Open Door at CST is a series of audience enrichment programs offering introductory as well as in-depth studies of the ideas embodied in CST's plays. Through the Open Door programs, we strive to offer our patrons a deeper understanding of what they see on stage, as well as providing points of entry for engaging with the messages that the plays explore. 

Pre·Ambles

A team of university scholars lead half-hour lectures that provide insight into a Chicago Shakespeare Theater production. Each talk bridges the worlds of scholarship and performance, examining the play in its historical context as well as the interpretive choices made by the director and design team. Pre·Ambles are held at the Theater an hour before curtain on select Saturdays and Sundays throughout the run.

View schedule of upcoming Pre·Ambles for Romeo and Juliet, As You Like It and The Madness of George III.

Listen to past lectures for The Taming of the Shrew, Richard III and  Twelfth Night.

Pub Cast Calls

Patrons are given a rare opportunity to talk with members of the cast before they get into their costumes and characters. Cast Calls are held before select performances in the casual atmosphere of the Theater's Pub, where patrons and artists meet for an informal discussion about the play before the curtain goes up.

View schedule of upcoming Cast Calls for Romeo and Juliet, As You Like It and The Madness of George III.

Talk Backs

Chicago Shakespeare Theater's post-show discussions provide audience members an opportunity to ask the cast questions about the performance they have just experienced. Held after every Wednesday matinee performance of Romeo and Juliet, As You Like It and The Madness of George III, and after every Saturday matinee of Short Shakespeare! Macbeth these half-hour discussions are entertaining and informative.

Listen to excerpts of past Talk Backs for  The Taming of the Shrew, Short Shakespeare! The Comedy of Errors, Richard III, and Twelfth Night.