Theater for People who Hate Theater
Always free or pay-what-you-can, Free Street shows tell hard truths with humor, intelligence, and kindness.
Past Events
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November 2020
Re-Writing the Declaration
An event every week that begins at 7:00 pm on Monday, Thursday and Friday, repeating until November 8, 2020
An event every week that begins at 2:00 pm on Saturday, repeating until November 8, 2020
An event every week that begins at 2:00 pm on Sunday, repeating until November 8, 2020
What happens when a class of young Black women and non-binary folx of color take a trip to 1776? A collage of time and space, a blend of character and self — the ensemble of Re-Writing the Declaration exists in both today and yesterday in order to change tomorrow. Believing that the founding fathers and documents never intended to include us, we consider the impacts of that founding on our lives today & realize it’s time to re-write the Declaration…
Find out more »September 2021
Free Street Theater Youth Ensemble Auditions
Free Street’s Youth Ensembles are made up of 14-19 year olds looking to create original plays about issues affecting Chicago youth. They come to us with varying levels of theatrical experience, from none, to “I’ve been acting since I was 3.” We meet students where they are at, focusing on their individual strengths, while training our ensemble in performance, writing, critical thinking, and research skills. In the past, we’ve looked at water justice, a history of labor in Back of…
Find out more »October 2021
Free Street Theater Youth Ensemble Auditions
Free Street’s Youth Ensembles are made up of 14-19 year olds looking to create original plays about issues affecting Chicago youth. They come to us with varying levels of theatrical experience, from none, to “I’ve been acting since I was 3.” We meet students where they are at, focusing on their individual strengths, while training our ensemble in performance, writing, critical thinking, and research skills. In the past, we’ve looked at water justice, a history of labor in Back of…
Find out more »Ghosts on the Bloomingdale Trail
Ghosts on the Bloomingdale Trail is a collaboration between Friends of the Bloomingdale Trail, Free Street Theater, Chicago Mobile Makers, and Radio Luzifer. Project funding and support are provided by the Chicago Park District. This project features 15 ghost stories as told to us by Chicago residents. Some are told by the people who experienced the haunting, and others are performances based on interview transcripts. All stories are true in the sense that real people - your neighbors - believe…
Find out more »February 2022
Map O Rama
Free Street premieres our first in-person gallery, Map-O-Rama, as the culmination of our work on the Cultural Asset Mapping Project.
Find out more »March 2022
7th Annual Radical Love: Radical Survival Fundraiser and Lip Sync Battle
You're invited to join us for our annual de-commercialized love fest honoring Free Street's work and our beloved communities. This year's Radical Love: Radical Survival fundraiser will feature a live Lip Sync Battle with pre-recorded submission videos of community members competing to raise the most "tips" (donations) and will be entered to win a prize package. Throughout the night enjoy performances from featured Drag Kings and Queens, and bid on our silent auction with one-of-a-kind experiences to help get you…
Find out more »May 2022
57 Blocks
During 57 Blocks, this 2 hour “orientation,” audience members will learn about the history of education in our city, while being invited to listen to the personal stories of the youth leading them. Audience members will take a bus ride between our two locations. This is part of the performance, and the show will continue while inside the bus.
Find out more »July 2022
Drag Loteria in Collaboration with Star Farm Chicago
Corre y se va!
Free Street and Star Farm come together to host Drag Loteria Night in Star Farm’s garden in Back of the Yards. Grab your carta and prepare for a night of performances, and loteria. We will be featuring Cindy Nero, Cosmo Dragon, and Roma.
Find out more »Night Out In The Parks A Mild Goose Chase
One event on July 26, 2022 at 6:00 pm
One event on July 27, 2022 at 6:00 pm
One event on July 28, 2022 at 6:00 pm
One event on July 29, 2022 at 6:00 pm
Free Street Theater and Night Out In The Parks presents The Chi Clowns presents 'A Mild Goose Chase' #ChiParks #ChiClowns #BeFreeStreet
Find out more »August 2022
Back to School Event
Free Street Theater and DCASE present free dance lessons, youth storytelling, drag performances, back to school supplies, Star Farm paletas, and of course all of your favorite sustainable vendors!
Find out more »