Theatre & Box Office
154 W. Chicago St.
Valparaiso, IN 46383
(219) 464-1636

Order Tickets
Season Tickets
Get Directions
Dining & Hotel Partners
Contact Us

THE 53rd SEASON

Mainstage Series
Bedroom Farce
A Christmas Story
Letters Home
Our Town
Brighton Beach Memoirs
Assassins

Family Series
The Emperor's New Clothes
James and the Giant Peach

Production History

Chicago Street Theatre Announces Strategic Plan Initiative and Building Renovation

Upon entering their 53rd season in Valparaiso, the Community Theatre Guild is proud to announce some “Major Moves” within the organization.  Housed in the Chicago Street Theatre, the group that was voted #1 Theatre in Indiana by the Indiana Theatre League in 2006 is committed to becoming an artistic center in Northwest Indiana and they are partnering with two powerful companies to help them do it – Insight Strategic Concepts of Elkhart, IN and John Morris Architects of Chicago.

With the help of a grant from the Indiana Arts Council, the theatre has engaged the services of business consultant, Shelley Moore of Strategic Planning Concepts.  Shelley’s experience in both profit and non-profit sectors and diverse experience working with artistic organizations in particular, positions her well to help the members visualize their goals, plan to reach them and execute those plans.  Work with Shelley will encompass artistic positioning as well as marketing, fundraising, community outreach and volunteer relations.  “This is a two year process that will move this group forward in our development further than most have ever dared imagine possible” says Board Chairman, Dona Henry.  “We’re ready for this… we’ve grown so much over the last 10 years – since we purchased the Chicago Street Theatre - and now it’s time to employ professional guidance and organization for the next several steps.”

Insight Strategic Concepts® Inc. is a strategic firm that focuses on building business strategies that are unique to an organization’s products, services, customers, employees, systems and culture. Insight assesses these areas to define the organic construct of an organization. Insight then develops unique business goals, market strategies, products, services, job structures, technology and other intricacies to work toward building an organization that is free in its ability to grow.

Also building a bright future for the organization is John Morris Architects.  John and his team performed a feasibility study on the theatre and developed plans for a complete renovation of the building in downtown Valparaiso.  Through generous donations from members, sponsorships from community business partners and a grant from the Porter County Community Foundation, The Chicago Street Theatre will begin work on those renovation plans.  Plans are to begin with rebuilding of the auditorium floor, completely new audience seating and reorganization and outfitting of public bathroom facilities this winter. 

The group will be performing their Christmas show – A Christmas Story, by Jean Shepherd – at the Valparaiso University Center for the Arts.  During their time away, John Morris will oversee the construction, which will be completed by the opening of the first show of 2008, Letters Home: Voices of American Troops in Iraq by William Massolia on February 1st.  John and his team are currently working on plans to renovate the building in stages, making the construction possible without interrupting the performance season.  “John was responsible for the renovation of The Raven theatre in Chicago, which used to be an old Certified grocery store” said Managing Director, Donna Blanchard.  “I know it well, because I shopped there during the 10 years I lived in Chicago.   Turning that silly little grocery store into a beautiful, highly functional theatrical space makes me certain we have a wonderful future in our theatre with John’s team on our side.”

John Morris, AIA, has had distinguished careers in both professional theater and architecture. In 1986, he founded the firm James, Morris & Kutyla, where he designed residential and commercial projects. In addition, he headed the firm's theater design division, leading design teams for several adaptive re-use and new-construction theater projects, including the internationally-acclaimed Steppenwolf Theatre Company's home in Chicago. Other Morris-designed spaces in Chicago's Loop and off-Loop theater and performing arts districts include the Noble Fool, Lookingglass Theatre, and the Raven Theatre (which is a renovated Certified grocery store where, ironically, Donna Blanchard shopped during the 10-years she lived in Chicago).

The Chicago Street Theatre is located at 154 West Chicago Street in Valparaiso.  You can learn more about them and their 53rd season at: www.CTGonline.org or by calling the box office at: 219-464-1636.