Court Theatre is a Tony Award-winning professional theatre company located in the Hyde Park neighborhood of

Chicago, Illinois (''City in a Garden''); I Will , image_map = , map_caption = Interactive Map of Chicago , coordinates = , coordinates_footnotes = , subdivision_type = Country , subdivision_name ...

, where it was established in 1955. Court Theatre is affiliated with the

University of Chicago The University of Chicago (UChicago, Chicago, U of C, or UChi) is a private university, private research university in Chicago, Illinois. Its main campus is located in Chicago's Hyde Park, Chicago, Hyde Park neighborhood. The University of Chic ...

, receiving in-kind support from the University and operating within the larger University umbrella. Court Theatre puts on five plays per season, which are attended by over 35,000 people each year, in addition to various smaller performance events such as play readings.

History

Charles Newell has been Artistic Director since 1994. In 2018, Angel Ysaguirre joined Court Theatre's leadership as executive director. In 2010, Court Theatre established itself as the Center for Classic Theatre at the

. As explained on the theatre's website, through this position, Court Theatre is "dedicated to the curation of large-scale, interdisciplinary theatrical experiences". Court Theatre has used the University as a resource in many ways, including through the development of new translations and adaptations of classic texts, receiving dramaturgical assistance from expert faculty, and hosting events related to the theatre's programming throughout the University's campus and the greater Hyde Park area. Court Theatre also provides resources for the University as well, including by exclusively providing numerous internships to University of Chicago students as well as maintaining a number of University affiliates on their Board of Trustees. On June 12, 2022 Charles Newell, Marilyn F. Vitale Artistic Director, and Executive Director Angel Ysaguirre accepted the 2022 Regional Theatre Tony Award on behalf of Court Theatre at Radio City Music Hall.

Notable productions

Court has won over 70

Jeff Award The Joseph Jefferson Award, more commonly known informally as the Jeff Award, is given for theatre arts produced in the Chicago area. Founded in 1968, the awards are named in tribute to actor Joseph Jefferson, a 19th-century American theater sta ...

s, including 8 awards for Best Production for the following shows: '' The Tempest'' (1978), directed by Robert Falls '' The Triumph of Love'' (1994), directed by Charles Newell '' Putting It Together'' (1998), directed by Gary Griffin '' Man of La Mancha'' (2006), directed by Charles Newell ''

Fences A fence is a barrier enclosing or bordering a field, yard, etc., usually made of posts and wire or wood, used to prevent entrance, to confine, or to mark a boundary. Fence or fences may also refer to: Entertainment Music * Fences (band), an Amer ...

'' (2006), directed by Ron OJ Parson ''

Caroline, or Change ''Caroline, or Change'' is a musical with music by Jeanine Tesori and lyrics and book by Tony Kushner. The score combines spirituals, blues, Motown, classical music, and Jewish klezmer and folk music. The show ran both Off-Broadway and on Broadway ...

'' (2009), directed by Charles Newell ''Blues for an Alabama Sky'' (2017), directed by Ron OJ Parson ''

King Hedley II ''King Hedley II'' is a play by American playwright August Wilson, the ninth in his ten-part series, '' The Pittsburgh Cycle''. The play ran on Broadway in 2001 and was revived Off-Broadway in 2007. Productions ''King Hedley II'' premiered at th ...

'' (2020), directed by Ron OJ Parson

References

Chicago Tribune. March 6, 2008. Court Theatre's Newell will be busy on the boards. By Chris Jones. Retrieved 2008-03-16Chicago Tribune, February 29, 2008. Murder, mayhem at Court Theatre--and now a carnival ride. Retrieved 2008-03-16
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20110517050509/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-1572518.html Chicago Sun-Times, April 4, 2005. Art's effect on history propels Court Theatre's captivating 'Travesties'. Review by Kevin Nance]
Court Theatre's 'Thyestes' broadens the gory details. By Chris Jones, Tribune theater critic. October 1, 2007. Retrieved 2008-03-16
* ttps://web.archive.org/web/20090313053254/http://www.courttheatre.org/about/pressrelease/2009_2010_season_announcement Court Theatre 2009-2010 Season press release

External links

* {{authority control University of Chicago Theatre companies in Chicago League of Resident Theatres