CTW Begins Today!

It’s officially here, Chicago Theatre Week 2024 begins today and runs through February 18! The League is pleased to share that we have sold over 12,500 CTW tickets to date, but we aren’t done yet. Keep the momentum going by utilizing the Marketing Toolkit and sharing our 2024 sizzle reel on social media and in emails. Contact hayley@chicagoplays.com with any questions about Chicago Theatre Week.

Sign up for CTW Continued on Hot Tix 

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. 

Fundraising Essentials Workshop

Join us for an engaging and informative 1-hour virtual training session, “Fundraising Essentials: Transforming Relationships into Dollars and Awareness for your Nonprofit Organization” on Thursday, February 22, 2024 at 3pm. This training session is FREE for League members and is designed specifically to address your current fundraising needs and skill gaps, so please come prepared to ask questions and discuss real-world fundraising challenges your organization is facing. Learn more here.

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.

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.

Thank You for Joining Us for the 2024 CTW Kick Off & Annual Meeting!

Thank you to everyone who joined us on Monday, February 5 for the CTW Kick Off & Annual Meeting. We want to extend our gratitude to our partners including Chicago Shakespeare Theater, Taylor’s Tacos, Tamales Caribay, Marz Beer, Nothing Bundt Cakes, the theatres and partner organizations that hosted informational tables, and to everyone who attended to make the event a success. Another big thank you to our speakers who helped us share about the state of the Chicago theatre community and performers who elevated our excitement about Chicago Theatre Week. We are so grateful to all of you!

Call for Women’s History Month Listings 

March is Women's History Month! As we approach March, the League is looking to feature your programming celebrating and showcasing women on our social media channels, in our blog, and in the press. Email kara@chicagoplays.com to submit your events. 

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 Saints Volunteers for the Performing Arts are excited to announce our Grants Assistance Program for artistic development or production-related purposes! Whether it's costumes, commissioning works, or community engagement, we're here to support your creative journey; and, to help bring your artistic vision to life. Check out the criteria for the 2024 application process and get ready to apply when the link goes live Monday, February 19. Learn more here.

The Bayless Family Foundation is proud to announce the 2023/2024 winners of The Stepping Stone Grant and Signal Grants. The recipients of the Stepping Stone Grant, which supports companies at critical moments in their growth by providing $180,000 over the course of three years, are the Definition Theater and TimeLine Theatre Company. The winners of the Signal Grants, which vary in size and are one time payments to organizations that respond to community needs, include the Chicago Children’s Theatre and Remy Bumppo Theatre Company. Learn more 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.

New 2024 Bills in Effect - More than 300 laws went into effect on January 1, 2024, including new regulations on driving, a ban on ideological book bans, an expansion of paid leave and another annual increase to the state's minimum wage. Download the new laws here.

Theatre Communications Group has ways to save on the 2024 National Conference that we don't want you to miss! The Early Bird Deadline and Scholarship Applications are due February 9, 2024. League members have a discount as well. Apply now!

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If you have a submission, question, or suggestion, please use this entry form or contact our Membership Manager, Kara Jackson.