Writers Theatre

History[]

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Writers Theatre was founded in order to create an environment where the written word and the nurturing of artists were the foundation of all productions. Writers Theatre opened its first venue in the ante-room of a newly opened bookstore in Glencoe. Because of its growing reputation and audience, a second 108-seat performance space was opened in 2003 in The Woman's Library Club of Glencoe on Tudor Court. The company has produced more than 100 productions, including more than 20 world premieres.

In 2007, Writers Theatre debuted nationally with a New York premiere of Crime and Punishment adapted by Marilyn Campbell and Curt Columbus,^[1][2] which has received more than 30 subsequent regional theater productions.

In 2011, Lincoln Center Theater produced another work that began at Writers Theatre: A Minister's Wife, a musical adaptation of George Bernard Shaw's Candida, conceived and directed by Halberstam, with music by Joshua Schmidt, lyrics by Jan Trannen and book by Austin Pendleton.^[3][4][5][6]

In November 2013, Writers Theatre announced the launch of the On To a New Stage Campaign, a fundraising campaign with a $34 million capital project goal,^[7] which includes a cash reserve, to establish the company's first permanent home in a new theatre center in downtown Glencoe, designed by the award-winning Studio Gang Architects and Jeanne Gang, FAIA, in collaboration with Theatre Consultant Auerbach Pollock Friedlander.^[8][9] The new building was completed and opened to the public in February 2016. The inaugural production in the new building was Tom Stoppard's Arcadia, which opened in March 2016 to critical acclaim.^[10][11]

In 2017, Writers Theatre artistic director Michael Halberstam was accused of sexual harassment of workers at the theatre. After an investigation by the outside consultant hired by the Writers Theatre board of directors, the board reported that Halberstam “has made inappropriate and insensitive comments in the workplace.” The board recommended compliance training for Michael Halberstam.^[12] Halberstam resigned from the theater in July 2021.^[13]

Critical reception[]

Writers Theatre has grown to become a cultural destination with a national reputation for excellence, being called "America's No. 1 theatre company" by The Wall Street Journal's drama critic, Terry Teachout, in 2008. He elaborated, "The best drama company [in the nation] is to be found not in New York, but in Glencoe."^[14] In 2016 Teachout named Writers Theatre "Company of the Year," adding "The best regional drama company in America now has a home worthy of its shows."^[15]

The company, which plays to a sold-out audience of more than 50,000 patrons each season, has garnered critical praise for the consistent high quality and intimacy of its artistry. Its 2010 production of A Streetcar Named Desire directed by David Cromer was reviewed as "the most uniformly well-acted production yet seen" by The New York Times.^[16] It has garnered numerous awards and accolades, including 154 Joseph Jefferson Award nominations and 31 awards (as of the 2019/20 Season).

Artistic Director Michael Halberstam was named the Chicago Tribune's 2013 "Chicagoan of the Year" for Theater, received The 2010 Zelda Fichandler Award,^[17] and in 2016 was honored for outstanding theatrical accomplishments and contributions to Chicago theatre by the Joseph Jefferson Awards,^[18] and received an Award of Honor from the Illinois Theatre Association.^[19]

References[]