The Belmont Theater District is lucky to work with incredible playwrights to write and produce shows right in our neighborhood. Hallie Palladino is a Chicago Playwright. Her plays include DERAILED (O’Neill Semi-Finalist), INFATUATION (Ojai Playwrights Conference; Chicago New Work Festival; [...]
The 58th Chicago International Film Festival will kick off 12 days of premiere screenings, filmmaker Q&As, panels, workshops, and much more with the opening night ChiFilmFest Block Party. So for one night only, walk the red carpet and enjoy food [...]
As recently as this time last year, the Mercury Theater looked to be closed for good. In June 2020, Walter Stearns and Eugene Dizon, the venue’s owners and programmers since 2010, announced they’d be shutting the doors permanently due to [...]
Presented by Oscarbate and Hollywood Entertainment | Sponsored by DePaul University Films of a higher tier, those stamped with the seal of Art, usually accrue a more serious following than many of the movies being made on a supposedly lower-tier - those branded with [...]
Playwright Tyla Abercrumbie’s Relentless is a gift to the Timeline Theatre audience. It is an unforgettable look into a Black family in early 20th century America. Developed through TimeLine’s Playwrights Collective, this world premiere weaves a mother’s past with her daughters’ present [...]
The Chicago Playback Theatre Ensemble is seeking new ensemble members for our 2022 season! In Playback Theatre, actors guide audience members in sharing their own memories and experiences which are then brought to life on stage by the actors using [...]
The Belmont Theater District has such a variety of theater and comedy clubs and yes, even a magic show that we thought they all deserved their own spotlight blog so you can learn more about your favorite theaters and hopefully [...]
It's that time of year again - Chicago Reader's Best of Chicago is back, and quite a few theaters in the Belmont Theater District are vying for your vote for Best of 2021! From "Best venue for dance" to "Best [...]
We’re counting down the ten most-read blogs from 2021. It’s a great reminder of the variety and diversity of theater in Chicago and the BTD. Review your past faves and catch up on any blogs you missed. 10. Women [...]
One of the things that makes Chicago great is the quantity and variety of theater that is produced all over the city. From the small, non-Equity storefronts to the landmark theaters in the Loop, there is something for everyone, both [...]
After reopening earlier this year, theater finishes 2021 strong in the Belmont Theater District, and we couldn’t be more thrilled. The BTD has something for everyone! Here are the theaters with in-person or virtual events in December! Annoyance Theatre & [...]
The Belmont Theater District is home to dozens of theater companies, many of which have been around for decades! Saint Sebastian Players is one such theater company. Saint Sebastian Players produces comedies, dramas, and musicals that range from classical to [...]
After more than a year of being closed, the Belmont Theater District is once again doing live performances, with more shows opening each week. Here’s what some of our member theaters had to say about reopening after a pandemic. To [...]
From September 15 - October 15, we honor Hispanic Heritage Month. These nine theater companies are telling Latinx stories and more every day in Chicago. Let’s take a closer look. Aguijón Theater Company Aguijón Theater Company (pronounced ah-ghee-HOHN) was [...]
Hell in a Handbag Productions is the best and only camp and parody theater company in Chicago and quite possibly, the world. That’s what their flashy website says, so it must be true. But truth be told, Hell in a [...]
The Saint Sebastian Players (SSP) announce the company is resuming live, in-person production with an expanded 40th Anniversary Season. The four-play lineup celebrates genres that have been popular with SSP audiences throughout its history—a classic comedy, a mystery, and a [...]
Theatrical phenomenon Blue Man Group will resume its Chicago residency at Lakeview’s Briar Street Theatre on Wednesday, August 18. A dynamic combination of art, music, comedy, and technology, Blue Man Group encourages audiences to reconnect with their inner (and outer) [...]
Remy Bumppo Theatre Company recently announced Marti Lyons would take the helm as their new Artistic Director. BTD interviewed Marti and Executive Director Margaret McCloskey to talk about Marti's new position and the future of Remy Bumppo. https://youtu.be/8hJf5Qts5YM [...]
Eclectic Full Contact Theatre is proud to announce theatre performance classes starting in September, taught by EFCT Artistic Director, Andrew Pond. EFCT’s Education Program will feature two classes for children in 3-5th grade and 6-12th grade at the Athenaeum Theatre [...]
It’s no secret that Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) stories and performers (and all other artists and crew members) are extremely under-represented on American stages. In May, we celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, but every day [...]
April is National Playwriting Month, and it just so happens to be Shakespeare's birthday on the 23rd. But even if you’re not the Bard, every writer needs a great toolkit to maintain their workflow. Whether it’s for visibility, support, or [...]
We asked women in leadership positions in the BTD about their experiences as a woman in the theater industry and what we can do to support gender parity. Here are their responses. What do you think of the discussions regarding [...]
For Women’s History Month, we asked a few women in comedy for their thoughts on the industry, how it’s been, how to make it better for women, and where they hope it will go from here. What is the best [...]
As we honor Black History Month in February, we remember that every day is an opportunity to uplift Black voices, Black art, and Black lives. In his 2017 essay on Imagining a Better, More Inclusive Theatre, playwright, educator, and activist [...]
“For someone who would never go to theater, they’ll love this show. For someone who normally goes to theater, they’ll love this show.” - Aaron Rabkin, Trickery Chicago Right in the heart of Boystown, near the intersection of Halsted and [...]
Happy New Year! We made it out of 2020, where many theater companies learned how to stream shows and pivot to online programming and also reopen with new protocols. We asked the BTD member theaters for their 2021 forecast and what [...]
(Some responses have been edited for length and clarity. Bold emphasis is BTD’s.) This year started strong with hit shows in the BTD and a very busy Chicago Theatre Week. But unfortunately by mid-March, all live productions in Chicago had [...]
(Editor's note: Bold emphasis is BTD's.) Laugh Factory Chicago's Year in Review by Curtis Shaw Flagg Curtis Shaw Flagg (Photo by Ashley Lane) 2020 started off amazing. We were surpassing all of our previous attendance goals. It looked [...]
2020 was the year that theaters went dark, suddenly and indefinitely. As this tumultuous year comes to a close, here are 3 streaming shows from Belmont Theater District theaters to bring you some light and joy this holiday season. It’s [...]
(Brian Balcom photo by Alison Thvedt) October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month, and 2020 marks the 30th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). BTD spoke with Brian Balcom about his work in accessibility in theater shortly after [...]