World Theatre Day

On March 27, Chicago theaters will join the world in celebrating World Theatre Day. A brainchild of the International Theatre Institute, World Theatre Day was created in June of 1961 and takes place every year on March 27. The mission is to "Promote international exchange of knowledge and practice in theatre arts (drama, dance, music theatre) in order to consolidate peace and solidarity between peoples, to deepen mutual understanding and increase creative co-operation between all people in the theatre arts."

Chicago theaters are invited and encouraged to participate in a number of ways.

  • On March 27, read the 2009 World Theatre Day Statement from Dame Judi Dench to their audience before or after your performance.
  • Link from their website to the World Theatre Day website.
  • Upload videos and photos from their theater to the World Theatre Day Tumblr website on March 27 and check site to connect with other theatre from around the world. (http://wtd10.tumblr.com)
  • Make a connection with a sister company in another country. Partner with a company in another country to celebrate World Theater Day. Share your work, and document this conversation with a World Theatre Day Shout Out, which we'll feature on this year's Tumblr feed. For more information on this project, go to the WTD Chicago blog post here.
  • Join World Theatre Day on Facebook, follow updates on Twitter and contribute to the World Theatre Day Blog.
  • Promoting special ticket offers for March 27 performances to encourage theater attendance.
  • Include a special insert in program book on March 27 with WTD statement.
  • Lead a special post-show discussion to connect with their audience that evening .

The Chicago celebration will culminate with a party in association with the Chopin Theatre, 1543 W. Division, beginning at 9:00pm on March 27th. All Chicago theater patrons, artists and administrators are invited to attend this free event which will include live music, food and beverages.

"We're thrilled that Chicago is a part of this international celebration of the performing arts," said League of Chicago Theatres Executive Director Deb Clapp. "With companies like Chicago Shakespeare Theater, the Goodman, Redmoon, TUTA, Trap Door and the Chopin Theatre leading the charge to import and export exceptional international work we are already a hub of international activity and hope to encourage more collaboration through this day of theater."

Every year a renowned theater artist is asked to write a message for World Theater Day. The 2010 World Theatre Day message was written by Dame Judi Dench. Participating theatres are encouraged to read the statement before or after their performance that evening.

The following is an excerpt from her statement:

"World Theatre Day is an opportunity to celebrate Theatre in all its myriad forms. Theatre is a source of entertainment and inspiration and has the ability to unify the many diverse cultures and peoples that exist throughout the world. But theatre is more than that and also provides opportunities to educate and inform."