Chicago Shakespeare Theater
Chicago Shakespeare Theater is the largest year-round theater in the United States dedicated to Shakespeare, and a recipient of the Regional Theatre Tony Award. It sits on Navy Pier, jutting out into Lake Michigan with the Chicago skyline behind it, and operates across three distinct performance spaces — the Courtyard, a 500-seat thrust-stage auditorium inspired by Elizabethan courtyard playhouses; The Yard, a flexible modular theatre that can be reconfigured for each production; and a smaller upstairs studio.
Founded in 1986, the company stages a bold year-round season that pairs Shakespeare and classic drama with musicals, world premieres, international touring work and family productions — as many as twenty productions and several hundred performances a year. It is the city's leading presenter of international theatre and has toured its own work across five continents. A notable share of its audience is under eighteen, reflecting an unusually strong commitment to education and young audiences.
For visitors, it combines a genuinely world-class Shakespeare programme with one of Chicago's most-visited destinations: Navy Pier itself, with its lakefront views, restaurants and attractions, makes an evening here an easy outing.
History
Chicago Shakespeare Theater began in 1986 as a small company performing Shakespeare on the roof of the Red Lion Pub in Lincoln Park, founded by director Barbara Gaines. From those rooftop beginnings it grew rapidly, taking up residence at the Ruth Page Center before moving, in 1999, to a purpose-built home on Navy Pier — the 500-seat Courtyard Theater, designed with a thrust stage modelled on the galleried courtyard playhouses of Shakespeare's England.
The company received the Regional Theatre Tony Award in 2008 in recognition of its sustained artistic achievement. In 2017 it opened The Yard at Chicago Shakespeare, a flexible, reconfigurable theatre that can be reshaped for the demands of each production and substantially expanded the company's range, allowing it to host large-scale touring and commercial work alongside its own classical seasons.
Under artistic leadership that has continued to broaden its scope, Chicago Shakespeare has established itself as the foremost Shakespeare institution in the American Midwest and one of the most significant in the country, balancing core Shakespeare productions with international work, new musicals and an extensive education and civic-engagement programme. In 2026 the company marked its 40th anniversary.
Plan Your Visit
Getting There
Chicago Shakespeare Theater is on Navy Pier, at 800 East Grand Avenue, on Chicago's lakefront. From downtown, the free Navy Pier trolley, several CTA bus routes, and rideshare all serve the Pier; the nearest CTA 'L' stations (Grand on the Red Line) are about a 15-minute walk or short bus ride away. Paid parking garages are available on the Pier itself.
Opening Hours
The theater runs a year-round season across its three spaces. The box office operates daily; performance schedules vary by production. Check the official what's-on page for current shows and curtain times.
Ticket Prices
Ticket prices vary widely by production and seating, typically from around $25 to $90, with discounts for students, under-35s and groups. Some productions and family shows have lower-priced options. Check the official what's-on page for current pricing.
Accessibility
Both main theatres are wheelchair accessible with designated seating. Assistive listening, and selected open-captioned, audio-described and ASL-interpreted performances, are offered across the season. Contact the box office in advance for specific requirements.
What's On
Live listings from Ticketmaster — updated daily.
Also on ShakespeareGo
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