Events

A staged reading of the new work before it's Edinburgh Fringe Festival run later this summer!There Was A TimeDot is depressed. What happens, though, when the weight of memory is too heavy a burden for one mind? An examination of mental health, love, loss, and the fight to keep going. Mentions of depression, mental health, […]

A musical cabaret inspired by A Streetcar Named Desire produced by your friends at Kokandy Productions!Join The Understudy and Kokandy Productions for the latest installment of our BOOK CLUB series!Summer is here—the air thick with music, perfume and sweltering heat. It's Tennessee Williams weather! Book Club is back, storming into town like a long lost […]

An open stage for clowns, goofs, and funny people who'd like to test out first drafts. Hosted by the iconic clown duo, Band PracticeLeftovers Night is a strange and delicious feast of alternative comedy acts that are in the making, need experimenting, or somehow didn't quite make it to the main event just yet. Berlin […]

When ex-dancer Rina shows up at Hank’s gym wanting to learn how to box, she embarks on a journey that will forever transform her.When ex-dancer Rina shows up at Hank’s gym wanting to learn how to box, she embarks on a journey that will forever transform who she is and who she will become.But when […]

If you identify as funny and not-a-dude-onstage, this is your night diva! Hosted by Preeti Thaker and Jordan LevenePreeti & Jordan present: A Comedy Open Mic for Women + Non-Binary Comics! If you identify as funny and not-a-dude-onstage, this is your night diva!   WHAT’S THE PLAN? • 7:30 PM — arrive responsibly early, wonder […]

Band Practice combines a real live dating show with a real live clown detective show to find out the true nature of this so-called "love".Drat! LOVE has been ripping up the streets leaving people wounded, broken, confused, and perhaps with a bad haircut and useless evidence of its nefarious behavior. You are invited to join […]

A play reading of In the Next Room (or, The Vibrator Play) by Sarah Ruhl produced by Exit, Pursued by a Play Reading. In the Next Room or the vibrator play is a comedy about marriage, intimacy and electricity.Set in the 1880s at the dawn of the age of electricity and based on the bizarre […]

Come join us for a night full of theatre trivia and fabulous prizes! Hosted by Patrick Zakem and Ben KayeAaaaand we are back with another round of trivia at 7:30 on October 13th with new categories, spoopy drinks and fabulous prizes! Hosted by our friend Patrick Zakem, each round will test your knowledge of. A […]

A cabaret featuring short pieces from composers, lyricists and other Chicago musical artists. Hosted by Instrumental Theatre.Instrumental Theatre, in collaboration with The Understudy, is proud to introduce the Chicago Theatre Composers Club or CTCC!This cabaret show will feature short pieces from composers, lyricists, and other musical artists, to shine a spotlight and rock out to […]

Amonthly reading series highlighting plays that have not received a Chicago productionThe Understudy Dares You to Produce This Play is a monthly reading series highlighting plays that have not received a Chicago production. Produced by The Understudy’s bookstore team, this series works to expand the variety of playwrights and titles in our vibrant community.This month, […]

Join us for the reading of a new play by Gracie EverettPowerHouse Cheer Elite is an underdog in the world of All-Star Cheer, boasting only one team worth their salt: the Snowcats, who can't seem to shake this losing streak. After an embarrassing failure and serious injury on the mat, their best chance at a […]

Author Nicole Brewer is Joined by Mica Cole, Alexis Green, and Miranda Gonzalez to discuss working beyond white supremacy in theatreABOUT THE BOOKA how-to guide for theatermakers who want freedom from white supremacy in their creative practicesThe Antiracist Theatre offers readers the tools and foundational philosophy to create their own antiracist theatre ethos and delve […]