chicago theatre scene

Posted: 4/30/08 at 10:21am

What do you guys think about the Chicago theatre scene? How do the shows compare to broadway and what is the reputation? Is it easy to go to Broadway with a start in Chicago as a designer, Technician, actor?

[SarcasticStagehand842]

Posted: 4/30/08 at 11:42am

I know a fair amount of Technicians who graduate and move or work summers in Chicago first and they love it, especially those who were born in the Midwest who are moving to any city for the first time. Its kinda like being in previews for them. They can work on getting their equity cards and more experience outside of a university setting before moving across the country, and have told our professors that they feel after a year or two there they felt more prepared and learned enough to be comfortable working with the big boys so to speak. Minneapolis is also a good jump start point.

[typecastme22]

Posted: 4/30/08 at 12:02pm

Chicago is a great place to start out, especially if you are from the Midwest or going to school there. It's a very intimate theatre scene and I hear that once you are "in", you will be used by a lot of different things, which is GREAT for resume builders. I am contemplating staying here after school to get some work before moving to the big NYC (but that is a few years away). By the way, I am talking about acting.

As for theatres, there are MANY highly regarded theatres that regularly put on productions that go to Broadway. August Osage County started here in Chicago. So the reputation is very high.

[RunningInTheDark]

Posted: 4/30/08 at 1:12pm

I would say, as far as musical theatre goes, Chicago is becoming shockingly popular. Both Wicked AND Jersey Boys are doing exceedingly well, selling out nearly nightly. That really IS saying something considering how long both shows have been running. Therefore, the musical theatre scene in chicago is booming.

Theatre in Chicago, though, is absolutely fantastic. It is a very small network, therefore everyone from Dury Lane to Steppenwolf knows one another, and it's a great way to build community.

I'm not sure, exactly, how the technical aspects of this city work, though. You'd be best to look for internships at theatres like Steppenwolf, Cadillac Pallace, etc.

[b=[^.^]=d]

Posted: 5/9/08 at 4:18am

i considered heading to chicago after i finish schooling, some of it for the booming pop-punk scene growing there, but mostly to get a taste of the theatre scene. as a technician/designer.

do all of the "booming" qualities of chicago theatre still apply to techies as well?