Chicago Children's Theatre

Founded in 2005, the critically acclaimed Chicago Children’s Theatre focuses on the production of first-rate children’s theatre in Chicago, with top writing, performing, and directorial talent and high-quality design and production expertise. Chicago Children’s Theatre also produces The Red Kite Project, a multi-sensory interactive theatre program tailored specifically to the needs of children on the autism spectrum. In 2017, Chicago Children’s Theatre became the first theater for young audiences in the nation to win a National Theatre Award from the American Theatre Wing, creators of the Tony Awards.

Led by Artistic Director Jacqueline Russell and Co-Founder Todd Leland, Chicago Children’s Theatre has built its national [...]

Founded in 2005, the critically acclaimed Chicago Children’s Theatre focuses on the production of first-rate children’s theatre in Chicago, with top writing, performing, and directorial talent and high-quality design and production expertise. Chicago Children’s Theatre also produces The Red Kite Project, a multi-sensory interactive theatre program tailored specifically to the needs of children on the autism spectrum. In 2017, Chicago Children’s Theatre became the first theater for young audiences in the nation to win a National Theatre Award from the American Theatre Wing, creators of the Tony Awards.

Led by Artistic Director Jacqueline Russell and Co-Founder Todd Leland, Chicago Children’s Theatre has built its national reputation due to its focus on new work, producing 22 world premieres in the last 17 years including The Selfish Giant, The Hundred Dresses, Jackie and Me, Dot and Ziggy, The Houdini Box, The Elephant and The Whale (in association with Redmoon), Mr. Chickee’s Funny Money, Leo Lionni’s Frederick, Wonderland, Alice’s Rock & Roll Adventure, A Snowy Day with Beatrix Potter, Jabari Dreams of Freedom, Moonshot: A Race to Space (in association with Theatre Unspeakable), The Year I Didn’t Go To School: A Homemade Circus, Magic City (in association with Manual Cinema), My Wonderful Birthday Suit!, An Epic Tale of Scale, Last Stop on Market Street, X Marks the Spot, The World Inside Me ((in association with Spellbound Theatre), The Watsons Go To Birmingham – 1963, Carmela Full of Wishes, and MESMERIZED: A Ben Franklin Science & History Mystery. These productions enjoyed successful inaugural runs in Chicago, many followed by productions at theaters across the U.S.

In 2017, Chicago Children’s Theatre began performing in their new home, the former Chicago Police Station for the 12th Precinct. In addition to presenting live shows in “The Station’s” intimate 149-seat Pritzker Family Studio Theatre, Chicago Children’s Theatre continues to grow its education and community programs, which are unique in Chicago for emphasizing student authorship, youth empowerment, and community leadership. CCT now offers year-round education programming for ages 0 to 13, including the city’s most diverse roster of classes, specialized workshops, winter and spring break camps, and a full slate of summer camp experiences.

Chicago Children’s Theatre is the recipient of the National Artistic Innovation Award 2019 from Theatre for Young Audiences USA.

chicagochildrenstheatre.org @chichildtheatre Chicago