Things to do nearChicago Shakespeare Theater

Chicago Shakespeare Theater opened on Navy Pier in 1999, growing from a storefront company founded in 1986 into one of the leading Shakespeare theaters in the world. It holds the distinction of being the only American theater to receive the prestigious Regional Theatre Tony Award, a recognition of its sustained artistic ambition across decades of work.

The main house seats around 500 in a courtyard configuration modeled loosely on Elizabethan playhouse design, while the more intimate Yard space offers flexible staging for experimental and contemporary productions. Visitors frequently remark on how the architecture itself shapes the experience, drawing the audience into the action rather than keeping them at a remove.

Beyond Shakespeare, the theater programs an ambitious slate of new plays, musicals, and visiting international companies, making it a cornerstone of Chicago's broader cultural life. The Pier's lakefront setting means you can stroll along the water before or after a show, with the city skyline glittering across the harbor. Few performing arts venues anywhere pair serious theatrical craft with a setting this memorable, and that combination alone makes Chicago Shakespeare Theater worth a dedicated visit.