Stage 773 Grand Opening Set for 10/16

Stage 773 Artistic Director Brian Posen today announced plans to showcase the newly renovated Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave., at a grand opening celebration, showcasing the 4 newly renovated theaters, a new façade, lobby area and much more, Sunday, October 16 at 7 p.m. The over $1.5 million renovation, helmed by Architect John Morris of Morris Architect Planners transforms the exterior and interior of the building into a virtually new space that will be more accommodating for both Stage 773 performers and audiences. The project broke ground June 2011 and when completed, promises to produce a state-of-the-art home for the numerous itinerant companies in Chicago as well as all of Stage 773's productions.

Stage 773's Grand Opening Celebration is the big unveiling of the three-month long renovation. This is a chance to see the new building in all its finished glory as guests will enjoy continuous live performances from hip-hop to opera to improv in all the newly renovated spaces. Fortune tellers, henna tattoo artists and caricature artists will add to the excitement of the ribbon cutting celebration, which will also include a stream of special guests, an open bar and food provided by popular local restaurants. Tickets to the event may be purchased in advance for $75 though October 2 at www.stage773.com. After October 2, tickets will be $100.

"Now that we have created four stages, we have attracted so many more artists and artistic mediums. Previously, we thrived with hosting excellent theater, dance, and musical theater. Now Cabaret, stand up, sketch, and smaller theater companies are flocking to our doors! We are quickly becoming a destination. Our goal is to cross pollinate audiences and keep our building exciting and vibrant 7 days a week," Stage 773 Artistic Director Brian Posen said. "Before we finalized our plans, we took our own experiences renting spaces and interviewed members of the artistic community to find out what they desired in an ideal space. With this information, we created our floor plans with the goal of Stage 773 being a center of activity for Chicago's creative community. We are all about helping our renters explore, create their art and make great things happen. We want their success and will help them obtain it."

The full renovation list includes:
Redesigning the Belmont Avenue façade;
Increasing the amount of lobby light and opening the lobby to street side viewing with the addition of floor to ceiling windows along Belmont Avenue;
Transforming the West Theater into two new flexible spaces, which will include a cabaret (69 seats) and a blackbox theatre (80 seats). These spaces will be ideal for smaller theater companies, dance companies, cabaret singers, magical shows, improv groups and more;
Completely overhauling the South Theater (148 Seats), including relocating the stage and seating to allow for easier load-in, better sound proofing, and convenient audience access. In addition, the South Theatre will be ideal for dance companies;
Modernizing and doubling the number of lavatories;
New box office
New administration offices
New lobby and bar area

The building will continue to be a venue for some of Chicago's most respected theater and dance companies as well as a place for budding new talent. The new Stage 773 will be performance-ready as early as September 9, with the debut of Stage 773's newly developed theater group Liminality Theatre. Liminality's mission is to nurture new playwrights and new works by recent Columbia College graduates. Other Stage 773 productions that will perform at the new space include The Cupid Players, The Chicago Sketch Comedy Festival, the newly created Street Tempo Theatre and The Cabaret Series. More information on these productions will be available soon.

For a current list of performances through December 31, 2011 please see the attached document or visit www.Stage773.com.