Theaters Chicago

This outdoor theatre is located in Lincoln Park, a stone's throw from Lake Michigan. It presents, at affordable prices, shows as varied as musicals, one-man shows... Most events take place in the summer. The Chicago Summer Theatre is organized there and, in 2019, all performances were free. You can also dine there, all year round! The site celebrated its sixty-third season in 2015. Built in 1913 in the Prairie style, it offers a unique setting with majestic views of Lake Michigan.

More than the establishments in the Loop district, it's Steppenwolf that gives Chicago its reputation as a city of theaters. Founded in 1974 by actors Terry Kinney, Jeff Perry and Gary Sinise in a Highland Park church basement, the group has welcomed newcomers from the University of Illinois to become today a company of thirty-six actors, directors, scriptwriters and adapters. John Malkovich is one of the theater's permanent members and has directed many of the plays performed there.

Located in the Water Tower, this theater was founded by Northwestern University students, including David Schwimmer, best known for playing Ross in the cult series Friends. Looking Glass Theatre Company aims to be at the forefront of American experimental theater. The mission of this small 270-seat theater is to encourage collaboration and artistic invention among its participants. Alice in Wonderland and The Arabian Nights have been reinvented here.

This theater, in the middle of the Navy Pier, is the only theater in Chicago that offers primarily Shakespeare performances. The great classics of the British playwright, such as Macbeth, answer the call, as well as some of his lesser known works. But also plays related to his world such as Red Velvet, dedicated to Ira Aldridge who was the first African-American actor to play the role of Othello in Shakespeare's eponymous tragedy.