Theatre Wit

As a production company, Theater Wit’s is the premier smart art theater in Chicago, producing humorous, challenging, and intelligent plays that speak with a vibrant and contemporary theatrical voice. As an institution, Theater Wit seeks to be the hub of the Chicago neighborhood theater scene. In our three spaces, we bring together Chicago’s best storefront theater companies. Here you will find a smorgasbord of excellent productions, see the work of a parade of talented artists, and mingle with audiences from all over Chicago.

CITY: Chicago

Collaboraction

Collaboraction creates original works of theatre that emphasize high production values, push boundaries, and highlight issues that are socially relevant to a diverse community of Chicagoans.

CITY: Chicago

Saint Sebastian Players

The Saint Sebastian Players is a membership-based theatre company producing dramas, comedies and musicals. We emphasize collaborative theatre development in a supportive environment that fosters learning and growth. We believe theatre helps people more fully understand themselves and each other. Photo credit: (L–R) Daniel Pass as young Alexi, Megan Faye Izzo as Ivana and Evan Voboril as Vladimir in the Saint Sebastian Players' world premiere of Leigh Johnson's Lefties. Photo by John Oster.

CITY: Chicago

Center on Halsted

Center on Halsted is the Midwest's most comprehensive community center dedicated to building and strengthening the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ) community. Center on Halsted's Community and Cultural team creates and hosts a wide array of fun, interactive and engaging programs enjoyed by members of the entire community. Events range from volleyball games in our gymnasium to dance recitals in our theatre. We host regular receptions showcasing local LGBTQ artists and special events for LGBTQ families and friends.

CITY: Chicago

Drama Group Studio

All ages will enjoy this celebration of dr. Seuss stories with terrific music and a fine message: be loyal to your friends, don't give up, keep your promises, and let your imagination soar.

CITY: Chicago Heights

The Chicago Heights Drama Group

Bringing Broadway to the South Suburbs since 1931, The Drama Group is one of the oldest volunteer community theatres in the country. This drama group is a not-for-profit community theater.

CITY: Chicago Heights

Curtains Up Theatre Company

The Company performs at The Miner's Theatre.

CITY: Collinsville

Country Club Hills Amphitheater Theater

Our beautiful new Country Club Hills Amphitheater Theater is an intimate, 2000-seat venue that combines stylish, modern architecture and state-of-the-art audio and video technology with the same kind of rustic, community charm that our city is famous for.

CITY: Country Club Hills

Raue Center for the Arts

A center for visual and performing arts through education, creative expression, guidance, artistic nourishment, insight and inspiration, in an historic venue.

CITY: Crystal Lake

Red Mask Players

This 75 year-old community theater group stages three productions each season at the comfortable and cozy historic Kathryn Randolph Theater.

CITY: Danville

Fischer Theatre

Historic Fischer Theatre, owned by the Vermilion Heritage Foundation, was built as the Grand Opera House in 1884. From Lillian Russell to silent movies, this theater provided entertainment to the community until it's closing in 1982. As work continues toward the goal of complete restoration, the lobby is used for many public events. The theater also houses the "Stage Presents The Fischer Gift Shop" where you will find creations by local artists and artisans, as well as products highlighting the area's famous stage, movie and vocal artists.

CITY: Danville

Lincoln Square Theatre

The Lincoln Square Theatre was built in 1915, designed principally to present touring theatrical and vaudeville productions. The original structure featured seating for 1,355 patrons.

CITY: Decatur

Albert Taylor Theatre at Millikin University

The Albert Taylor Theatre is located in the historic Shilling Hall. The 275-seat auditorium was built as Millikin University opened in 1902. Renovations to the theatre were completed in 2006 and include Handicapped Accessible and Wheel Chair Accessible seating. Annual productions by the Millikin University Department of Theatre & Dance, School of Music, and Opera Program are all held in this theatre. Lectures, classes, and rehearsals are also held in the facility.

CITY: Decatur

Kaeuper Hall at Millikin University

Kaeuper Hall is located in the Perkinson Music Center. The 167-seat auditorium was named after Hermann Kaeuper, the first Director of the School of Music. The handicapped accessible hall hosts weekly School of Music recitals, guest instrumental and vocal performances, opera rehearsals, and other intimate concerts.

CITY: Decatur

Theatre 7

Local theatre presentations at their best, with local talent providing high quality entertaining plays throughout the year for your enjoyment.

CITY: Decatur

Kirkland Fine Arts Center

A full-scale, live performance theater, with art galleries, on the campus of Millikin University.

CITY: Decatur

Egyptian Theatre

The Egyptian Theatre hosts film festivals, special movie screenings, and live entertainment events. This theatre is a 1929, fully restored Egyptian Art Deco movie palace and is listed on the National Registry of Historic Places. The Egyptian is also available for rentals, tours, weddings, graduations, parties and receptions. Capacity: 1,419 Raised stage with dressing room below; balcony and lobby space.

CITY: DeKalb

Northern Illinois University

Come tour the Northern Illinois University, catch a show preformed by their Theatre or Dance department, or explore one of their Art Galleries. There is much to do on campus including their new Anthropology Museum, an Observatory, and the Huskies Den. Their Museums are free to visit, some fees may apply for shows or School of Music Concerts. There is never a dull moment on campus!

CITY: DeKalb

Stage Coach Theatre

Stage Coach Theatre is one of the oldest, continuously operating community theatres in Northern Illinois. They have produced over 250 dramas, comedies, and "whodunit" productions, and produce six new shows every year.

CITY: DeKalb

Clearwater Theater

This theater venue hosts top-notch entertainment, local and national bands, karaoke and comedy shows.

CITY: Dundee

The Wildey Theatre

Opened in 1909 as an opera house and a meeting hall for the Independent Order of Oddfellows, the Wildey has undergone many transformations through the years. The most recent one is a $2 million renovation inside and out.

CITY: Edwardsville

Effingham Performance Center

Arts Connection of Central Illinois has been established for the citizens of Effingham County and beyond to showcase arts and entertainment, to encourage interaction with and appreciation of live performance, to endorse the educational process and to enhance the quality of life and cultural vitality of the region.

CITY: Effingham

Children's Theater of Elgin

Exceptional theater productions are performed by children for children.

CITY: Elgin

Elgin Community Theatre

Award-winning community theatre featuring classical and contemporary musicals and play selections.

CITY: Elgin

Elgin Community College Visual and Performing Arts Center

World class music, dance and theatre. Enjoy an evening out, entertainment for the family, or a chance to satisfy your cravings for culture.

CITY: Elgin

Hemmens Cultural Center

Home of the Elgin Symphony Orchestra, this facility contains a 1200-seat theatre and an 11,340 square foot exhibition hall with fully equipped banquet kitchen. Host to many well-known artists.

CITY: Elgin

Light Opera Works

Light Opera Works presents a season of professional musical theater with full orchestra at Cahn Auditorium.

CITY: Evanston

Fleetwood-Jourdain Community Theatre

For two decades Fleetwood-Jourdain has been thrilling audiences with a unique brand of inspirational and invigorating theater, with a particular focus on the African American experience.

CITY: Evanston

The Actors Gymnasium

Since 1995, The Actors Gymnasium has been guided by the vision of a revitalized American theatre: one with performances as thrilling as a rock concert, and as mesmerizing as the circus. To that end, we have dedicated ourselves to the education and development of multi-skilled, physical-theatre artists.

CITY: Evanston

Flora Theatre

This two-screen theater shows new releases every weekend.

CITY: Flora

Lincoln-Way North Performing Arts Center

Now in its 35th season, the Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra (IPO) is the largest performing arts organization in Chicago’s Southland - providing professional orchestral music of beauty and excellence to the region. The IPO’s repertoire ranges from Baroque and Classical masterpieces, to world premieres and modern favorites.

CITY: Frankfort

Ferguson Fine Arts Theatre

Located on the campus of Highland Community College - features a variety of fine arts programming including vocal and music concerts, live theater, special performances, and the popular Summerset Theater Program, a community performing arts theater.

CITY: Freeport

Jeanette Lloyd Theater

Large theater with seating for 850

CITY: Freeport

Galena Trolley Depot Theater

Check out live performances in 135-seat, creatively renovated theater. Call for information. Rent theater for private events.

CITY: Galena

Richmond Hill Players

Theatre in the ‘Round atop the bluff since 1968. A unique in-the-round environment beneath original rustic timbers seats for this community theatre group. Six productions representing a wide variety of comedies, dramas and thrillers run from February through October.

CITY: Geneseo

Geneva Underground Playhouse

Producing mainstage productions throughout the year, and also hosting performances by comedy groups, musicians, playwrights and any number of other entertainers.

CITY: Geneva

College of DuPage McAninch Arts Center

The McAninch Arts Center is home to five resident professional ensembles: Buffalo Theatre Ensemble, DuPage Opera Theatre, Arts Center Jazz Ensemble, New Classic Singers and New Philharmonic.

CITY: Glen Ellyn

McAninch Arts Center, College of DuPage

Home to five resident professional ensembles, student productions and world-class touring attractions plus the Gahlberg Gallery for visual arts.

CITY: Glen Ellyn

Writers' Theatre

Over the past twenty seasons, Writers' Theatre has become a major Chicagoland cultural destination with a national reputation for excellence. The company – known for the finest interpretations of classic and contemporary theatre – has garnered critical praise for the consistent high quality and intimacy of its artistry. Throughout the season Writers’ will be offering post-show discussions on select Wednesday evenings following the performance in our Tudor Court space. In the Books on Vernon space they will be offering post-show discussions every other Wednesday evening.

CITY: Glencoe

Conklin's Barn II Dinner Theatre

dinner theatre

CITY: Goodfield

Conklin's Barn 2 Dinner Theatre

Your home for hospitality with a bountiful buffet and the funniest live dinner theatre in Central Illinois.

CITY: Goodfield

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Open House Theater

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

CITY: New Athens

Mesta's Musicals

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

CITY: New Lenox

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

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

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

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

Harper College Performing Arts Center

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

CITY: Palatine

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

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

Pec Playhouse Theatre

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

CITY: Pecatonica

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

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

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