Chicago Reader

09/04/2026

Hidden inside Tuley Park Cultural Center is a photography wing complete with a studio, darkroom, and wet-processing room.

Over the decades, the space has been shaped by the relationships and collaborations between the people who used it. Now, its the home of The Darkroom Chicago.

"The people may change, but the exchange remains: Someone teaches, someone learns, and someone else discovers a reason to stay," says Dr. Rosondunnii Inell Marshall of the Darkroom.

📸 This collection is part of Social Fabric, a glimpse into the vibrant lives, objects, and spaces that shape our city, cocurated with community archives and local photographers.

Read more: https://bit.ly/4d2bDSn

✍️ Dr. Rosondunnii Inell Marshall
📸 Developed by The Darkroom Chicago in 2026 (slide 1-2); Dr. Rosondunnii Inell Marshall (slide 3-4, 5 top right); Floyd Webb (slide 5, bottom); Crys Boyas (slide 5, top left)

09/04/2026

In an interview with the New York Times, Oskar Eustis, the celebrated longtime artistic director of New York’s Public Theater, said “I think the American nonprofit theater movement is over. That doesn’t mean any individual theater is over. But every individual theater is having to make its own case and come up with its own business model.”

From my perspective among the seedlings, Chicago theater has been finding new paths since the return from the 2020 shutdown.

Not all of the companies producing are officially nonprofit entities. But people are doing what Eustis described by developing their own business models, fostering new funding sources, exploring nontraditional venues, and forming new collaborations to keep seeding the ground.

Read the full story: https://bit.ly/3VahIpF

✍️ Kerry Reid
📸 Ray Rivera (slide 1); Mollie Menuck (slide 2); Jon Cole Media (slide 3); Google Maps (slide 5); Sam Bessler (slide 6)

09/04/2026

Simple Theatre’s domestic comedy is a slight effort.

A slacker uncle living in the garage sets off (mild) conflicts in Simple Theatre's production of Jonathan Thomas's one-act.

09/04/2026

Despite his craft and cleverness, Casper Kelly struggles to stretch Buddy into a fresh feature film.

Despite his craft and cleverness, Casper Kelly struggles to stretch Buddy into a fresh feature film.

09/04/2026

In spite of its years-long distribution delay, Coyote vs. Acme feels perfectly timely and nostalgic.

In spite of its years-long distribution delay, Coyote vs. Acme feels perfectly timely and nostalgic.

09/04/2026

Ridley Scott's The Dog Stars is a low-energy dystopian drama we've mostly seen before. https://bit.ly/4gQ4c1N

Ridley Scott's The Dog Stars is a low-energy dystopian drama we’ve mostly seen before.

09/04/2026

Chicago theater alumni and other local talent shot the low-budget indie rom-com Block Party this summer in Bowmanville. https://bit.ly/4hdCxIv

Chicago theater alumni and other local talent shot the low-budget indie rom-com Block Party this summer in Bowmanville.

09/04/2026

In 2010, Now-Again Records began reissuing W.I.T.C.H.'s early albums, sparking renewed interest in the band. https://bit.ly/4cXNzQw

In 2010, Now-Again Records began reissuing W.I.T.C.H.’s early albums, sparking renewed interest in the band.

09/04/2026

These friends turned a lockdown social-media connection into a lasting creative friendship. https://bit.ly/4xbir7E

These friends turned a lockdown social-media connection into a lasting creative friendship.

09/03/2026

🥁 September's got some great concerts lined up, and our music critics have you covered with what you need to know about these artists' upcoming shows.

More concert previews: https://bit.ly/3Tcb4P8