Free Street Theater

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United States
Chicago, IL
Free Street Theater

On streets and on stages since 1969. We also do community residencies and workshops on how to use theatre as a strategy for grassroots organizing.

Free Street’s programs are designed to provide opportunities for artistic engagement to people who are commonly excluded from mainstream programming. Our work includes a variety of programs: two school-year ensembles where youth ages 13-19 create original performances; a multi-generational ensemble where people ages 19 and up create original performances; and an Incubator series called In/House where we facilitate the development of new work by a variety of critically engaged artists. All of our programs are free or sliding scale.

10/07/2026

Ever wanted to work with Free Street Theater on a show? Event? In the office? Open/Call is your chance to introduce yourself with us. Part meet and greet, part creative workshop, the Open/Call gives you a chance to share about yourself and showcase your practice. The first hour is designed for anyone from designers, to arts administrators, to performers. The second hour is for performers looking to join an upcoming show. Swipe to the third slide to learn about the most immediate casting opportunity for our next artist-in-residence show: Unforgettable by Kirsten Yvette

Link in bio to express interest - Free Street Theater will confirm your spot via email.

10/05/2026

This Friday, we’re kicking off and announcing our season and programs at Family Dinner, and we want you to come! Hear from our staff and artists and spend some time chatting over a good meal.
Ticket price goes toward food and drinks for the night, and supports our commitment to paying all of our artists and participants an equitable wage.
🎟️: familydinner26.eventbrite.com

The event is listed as private as it’s only for our community and followers!

09/28/2026

Our monthly classes are back at The Storefront! Every first Monday of the month we will curating a free art class. We will kick it off with an Intro to Storytelling workshop on October 5th. If you attended our Southside Stories event and wanted to learn more this workshop is for you!

09/25/2026

✨it’s that time again✨ are you a young person or have a student in your life looking to combine the arts with social justice? We are auditioning members for this school year’s ensemble on Oct 6th at 5:30pm at our Pulaski Park location. Interested ? Swipe through and just show up, or email [email protected]

09/16/2026

✨Southside Stories event recap✨
In August we hosted our culminating event of our bilingual intergenerational storytelling series //
En agosto organizamos nuestra presentación cumulativa de la serie de historias bilingüe e intergeneracional del sur de Chicago

08/07/2026

We’re back 🌳 Touch Grass returns tomorrow at Davis Square with Plant Chicago for our annual Back 2 School market. Join us from 11a-3p for free school supplies, a farmers market, cooking demo and of course your favorite free tree play TOUCH GRASS/TOCA TIERRA!

📸: Sarah Elizabeth Larson

08/05/2026

We are saddened to learn of the passing of Geraldine de Haas (featured in the middle of the second row in the first image) a founding member of the Free Street Theater and a jazz vocalist of great renown. She was a cast member in the 1969 Chicago premier of “Hair,” as well as many Free Street productions in the 1960s and ‘70s. Her activism and advocacy to bring music to all of Chicago citizens led to the creation of Jazz Fest and other music festivals in Grant Park and beyond. She will be greatly missed.

Second photo features a record she was on from a Free Street recording of shows with Pierre Cardin Records while the company was on a European tour in 1973!

08/04/2026

✨NEXT TUESDAY 8/11✨ Join us for an astrology storytelling workshop with Managing Director Isabella Pelz. Bella is our resident star witch, bringing astrology informed administration to our meetings and always down to unpack what the latest transit means for us.

Next Tuesday from 6-8p she will be at the free street Storefront (4625 S Ashland) ready and willing to talk all things Moon sign with you, just in time to prepare for eclipse season. BYOBC (bring your own birth chart) and reserve your spot today in the link in bio!

07/30/2026

We need your help! We are looking forward to our Back to School Event on August 8th with Plant Chicago from 11-3 at Davis Square Park BUT we need help filling over 300 backpacks with school supplies! Meet us at the Storefront (4625 S Ashland Ave) from 4-6 next Tuesday! We will provide good vibes and snacks!

Address

1419 West Blackhawk Street, 3rd Floor Of The Pulaski Park Field House
Chicago, IL
60642

Telephone

+17737727248

Website

http://freestreet.org/

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