• Theater
  • Oak Park Festival Theatre
https://www.broadwayandmain.com/media/com_jbusinessdirectory/pictures/companies/291/oakparkfestivaltheatresphotosloveslabourslost002thumb-1491309803.jpg

Oak Park Festival Theatre

1010 Lake Street, Oak Park 60301, Illinois, United States

Gallery

Business Details

Oak Park Festival Theatre was founded in 1975 by Oak Park resident Marion Karczmar, and launched Its first production William Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. That first inspired production was performed on a flatbed truck parked on the Westgate cul-de-sac in downtown Oak Park, with a cast that included then unknowns David Mamet and William H. Macy.


In 1976 the Park District of Oak Park graciously invited the festival to perform under a canopy of stars in the idyllic Austin Gardens located at 167 Forest Avenue.  Every year since that time, we return home the gardens to build our summer stage.

In succeeding years prominent regional directors brought their talents to Austin Gardens, including James O’Reilly, David Darlow, Patrick O’Gara, Tom Mula and Dale Calandra.  In 2003 Jack Hickey assumed artistic leadership in 2003 and is currently serving in that role.

Careful expansion of the theatre began in 2005 when a second summer production was added to the schedule, generating a two-play outdoor season. The next year expansion continued as an indoor venue, National Historic Landmark Pleasant Home, was added, converting to a three-play season. This format (one indoor spring play and two outdoor summer productions) continued for four years, through 2009. Further growth occurred in 2010-2011, when a season with four full productions was established. In 2013 we returned to our two-play summer season to evaluate and strengthen the financial and organizational foundation of our company Our 2015 season shattered over four decades of attendance records with over 6,700 delighted patrons, and sent critics running to the thesaurus for superlatives for our productions. Careful planning and the outstanding successes of our productions restored the fiscal health of the company, and in 2016 our first full time employee, Jhenai Mootz, was hired to be the Managing Director for the company.
Since those humble beginnings where a few inspired actors gave breath to Shakespeare’s words on a flatbed truck, Oak Park Festival Theatre has grown into one of Chicagoland’s iconic theatres. Spending an evening under the stars in Austin Gardens enjoying history’s finest plays has become a treasured summer tradition for thousands of theatergoers.

Type:
Equity Theater
Keywords:

Map Location

company map
1010 Lake Street, Oak Park 60301, Illinois, United States

Actor Profiles - Most Recent Additions 2

Richard LaFleur - Actor Profile

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9DlPRZyZpwY

Richard Lafleur is a Canadian born actor, singer, dancer, and aspiring writer. He is an alumnus of both the American Musical and Dramatic Academy…

Montreal, Quebec
View details
Monica Cioffi - Actor Profile

https://youtu.be/aAThEvaPgF0

 

Get To Know Dancer / Actor Monica Cioffi as we caught up with her backstage at The Gateway Playhouse in Bellport, NY

 

Learn more about her…

Cait Crowley - Actor Profile

Cait is a New York City based actor, dancer and singer who was born and raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She graduated with a BFA in Musical Theatre from Montclair State University.

New York, New York
View details
Matt Gibson - Actor Profile

Matt Gibson is an award-winning actor with representation in NYC & London.

Rhode Island
View details
Eddie Gutierrez - actor profile

Eddie attended NYU for acting, training at the Stella Adler Studio and the Experimental Theatre Wing, and while he was there, he picked up a minor in Music, while also enrolling in the dance program at Peridance in Union Square.

Jason Simon - Actor Profile

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V-YYjX74lBs

 

At a petite 6'3", Jason Simon is a presence! Whether he's bringing audiences to tears as the not so gentle giant Lenny in Of Mice & Men,…

Gina Milo - Actor Profile

Gina is a Long Island born, actor/singer based in New York City. She most recently appeared as Martha Vail in the York Theater's Mufti production of Subways are for Sleeping and Tanya in Mason Street's production of Mamma

New York, New York
View details
Carina Avila - Actor Profile

Meet Carina Avila got her start in Los Angeles working on TV and music videos. She is now focused on transferring her early success to the theatre.

New York, New York
View details

Equity Theatres - Most Recent Additions

Queens Theatre

Queens Theatre is the premier performing arts venue in Queens. Queens Theatre’s mission is to provide quality and diverse performing arts activities that are economically and geographically…

corona, New York
View details
Southwest Shakespeare Company

Southwest Shakespeare Company opens doors by exploring the intricacies of language through the vibrant and passionate performance of works of classical theatre. We exist to elevate,…

Mesa, Arizona
View details
Montana Repertory Theatre

Now one of the most dynamic and respected touring companies in the country, Montana Repertory Theatre was established as a professional touring company in 1967, providing professional theatre…

Missoula, Montana
View details
Horizon Theatre Company

Horizon Theatre Company’s mission is to connect people, inspire hope, and promote positive change through the stories of our times.

Atlanta, Georgia
View details
Aurora Theatre, Inc.

Aurora Theatre is committed to producing quality, professional theatre for the Southeast, North Georgia, and our most ardent supporters—the residents of Gwinnett County. We will serve…

Lawrenceville, Georgia
View details
Sandra Feinstein-Gamm Theatre

The non-profit Sandra Feinstein-Gamm Theatre creates the finest of live theater, engaging the audience intensely in current and recurrent issues of consequence. The Gamm further serves the…

Pawtucket, Rhode Island
View details
Book-It Repertory Theatre

Book-It Repertory Theatre was founded 26 years ago as an artists’ collective, adapting short stories for performance and touring them throughout the Northwest. Today, with over 100…

Seattle, Washington
View details
Center Repertory Company

Center REP is the resident professional theatre company of the Lesher Center for the Arts. Our season consists of six productions a year – a variety of musicals, dramas and comedies, both…

Walnut Creek, California
View details