May 30, 2024 | Opportunities, events, and resources for League members

Check out our last Broadcast at leagueofchicagotheatres.org

Hello League Family,

I am so excited to update you on a historic win for our sector. As you may know, one of the pillars we have focused on this year has been around advocacy for our industry. This year, the League brought on Chad Hoosier as a lobbyist to support our membership in advocacy on every level. Through this partnership we have been able to make our legislators aware of our sectors needs, as well as introduce them to the wonderful work happening in their communities from our entire membership. Through leadership efforts of Chad Hoosier, Lou Raizin and the League board we were able to amend the Live Production Tax Credit: HB 4951 Senate Amendment 2, to include $2M dollars for non-profit theatre productions via a withholding tax credit.

This is a very big step in what we hope to be a road toward more funding for theatre and for all arts organizations. There will be much more to come from our partner organizations and the League on education around the credit and how it may be used. One of the first things I learned in growing up is knowledge is power. We want to continue to empower you with knowledge of how these decisions are made and how to advocate within your own communities up to the national level. Please continue to stay up to date with the League for workshops, resources, and opportunities for advocacy, as well as other service organizations aligned with this work, as we are stronger together and there is room for all at the table. Chad will be conducting an advocacy workshop in July for the membership to review this Tax Credit and other advocacy opportunities. Please expect to receive an invitation with more details at the top of the month.

I want to give special thanks to Lou Raizin, Chad Hoosier, our legislators: Senate Sponsor Senator Cristina Castro, House Sponsor Representative Kelly Burke, Budget and Policy Analyst Natalie Synder, and Majority Caucus Appropriations Leader Elgie Sims as Senate budgeteer for being champions of the theatre industry.

I look forward to discussing this new opportunity and others with the rest of our colleagues in the field at the upcoming TCG conference co-hosted by The League. I look forward to celebrating with all of you.

You may read the page amendment here.

(Page 167)

To see the full budget for FY25 click here.

Introducing Youth Night at the Theatre!

In partnership with the Chicago Tribune, the League proudly introduces Youth Night at the Theatre, a new program in which select shows and performances will offer a free ticket for a child (18 years and under) with the purchase of one adult ticket. Each month, participating shows and performance dates will be announced and promoted through the Chicago Tribune in print, online, and through social media.

Youth Night at the Theatre promotions will run similarly to Chicago Theatre Week purchases, tickets are purchased directly through the theatre using the promo code LOCTYOUTH, set up as a Buy One, Get One Free ticket promotion. If you are interested, please fill out the show submission form along with all the dates for JUNE that you are interested in offering a BOGO promotion for Youth Night at the Theatre by May 31. If you have any questions about this exciting new program, contact Hayley Ross. Submit Here.

CGTA and LOCT 8th Annual E-waste Drive

Join the League and the Chicago Green Theatre Alliance for our 8th Annual E-waste Drive June 7 & 8, 2024 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. CDT at Verde Energy Efficiency Experts. For this year’s E-waste Drive, theater and film community come together to combat electronic waste filling our landfills. Electronics, whether they’re broken, working, or unused, can be donated at the upcoming event for charity rehabilitation and responsible recycling. Learn more here.

LOCT Community Meeting for Artistic Directors of Chicago

The League of Chicago Theatres is hosting our first ever Community meeting for Artistic Directors of Chicago. Artistic Directors are welcome to join their colleagues on Friday, June 7 at 6:30 p.m. at Theater Wit. We will hold quarterly meetings, and these meetings are open to any AD in Chicago, or the surrounding area. Learn more and RSVP here.

Customer Intervention and De-escalation Workshop

The League of Chicago Theatres is hosting a Virtual Customer Intervention and De-escalation Workshop on Thursday, June 27 from 4-5pm that is free for all members and business affiliates of the League. This workshop will be led by Long-Time Customer Service and De-escalation Expert, Myra Golden. Please RSVP and fill out the link by today, Thursday, May 30 to attend. The form links to a questionnaire that will help Myra tailor her workshops to your objectives and focus on gathering research as efficiently as possible.

Theatre Communications Group - Do you have a show playing June 20-22? Fill out this form to submit an industry offer to TCG Conference attendees! Please note that offers should only be valid for performances happening during the Conference, June 20-22 and your show must be playing during that time to submit.

Artspace has launched its second cohort of Artspace Immersion: Chicago – a free, year-long program to help arts organizations advance their vision for a new space for their creative work. Applications for organizations are open now through June 20. Learn more and apply here.

Rhinofest - The Rhinoceros Theater Festival is Chicago's longest-running fringe theater festival, co-produced by Prop Thtr and the Curious Theatre Branch. Check out the event calendar for RhinoFest in Chicago, along with artist, ticket and venue information.

Send Us Your Community Announcements!

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

Featured Business Affiliate

Schuler Shook is an internationally recognized design firm that has earned a reputation for excellent Architectural Lighting Design, Theatre Planning and Audio Video Design. Their work ranges from epic to intimate, transcendent to practical, and across all project types on nearly every continent. What unites their work in these disciplines is a collaborative spirit and a commitment to compelling, innovative and sensitive designs distinctly and masterfully tailored to the needs of the project. View the full list of League Business Affiliates here.