Participate & Audition
Anyone Can Be An Artist
From ages 5 to 105, MFAs to community choir members, at Free Street we are all artists. Together, we share, create, receive and cope with stories of real lived experiences. Join an ensemble, share a story, or attend a workshop and let’s celebrate people, diversity and Chicago’s history through theater that supports social, racial and economic equity.
Read about some of the opportunities we have, and who is working with us now below including our artist-in-residence program, resident ensembles, community programs, and for-hire work.
Resident ensembles
Free Street hosts two resident ensembles: a multi-generational ensemble and youth ensemble. Through Free Street’s co-creation model, these ensembles use a process of deep inquiry & dialogue, combined with partnership with local community organizations & activists, to present shows that serve as a tactics in a larger strategy for change. Each ensemble receives holistic support: from equitable pay, to transportation support, to child-care.
Want to join? Follow us on Instagram for updates, or introduce yourself at info@freestreet.org
Youth Ensemble
For performers ages 13-19, the ensemble meets September – May of each year. At rehearsals, youth are trained by our lead teaching artists and directors in performance, writing, critical thinking, and more.
Free Street hosts open workshops for youth looking to join in January, June and September of each year. Missed the workshops? Don’t worry, just email katrina@freestreet.org. Follow our IG or follow us on Facebook for more up-to-date information.
Multi-generational
Bringing together artists of all ages, our multi-generational ensemble is multi-lingual, multi-racial and from all across Chicago’s neighborhoods. Our multi-generational ensemble presents their original work in parks, both of our spaces on the south and north side, and in community centers: making our work accessible to all.
Questions? Email info@freestreet.org
in/house
Free Street’s In/House residency program is a three year residency cycle designed to incubate new projects that might not otherwise find a home in Chicago theater. During the residency artists receive professional development workshops, space, fiscal sponsorship, and production assistance, with the residency culminating in a performance or major project.
The residency focuses on Chicago artists, BIPOC artists, queer artists, bilingual artists, and youth artists, as well as co-created performance, solo performance, and immersive/interactive performance, rather than traditionally scripted plays.
Applications are closed for 2025, and will open in fall of 2026.
current in/house artists
Rocio “Chio” Cabrera” developing “El Barzon.” Featuring a life-size talking cow, live music, dancing, and bilingual elements, El Barzon in based in the text and song of an old Mexican revolutionary folk song from the 1930s, exploring labor struggles, and creating new non-harmful systems
Tanuja Jagernauth, developing “Rupture & Repair,” a devised FUN, FUNNY, SMART, HONEST play about conflict transformation.
Kirsten Baity, developing an original piece, featuring and created by trans artists of color, will use interview transcripts, lived experiences, and prompts exploring trans joy and T4T relationships both romantic and platonic, to tell the stories of Trans Joy.
Previous In/House Artists: ChiClowns, Quenna Barrett, Jerrell L. Henderson, Melissa DuPrey, Alyssa Vera Ramos/FEMelanin, Ricardo Gamboa & Sean Parris, Chloe Johnston, Lani Montreal, Stephanie Diaz, Lauren Fields/Birch House Immersive, Aaron Aptaker.
Questions? Email info@freestreet.org
Community events
Beyond our productions, we love to bring art and joy to our communities all year round. Focused in Back of the Yards and surrounding neighborhoods, throughout the year we host storytelling events, community markets, visual art events, and our famous Drag Loteria nights! Check out our calendar, IG and Facebook to see when our next one is!
Want to partner for event? Email elizabeth@freestreet.org
be of service
At Free Street, we offer all of our shows for free or pay-what-you-can, and pay all of our artists a minimum of $16.5/hour. Doesn’t sound like the best business plan, does it? This is where you come in! We are always looking support from people who believe in our mission, and want to help us do what we do do best. Currently, we are looking for board members to help us fundraise, volunteers to complete tasks, and in-kind service donations (such as PR support) to help us extend our reach.
Interested in being of service? Email our Director of Community Impact & Individual Giving at elizabeth@freestreet.org.
Training, workshops, and more
Free Street is a hub for training, community led workshops, and skill shares. Want to participate? Sign up for our mailing list, or follow us on InSTAGRAM
Want to hire us? Free Street can custom design a workshop, dialogue or presentation to help your organization have difficult conversations with joy & generosity, through our service Free Street Talks.
Interested in learning more? Email us at info@freestreet.org