The Understudy Coffee and Books

It’s summer of 2011, and Ellie, an awkward 16-year-old, has written what she believes to be a groundbreaking new musical inspired by the early discography of Avril Lavigne. She has invited Rachel, her much cooler ex-best friend and their theatre teacher’s favorite, to her house to pitch the show in hopes that Rachel can convince […]

A Red Orchid Theatre is thrilled to partner with The Gift Theatre on a special fundraising event on: TWO MICS featuring Michael Patrick Thornton and Michael Shannon! Friday, December 29 The Understudy (5531 N Clark) Doors open at 8pm Close out 2023 with an intimate evening of improv with Michael Patrick Thornton and Michael Shannon all […]

Pharaoh Tarot is BACK on Wednesday, December 20th! THE GIFT: A Winter Solstice Reading is inspired by the winter solstice on Dec 21st, a time to review what we've learned, renew our intentions for the following year and get a peek at what the universe has in store! The Present - current state; what lessons […]

Winner of the 2020 Judith Barlow Award 2023 Broadway World Chicago Theatre Nominee for Best New Play CAST & COMPANY: Director - Kristin L. Schoenback Design & Production Manager - Rachael Nuckles -     -     - Ky Anderson - Poppy Kelsey Busboom - Ma Streeter Viv Delgadillo - Niles West Keenan Odenkirk […]

6 emerging playwrights and directors have been creating a new work for the past 2 months - time to see their work! Over the past two months, 6 emerging playwrights and directors have been making new work together, come see what they've made! December 1st Red Devil - written by Andrea Berting and directed by […]

Joe Schupbach and Alyssa Mohn are co-curating a reading as part of Climate Change Theatre Action. Launched in 2015, Climate Change Theatre Action is a worldwide festival of short plays about the climate crisis presented biennially to coincide with the United Nations COP meetings. Every other year, 50 professional playwrights, representing all inhabited continents as […]

Join panelists from across Chicago for an engaging, wide-ranging discussion on the industry, the art, and the future! From Strawdog Theatre, a weekly show bringing theatre artists from around the globe into a conversation about live theatre and digital storytelling with a spirit of gratitude and innovation. Usually convened digitally, Thank You Five is recording […]

Theatre nerds, your time has come! Join us for another round of trivia at 7:30 on November 20th, We recommend playing with a team of four. Hosted by our friend Patrick Zakem, each round will test your knowledge of a different facet of theatre history, current events, or culture. Think you've got what it takes […]