbors. Will's Place has been the kind of neighbor that raises the whole block. When The Skokie opens its doors this fall, we hope to be that kind of neighbor to them, too.

Happy 3rd anniversary, Will's Place. Thank you for what you do every day, and thank you for making downtown Skokie better just by being here.

Go see them. Tuesday through Saturday, 8am to 3pm.

07/07/2026

Hello! 👋

We wanted to take a moment to introduce ourselves and to say thank you.

We are the Matsakis and Cantillo families. Monica and Chris Matsakis and Jose and Kristi Cantillo have had the privilege of taking the baton from Wendy, whose decades of dedication to The Skokie Theatre kept this building alive in the hearts of this community. Wendy, we are deeply grateful for everything you built here, and we don't take lightly what you're passing on to us.

We fell in love with this building for the same reason so many of you have, that it has a soul.

Our vision is to reimagine it as The Skokie — a 150-seat live entertainment venue and a home for comedy, storytelling, live music, improv, classes, and the kinds of nights you talk about for years. A place where this community gathers, laughs, creates, and connects.

Since word got out, the warmth and excitement we've felt from Skokie residents, neighbors, and local businesses has genuinely moved us. This town clearly loves this theater and that tells us everything we need to know about the road ahead.

We're just getting started, and we want to build this with you. If you're a local business, artist, performer, educator, or someone who simply loves live entertainment and wants to be part of what's coming — our door is open. Reach out. Let's talk.

More to come very soon at TheSkokie.com. We can't wait to show you what's next.