Skip to main content
Frank Lloyd Wright House and Studio - Oak Park

Court Theatre

5535 S. Ellis Ave., Chicago, IL 60637

Theater

Established in 1955, Court Theatre is the professional theatre on campus at the University of Chicago. We are guided by our mission to create innovative productions of classic plays that are thought provoking, character-driven, and thematically enduring. Through main stage productions, audience enrichment programs, and collaborations with the University of Chicago, we re-examine, re-envision, and renew classic texts that pose enduring and provocative questions that define the human experience. In 2010, Court's artistic leadership and Board of Trustees defined a new vision for Court Theatre: to create a Center at the University of Chicago dedicated to the curation of large-scale, interdisciplinary theatrical experiences. Court's Moliere Festival of The Misanthrope and Tartuffe in 2013 and M. Butterfly in 2014 were the first productions to fully realize this vision. The Center for Classic Theatre is a new way of approaching what it means for a professional theatre to be in residence at a major university. It is an approach to producing that fully accesses the amazing intellectual resources that surround the theatre. This vision influences how Court Theatre builds seasons and serves its audience and community. What does the Center for Classic Theatre mean for Court Theatre audiences? It means great productions that are informed by the richness of a great university; it means more world premiere translations and adaptations like Invisible Man, Native Son, and The Good Book; it means having a theatre vigorously embedded in the fabric of the community; and above all, it means ambitious, exciting theatrical events. In the 60th anniversary season, we are able to demonstrate all that we hope Court Theatre can be: a home for producing works that make classics come to life, for exploring and contributing to the African American theatrical canon, and for reimagining the American musical. We are proud that all five productions of this landmark season exemplify the spirit of the Center for Classic Theatre. We are extremely grateful that we have a collection of patrons and a dedicated Board of Trustees whose support has made this work possible. We look forward to growing and flourishing in the years to come.

What's happening nearby...

Taste of Chicago - Grant Park

Grant Park  •  Jul 08 – Jul 12 @ 11AM

The 46th annual Taste of Chicago is bringing some of the city’s most iconic bites to lakefront Grant Park.

Read more about Taste of Chicago - Grant Park

Windy City Smokeout

Jul 08 – Jul 12

Country music, barbecue, and craft beer — it’s hard to think of a better way to spend a summer weekend in Chicago.

Read more about Windy City Smokeout

Chicago Gospel Music Festival

Jul 24 – Jul 25

Celebrating the great influence of the music genre born in this city more than 80 years ago, the Chicago Gospel Music Festival will present the top…

Read more about Chicago Gospel Music Festival

You might also be interested...

Goodman Theatre

Chicago

Read more about Goodman Theatre

InFusion Theatre Company

Chicago

Read more about InFusion Theatre Company

Mexican Folklore Dance Company of Chicago

Chicago

Founded with a mission to preserve and celebrate Mexican cultural heritage through the artistry of traditional dance, the Mexican Folkloric Dance Company of Chicago has been…

Read more about Mexican Folklore Dance Company of Chicago

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get inspired by top travel stories, gain access to exclusive promotions and contests, and discover even more reasons to #EnjoyIllinois.