A group of four panelist present their ideas in front of an audience.

Arts in Action

A civic engagement series designed to enhance the theatergoing experience by connecting audiences with issues reflected in Goodman productions, and the organizations and initiatives that address these issues.

 

Audio Series

Episode 1: Goodman Artistic Associate Henry Godinez talks to members of the Chicago Torture Justice Center as part of our Arts in Action Series. Together they examine themes about criminal justice and forgiveness inspired by William Shakespeare’s The Winter’s Tale. Listen now.

goodmantheatre · Exploring Themes of Justice & Forgiveness in Shakespeare with the Chicago Torture Justice Center

Past Events

Arts in Action: Contested Waters

Sunday, February 5

Lake Michigan’s beautiful beachfront became the scene of one of the worst race riots in Illinois history on July 27, 1919. Join us as we delve deep into the Red Summer, the history of segregation in Chicago, and how riots serve as the origin story that impact us today.

Arts in Action: Home for the Holidays

Saturday, December 10 – 4:30 – 6pm

What would Charles Dickens write about Chicago’s housing crisis? On December 10, join the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless, Covenant House IL and resident dramaturg Neena Arndt as they tackle this question and take action to support our most vulnerable neighbors.

Poster with purple background. In white letters on the left the poster reads: Enemy of the People. On the right, in blue letters the poster reads: Arts in Action - The Future of Chicago Waters

The Future of Chicago’s Waters

Saturday, April 7, 2018 at 5pm
Alice Rotunda at Goodman Theatre

David St. Pieere of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) walked through the colorful history of water in Chicago, describing the cutting edge technologies and zero-waste practices that MWRD is developing to manage and protect the region’s water supply into the future. Connected to the Goodman’s 2018 production of Henrik Ibsen’s An Enemy of the People.

 

A bright pink poster. In white letters on the left the image reads: Blind Date. To the right, in black letters, the image reads: Arts in action.

U.S. – Russian Relations, Then and Now

Sunday, February 25, 2018 at 6pm
Alice Rotunda at Goodman Theatre

Noah Bookbinder, Executive Director of Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW), discussed the deep history of the connection between the U.S. and Russia/Soviet Union. Bookbinder discussed these complicated relationships during the Reagan and Gorbachev era and current events with the Trump and Putin administrations. Connected to the Goodman’s 2018 production of Rogelio Martinez’s Blind Date and Henrik Ibsen’s An Enemy of the People.

Poster with white, yellow, orange and pink background image. In green letters, the image reads: Arts in Action Calligraphy Workshop

Calligraphy Workshop

Saturday, November 11, 2017 at 5pm
Alice Center at Goodman Theatre

A special workshop with Artist in Residence Ahmad Abdulrazzaq, who taught participants traditional Arabic calligraphy techniques. Participants had the opportunity to write a number of different words and phrases, including the welcome message, “Everyone is welcome here.” Connected to the Goodman’s 2017 production of Rohina Malik’s Yasmina’s Necklace.