Opera House of Woodstock

Built in the 1800s in Steamboat Gothic style, the opera house hosts musicals, dramas, dance and touring groups.

CITY: Woodstock

Woodstock Opera House

Built in 1889 as City Hall, the Woodstock Opera House has long been one of the top performing arts centers in the Midwest. Its illustrious history also includes a cameo in Groundhog Day.

CITY: Woodstock

Genesee Theatre

Experience the grandeur of world-class artists and Broadway theatricals in the beautifully restored Genesee Theatre. After undergoing a $23 million renovation, The Genesee Theatre is now home to world-class performances including Broadway shows, musical acts, comedians and more. In addition to the shows this venue is a historic hot-spot for weddings, corporate functions, holiday parties, and a variety of special events. There are also a number of completely renovated auxiliary rooms connected to the main auditorium that are perfect for receptions, birthdays, high school reunions, corporate dinners, cocktail parties, or any other festive gathering, meeting, or presentation. Visit the website for a list of upcoming shows.

CITY: Waukegan

Jack Benny Center for the Arts

Jack Benny Center for the Arts -- Waukegan Symphony Orchestra & Concert Chorus and Bowen Park Theatre & Opera Companies. Bowen Park Theatre provides professional theatre and opera as well as children's theatre in the summer months, spring, and in December. The Jack Benny Center is the home of "The Old Time Radio Show" that holds performances quarterly.

CITY: Waukegan

Clockwise Theatre

Clockwise Theatre's goal is to offer alternative entertainment choices, including world premiers of plays with an emphasis on Midwestern playwrights, new or unusual small-scale musicals, and programming for the teenage-young adult audience. Clockwise hopes to offer a welcoming canvas on which to work, mobilizing the energy of the young, wisdom of the old, vision of the artist, and the rich cultures woven throughout Waukegan and the Midwest.

CITY: Waukegan

Capitol Theater

The Monroe Actors Stage Company (MASC) offers plays from September through June.

CITY: Waterloo

Krannert Center for the Performing Arts

A professional laboratory for the University of Illinois dance, theater, opera, and music departments. The center also hosts nationally renowned artists and is home to the Champaign-Urbana Symphony.

CITY: Urbana

Smith Memorial Hall

Live Perforamance Musical Theater located on the University of Illinois campus in one of the many historical buildings on the Quad. Listed in the National Register of Historic Places, Smith Memorial Hall features a 900-seat recital hall, a popular venue for student and faculty solo and ensemble performances. Chamber Music and Harpsichord recitals are held in the Smith Memorial room.

CITY: Urbana

Station Theater/The Celebration Company

The Station Theater, located in the historic 1899 Penn Central Train Station, is home to the Celebration Company. The theater provides live productions all year round meant to inspire, educate, and challenge. Performances range from musicals to classical experimental.

CITY: Urbana

Urbana-Champaign Independent Media Center

The Urbana-Champaign Independent Media Center fosters the creation and distribution of media, art, and narratives emphasizing underrepresented voices and perspectives and promotes empowerment and expression through media and arts education.

CITY: Urbana

The Center for Performing Arts at Governors State University

Chicago Southland's grandest performing arts center at Governors State University, in University Park, features a wide array of world class attractions, children and family programming

CITY: University Park

First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre

Beautiful outdoor music theatre open May through September with a capacity of just under 30,000 people. Concessions and private catering available; tour buses welcome.

CITY: Tinley Park

The Little Theatre On The Square

A Professional Actor Equity Association-affiliated theatre performing Broadway musicals and comedy. Produces five mainstage shows from mid-June to mid-August. Three theatres for young audiences, shows, in addition to a fall, Christmas, & spring show.

CITY: Sullivan

Engle Lane Theatre

An astonishingly well-equipped theater in its 42nd season. Plays and musicals running May-August.

CITY: Streator

Steel Beam Theatre

Live theatre in an intimate, historic setting.

CITY: St. Charles

Norris Cultural Arts Center, Theatre & Art Gallery

A 1,000 seat live theatre providing family entertainment for more than 20 years. Season tickets are available. Call for gallery hours and reservations.

CITY: St. Charles

Noble Fool Theatricals at Pheasant Run Resort

Brand new theater includes stadium seating for 320 people with state-of-the-art sound and lighting systems.

CITY: St. Charles

The Arcada Theatre

The Arcada Theatre is dedicated to being a true showcase of the Arts. Our main goal is to provide St. Charles, the Fox Valley Area, and the Chicagoland Area a wide variety of arts and entertainment.

CITY: St. Charles

Sangamon Auditorium - University of Illinois Springfield

The auditorium presents a broad range of music, theater and dance performances.

CITY: Springfield

Hoogland Center for the Arts

Home to many of Springfield's local arts orgnizations, Hoogland Center for the Arts has numerous local theatrical productions and gallery exhibits throughout the year. The venue also draws touring musical acts from all over the country.

CITY: Springfield

Skokie Theater

This state-of-the-art, 150-seat auditorium presents musical and theatrical programs.

CITY: Skokie

Centre East

Centre East presents a variety of comedy, dance, music and family-oriented performances.

CITY: Skokie

Prairie Center for the Arts

Featuring concerts, plays, art exhibits and dance. Wireless headsets for hearing impaired and wheelchair seating available.

CITY: Schaumburg

Laugh Out Loud Improv Theater

Hilarious improvised comedy that combines live action, video, and the audience! Family-friendly and grown up shows every weekend starring Chicago's top improv comedians.

CITY: Schaumburg

Opera House of Sandwich

The Opera House functions as a community oriented facility. It brings to its stage: theatre, lectures, recitals, weddings and a wide variety of outstanding performers, ranging from country to classical.

CITY: Sandwich

Sandwich City Hall and Opera House

On August 20, 1878, 25 years after Sandwich first became a town, a contract was signed for construction of the Sandwich City Hall and Opera House. An allotment of $10,000 was given for the project, with the stipulation that it must be completed by the end of the year. The building was finished on time, but there was a cost overrun of $2,000 After much time, money and energy by volunteers to restore and renovate the City Hall and Opera House, a grand re-opening was held on April 12, 1986. Once again the building functions as a community oriented facility, bringing community theatre, lectures, recitals, style shows, weddings and a wide variety of outstanding performers, ranging from country to classical, to its stage.

CITY: Sandwich

Round Lake Area Park District

Round Lake Area Park District offers visitors a wide range of activities and facilities to enjoy. They include the Renwood Golf Course, the new sports center, the Prairie Grass Nature Museum, community theatre, outdoor pool/aquatic center, fitness center, child development center, teen center, senior center and acres of picturesque parklands. Private parties/outings at any of the facilities can be accommodated.

CITY: Round Lake

Rosemont Theatre

The plush Rosemont Theatre is your ticket to lavish Broadway musicals, full-scale productions and world-class entertainers. We also get raves for our extra-wide aisles, on-site parking, and our superior sound system. The Theatre presents unforgettable show-going experiences.

CITY: Rosemont

Lewis University Phillip Lynch Theatre

Watch an array of plays in this intimate theater on the campus of Lewis University. The Phillip Lynch Theatre presents a diverse selection of productions from comedy, to tragedy, and everything in between.

CITY: Romeoville

Riverfront Museum Park

Arts and humanities complex housing Discovery Center Museum, Rockford Art Museum, Rockford Dance Company office and studies, Northern Illinois Public Radio offices and Rockford Symphony Orchestra offices.

CITY: Rockford

Bengt Sjostrom Theatre & Studio Theatre

Newly renovated, stunning open-air theater with retractable roof, home to Starlight Theatre, the area's oldest summer theatre, and to RVC's annual Shakespeare Festival. The Studio Theatre provides a venue for amateur and student productions.

CITY: Rockford

Summer Wood Amphitheatre

Outdoor performances by nationally known, Christian-oriented artists at the largest outdoor Christian amphitheater in the Midwest. Family-oriented environment with children's programs, free admission to most events, and sign language interpretation.

CITY: Rockford

Coronado Performing Arts Center

See a play or musical performance at the wonderfully ornate Coronado Performing Arts Center, which was once a 1920s movie palace and vaudeville hall. The Coronado still features its original whimsical details, such as gilded Spanish castles, Chinese dragons in relief on the walls and a faux starry sky. Coronado Performing Arts Center is the venue for many performing arts groups and traveling shows.

CITY: Rockford

Rockford Dance Company

Established in 1972, Rockford Dance Company pursues excellence in the art of dance through performance, education and outreach. A full season of dance is performed by company members, guest artist from around the world, and students from RDC’s school of dance. This ballet school also offers classes in modern, jazz, and tap and a recreational division full of many other unique dance genres.

CITY: Rockford

Mendelssohn Performing Arts Center

Since 1884, the Mendelssohn Performing Arts Center (MPAC) has been offering exciting, personal, interactive music experiences to the northern Illinois area. MPAC presents several exciting concert series with local, national and internationally-renowned performers, from genres including classical, jazz, folk and Broadway.

CITY: Rockford

Studio Theatre at Rock Valley College

During the fall and spring semesters, Rock Valley College sponsors a Studio Theatre program, giving students and amateur actors in the area a chance to perform with guest professionals in plays such as Wings, Black Coffee, and 1940's Radio Hour. Each year the Studio Theatre presents a William Shakespeare classic. The Studio Theatre also has a new play development program with productions that have included American Rock!, Kite's Book, and Christmas With the Conroys.

CITY: Rockford

Starlight Theatre at Rock Valley College

The area's oldest outdoor summer theatre with four musical productions in June and July. Starlight's home, the Bengt Sjostrom Theatre, features more than a thousand seats, a stunningly artistic and creative retractable roof, new seating and an improved stage. Starlight Theatre has been named one of Illinois' 150 Great Places by the American Institute of Architects, Illinois Council. This prestigious award is given to places that have been identified by leading architects as contributing to their communities' quality of life.

CITY: Rockford

Artists' Ensemble Theatre

Artists's Ensemble is a thriving theater group that offers five professional productions a year in the Clark Arts Center at Rockford College. Tickets are available by phone or online.

CITY: Rockford

Augustana College Cultural Events

A variety of arts events going on at Augustana College.

CITY: Rock Island

Circa 21 Dinner Playhouse & The Speakeasy

Enjoy Broadway musicals, comedies, concerts, children's productions, and dinner in this historic, beautifully restored Vaudeville-era theatre. For a schedule of upcoming and current productions please visit the Circa 21 Dinner Playhouse website. Next door to Circa 21 Dinner Playhouse you will find the Speakeasy. This smaller theatre features comedy and concerts throughout the year. To see who is performing at The Speakeasy, go to the Circa 21 Dinner Playhouse website.

CITY: Rock Island

The Speakeasy

Enjoy this intimate theatre featuring live music, comedy and more. Located right next door to the Circa '21 Dinner Playhouse, the Speakeasy is the newest edition to the Downtown Rock Island Arts & Entertainment District. Open Thursday through Saturday, check the website for upcoming event schedule.

CITY: Rock Island

Quincy Community Theatre

This state-of-the-art community theatre far outshines and outperforms many professional theatres. The Quincy Community Theatre's first production was in 1929. The theatre seats 498 people and is complete with a thrust stage and full orchestra pit. Six different performances a year attract sell-out crowds.

CITY: Quincy

Irene’s Cabaret

Open since 1976, Irene’s features dancing to live DJs, drag shows and live entertainment.

CITY: Quincy

Festival 56

Festival 56 is now a year-round professional theater festival, with 10 productions each year. Each season, Festival 56 assembles from across the country a team of the most creative and talented artists living and working in professional theater today. The festival presents a wide spectrum of programming, from free productions of Shakespeare to classic and world premier musicals and the masterworks of playwrights such a Steinbeck, Ibsen and Tennessee Williams. Festival 56 is committed to championing the American theater as an art form by creating a home for the artists who are its heart and soul.

CITY: Princeton

Peoria Area Civic Chorale

A volunteer chorale group of around 100 singing members, PACC performs two concert series annually, May and December.

CITY: Peoria

Peoria Players Theatre

The Peoria Players Theatre is the longest continuously running community theatre in Illinois, and the 4th oldest in the nation. Peoria Players has been in continuous operation since 1919.

CITY: Peoria

Peoria Civic Center

Downstate Illinois' largest center is a four-building complex with a 12,000-seat arena. With 110,000 square feet of exhibit space, a 2,200-seat theater, a ball-room seating 1,500 for banquets and 16 meeting rooms this venue can house it all. As the premier entertainment facility in downstate Illinois, the Civic Center plays host to a variety of concerts, family shows, sporting events and Broadway Theater Series each year.

CITY: Peoria

Peoria Ballet

The Peoria Ballet offers a season of spectacular dance performances featuring the Peoria Ballet Company and guest artists from across the globe, while the Peoria Ballet Academy provides excellent dance education in ballet, modern, jazz, tap and hip hop.

CITY: Peoria

Pec Playhouse Theatre

Performances produced by people dedicated to proividing quality community theatre in an intimate, rustic venue.

CITY: Pecatonica

Freedom Hall

Freedom Hall offers a diverse series accenting dance, music, theatre, popular attractions, children's theatre and outreach activities. Join us in the intimate 280-seat Nathan Manilow Theatre.

CITY: Park Forest

Illinois Theatre Center

This professional equity theater and drama school operates year round.

CITY: Park Forest

Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra

The 75-member orchestra is the largest performing arts organization in the Chicago Southland providing professional, orchestral music of beauty and excellence. The IPO performs at Lincoln-Way North High School,19900 South Harlem Avenue, Frankfort and Lincoln-Way East High School, 201 Colorado Avenue, Frankfort.

CITY: Park Forest

Moraine Valley Fine & Performing Arts Center Dorothy Menker Theater

Founded in 1967, MVCC offers a variety of educational programs and services to residents of the southwest suburban area. This includes customized training solutions.

CITY: Palos Hills

Moraine Valley Fine & Performing Arts Ctr John and Angeline Oremus

The FPAC presents quality cultural programs and popular entertainment in the 600-seat Dorothy Menker Theater, 150-seat Oremus Theater and the Robert F DeCaprio art gallery.

CITY: Palos Hills

Harper College Performing Arts Center

Concerts, plays, musicals, and more. Free backstage tours for groups.

CITY: Palatine

John Stull Performing Arts Center at Olney Central College

The center at Olney Central College hosts many local and national performances throughout the year.

CITY: Olney

Drury Lane Theatre & Conference Center

The Drury Lane Theatre & Conference Center in Oakbrook Terrace is a beautiful, unique and versatile facility that combines ideal location, functionality and elegance to make it one of Chicagoland's finest facilities for business and entertainment. 971-seat proscenium style live theater featuring musicals, comedy, hollywood personalities and dinner theatre. Banquets for 2,500. 40,000 square feet of trade show space. Conveniently located to the airports.

CITY: Oakbrook Terrace

Drury Lane Children's Theatre

DuPage County, Chicago’s Western Suburbs - Be a part of the sparkling lights and glamour of Broadway at the award winning Drury Lane Theatre in Oakbrook Terrace. The Children's Theatre features stellar performances made just for kids that will entertain and inspire.

CITY: Oakbrook Terrace

Circle Theatre of Oak Park

Circle Theatre is an artist-based company whose mission is to produce exciting and innovative theatre accessible to our widely diversified suburban and city audience. Through variety-filled seasons including drama, comedy, musicals, and new works, Circle Theatre challenges, entertains, and educates audiences and artists of all ages.

CITY: Oak Park

Open Door Repertory Company

Open Door Repertory Company is a professional non-equity theater organization that produces plays and provides theater education to serve audiences and theater artists of all ages and backgrounds throughout the Chicagoland area. Their purpose is to inspire, entertain, and provoke emotional and intellectual responses.

CITY: Oak Park

Wonder Works

Wonder Works is 6,400 square feet of fun, a place of creative play for kids birth to age eight. Located in Oak Park, Illinois at 6445 West North Avenue, the children's museum helps kids, their parents and caregivers unleash their imaginations through art, performance, design, building and more.

CITY: Oak Park

Oak Park Festival Theatre

Oak Park Festival Theatre presents its 35th year of professional productions. Its season opens indoors in the National Historic Landmark, Pleasant Home, 217 Home Avenue. Then the company moves outdoors to Austin Gardens, adjacent to downtown Oak Park. With Shakespearian classics, witty drawing room mysteries, and farces, plus moving contemporary plays, Festival Theatre pleases audiences -- indoors and out. See our website, or call (708) 445-4440.

CITY: Oak Park

Madison Street Theatre

The Madison Street Theatre, founded in 1959 as the Village Players Performing Arts Center, a non-profit organization, promotes the arts through theatrical productions and educational programs that encourage cultural understanding and embrace diversity.

CITY: Oak Park

Heartland Theatre

Heartland Theatre Company is located on the old Soldiers & Sailors campus where Lincoln and Beech Streets intersect in Normal. Besides presenting a season of five plays each year, Heartland hosts an annual 10-Minute Play Festival and a one-act competition and workshop for Midwest playwrights. Heartland occasionally partners with local universities and organizations to offer historical or musical theatre to the community.

CITY: Normal

Mesta's Musicals

Wholesome family entertainment with song, dance, and humor. Join us for lunch and dinner show packages.

CITY: New Lenox

Open House Theater

Shows are performed at the Turkey Hill Grange, Progressive Grange, and The New Athens Senior Center.

CITY: New Athens

Cedarhurst Center for the Arts & Mitchell Museum

Exhibitions, a children's gallery, a permanent collection and special events. Grounds include 85 acres sculpture park, nature trails and bird sanctuary. Hosts annual Cedarhurst Craft Fair.

CITY: Mount Vernon

White Pines Dinner Theater

Entertainment abounds with a dinner theater sporting musical comedies and murder mystery plays. Groups large or small. Call for reservations located in the beautiful White Pines Forest State Park.

CITY: Mount Morris

Timber Lake Playhouse

Illinois' oldest continuously-running professional summer stock theatre. Live performances June-August. Reservations required. Children's program July-August.

CITY: Mount Carroll

Brubeck Theatre at Wabash Valley College

The Brubeck Theatre at Wabash Valley College in Mt. Carmel features many locally produced plays and musicals, as well as traveling professional performers.

CITY: Mount Carmel

Playcrafters Barn Theater

Enjoy a variety of dramas and comedies at this theater situated in a renovated barn. Theater productions are available throughout the year and feature professional actors and actresses. Great venue and wonderful theater productions make this a fun attraction in the Quad Cities.

CITY: Moline

Quad City Music Guild

Broadway musicals in this beautiful auditorium located in Prospect Park in Moline, Illinois. Visit the website for current and upcoming show schedule and ticket prices.

CITY: Moline

Circa '21 Dinner Playhouse

Historic Vaudeville Era Dinner Playhouse offering musical productions and dinner theatre.

CITY: Moline

McHenry Drive-In Outdoor Theatre

One of the few remaining authentic drive-in movie theatres remaining in Illinois. Enjoy the nostalgia of double-feature movies in the comfort of your car. Unique family experience.

CITY: McHenry

Marion Cultural and Civic Center

The Marion Cultural and Civic Center serves Southern Illinois as an outlet for cultural and artistic opportunities of all types. MCCC is a 1094 seat performing arts center located in the historic town square of Marion, IL. In addition to providing a state-of-the-art theatrical facility at a low rental cost, MCCC also provides a portion of the lobby to display paintings and artwork from Southern Illinois artists.

CITY: Marion

Marriott Theatre in Lincolnshire

See the "The Best of Broadway" at the Marriott Theatre featuring 5 great musicals every year. The intimate arena theatre is designed so everyone has the best seat in the house. The theatre earns lavish praise from critics, receiving a record 370 Joseph Jefferson Award nominations - Chicago's highest theatrical honor for artistic achievement. Marriott's Theatre for Young Audiences presents numerous original works as well as classic fairy tales. Through these works, children experience the joy and magic that is "live" theatre.

CITY: Lincolnshire

Lincoln Christian University Theatre

Come and enjoy the sights and sounds of stage productions at the Lincoln Christian University & Seminary Theater. The productions vary depending on the year and the season. Offers a fall play, Christmas Production, and a spring musical.

CITY: Lincoln

The Hett Theater

Distinguished speakers, concerts, and drama are all part of the playbill at The Hett, McKendree College's showcase Center for the Arts.

CITY: Lebanon

Citadel Theatre

Citadel Theatre is dedicated to producing inspiring theatre by bringing together gifted professionals from all the theatrical disciplines to create exciting, compelling work of the highest caliber.

CITY: Lake Forest

The Abbey Theatre at the Jacob Henry Mansion Estate

Located on the Jacob Henry Mansion Estate, guests are greeted with our famous family hospitality, homemade meals and heartwarming musical productions. Lunch matinees and dinner shows are complimented by itineraries that include tours of our other historic properties, or excursions into Joliet's vibrant downtown. The Jacob Henry Mansion Estate Dinner Theatre welcomes groups with onsite motorcoach parking and handicap accessibilty.

CITY: Joliet

Maneuvers

A Joliet staple for more than 30 years, this LGBT bar features dancing to live DJs on Friday and Saturday nights, Maneuvers Diva’s Den drag shows and live entertainment.

CITY: Joliet

Rialto Theatre

Historic Vaudeville Movie Theatre listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Wide variety of performances.

CITY: Joliet

Sophie Leschin Theater

Home to Jacksonville Theatre Guild Productions, large auditorium theatre

CITY: Jacksonville

Rammelkamp Chapel - Illinois College

Rammelkamp Chapel is the home of religious life on campus as well as the site for various events ranging from weekly chapel services, mass, convocations, concerts and ceremonies.

CITY: Jacksonville

Overshadowed Theatrical Productions

DuPage County, Chicago's Western Suburbs - Overshadowed Productions delivers quality, family-friendly drama that entertains, inspires, and promotes a Biblical message.

CITY: Itasca

American Dance Center Company

This nationally recognized dance company performs all styles of dance. The troupe's annual spectacular, Holiday Fantasy, was selected as the Best Live Show in Chicago Southland.

CITY: Homewood

Attic Playhouse

The Attic Playhouse strives to showcase a broad spectrum of theatre as an art form by producing: classic straight plays, small musicals, one-acts, improvisational and skit comedies and theatre for young audiences. Special attention is given to producing original scripts and encouraging new talent. At least one production a year is dedicated to these original works.

CITY: Highland Park

Hard Road Theatre Productions

Hard Road Theatre Productions is a non-profit community theater organization committed to providing the Highland area with high-quality, affordable, live theater productions.

CITY: Highland

The Palace Theatre

The 60-seat facility is complete with a restored 1928 Barton 12-rank theatre pipe organ. It was originally built to perform popular music and to accompany the silent movies of the 1920s. Group tours available.

CITY: Highland

The Music Theatre Company

The Music Theatre Company explores the musical in the interest of expanding the canon of musical theatre through fully-staged productions, commissions of new works and musical experiments.

CITY: Highland

Globe Theater

The marquee dates back to the 1920s, but the audio-visual equipment is state-of-the-art. Three screens show first run movies on the ground floor, with a coffee shop and bistro upstairs.

CITY: Greenville

James Lumber Center for the Performing Arts at the College of Lake County

Presents the finest entertainers in the industry. Bold expressions of music, theatre, dance and variety acts. Featuring professional touring concerts as well as college music, theatre and dance presentations.

CITY: Grayslake

Murder at the BC Mansion Dinner Theatre

The Bennett-Curtis House provides mystery/dinner shows throughout the season. These shows feature a five-course dinner and play all in one! Special show/dinner packages are available for groups or events. While enjoying the show, don't miss the spectacular gardens flanked by fountains, coach house, and grape arbor. Call for reservations or visit their website.

CITY: Grant Park

SummerStage

SummerStage is an amateur thespian organization that began in 1981. The group presents five programs a year including dramas, comedies, and musicals.

CITY: Granite City

Conklin's Barn II Dinner Theatre

dinner theatre

CITY: Goodfield