My Nonprofit Reviews
MEH.Lewis
Review for American Blues Theatre Company, Stockton, CA, USA
American Blues Theatre is an outstanding Chicago Theatre--one of the oldest and best ensemble theatres in the country. They consistently do spectacular work, a good mix of new plays and re-imagined classics. They also support playwrights and the development of new work, something that is sadly scarce in the current economical and political climate. I have never yet seen a play at ABT that did not move, inspire and challenge me.
As a playwright, I am particularly pleased by ABT's respectful and constructive relationship with artists. They actively seek out and build relationships with playwrights, especially local ones, and always respond promptly and courteously to queries.
Their Ripped series of short plays is a unique and wonderful outreach program that commissions local playwrights to create new work in response to current events, then presents the work to various communities around the city. What better way to open up a dialogue about what's happening in our world, while serving both artists and the larger community?
Chicago Theatre, and Chicago as a city, are far richer for the presence of ABT here.
More Feedback
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
I've participated in Ripped as a playwright twice, and as an audience member multiple times. I've also submitted to their Blue Ink play competition, and encouraged my students and colleagues to do so.
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Give them more money so that they could commission even more work and produce more plays.
