Thank you for visiting the Commission Theatre Give Gab page!

Commission Theatre strives to create work that is both readily accessible to all Chicagoans and that speaks to the current realities in which they live. One of our primary goals in our 2017 season is audience expansion and refining the operations of the Public Access model, which allows all patrons to see our shows at a pay-what-you-can level. 

With that, we are thrilled to announce to you our second season:

We begin with a renewed focus on new play development, producing a reading series featuring playwrights Ian Geers, Beth Hyland, and Ryan Oliveira. Each playwright represents a unique voice in our local community, and through them we are creating the basis of our New Work Initiative. Over the course over the next 5 years, we hope to give this same opportunity to over fifteen playwrights reflecting the city and people of Chicago. 

Following it's success last year, we will be producing @Will, our annual short play festival. @Will features 6 playwrights, all responding to this year's Shakespearian prompt; 

    "I am hushed till our city be afire, 

    and then I'll speak a little"

The above line comes from our final production of the season, Coriolanus directed by Literary Manager Reed Motz. Coriolanus tells the story of wartime hero Caius Marcius, his quick ascension to political power, and the subsequent fallout as his antagonistic demeanor causes his political and societal enemies to grow. Through tying together @Will and our yearly Shakespeare, we explore the connection between the contemporary playwright and the very same career that Shakespeare immortalized. 

Thank you taking the time to stop by our page and consider contributing to our cause. It is our hope to continue to bring you public access theatre for years to come.

All the best,

Commission Theatre