The Mission of The Side Project

The side project connects Chicago's most innovative and engaging writers, directors, designers, and performers in an ongoing exploration of the power of hyper-intimate theatre.

Our projects develop out of relationships with artists, an appreciation of their work and processes, and an understanding of where they want to go.

Our focus is not simply on world-premiere plays, but on world-premiere collaborations: creating never-before-seen teams of artists, each of whom has a body of work which speaks to the others in unique and exciting ways.

By bringing together established talent and emerging up-and-comers, we foster new partnerships, explore new creative territory, and celebrate the best of Chicago storefront theatre.

Over its 20-year history, the side project has presented more than 100 productions, including 60 full-length plays (featuring 40 world premieres, five of which were subsequently published); 20 one-act festivals (featuring 150 plays -- including 100 world premieres); and 50+ staged readings. In addition, we have hosted more than 30 itinerant companies, providing them with a home to present full seasons of their work.

In addition, the side project has hosted more than 25 companies, including six as Visiting Artists -- those who have performed their entire season(s) at The Side Project. For its work, the side project received the 2006 Spirit of Rogers Park Award and the 2009 Broadway in Chicago Emerging Theatre Award, and Artistic Director Adam Webster was named one of PerformInk's "Top 25 Artists Making a Difference" (2004) and New City's "Top 50 Artists Making Chicago Theatre Work" (2009).