MISSION

American Blues Theater explores the American identity through the plays it produces and communities it serves.

VALUES

American Blues acts on our values –
Accountability
Courage
Teamwork
Service

ABOUT US

Winner of American Theatre Wing’s prestigious National Theatre Company Award, American Blues Theater is a premier arts organization with an intimate environment that patrons, artists, and all Chicagoans call home.

We believe in cooperative collaborations both on and off-stage. We center community service in our theatermaking. Since reorganizing in 2009, each play we choose is matched with another not-for-profit to raise awareness. Examples of partnerships include Chicago Public Schools, Greater Chicago Food Depository, Illinois Farm Bureau, Misericordia, PAWS Chicago, and the USO.  We hold food & book drives, distribute promotional tickets, and raise awareness for children’s surgeries and health needs.

We are Chicago’s second-oldest AEA Ensemble theater. As of today, our theater and artists have 226 Joseph Jefferson Awards and nominations that celebrate excellence in Chicago theater and 44 Black Theater Alliance Awards. Our artists are honored with Pulitzer Prize nominations, Academy Awards, Tony Awards, Golden Globe Awards, Emmy Awards, and numerous other accolades.

American Blues Theater is committed to developing the classic plays and musicals of tomorrow. More than half of our mainstage productions are world and Chicago premieres. Our new play development consists of a variety of programs – including world and Chicago premieres, the nationally-recognized Blue Ink Award for playwriting, commissions, readings, and annual Ripped: the Living Newspaper Festival of new short-plays.

DEFINITION OF “ENSEMBLE”

An Ensemble theater is a group of individuals dedicated to collaborative creation and committed to consistently working together over years to develop a distinctive body of work and practices. Ensemble members, both artists and administrators, are empowered to help shape their theater’s artistic direction and organizational structure.

OUR HISTORY

American Blues Theater was founded in July 1985 by a director, playwright, actor, and designer. The company dedicated itself to new and classic American plays. Richard Christiansen of the Chicago Tribune cited American Blues as one of three companies in his editorial “Chicago Theater Forges New Standards of Glory.” In August of 1993, the company leased a warehouse on Byron and Lincoln. In 38 days, James Leaming led a community-based 90+ volunteer crew to transform the space into an intimate 134-seat theater. During 1985-1996, numerous Ensemble members served as executive artistic leadership, including William Payne, Carmen Roman, and Andi Dymond.

From 1997-2009, the company was led by artistic directors from outside of the Ensemble. Under the leadership of Brian Russell and Damon Kiely (‘97-‘07), the theater’s name changed to American Theater Company (ATC), the mission statement was revised, and the business expanded. In 2008, under new management, the Ensemble theater practice was dismantled. After 18 months of talks with new management, all four Founders and every Ensemble member prior to 2008 chose to leave the ATC organization in March 2009 citing “major administrative and artistic differences”.

The Ensemble immediately reformed and reorganized under its original name American Blues Theater. Ensemble member Gwendolyn Whiteside became the Artistic Director in 2010. Under her leadership, American Blues has nearly doubled the size of its Ensemble, added Artistic Affiliates, and diversified its base of artists. She created the nationally-recognized annual Blue Ink Award; implemented community service into the company’s mission; and adapted the arts education program in Chicago Public Schools serving nearly 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.