Route 66 Theatre Company to receive
the 2017 Broadway In Chicago Emerging Theatre Award
CHICAGO (April 2017) – Route 66 Theatre Company has been selected as the recipient of the Broadway In Chicago Emerging Theatre Award. Nominated by a committee of industry professionals, educators and League of Chicago Theatres board members, five finalists are selected each year, and from those, a majority vote from the League membership determines the winner. Broadway In Chicago provides a $5,000 cash prize and marketing support, including a substantial advertising package for the recipient. Sideshow Theatre Company, Jackalope Theatre Company, Oracle Productions, The House Theatre of Chicago, Silk Road Theatre Project (now Silk Road Rising), the side project, Steep Theatre, The New Colony, Theatre Seven of Chicago and 16th Street Theater are previous recipients of the award.
“We are incredibly grateful to be selected by the League of Chicago Theatres and Broadway In Chicago. It is truly an honor, especially when you consider the other nominees this year. This award is a testament to the true ensemble nature of Chicago theater: its diversity, collaboration, and support for one another. Route 66 is proud to be a part of this community for almost a decade and we hope our new home at The Den Theatre helps solidify us as a leading, Equity storefront theatre company for years to come,” comments Stef Tovar, Route 66 Founder and Artistic Director.
About Route 66 Theatre Company
Route 66 Theatre Company, recipient of the Broadway In Chicago Emerging Theatre Award, introduces, develops, produces, and exports new work for the stage that embrace the American spirit of exploration and risk. The Road Begins with our new play development process and reaches west, where our World and Chicago Premiere shows are given an advocate for further regional productions along the road less traveled from Chicago to Los Angeles. Since the company’s founding, Route 66 has produced eight productions, two in two cities including an Off-Broadway New York premiere, been nominated for five Jeff Awards and won two. 2016 is Route 66’s first season as a resident company of The Den Theatre.
About Chicago theatre
Chicago theatre is a leader in the U.S. with more than 250 theatres throughout Chicagoland, comprising a rich and varied community ranging from storefront, non-union theaters to the most renowned resident theatres in the country, including 5 that have been honored with Regional Tony Awards, and the largest touring Broadway organization in the nation. Chicago’s theatres serve 5 million audience members annually and have a combined budget of more than $250 million. Chicago produces and/or presents more world premieres annually than any other city in the nation. In the 2014-2015 season, Chicago theatre companies produced more than 100 world premiere productions and adaptations. Each year, Chicago theatres send new work to resident theatres across the country, to Broadway, and around the world.
About the League of Chicago Theatres
The League of Chicago Theatres is an alliance of theatres which leverages its collective strength to promote, support, and advocate for Chicago’s theatre industry locally, nationally, and internationally. The League of Chicago Theatres Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the art of theatre in the Chicago area through audience development and support services for theatres and theatre professionals.
For a comprehensive list of Chicago productions, visit the League of Chicago Theatres website, www.chicagoplays.com. Half-price tickets are available year-round at www.hottix.org.
