Chicago Shakespeare Company Records

Abstract

Starting in 1981 as the Free Shakespeare Company, the theatrical organization changed its name to Chicago Shakespeare Company (CSC) in 1985. The company sought to bring innovative approaches to Shakespearean and related works and was committed to bringing performances to those who might not otherwise see them with their touring company. The collection includes administrative and production history files that span nine seasons from 1981 to 1991.

Biographical/Historical

Originally known as the Free Shakespeare Company, Chicago Shakespeare Company (CSC) was formed by Frank Farrell in 1981 to showcase improvisational approaches to Shakespeare. The company was officially incorporated in 1982 with experimental late-night performances and moved into a Piper’s Alley Building space in Chicago’s Old Town neighborhood. After losing that space in 1986, the company became itinerant, working out of spaces like The Theater Building. In 1985, they changed their name to Chicago Shakespeare Company.

From the beginning, Chicago Shakespeare Company’s mission was to reach underserved communities. Approximately two-thirds of their touring audience included assisted care facilities, hospitals and schools. The touring company performed complete plays, scenes from various plays and held workshops to help audiences better understand the texts. At the time, they were the only professional, non-Equity ensemble to partner with Illinois schools. Chicago Shakespeare Company also toured neighboring states. In addition to their mainstage season, the company also partnered with Friends of the Parks in 1985 for a series of free Shakespearean play performances in Chicago parks.

Scope and Contents

The Chicago Shakespeare Company Records (originally called the Free Shakespeare Company) includes a range of materials that document the company’s administrative and production history spanning nine seasons from 1981 to 1991. The materials include artist/technician agreements, box office reports, budgets, contacts, financial statements, grant applications, meeting minutes, newsletters, photographic materials, programs, promotional materials and tour plans.

Appraisal

The original finding aid was reviewed in 2025. The collection box numbers were made sequential. Previous box numbering started over with each series. The collection contents were reviewed for sensitive information, dates were inserted for file descriptions, and photographs and posters were integrated into the collection guide. The bulk of the original collection processing was retained. Materials with sensitive personal or financial identifiers were discarded or redacted.

Arrangement

The Chicago Shakespeare Company Records are arranged into two series:

• Series 1: Production Files, 1981-1990
• Series 2: Administrative Files, 1972-1991

Subject Headings

• Shakespeare, William, 1564-1616
• Theater -- Illinois -- Chicago -- 20th century -- Sources
• Theater -- History -- Sources
• Theater production and direction

Related Collections

• Chicago Medieval Players
• Chicago Theater Collection Videotape Collection

Collection Inventory

Series 1: Production Files, 1981-1990

Scope and Contents

All works are written by William Shakespeare unless otherwise indicated. Productions include:

• All's Well That Ends Well, directed by Robert G. Anderson, 1983 April 1-17, April 24-May 8
• As You Like It, directed by Tom Mula, sets and lights designed by Robert G. Smith, costumes by Carol Miller, fight choreography by Randy Burgess, musical composition, Doug Post, [1983-1984]
• As You Like It, directed by Cameron Pfiffner, costumes by Carol Miller, Douglas Post, composer, undated
• The Canterbury Tales, directed by Andrew May, lighting designed by Greg Weber, costumes by Kathleen Macky and Deb Shore, music by Cameron Pfiffner, 1884 September 23-October 28
• The Comedy of Errors, Shakespeare in the Parks, 1985 July-August
• The Comedy of Errors, touring program at Schaumburg High School, directed by Don Renaud, costumes by Marilyn Scinto, sets by Myron Freedman; fight arranger, Steve Pickering, 1985 October 12
• The Everyman Project, director/composer Douglas Post; lighting designed by Geoffrey Baer, sets designed by Myron Freedman, costumes by designed by Lyle Juracek, [no year] November 26-December 17
• Hamlet, directed by Myron Freedman, sets by Michael Biddle, costumes designed by Virginia Heaven, 1990 January 10-February 18
• Hotel Shakespeare by Craig Williams, directed by Carol Storm, set design by Doug Bean, costumes by Liz Passman, and lights by Ken Peters, [no year] May 20-[ ]
• Late Show, undated
• Love's Labour's Lost, Shakespeare in the Parks, directed by James O'Reilly, costumes by Lynne Palmer, sets by Michael Biddle, 1988 July
• Man of Destiny by George Bernard Shaw, directed by Don Renaud, [New York], [no year] March 12
• Measure for Measure, directed by Myron Freedman, lighting designed by Jim Leaming, costumes by Michael Biddle, 1987 March 8-April 12
• A Midsummer Night's Dream and Romeo and Juliet, directed by Myron Freedman, designed by Mike Biddle, music by Joe Cerqua, 1986 June-July
• A Midsummer Night's Dream, directed by Myron Freedman, production designed by Michael Biddle, music composed by Joe Cerqua, 1986 November 7-December 14
• Much Ado About Nothing, undated
• Othello, directed by William Payne, sets and lights designed by Michael Biddle, costumes by Kim Fencl, original music by Mimi Lange, sound design by William Payne, fight choreography by Jim Gregory, 1988 September 23-November 6
• The Private Life of the Master Race by Bertolt Brecht and Gene Walsh, An Alchemical Theatre Production, directed by Myron Freedman, costumes by Kim Fencl Rak, sets and lights by Bruce Bergner, 1990 November 8-December 16
• Richard II, directed by Tom Irwin, lighting designed by Walter Reihardt, sets by Greg Weber, fight choreography by Bob Romeo, 1983 April 7-21, April 28-May 7
• Richard III, directed by Don Renaud, sets and lighting designed by Mike Biddle, costumes by Marilyn Scinto, music composed by Doug Post, [1985-1986]
• Romeo and Juliet, directed by Jack Zerbe, 1986 July 17-August 21
• Romeo and Juliet, touring program, 1986 March-April
• The Taming of the Shrew, directed by Don Renaud, sets designed by Myron Freedman, costumes by Sharon Sprague, 1985 February
• The Taming of the Shrew, directed by John Kevin Forsythe, 1989 September-October 20
• Toad of Toad Hall by A.A. Milne, based on Kenneth Grahame's Wind on the Willows, directed by Frank Farrell and Scott Smith, lighting by Dan Kobayashi and Douglas Brian Bean, sets designed by Deb Gohr, musical direction, Douglas Post, 1984 November 27, 1983-January 1
• Toad of Toad Hall by A.A. Milne, based on Kenneth Grahame's Wind on the Willows, directed by Patrick Spradlin, music by Doug Post, sets and costumes designed by Myron Freedman, lighting by Pat Sanchez, 1985 November 25-[ ]
• Twelfth Night, directed by Don Renaud, sets by Michael Biddle, costumes by Winston Damon, fight choreography by Tim Gregory, lighting by Chris Allen, music composed by Joe Cerqua, 1987 April 26-May 31
• Twelfth Night and Measure for Measure, touring program, 1987 July-August
• The Winter's Tale, directed by Mary Beth Glasgow, sets by Michael Biddle, costumes designed by Rebecca Zaccard, lights by Richard Arnold, music composed by Michael Halberstam, 1987 October 22-November 29

Arrangement

Series 1 is arranged chronologically following unidentified season materials. The number of images by format with the same description is indicated in parentheses. Only persons named on the back of photographs are included in the description.

Series 2: Administration Files, 1972-1991, undated

Scope and Contents

Series 2 contains auction materials, budgets, contacts, correspondence, financial statements, grant applications, histories, income and expense reports, invitations, job descriptions, ledgers, mailing lists, meeting minutes, news clippings, newsletters, photographic materials, programs, research, spreadsheets, surveys and tax documents.

Arrangement

Series 2 is arranged alphabetically by subject, then chronologically within.