Free Theater Isn't Free to Make

Since 1969, Free Street has been at the forefront of the movement to create free + affordable, inclusive, and innovative theater in communities across Chicago. 

We are rallying now to secure the 2026 rent for the Free Street Storefront so we can expand programming to meet growing demand and better support our artists, communities, and partners. If you made this gift in honor of a loved one and would like to present them with a certificate, here is a printable graphic.

About Free Street 

Free Street is a femme-led arts and culture organization that centers original performance work by Black, Latine, Brown, and Immigrant communities; queer artists; youth artists; and work that is committed to the thriving and well-being of people on the South and West Sides of the city. We believe in the theater as a space to uplift joy and justice, especially racial, economic, and environmental justice in Chicago.

About Free Street's Storefront in Back of the Yards

Free Street’s Storefront isn’t just about how theater can foster social change, but how a theater can be a space for social change and community building. Free Street has been expanding the boundaries of where the real world ends and the stage begins for decades. Drawing on social movements from the past, the Storefront is a space that invites community nourishment in the form of a play, or an acting class, or a “know your rights” workshop. These interactions create the opportunity for community members to not only participate in but also lead important dialogue about social change.

Become a Free Street donor today and be a part of working to make theater accessible to all of Chicago.