What is the first live performance you saw on stage?

When people hear I work in theatre they always recall the last show they’ve seen. They remember the experience and how it made them feel and if they can’t remember the title, they explain the story. That same story can look and feel different each and every time you experience it depending on who is in the audience, who is on stage, and who you are experiencing it with. These moments are unique and the way we experience them sticks with us and gives us our own story to share.

As the new Executive Director at the League of Chicago Theatres, I want to make sure that these experiences continue to thrive throughout our community. When taking this role, the theme that keeps coming to mind is Theatre is for Everybody. Story sharing is the way we learn, pass down history, share culture, protect our identity, and appreciate our differences. The League has been at the forefront of story sharing in Chicago for 43 years and I am excited to continue the journey of building audiences, advancing equity and inclusion, expanding resource sharing, accelerating advocacy, and uplifting new voices to continue to share stories that resonate through time. Our member theatres are back in person and sharing stories in neighborhoods near you, waiting to be seen. This is not only a testament to the love with which we do our work but the passion we all have to experience stories being shared.

So now we take the spotlight off our stages and put it on you. We thank you for continuing to support our theaters, artists, community, and arts culture. We ask that you help us continue to create these experiences through a donation to the League.

When you donate to the League, you help us support theatres and experiences across the city and give people a new story to share. Your donation contributes to regranting for theatres and artists, professional development, student studies, accessibility services, workshops and more.

You can donate today by giving at chicagoplays.com/donate, mailing a check or scanning the QR code below.

Every donation is appreciated and helps us support our art.

Thank you,

Marissa Lynn Ford

Executive Director

League of Chicago Theatres