American Blues Theater Opens at 5627 N Lincoln Avenue In West Ridge

An opening has been held for the new home of The American Blues Theater at 5627 N Lincoln Avenue in West Ridge. Sitting just north of the intersection with W Bryn Mawr Avenue near Rosehill Cemetery, the theater repurposed a vacant one-story commercial building. The project was led by the theater company itself with Morris Architects Planners acting as the architects while Schuler Shook supplied the theater systems.

Rendering of American Blues Theater main stage by Morris Architects Planners

The space creates the first permanent home for the theater company which was founded in 1985, the same year the building itself was built before becoming a Walgreens and then a Dollar General. The company is the city’s second oldest Actors’ Equity Association theater and has won multiple awards including a coveted Tony. Meanwhile, its actors have won Pulitzer, Golden Globe, Emmy, and Academy awards.

Rendering of American Blues Theater main stage by Morris Architects Planners

The 18,000-square-foot structure itself was repainted white and received a new sign visible from its adjoining 16-vehicle parking lot. On the inside a new main theater was created containing 148 seats which is complemented by a smaller 40-seat rehearsal space. These are supported by dressing rooms, greenroom, offices, and production rooms for costumes and sets in the back, while the front of house boasts a box office, bar, and concessions area.

Rendering of American Blues Theater main stage by Morris Architects Planners

Funding for the theater was secured earlier this year, with a budget of $7.8 million covered mostly by $4.2 million in donations and $2.5 million in Tax Increment Financing (TIF) money which we covered earlier this year. Part of that cost is a $500,000 reserve fund for employees and actors as live theater faces an uphill battle post pandemic while grappling with inflation. The theater will put on its first shows starting December 8th.

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