American Blues Theater

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Formation1985
TypeTheatre group
Location
  • Chicago
Artistic director
Gwendolyn Whiteside
American Blues Theater
Formation1985
TypeTheatre group
Location
  • Chicago
Artistic director
Gwendolyn Whiteside
Websitehttp://www.americanbluestheater.com/

American Blues Theater is a nonprofit, professional Equity theater company in Chicago, Illinois, United States.

American Blues Theater was founded in 1985. Richard Christiansen of the Chicago Tribune cited the theater as one of three companies in his editorial "Chicago Theater Forges New Standards of Glory."[1]

From 1997 to 2009, the company was led by artistic directors from outside of the ensemble. Under this leadership from 1997 to 2007, the theater's name changed to the American Theater Company (ATC),[2] the mission statement was revised, and the business expanded significantly. In 2008, under new management, the ensemble theater practice was dismantled. After 18 months of talks with new management, every ensemble member before 2008 left the ATC in March 2009 citing "major administrative and artistic differences."[3]

The ensemble immediately reformed under its original name of the American Blues Theater. The founding board members reconstituted the board, and ensemble member Gwendolyn Whiteside became the artistic director. Under her leadership, American Blues has expanded the ensemble and diversified its base of artists. Whiteside established the annual Blue Ink Award for playwriting, incorporated community service into the company's mission, and developed arts education programming for Chicago Public Schools, which serves just under 4,000 students annually. During her tenure, she secured the first endowment, first reserve fund, and first permanent artistic home in the company’s history.

After more than three decades as an itinerant theater, in 2022 American Blues Theater purchased a 17,965 sq ft property at 5627 N. Lincoln Ave. in Chicago to transform into its first permanent home. The venue includes a 137-seat proscenium and a 50-seat flexible studio. The renovated venue opened in November 2023.[4]

Community service

American Blues Theater provides community service for not-for-profit organizations such as The Family Institute at Northwestern University, Chicago Public Schools, American Indian Center, HANA Center, Chicago Latina Moms, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, and the United Service Organizations. Since 2009, the theater has held food and book drives, distributed promotional tickets, and raised awareness for children's surgeries and health needs.

Awards

The theater is a previous winner of American Theatre Wing's National Theatre Company Award.[5]

As of 2024, the theater and artists have 246 Jeff Awards and nominations, marking distinction in Chicago theater, and 44 Black Theater Alliance Awards.

Production history

Blue Ink Award for playwriting

References

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