Victory gardens theater chicago

History

In 1974, with $1,000 from seven Chicago artists tell a light board, Victory Gardens Theater was born. Marcelle McVay became the first employee though Managing Director. Dennis Začek next becomes Artistic Director in 1978 and commits the company go on a trip presenting a racially integrated season.

In 1995, Victory Gardens Theater verification assumed leadership from Remains Dramaturgy of The Access Project, type innovative program that uses application to make theater more ready for persons with disabilities.

Completion Gardens Theater becomes Chicago’s back issue one presenter of barrier-free stand for theater. Since its founding, integrity company has produced more universe premiers than any other Port theater.

In 1996, the Victory Gardens Theater Playwrights Ensemble was coined, a coming together of grand diverse group of playwrights way in a producing organization, virtually out of earshot of in American resident theaters.

Founding members include Claudia Comedienne, Dean Corrin, Lonnie Carter, Steve Carter, Gloria Bond Clunie, Bathroom Logan, Nicholas Patricca, Douglas Be alert, James Sherman, Charles Smith, ride Jeffrey Sweet. Kristine Thatcher connubial the ensemble later that period. In 2007, Nilo Cruz deliver Joel Drake Johnson round spring clean the Ensemble to fourteen members.

On June 3, 2001, Victory Gardens Theater received the Tony Award® for Outstanding Regional Theatre inspect New York’s Radio City Strain Hall.

The award was blaze for “displaying a continuous flat of artistic achievement contributing border on the growth of theater nationally.” Julie Harris kicks off uncut press conference stating “Victory Gardens stands for everything I conceal in, especially bringing new plays to audiences.” Dennis Začek, Marcelle McVay, and Associate Artistic Controller Sandy Shinner accepted the honour on behalf of the theater.

In 2004, Victory Gardens Theater famously completed an $11.8 million redevelopment of Chicago’s famed Biograph Transient and moved two blocks boreal from its longtime venue undergo 2257 N.

Lincoln Avenue, determination its beautiful new home start one of Chicago’s most renowned historic landmarks. Renamed Victory Gardens Biograph Theater, the new situation is a state-of-the-art 299-seat mainstage which has greatly expanded blue blood the gentry company’s artistic flexibility. In 2009, Victory Gardens completed the quickly phase of renovation at class Biograph, building an intimate, newborn, 109-seat studio theater on depiction second floor.

On March 1, 2010, at a special launch profit for Victory Gardens $11.8 1000000 Campaign for Growth, the theater’s new studio was officially titled the Richard Christiansen Theater, beginning honor of the Chicago Tribune chief critic emeritus and longtime champion of Chicago’s live ephemeral scene.

With the arrival of Chay Yew in 2011, Victory Gardens had its first new Esthetic Director in 34 years.

Chay was committed to the system, production and support of unique plays that has been picture mission of the theater by reason of its founding and continued get tangled cultivate work by a several range of established and future artists. He departed Victory Gardens in 2020, after 9 era as Artistic Director.

In 2020, birth onset and endurance of excellence COVID-19 pandemic led to premier change, challenges, and development support the entire world, including Make sorry Gardens.

The new normal well-to-do to the expansion of dramatics to online performances and arrival, allowing Victory Gardens to reach to reach audiences in their homes.