BoHo Joins the League of Chicago Theatres

BoHo Theatre is thrilled to announce that we are now full members of the League of Chicago Theatres.

Over the past ten years, BoHo has grown from producing an intimate production of Art at the Bailiwick Studio (our first show) to, most recently, staging the musically and technically complex 15-person musical Parade at Theater Wit. Along the way, we have met and worked with hundreds of talented artists, all of whom we count as members of our extended BoHo family. By fostering an environment that supports and encourages our artists to explore and stretch their limits, we not only create inspiring work for our audience, but also influence the greater community of Chicago artists. We hope that every great experience an artist has with us moves them to help create a nurturing and caring experience with their next role at another company, paying forward the love and goodwill.

As we look around at the Chicago theatre scene today, we see more exciting work being produced than ever before. When we first began this journey, people thought it confounding that we produced both musicals and straight plays. Why couldn’t we settle on one form of theatre? But now, we see more and more theatre companies mixing styles and genres in their seasons, opening up our audience community to broader opportunities to be moved by performing art. Maybe we helped inspire this, maybe not, but at least we’re in excellent company, and our audiences rarely find our range of programming baffling anymore.

So as our tenth anniversary season came to a close, we knew now was the perfect time to finally join the League, an alliance of over 200 arts organizations that forms one of the most diverse theatre organizations in the country. We look forward to partnering with the League to bring our patrons a wider range of community-focused events, such as Chicago Theatre Week and Theatre Thursdays. We will also take advantage of the increased visibility the League offers to invite new patrons to join us in experiencing the next ten years of what BoHo can bring to this beautiful tapestry of Chicago performing arts. For us, a theatre that has spent a decade welcoming people into our large family, it feels pretty nice to be welcomed into an exciting new family ourselves.

BoHo's company at the Bohemian Birthday Bash

The Power of Giving

From the Desk of the Executive Director, Kaela Altman

As 2014 starts to wind down to a close I find myself feeling nostalgic and grateful. When BoHo closed Parade on November 16, our Company members gathered together to toast the season, and celebrate what an incredible 10th year we have had.

• We produced four shows over the course of 16 months.
• We received another record year of Jeff Nominations, which reminded us of our power to create incredibly thoughtful theater.
• We saw over 1,000 people at general auditions throughout the year.
• And we shared our artistry with well over 3600 patrons who came out to support Live Theatre in Chicago.

Last night, in Times Square, a "Bono-less U2" presented a surprise concert in honor of World AIDS Day. After an introduction from former President Bill Clinton, the stage was glittered with A-listers from Bruce Springsteen, Carrie Underwood, Kanye West, and many, many more in honor of those who have lost their battle with AIDS, and in celebration of those who have survived. President Clinton said that in 2013, more people received treatment than were diagnosed, an incredible feat given the state of this crisis some twenty years ago.

And that got me thinking about the Power of Giving. Whether it's $5 or $5,000, every single contribution makes an impact. Contributing doesn't just build a bottom line, or close a revenue gap.

Giving, in it's purest sense, unites a Community of people in support of a common cause.

Giving and Theater are similar in that regard and is representational of a Community of People, a Community of Artists, coming together to share their gifts, their hearts, and their passions which can collectively effect change.

BoHo is incredibly lucky to share this space with our fellow artists and we are incredibly grateful to everyone who gives to storefront. On this #GivingTuesday, I ask that you share your support for your cause today. Whether it is BoHo, your local food pantry or animal shelter, or perhaps another cause near and dear to your heart, celebrate the Power of Giving today and remember the spirit of the season.

To those who have been a part of BoHo's 10 years, Thank You.