Theatre News Wire

Theater Wit announced new and unprecedented support for Chicago's neighborhood theater community in the form of a new, three-year, $600,000 grant from the Paul M. Angell Foundation for Theater Wit's Shared Spaces program.

The program, launched in 2024 with seed money from the Richard M. Driehaus Foundation, has already empowered the artistic work of up to 20 independent and itinerant theater producers annually through subsidized space rentals and tailored production, accessibility, and administrative support.

Now, starting immediately, Theater Wit is offering its three 99-seat theater spaces to nonprofit producers for $1,000 per week - more than fifty percent off the standard $2,250 market rate.

"This three-year initiative addresses a critical need in Chicago's theater landscape," said Theater Wit Artistic Director Jeremy Wechsler. "In our current economic reality, Chicago's theatrical ecosystem has been caught in a depressive cycle. Costs of production have risen, funding sources have been reduced, spaces have closed, performance schedules have been cut and many companies have folded. This critically important gift from the Angell Foundation will expand our Shared Spaces program and help break this cycle to inspire new and established companies alike, one production at a time."

"The Paul M. Angell Family Foundation has dedicated a majority of its theater funding to itinerant organizations over the past decade. In the last five years, our grantee partners have expressed how the lack, losses, and rising costs of viable rental spaces affects their ability to plan seasons, shortens production runs, and strains already tightening budgets. These organizational impacts are also felt by our city's incredible artists who are provided fewer weeks of work and less opportunity to engage in their craft. We are proud to support Theater Wit's Shared Spaces program and share their belief that the innovative spectrum of stories itinerant companies tell are the heart of Chicago's theatre community," said Mignon Stewart, Director of Performing Arts, The Paul M. Angell Family Foundation.

"Since the pandemic, 19 stages that fostered storefront theater have closed or become unsuitable, while production costs have skyrocketed. With only 51 theater companies now producing full seasons, compared to 127 in 2019, Chicago's distinctive storefront community is clearly facing real challenges," Wechsler added. "The good news is this generous grant from the Angell Foundation will reduce economic barriers to production and empower the innovative independent producers who define our city's theatrical landscape. We believe that this investment in our Shared Spaces program will change Chicago theater for the better, and can serve as a model for how our city can better leverage community spaces for the benefit of all."

Many of Chicago's most influential theaters, including Steppenwolf and Chicago Shakespeare Theater, started in converted spaces. Theater Wit's Shared Spaces program ensures that pathway will remain open for the next generation of companies. Wit's newly reduced rates will enable producers to plan longer runs, build deeper audience connections, and develop more ambitious seasons. Instead of short showcases, companies can invest in the kind of extended programming that fuels successful productions, sustainable producers and promising careers.

In addition, Shared Spaces offers more than affordable rent. Participating producers receive comprehensive support, including marketing assistance, production guidance, and full accessibility services such as touch tours and equipment for assistive listening/audio description. Wit handles this sort of infrastructure so artists can focus on making great art.

?"Theater Wit is a vital asset to the midsize theater community," said Margaret McCloskey, Executive Director of Remy Bumppo, a resident company at Theater Wit for the past eight years. "There is a dearth of 99-seat venues in the city, and what few there are have been reduced by the closure of several due to the pandemic. Wit stands nearly alone. Keeping this venue affordable will have an immeasurable impact on our productions."

"For the past three years, we at Physical Theater Festival Chicago have had the pleasure of working with Theater Wit through its Shared Spaces program," added Alice da Cunha and Marc Frost, Co-Artistic Directors, Physical Theater Festival. "The reduced rent made it possible for us to present our seven-day international festival at Theater Wit sustainably."

Fall productions at Theater Wit include resident company Shattered Globe Theatre's Midwest premiere of Ugly Lies the Bone by Lindsey Ferrentino, Remy Bumppo's production of Wish You Were Here by Sanaz Toossi, and Strawdog Theatre's The F*ck House, leading up to the busy holiday season, when Wit's always popular Who's Holiday! will return for its fifth year, November 28 through December 28.