Chicago Shakespeare Theater Revenue and Competitors

Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) is one of the fastest-growing producing and presenting theater institutions in America today. Under the leadership of Artistic Director Barbara Gaines and Executive Director Criss Henderson, CST has achieved its reputation for consistently high production values and artistic standards. In addition to its acclaimed productions of William Shakespeare's canon, CST presents work of the highest quality by some of the most distinguished American and international playwrights and directors. The theater is grounded in a dedication to quality, clarity and integrity, which are the hallmarks of every CST production, from Shakespeare to Sondheim. Rapid growth has characterized CST from its first production on the roof of the Red Lion Pub in Chicago's Lincoln Park neighborhood. Just 13 years later in 1999, CST, now recognized as one of Chicago's leading cultural and civic resources, was invited by state, city, and private officials to build its permanent home-a new $24 million, multi-venue, facility-on Chicago's famous Navy Pier. Prominently situated on the Pier, CST's new location and architectural design-a seven-story, glass curtain-walled structure, housing a 500-seat courtyard theater and a 200-seat flexible black box theater-afford panoramic vistas of the Chicago skyline. CST's mission-to bring innovative and high-quality theater to a broad and diverse audience-is well served by its new location on the Midwest's most-visited destination. In its new location, CST's annual budget has grown from $2.9 million in 1999 to $12.4 million for the 2003-2004 Season; its subscription base has increased from 7,200 to more than 22,000 patrons. Asserting a leadership role in Chicago's global cultural renaissance, CST recently made a bold move to expand its global profile with the introduction of the "World's Stage" program, presenting works by leading internationally distinguished theater companies and artists. In the fall of 2003, CST presented the American premiere of Edward Hall's acclaimed Henry VI history cycle, entitled Rose Rage; and Shakespeare's Globe Theatre's "original practice" production of Twelfth Night, starring The Globe's Artistic Director, Mark Rylance. In the summer of 2003, CST made its London debut as it joined with London's acclaimed Donmar Warehouse to co-produce CST's nationally acclaimed production of Stephen Sondheim's Pacific Overtures, directed by Chicago Shakespeare Associate Artistic Director Gary Griffin. In 2002, CST was the only North American stop on Peter Brook's world tour of the Théâtre des Bouffes du Nord production of Le Costume (The Suit). In 2001 CST was one of only three venues in the United States to host the internationally acclaimed production of Peter Brook's The Tragedy of Hamlet. Also that year, CST presented the Comédie-Française production of La Dernière Lettre starring Catherine Samie, and hosted Simon Callow's one-man performance of The Mystery of Charles Dickens. During its second season on Navy Pier (2000-2001), CST provided a home for Canada's Stratford Festival, with Brian Bedford's production of The School for Scandal. Since CST's inception, reaching out to young audiences has been integral to its mission. Team Shakespeare, CST's arts-in-education program, reached 500,000 students in its first decade serving 50,000 students and teachers annually. Team Shakespeare's multi-faceted programming expands on traditional teaching methods by building long-term partnerships with a team of educators, administrators and students, and CST's artistic and educational staff.