Program areas at TimeLine Theatre Company
Timeline Theatre was founded in 1997 with a goal of exploring today's social and political issues through the lens of the past. Over its first 25 years, Timeline produced 84 plays, including 11 world premieres and 39 chicago premieres, that explored countless facets of that mission. From lgbtqia+ (the normal heart, boy) and jewish experiences (a shayna maidel, my name is asher lev) to issues of cultures intersecting and intertwining (the chinese lady, a disappearing number, a walk in the woods), to explorations of peace, humanity, politics, and family (oslo, rutherford and son, the apple family plays), and the historical roots of the black lives matter movement (relentless, kill move paradise, a raisin in the sun), Timeline's rich production history highlights a mix of perspectives. Timeline has been awarded 60 jeff awards, honoring excellence in chicago Theatre, including 11 for outstanding production, and received the prestigious 2016 macarthur award for creative and effective institutions, which "recognizes exceptional nonprofit organizations that have demonstrated creativity and impact, and invests in their long-term sustainability." Timeline was also named "one of the nation's top 10 most promising emerging professional theatres" in 2011 by the american Theatre wing, founder of the tony awards. Locally, Timeline continues to emerge as a prominent voice in chicago's vibrant arts community, lauded by the chicago tribune as a "savvy and growing Company, where more and more chicagoans have come, with reason, to trust the power, truth and integrity of the work." The Company currently serves approximately 20,000 audience members annually.
Timeline's living history education program shares our mission and art with chicago public schools, actively engaging students through high-quality arts integration residencies that explore connections between history, art and their own lives. Living history lesson plans center student identity and develop critical thinking and communication skills. Working closely with cps teachers, the living history program served 580 students in classrooms during the historic 2021-2022 school year. Timeline south is a unique arts program that provides teens a safe space for self-expression, creativity and ensemble building on the south side of chicago. Teens have the opportunity to learn basic skills in Theatre and performing arts and explore topics that they feel a strong curiosity about and connection to. Timeline south is offered free of charge monday-friday for six weeks and focuses on voice, self-expression, balance and wellness, and devising. Timeline south celebrated its fifth year with a return to in-person programming at the logan center, and presented two free performances of the world premiere piece, recidivism.