Lookingglass Theatre Company

About Lookingglass Theatre Company

Its imaginative, original productions can be costly and risky to produce, yet Lookingglass Theatre Company produces interesting, high-quality work that reaches an audience of more than 45,000 people each year.

Alice, 2014

Its productions are driven and developed by its 24-member ensemble. Lookingglass’ actors, writers, composers, choreographers, and set and costume designers take on multiple roles to produce each season’s shows. This interdisciplinary approach leads to a rich artistic product that includes diverse perspectives and provides the ensemble members varied professional experiences.

One of Lookingglass’ distinctive features is how it continually (and often completely) reshapes its stage and audience configurations for each of its productions. This reflects, in part, artistic sensibilities but also is a creative response to the realities of working in a theater space that is in an historic building.

Lookingglass engages the Chicago community through a variety of educational and outreach programs. Its camps, studio classes, and school programs engage 4,000 students and teachers across the city, while its Young Ensemble program nurtures and supports talented young artists through skill building and performances.

Lookingglass Theatre Company will use its $1 million MacArthur Award to build an opportunity fund, with a portion dedicated to support capacity building activities, such as investing in audience development and technology improvements.

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