Stage 773 Artistic Director Brian Posen has 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."
About STAGE 773
Stage773 celebrates off-Loop Chicago performing arts and artists. Formerly known as Lukaba Productions, Stage773 is a non-profit Chicago company that produces The Cupid Players, Bri-Ko, The Chicago Sketch Comedy Festival and other programs, as well as offering subsidized theater rental space to hundreds of itinerant off-Loop companies and performers.
Stage773 is located at 1225 W. Belmont (the former Theatre Building Chicago); Stage 773 is home to performances by some of Chicago's most innovative, creative and passionate performing artists.
Stage 773 acts to embody the vibrant spirit of Chicago off-loop theater:
Celebrating the creative process, supporting the work of actors, directors, writers, composers and designers.
Nuturing the artist, offering material, technical, organizational and emotional support.
Honoring the audience, presenting accessible, affordable, exceptional entertainment.
About John Morris
John Morris, AIA, has had distinguished careers in both professional theater and architecture. In 1986, he founded the firm James, Morris & Kutyla, where he designed residential and commercial projects. In addition, he headed the firm's theater design division, leading design teams for several adaptive re-use and new-construction theater projects, including the internationally acclaimed Steppenwolf Theatre Company's home in Chicago. Other Morris-designed spaces in Chicago's Loop and off-Loop theater and performing arts districts include the Noble Fool, the Lookingglass Theatre, the Raven Theatre, the Beverly Arts Center theater, the Chicago Center for the Performing Arts, and the Old Town School of Folk Music's performance space.
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