Dec. 13--Chicago Children's Theatre officially broke ground on the company's forthcoming permanent home on Dec. 12. Children were at the center of the action at the former 12th District Police Station, donning hard hats and toy shovels to celebrate the transformation of the West Loop space that will serve Chicago's largest professional theater dedicated to young people and their families.
Representatives of Chicago Children's Theatre were joined by community leaders including first lady of Chicago Amy Rule and 27th Ward Alderman Walter Burnett, Jr. at the morning groundbreaking ceremony. The event marked the beginning of phase one of construction, which will convert the existing space, including a former jail cell block, into a 149-seat studio theater and classrooms. Phase one is planned to be completed by early 2017.
Phase two, to be completed in 2020, includes the construction of a 299-seat mainstage theater with additional supporting spaces.
Wheeler Kearns Architects, a Chicago-based firm with clients including the Old Town School of Folk Music and Wolcott School, has joined with Working Group One Architects to create the $15 million new facility located at 100 S. Racine Ave.
Until completion of phase two, Chicago Children's Theatre will continue to present its productions at the Ruth Page Center for the Arts, 1016 N. Dearborn St.
