Skip to main content
Shedd Aquarium

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...

The Nutcracker at the Joffrey Ballet

Auditorium Theatre at Roosevelt University •  Dec 06 – Dec 28

Experience magic this holiday season with two-time Tony Award®-winner Christopher Wheeldon's 'The Nutcracker'.

Read more about The Nutcracker at the Joffrey Ballet

Light Up the Lake at Navy Pier

Navy Pier •  Nov 29 – Jan 05

Light Up the Lake runs from Nov. 26 - Jan. 2. Tickets start at just $15.00, including a ride on the iconic Centennial Wheel, offering inspiring…

Read more about Light Up the Lake at Navy Pier

Lincoln Park ZooLights

Lincoln Park Zoo •  Nov 15 – Jan 05 @ 4:30PM

Enter a winter wonderland illuminated by the laughter of children and more than one million lights at Lincoln Park Zoo’s annual ZooLights.

Read more about Lincoln Park ZooLights

You might also be interested...

The Playground Theater

Chicago

Read more about The Playground Theater

Cadillac Palace Theater

Chicago

Read more about Cadillac Palace Theater

The Second City - Donny's Skybox Theater

Chicago

Read more about The Second City - Donny's Skybox Theater

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

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