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Happy Black History Month!
Theatre gifts us the opportunity to be a fly on the wall of conversations at tables that we may not be familiar sitting at. We get to explore history in the way it impacted those who have different backgrounds than our own and it opens the door to conversations that connect and create change for our future. This month we lift the stories that focus on, are created by and developed with black voices. I hope you will join us for our Black History Panel as we discuss learning from our past in pursuit of a better future. In addition, this month we launch the application for the Samuel G. Roberson Jr. Grant dedicated to a theatre artist whose work intersects theatre and social justice.
We are also launching Chicago Theatre Week this month! I want to see all your faces as we celebrate this past year and look ahead in our annual meeting with this year’s focus being advocacy for our sector. We will be bringing our partners and advocates to the table from the local, city and state level to talk about how we make sustainable change. As we move forward through the year and participate in conversations with the membership, public officials, funders and the media it is important that we are bringing all the facts to the table. So please take the time to complete the surveys, provide your assets, utilize our toolkits, and reach out for support. We are here for you.
We are here for you,
Marissa Lynn Jones
"Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we've been waiting for. We are the change that we seek."
— Barack Obama
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Black History Month Programming
Happy Black History Month! Celebrate Black excellence this month, and beyond, and check out our members' programming. These events highlight and center Black theatres, artists, administrators, playwrights, and other creatives everywhere. Check out Black History Month Programming here.
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The Samuel G. Roberson Jr. Resident Fellowship is Live!
Now in its fourth year, the Samuel G. Roberson Jr. Resident Fellowship, administered by the League of Chicago Theatres, offers early to mid-career Black theater artists the opportunity to work with a Chicago-based non-profit organization in a supportive environment. The Fellowship provides the Artist with a grant of $20,000 and the Partner Organization receives $7,500 to support their work with the Artist. The Focus Area of the 2024 Samuel G. Roberson Jr. Resident Fellowship this year is Artivist. Application Deadline: 3/1/24. You can find all the information and application forms here.
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Annual Meeting/CTW Kick off Next Week!
Join the League in celebrating not just the kick off of Chicago Theatre Week 2024, but a yearlong celebration of the League’s 45th Anniversary! The event includes a networking hour, food & drinks, and a program including speakers, updates on the League from the past year, and performances from select Chicago Theatre Week shows. Learn more here.
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ComEd Applications Are Live!
The ComEd Powering the Arts Program has been designed to assist local institutions in these efforts by providing funding for some expenses toward these goals (grant awards of up to $10,000).
Eligible applicants are nonprofit arts and cultural institutions that are located within ComEd’s service territory, and must be in good standing with ComEd related to provision of utilities. Application Deadline: 3/29/24. You can find all the information and application forms here.
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Black History Month Panel Discussion
Join The League of Chicago Theatres at The Understudy on Thursday, February 8th from 7-9pm as we discuss topics relating to Black History Month, current productions that are on at Chicago theatres, and programming from our panelists: Rob Wilson, Director of Black by Popular Demand from The Second City, Kate Wexler, Dramaturg for Fairview at Loyola University, and Temple Hemphill, Publicist for 1619: The Musical. Learn more here.
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Call for Submissions: Shows about Love!
As we approach Valentine’s Day, the League is looking to feature your shows about love on our social media channels, in our blog, and in the press. Email kara@chicagoplays.com to submit your programming.
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Participate in Chicago Theatre Week Continued!
CTW Continued on Hot Tix is back for the second year. Offer $15 or $30 tickets on Hot Tix from February 19-26 to keep the Theatre Week fun going! Shows DO NOT have to be playing February 19-26 to participate, shows in advance are also eligible for this offer. Fill out the Jotform here to submit your show to participate by February 9. Contact kristi@chicagoplays.com for more information or questions.
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Join Lawyers for the Creative Arts for a monthly Nonprofit Compliance Series on arts nonprofit laws and best practices. This space is ideal for those interested in or currently managing an arts nonprofit in Illinois as staff or board. All are welcome and encouraged to drop in to one program, attend the full series, or anything in between. Those who attend all 7 programs in the series (either in-person or online) will be eligible to earn a certificate of completion for the Nonprofit Compliance Series. Learn more, and register for a date here. | | |
The Illinois Theater Association (ITA) proudly unveils its groundbreaking Professional Interviews, Auditions & Networking Opportunities (PIANO) Conference, set to transform the landscape of the theater industry. Scheduled for February 16 and 17, 2024, the inaugural PIANO Conference will take place at the prestigious Drury Lane Theater, located at 100 Drury Lane, Oak Brook Terrace, IL 60181. With an aim to bridge the gap between employers and industry professionals. Learn more here. | | |
The KCACTF/LORT ASPIRE Leadership Fellows Program is designed to cultivate a new generation of artistic and administrative leaders for the American Theater with a focus of engaging Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) and members of other groups that are consistently underrepresented in the field. This week-long fellowship occurs as part of the annual national convening of the American College Theater Festival at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. For more information about the ASPIRE program and the application process, please contact LORT EDI Co-Chair Kelvin Dinkins, Jr., or Stefanie Sertich, KCACTF National ASPIRE Coordinator. Learn more here. | | |
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Rising Leaders of Color is forming a cohort of six exceptionally talented early-career leaders of color from Chicago, IL who are advancing their careers in the U.S. not-for-profit theatre and related sectors, and who demonstrate the potential to impact the field in a positive way. Please note that the RLC 2024 cohort will not include individuals specializing in theatre criticism or journalism, as the RLC 2023 national cohort specifically focused on theatre criticism and journalism.
Learn more here.
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Featured Business Affiliate
HMS Media is a 25-time Emmy Award-winning multimedia company that creates broadcast, digital and mobile content for Broadway shows & national tours, an impressive roster of Chicago and regional theater dance & music companies, and an array of social-service institutions and corporate clients.
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Post Your Shows on ChicagoPlays.com
Post all of your upcoming shows on ChicagoPlays.com to be featured on our patron facing website, social media platforms, seasonal theatre guides, “ChicagoPlays Extra” emails, and more.
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Sell Discount Tickets on HotTix.org
Grow your audience by offering discount tickets through Hot Tix. Your performances will be featured on the Hot Tix website, social media platforms, and included in email blasts to a large list of loyal subscribers. Contact Hot Tix for more information on how to take advantage of this service.
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SmarTix Free Student Tickets Program
Send us your show information and we will email a large list of Chicago area college students a complementary email invitation to select performances at your theatre. Contact Kara Jackson if you are interested in taking advantage of this program.
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View/Post Industry Offers
Go to our Industry Ticket Offers page to see all current available offers. Current offers posted from Northbrook Theatre, The Studebaker Theater, Northlight Theatre, Shattered Globe Theatre, Steppenwolf Theater Company, Music Theater Works, and Court Theatre. To add your industry offers to our website, use this form, or contact Kara Jackson.
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Review the Opening Night & Gala Calendar
Our opening night & gala calendar is the go-to information source for press outlets, critics, and theatres across the city. Make sure that you check this calendar before planning your press openings or galas and add them to this calendar as soon as they are scheduled. Use this form to submit your press opening or gala performance information or contact Kara Jackson with any questions.
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Add Performances to the Access Calendar
Make sure to enter the dates for your upcoming access performances when you submit your shows to ChicagoPlays.com. These performances are compiled and searchable on our Access Calendar. If you have any questions, contact Kara Jackson.
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Professional Development Opportunities | | | | |
