Kandace Mack
Development & Communications Manager
Announcing
Learn More
ABOUT US
Mission
Raven Theatre tells stories of today and the past that connect us to our cultural landscape.
Raven’s commitment to modern drama in all of its forms, as well as its first-class education programming, have helped it remain a cultural cornerstone on the north side of Chicago for 40 years and counting.
_____
For over 40 years, Raven Theatre has been the home to revivals of modern dramas and thought-provoking new works to the Northside Chicago community, as well as theatrical education to the children and schools in the surrounding neighborhoods. Founded in 1983, Raven moved into its current home in 2002 with its 85-seat Johnson Stage and its 56-seat Schwartz Stage.
Subscription Series – Raven offers three productions in its subscription series, all in the East Stage, focusing on revivals of works primarily from the late 19th century to the present and including both Chicago and World Premieres.
Educational Programming – Raven provides teaching artists to neighborhood schools for in-school theatrical residencies, a field trip program for elementary school students, and a robust children’s theatrical summer camp program.
With efforts in the community, in neighborhood schools, and on the stage, Raven plays an important part in the city’s cultural landscape.
History
Raven is proud to be a cultural cornerstone of Chicago’s north side, where its artistic excellence is known among theatergoers and artists alike. Long acclaimed for its revivals of classic plays, Raven also gives voice to emerging playwrights whose work will help to shape the theatrical canon for years to come.
The theater engages the next generation of artists and community leaders through its robust education program, “Take Flight.” Each year, teaching artists help 3,000 students unlock their creative potential through summer camps, field trip programs, and in-school workshops.
Raven works with local elected officials, businesses, and community development organizations to continually offer programs that meet the needs of its neighbors, allowing the theater to remain a destination for theatre and arts education and an artistic home for all who need one.
Land Acknowledgement
Raven Theatre Company resides on the ancestral homelands of an alliance of three Native American nations: Ojibwe, Odawa, and Potawatomi, known collectively as the Council of Three Fires.
Dozens of other tribes, including the Menominee, Miami, and Ho-Chunk nations, called this region home.
Today, thousands of native people continue to live and work in the city colonially known as Chicago.
Executive Artistic Director
Jonathan Berry
is a Chicago based director, teacher and producer. Most recently he served as Artistic Director of The Penobscot Theatre Company in Bangor, Maine. He is a proud ensemble member of both Steep Theatre and Griffin Theatre and a former Artistic Producer at Steppenwolf Theatre Company. Directing credits include; Steppenwolf: Lindiwe, The Children, You Got Older, Constellations, and the SYA productions of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime, The Crucible, and A Separate Peace. Steep Theatre Company: Paris, Red Rex, Earthquakes in London, Posh, The Life and Sort of Death of Eric Argyle, If There Is I Haven’t Found it Yet, The Knowledge, Festen, Moment, The Hollow Lands and The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui. Griffin Theatre: The North American premiers of Simon Stephens Punk Rock (Jeff award Director, Lead Actor, and Ensemble) Port, and On the Shore of the Wide World, as well as The Harvest, Winterset, Pocatello, Balm in Gilead, Golden Boy, The Burnt Part Boys, Spring Awakening Company, Picnic, Time and the Conways, Dead End, The Hostage and Journey’s End.
Other work includes; Gift Theatre: The world premieres of both Dirty and Suicide, Incorporated, as well as Othello and the remount of Andrew Hinderaker’s Obliteration, Goodman Theatre: The Solid Sand Below and The World of Extreme Happiness for their New Stages Festival, and Shattered Globe: The Chicago premiere of Ugly Lies the Bone. He has directed productions for American Theatre Company, Redtwist, Chicago Dramatists, Jackalope Theatre, Strawdog, Remy Bumpo, Theatre Mir, and Lifeline Theater. He was the Assistant Director for Anna D Shapiro’s Broadway productions of Of Mice and Men and This is our Youth. He pursued his MFA in directing from Northwestern University and had a BFA from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. He has taught acting, directing, and viewpoints at University of Michigan, Northwestern University, University of Chicago, Columbia College, Acting Studio Chicago, Bramble, Vagabond, Black Box and served as the director for the ensemble training program The School at Steppenwolf.
Staff
Lisa Troi Hapin
Venue & Special Events Manager
Mechelle Moe
Director of Education
LUCY WHIPP
Production Manager
Front of House
Terah Jene
Kayla Drescher
Emma Durbin
Britt Nicholson
Board
Raven’s Board of Directors is made up of persons who support theater and who volunteer their time and talent to maintain and strengthen the organization in the fulfillment of its mission.
Nathan Taylor
President
Lauren Guydan
Vice President
Jeremy Heckman
Treasurer
Richard Rodriguez
Secretary