Thank you for reaching out to American Blues Theater. We send our warmest wishes for your continued health and well-being. We offer support to all those battling circumstances unfathomable a year ago.
If you or a loved one could benefit from our artists or staff extending the virtual Blues’ touch, please contact us. We can provide comfort through a phone call, a handwritten card, an email, or surprising someone with a song. The arts may help heal hearts.
We celebrate 35 years of creating theater and memories together. Our gratitude goes to all the artists, patrons, donors, and vendors who’ve made – and continue to make – this journey possible.
Our company prides itself on artistic excellence and community service in spite of a budget smaller than our heart and ambition. During this ongoing global pandemic, we attack each day like a performance. We are fearless and support our cast mates. Most importantly, we don’t break the “fourth wall” – a mask – unless advised by scientists. We will follow best practices to ensure everyone’s health and safety.
Upcoming Programming – as of May 17, 2021
Thank you for your concern for our livelihood, upcoming programming, and operations. Your generosity is a blessing now. Your contribution leaves an indelible mark on our future success.
Our staff, artists, and Board of Directors assure you the curtain will rise again. Most importantly, we’ll return when it is safe, and we have a theater venue to present our bold, truthful, and relevant stories about American identity. Because Stage 773 is no longer serving as a rental venue for Chicago theaters, we’ve begun searching for a new venue. This brings many challenges and opportunities, and we’ll share more information in the future.
While we postponed American Idiot, Fences, and Alma during the pandemic, we’re working to ensure new performance dates or ways to bring you these stories. Later this year, we’ll produce It’s a Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago!. This marks our 20th year to share this heartwarming story that seems more needed than ever.
Please continue to check our website and social media for programming announcements. Shifts in the season and how we communicate our stories are part of this new backstage drama. While COVID-19 isn’t a particularly collaborative stage partner, if we all keep saying “yes, and…” – we’ll make our way through this together.
-Gwendolyn Whiteside, Artistic Director
Resources for Physical, Emotional, and Mental Health
Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) – information and resources for managing pandemic-induced stress & anxiety.
Digital Mental Health Resources – a collection of free digital mental health resources for the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Mental Health America – mental health resource guides for a variety of communities impacted by COVID-19, including BIPOC communities, caregivers & parents, older adults, and frontline workers.
Suicide Prevention Lifeline – information & resources for maintaining one’s mental & emotional well-being during the pandemic.
University of Illinois – Department of Psychology – a broad collection of COVID-19 mental health information and resources
For any questions about the return to our theater performances, please contact us at Info@AmericanBluesTheater.com.