Join the Chicago Human Rhythm Project’s fourth festival concert! CHRP brings its annual tap dance show from Rhythm World 35 down to the Studebaker Theater.
Often an audience favorite, young artists from around the world share their rhythms, passion and in many cases, blistering technical prowess. Previous performers included MacArthur “Genius” Michelle Dorrance, Jazz at Lincoln Center soloist, Jared Grimes and CHRP’s Artistic Director Jumaane Taylor. The Student Showcase is a window into the future of tap!
Curated by Wait Wait Don't Tell Me's Peter Sagal, featuring Hari Kondabolu, Negin Farsad & other special guests, this panel is about why and how religion is used in comedy, from Oh God! to The Good Place.
The award-winning dance film Prohairesis makes its Midwest Premiere!
Honoring the life and songs of the most influential composer & lyricist of the modern musical, Liz Callaway celebrates the master with a carefully curated evening of the words and music of Stephen Sondheim.
A world premiere production, She Who Dared recenters the spotlight on the courageous women who helped desegregate the Montgomery bus system in the 1950s.
Get ready to party like it’s 1999 with the Chicago Gay Men’s Chorus! Featuring over 200 voices and all the iconic pop classics you can handle, this high-energy show celebrates the music, fashion, and unforgettable moments of the 1990s. From boy bands to divas, grunge to dance hits, As If...the Gay '90s is a totally rad tribute to the decade that defined a generation.
Join The Chicago Academy for the Arts' Dance Department for their final performance of the 2024–2025 school year!
Featuring parodies of all of the classic characters, The Empire Strips Back: A Burlesque Parody takes audiences to a galaxy far, far away, creating one of the most unforgettable (and unauthorized) theatrical interpretations of the beloved franchise.
Join collage artist Diana Slaviero to toast the conclusion of her exhibition, Poppies, Poison & Peacocks. Share your thoughts and reactions to the evocative artwork while enjoying refreshments with fellow art lovers.
Seven Thirty Theatre presents the iconic Tony Award-winning Broadway musical!
An intimate evening of songs and stories with two living legends of instrumental music In support of their brand new unprecedented duet album, "Just Us".
Meet collage artist Diana Slaviero and view her vibrant new exhibition, Poppies, Poison & Peacocks. This collection is meant to inspire joy and passionate resistance to the poisonous political forces and intensity of modern life. Lively conversation and refreshments will be provided.
Andrés López, pioneer of stand-up comedy in Colombia and winner of the “HOLA” Award in the category of “Outstanding Solo Performance”, comes to the Studebaker Theater with his renowned and award-winning monologue LA PELOTA DE LETRAS.
The 2025 Winter Jazz Fair will conclude with a heartfelt tribute to one of Chicago's most iconic musical legends, Quincy Jones.
Join us on February 20 as we welcome House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries to the Studebaker Theater.
For one night only, this unique concert will be filled with intimate and funny behind-the scenes stories peppered with Rudetsky's encyclopedic knowledge of Broadway and mixed with incredible performances from Mueller's Broadway career and beyond!
Enjoy a romantic evening with the wonderful violinist Yi-Jia Susanne Hou on Valentines Day serenading you with romances for violin & orchestra by Beethoven, Dvorak and Svendsen and love inspired works by Kreisler. The Camerata Chicago Orchestra will complete the concert delighting you with the most celebrated romantic melody of all time: Romeo & Juliet Fantasy by Tchaikovsky.
"Ahora el Malandro sí está Asustado" es el más reciente show de stand-up comedy del comediante venezolano Emilio Lovera, en el que combina su característico humor ácido y observador con una crítica social cargada de ingenio.
Roosevelt University’s Chicago College of Performing Arts (CCPA) Symphony Orchestra presents a concert under the direction of CCPA Orchestra Director Stephen Squires. This performance also features CCPA Student Solo Competition Winner, Sava Velkoff, in Bartók’s Viola Concerto.
Celebrate the life and legacy of Lee Newcomer with this special concert at the Studebaker Theater, featuring Rachel Barton Pine.
Neko Case will take the Studebaker Theater stage to discuss her new book, The Harder I Fight the More I Love You: A Memoir. An unforgettable portrait of an extraordinary life—one forged through a poverty-stricken childhood in “slummy, one-horse towns”; obsessive desire; bursts of comedy; and indispensable friendships, reflecting on the way art, music, and a deep connection to nature helped her on a singular journey to become a beloved, Grammy-nominated artist.
Join The Chicago Academy for the Arts for a presentation of top work form all six of their arts departments. Secure your tickets today!
Created and performed by clown, nerd cheerleader, and Chicago favorite Vanessa Valliere with support from longtime collaborator Lindsey Noel Whiting, Look! Look! is a must-see celebration of the gross and beautiful, the sweet and creepy, the euphemistic and earnest and, most importantly, the weirdos. Performances of Look! Look! will take place in the Fine Arts Building's Little Studio, suite 732.
With puppets by Handspring Puppet Company, known for building the War Horse and Little Amal, Cape Town’s Baxter Theatre brings us a new level of exquisite bunraku-style puppet theater.
Iniskim – Return of the Buffalo is an intercultural artistic response to the return of the buffalo, as wild animals, to North America. We watch as a group of puppeteers are transformed by their experience of ‘being buffalo’ at night under the stars, guided by the stories of the Blackfoot Elders.
Take a break between the many Puppet Hub shows and exhibits in this puppet-inspired pop-up cafe inside the Fine Arts Building. Meet fellow puppetry enthusiasts for coffee, tea, winter soups and baked treats.
From the makers of Moby Dick and Chambre Noire, Plexus Polaire returns flaunting its mastery of the form and serving up large-scale spectacle, human size bunraku puppets, hypnotic video projection and their signature style of imbuing the puppet with storytelling power.
The Chicago Bar Association presents "Bar to the Future!" In its 101st annual year, the Chicago Bar Show continues to entertain lawyers and non-lawyers alike. We promise wackiness, fun, music and more.
Learn landscape painting and improve your plein air painting indoors with Fine Arts Building artist Don Yang!
Manual Cinema's awe-inspiring, one-of-a-kind rendition of the Dickens classic comes to the Studebaker Theater this holiday season.
The Chicago Jazz Orchestra performs the authentic edition of Tchaikovsky's "Nutcracker Suite," as arranged in 1960 by Billy Strayhorn and Duke Ellington, as well as Elvis tribute artist Victor Trevino Jr. performing holiday favorites from Elvis's best-selling Christmas album.
Seven Thirty Theatre presents the iconic Tony Award-winning Broadway musical!
Dog Man: The Musical is a hilarious production based on the worldwide bestselling series from Dav Pilkey, the creator of Captain Underpants and Cat Kid Comic Club.
Love, loss, and creation merge in unexpected ways as Manual Cinema presents its thrilling version of the classic Gothic tale Frankenstein. The Chicago-based performance collective imaginatively combines shadow puppetry, cinematic techniques, sound effects, and live music in haunting shows like nothing else you’ve ever seen.
This fall, WBEZ is proud to present a new film & live concert experience - A Century of Silent Cinema. Storied guitarist Marc Ribot joins us on October 20 at the Studebaker Theater as he performs his original score to Aelita: Queen of Mars. Unveil the power of cinema & music with silent films that speak volumes with their vivid imagery that will keep you on your toes the entire time. And who better to add a layer of sonic suspense than the eclectic and avant-garde Marc Ribot?
Absent Moon is an evening length performance of Winifred Haun & Dancers Repertoire. It will feature the world premiere of Winifred Haun's “Absent Moon,” a work for 9 dancers and 2 benches. The program will also include "The Fight to be Found" by Imani English, "When the Rain Speaks" by Julia Schaeffer, and the acclaimed "Your nearest exit may be behind you" choreographed by Winifred Haun in 2016.
The Camerata Chicago Orchestra is thrilled to present Brazilian violinist Guido Sant’Anna in his North American debut. Guido gained international recognition in 2022 when at seventeen he became the first South American violinist to win the prestigious International Fritz Kreisler Competition in Vienna.
Join us for an unforgettable night with Dalal Abu Amneh, the renowned Palestinian singer, songwriter, and neuroscientist. With her powerful voice and unique style, Dalal brings a fresh take on Arabic music, blending traditional Palestinian folk melodies with contemporary sounds.
Show off your creativity at the Fine Arts Building's Open Mic! Live from the Little Studio during select Second Fridays, join us for comedy, music, and more!
An off-the-wall break up story about a friend group navigating multiple apocalypses.
Leonora is based on a deeply moving, true story that took place in France in the 18th century that revolves around a young woman who disguises herself as a man and under the name of Fidelio to rescue her wrongfully imprisoned husband.
A funny and heartfelt journey to India. Sometimes words aren't enough when it comes to family and heritage. Presented in collaboration with Silk Road Cultural Center.
A raw and tender portrait of a family in dysfunction, set in a hoarder's house filled with inherited trash.
/ v. anthology / marks the culmination of PARA.MAR's fifth season, featuring an exclusive collection of works curated by founder and director Stephanie Martinez with renowned choreographers Jennifer Archibald, Xavier Nuñez, Hélène Simoneau, and Yin Yue.
Welcome to KAYODE'S solo art show: HOPE. Join us for a day filled with creativity and inspiration at the Little Studio in the Fine Arts Building.
Frank Sinatra’s recording legacy stands as the greatest of all American singers. Jeff Lindberg and the Chicago Jazz Orchestra team up with vocalist Paul Marinaro and you to honor this legacy.
Worldwide sensation - the MAGIC MEN AUSTRALIA are finally coming your way! Voted Australia’s BEST MALE DANCE GROUP, find out what makes these group of guys the talk of the town. So, grab your girls and enjoy an epic GIRLS NIGHT OUT, and be treated like a queen and experience a night of fun, laughter and lots of eye-candy.
Hamlet by New York Circus Project transforms Shakespeare's classic into a unique acrobatic performance. NYCP is a contemporary circus company bringing theatrical classics to life through circus choreography. NYCP’s debut tour is not to be missed!
For one night only, this unique concert will be filled with intimate and funny behind-the scenes stories peppered with Rudetsky's encyclopedic knowledge of Broadway and mixed with incredible performances from White's Broadway career.
For one night only, this unique concert will be filled with intimate and funny behind-the scenes stories peppered with Rudetsky's encyclopedic knowledge of Broadway and mixed with incredible performances from Butz's Broadway career.
Chicago Human Rhythm Project opens up the concert floor for the Rhythm World 34 Student Showcase. If you either have a solo, small or large group routine you’d like to perform, THIS is your opportunity!
Season of Concern and She Inspires Productions presents this one night only one-night-only benefit concert for Season of Concern. Featuring the outstanding talents of Chicago’s Leading Ladies, who have been seen, and celebrated, on professional stages throughout the Greater Chicagoland area and across the country. This performance will not only showcase your favorite Chicago Divas but will also welcome the younger generation of Divas to the stage. Whether you’re a fan of Broadway classics, pop hits, or soulful jazz, this concert has it all! Don’t miss this opportunity to support Season of Concern and to enjoy a night filled with pure entertainment.
The Chicago Jazz Orchestra and the incomparable vocalist Dee Alexander pay tribute to the life, music, and legacy of the great Nina Simone on the 91st anniversary of her birth.
Witness personal redemption through public humiliation in a refreshing show that is equal parts comedic, cathartic and voyeuristic. Presented by WBEZ at the Studebaker Theater on May 18, Mortified stars everyday people reading aloud their most embarrassing and private teenage diary entries, poems, love letters, lyrics and locker notes… in front of total strangers.
Celebrate the birth of the Chicago Gay Men’s Chorus in the grand finale of our 40th Season with Party Like it’s 1983! Immerse yourself in the nostalgic magic of the ’80s as we pay homage to our founding year.
Porchlight celebrates the 40th Anniversary of one of Stephen Sondheim’s most celebrated works with a new special event concert staging. Audiences will experience Sondheim and James Lapine’s Pulitzer-, Tony- and Oliver-winning musical masterpiece with the original Broadway orchestrations performed by musicians live on stage with an all-star cast at Chicago's historic and beautifully restored Studebaker Theater.
The annual MAATC Exhibition presents the artwork and practices of students graduating with a Master of Arts in Art Therapy and Counseling. The educational aim of this exhibition is to provide an opportunity for students to present their own individual lived practices and collaboratively examine the clinical, ethical, and aesthetic implications of presenting the profession of art therapy through an exhibition. Deeply reflective and inquisitive, the artists present a multitude of approaches, exemplifying the program’s philosophy of integrating the emergent artist-art-therapist identity. For more information about the program, visit saic.edu/arttherapy.
Join The Chicago Academy for the Arts Dance Department for their final performance of the 2023–2024 school year! This year’s concert will feature choreography by Morgan Clune (Hubbard Street Dance Chicago company member and Academy alum), Randy Duncan, Patrick Simoniello, and Senior Choreographer Ashley Davis (Dance '24.)
Roosevelt University’s Chicago College of Performing Arts (CCPA) Symphony Orchestra presents a concert under the direction of CCPA Orchestra Director Stephen Squires.
Origins Dance Championship is a national competition for Indian classical dance teams across universities in the US. We provide a stage to promote and celebrate Indian dance styles while maintaining the integrity of the ancient art forms.
Experience Chicago's next generation of young creators on April 19th at Encore: An All-School Showcase. Join The Chicago Academy for the Arts for a presentation of top work from all six of our arts departments. Secure your tickets today!
BRONZEVILLE The Musical is about a father's love for his son, the legacy and courage of a people as it honors the significance of the Black Family and its “role” in preserving the community.
Join WBEZ and the hosts of popular podcast Sound Opinions on March 29 to celebrate 40 years of the greatest concert films of all time, Stop Making Sense. Put on your dancing shoes and meet us at the venue that first brought the film to Chicago audiences, the Studebaker Theater!
A “literary icon” (according to Oprah Daily), Pulitzer Prize finalist, and one of the most acclaimed authors of our era is bringing the book tour of his newest novel, James, to the Studebaker Theater. Join Exile in Bookville to see Percival Everett in conversation with author Gabriel Bump as they discuss Everett's latest work.
Be the first to be a part of Chicago’s brand new late night talk show hosted by Jeremiah Paprocki! Late Nights in Chicago is taping their very first episode at the Studebaker Theater to a live audience to experience this new era of late night entertainment.
Join CCPA Opera in a riveting journey through the dark side of human desire. Giancarlo Monteverdi's seventeenth-century masterpiece is a thrilling tale of ambition, love, betrayal, and the quest for power that still resonates today.
The Yale Whiffenpoofs, the world's oldest collegiate a cappella group, will be coming to Chicago in March! Join us for a concert at the Chicago Fine Arts Building featuring Chicago native Joshua Gonzalez (Yale '24). Come experience an unforgettable night of music and humor!
Paula Poundstone is known for her smart, observational humor and a spontaneous wit that has become the stuff of legend. Time magazine, in the March 2020 “Best of” issue, listed Paula’s HBO special, Cats, Cops and Stuff as one of The 5 Funniest Stand-Up Specials Ever. Paula can be heard weekly as the host of the comedy podcast, Nobody Listens to Paula Poundstone and as a regular panelist on NPR’s comedy news quiz, Wait Wait…Don’t Tell Me!
In this figure drawing workshop, students are introduced to basic concepts and practice of figure drawing from a live model. Through various drawing exercises and mediums, students will explore shape, proportion, rhythm and dynamics of human form. Students will also create a proportionate rendition of human figure by using measuring technique and block-in method. Emphasis will be on creating a convincing representation of human figure on paper.
Based on the worldwide bestselling hit series by Dav Pilkey, Dog Man: The Musical is a hilarious and heartwarming new production following the chronicles of Dog Man, who with the head of a dog and the body of a policeman, loves to fight crime and chew on the furniture.
In its 100th annual year, the Chicago Bar Show contains wackiness and fun, music and more with a bunch of talented lawyers. Come enjoy the irreverent musical comedy revue in which Chicago-area lawyers (supported by a professional band, director, choreographer, sets, lights and projections) lampoon some of the most memorable events of the past year!
Join artists on the 6th floor for a Fine Art Holiday Fair! Shop local art and enjoy refreshments during this holiday celebration from 1:00 to 5:00pm on the 6th floor of the Fine Arts Building. Participating artists include Ann Pickett, Robin Malpass, Tiffany Gholar, and Alyson Lyon. We'll see you there!
Join the Fine Arts Building for Artists Sunday, a celebration of local art and artists during the holiday season! Explore all 10 floors of creativity and history at the Fine Arts Building, and buy locally-made art as gifts for your loved ones this year!
The live theatrical adaptation of “Jim Henson’s Emmet Otter’s Jug-Band Christmas” is making its Chicago debut this holiday season at the Studebaker Theater! Packed with puppets created by Jim Henson’s Creature Shop, Emmet Otter’s Jug-Band Christmas is a heartwarming celebration of the true spirit of the holidays.
Join Ira Flatow and the rest of the SciFri crew as they hit the road to uncover and report on the amazing science news and stories happening in Chicago, IL! This is your chance to look behind the curtain of your favorite national radio show and participate in a special live performance with the experts and conversations you love.
Relive the horror cornerstone Nosferatu at the historic (and possibly haunted) Studebaker Theater on Saturday, October 28 for a special Halloween screening accompanied by an original score from Chicago’s own doom funk band, Gramps the Vamp. You won’t want to miss this bloody good time.
In the presence of Their Royal Highnesses Crown Prince Alexander and Crown Princess Katherine of Serbia the Camerata Chicago Chamber Orchestra holds its 20th Anniversary Celebration concert. Internationally renowned violinist Stefan Milenkovich performs the Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto. Conducted by Maestro Drostan Hall, Camerata Chicago will also perform Beethoven's Symphony No. 6, the Pastoral, and the Barber of Seville Overture by Rossini.
The Studebaker Theater invites students, technicians, lighting designers, technical directors, and theater professionals for an exclusive and FREE lighting equipment demonstration event, featuring guided presentations of equipment ,open houses, and staff recruitment opportunities.
Explore all 10 floors of artistry at the Fine Arts Building, including the majestic Studebaker Theater, Art Nouveau murals, and much more!
Celebrate 125 years of Chicago's landmark artists haven, featuring 10 floors of open artist studios and a special performance in the iconic Studebaker Theater.
An unforgettable story of enduring love and triumph over adversity, The Color Purple is a landmark musical from the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Alice Walker. This stirring family chronicle follows the inspirational Celie, as she journeys from childhood through joy and despair, anguish and hope to discover the power of love and life.
Witness personal redemption through public humiliation in a refreshing show that is equal parts comedic, cathartic and voyeuristic. Presented by WBEZ at the Studebaker Theater on September 23rd, Mortified stars everyday people reading aloud their most embarrassing and private teenage diary entries, poems, love letters, lyrics and locker notes… in front of total strangers.
“ONE OF THE TOP SHOWS TO SEE THIS SUMMER!” – Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun-Times, New City Magazine You might not know his name, but you know his music! Personality: The Lloyd Price Musical is a thrilling new musical that tells the story of Lloyd Price's revolutionary musical career.
Prepare to laugh until you cry when four of the world’s most masterful improv artists take you on the high wire act of comedic acrobatics. The rapid-fire wit and non-stop jokes will have your sides splitting and begging for mercy…and also begging for more.
Join The Chicago Academy for the Arts Dance Department for their 2023 Spring Dance Concert!
Join Chicago Repertory Ballet as they take the stage with an evening of new dance works by Founding Artistic Director Wade Schaaf. See world premiere contemporary ballet works by Schaaf whose choreography is known for its emotional sensitivity, musicality and choreographic innovation. Perfect for first timers and dance lovers alike, this is a theatrical experience not to be missed!
Join Chicago Repertory Ballet as they take the stage with an evening of new dance works by Founding Artistic Director Wade Schaaf. See world premiere contemporary ballet works by Schaaf whose choreography is known for its emotional sensitivity, musicality and choreographic innovation. Perfect for first timers and dance lovers alike, this is a theatrical experience not to be missed!
Whitney Houston’s music ignites this breathtaking Broadway romantic thriller based on the 1992 Warner Brothers movie. This show features a cascade of irresistible Whitney Houston classics, including: “Queen of the Night” “So Emotional” “One Moment in Time” “Saving All My Love” “Run to You” “I Have Nothing” “I Wanna Dance with Somebody” and one of the biggest-selling songs of all time: “I Will Always Love You.”
In collaboration with the Fine Arts Building, the Chicago International Puppet Theater Festival presents its brand new Pop Up Puppet Hub on the 4th floor! Bursting with site-specific activities, it’s the perfect place to relax between shows, meet up with friends, and make some new ones! For all Chicago International Puppet Theater Festival inquiries, contact the Festival Box Office at (312) 753-3234.
Join the Chicago Jazz Orchestra for A Musical Tribute to "A Charlie Brown Christmas," featuring the music of Vince Guaraldi with 17-year-old piano prodigy Brandon Goldberg and his trio along with youth voices of the Timeless Gifts Performance Company, Joan Collaso, director. The program will also include a performance of the legendary Duke Ellington/Billy Strayhorn Jazz Nutcracker.
Why have American politics deteriorated intellectually over the last 50 years? How has mass media encouraged the election of ignorant leaders? And how can we change course? With his signature wit and insight, award-winning comedian and New Yorker magazine satirist Andy Borowitz dives into these questions and more, as he brings his instant New York Times/Washington Post/Wall Street Journal bestseller, Profiles in Ignorance: How America’s Politicians Got Dumb and Dumber to the Studebaker Theater on Election Eve, November 7 at 7pm.
To celebrate the release of acclaimed vocalist Paul Marinaro's long-awaited album Not Quite Yet, Paul will be performing the album in its entirety backed by a 12-piece band of Chicago's finest musicians. Featuring brilliant arrangements by guitarist Mike Allemana, Not Quite Yet is the singer's very personal exploration of life and love, pondering 'what's next' after the global pandemic.
It’s your favorite podcast about race, identity, and culture—live on stage! Join Code Switch veteran Gene Demby and welcome new host B.A. Parker for a dope evening of entertainment, humor, and fearless conversations about race. And about the city of Chicago, of course.
From poetry, to music, to our signature “Ask Code Switch” segment, our variety show will explore the theme: Home. We invite you to be part of the story (and how it’s made), live for the first time since the before pandemic times.
Join us for an intimate musical experience in the beautiful and historic Venetian Courtyard of the Fine Arts Building, and be a part of a truly special cabaret style show with some of Chicago’s greatest talents.
Rock star Jacqueline Miller is headlining her first national tour, has a hit record, and she's agreed to kick off the gala re-opening of her beloved childhood roller rink, Windy City Skates. When complications hit her head-on, she takes a retrospective journey back to 1977 and finds herself again when she meets up with her 12-year-old self and all of the people who have made her who she is. SKATES explores the magic and hope of finding your one true love while still being true to yourself.
Join Exile in Bookville for their Authors On Tap series, featuring today's authors in conversation about their latest releases!
The Chicago Jazz Orchestra with singer Paul Marinaro recreate the famous "Live at The Sands" album, originally recorded by Frank Sinatra and the Count Basie Orchestra.
New musicals. Open studios. Podcast tapings. Architecture tours. All this and more at the Fine Arts Building!
See the calendar