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Audience Enrichment and Lifelong Learning

Chicago Shakespeare’s Rowe Lifelong Learning Series encompasses our growing audience enrichment programs. Engagement with scholars, artists, and the Theater’s staff provide thoughtful points of entry—and those who wish to dig deeper will enjoy another lens through which to understand the plays on our stages, and the art-making behind them. 

Adult Learning Programs

Pre•Ambles

A team of scholars presents free pre-performance lectures on select Saturday and Sunday matinees. These half-hour talks by scholars examine the play through the a historical context, as well as the interpretive choices made by the director, design team and acting ensemble. 

No reservations are necessary. Dates, times, and scholars subject to change.

Held in the Dress Circle Lobby in the Jentes Family Courtyard Theater

  • September 19, 1:00 PM with Dr. Paul Michael Thomson
  • September 26, 1:00 PM with Dr. Martine Kei-Green
Open book with a blindfolded statue, bear, and ship emerging from it against an orange background.

Held in the Upstairs Studio Theater

  • October 24, 1:00 PM with Neena Arndt
  • October 31, 1:00 PM with Dr. Stephen Bennett

Held in the Skyline Room on the 6th Floor

  • February 6, 1:00 PM, Scholar TBD
  • February 13, 1:00 PM, Scholar TBD
"Red and yellow rose with a white lace doily and magnifying glass on a red floral background."

Held in the Skyline Room on the 6th Floor

  • April 24, 1:00 PM, Scholar TBD
  • May 1, 1:00 PM, Scholar TBD

Post Show Discussions

These entertaining and informative discussions are offered following select matinee performances of our Shakespeare Abridgement. Audience members have the opportunity to discuss the play, the production, and more with cast members directly following their performance. 

  • Wednesday, September 23
  • Wednesday, September 30
  • Wednesday, October 7
Open book with a blindfolded statue, bear, and ship emerging from it against an orange background.
  • Wednesday, November 18
  • Wednesday, December 2
Hands holding an orb with a fairy in a forest inside. Text: A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM.
  • Tuesday, November 24
  • Wednesday, December 9

Backstage Tours

This intergenerational experience is engaging for all learners. Whether you’re a long-time subscriber, or seeing Shakespeare for the first time, the Backstage Tour is for you. This exclusive tour, led by a member of our skilled Production team, will give you the inside scoop on the theater’s impressive architecture, the technical aspects that bring our shows to life, and the wide spectrum of roles backstage.

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