THE FUND FOR EXCELLENCE

New Works Fund

Finding and nurturing new playwrights is vital to the future of the American theater. Reviewing scripts and commissioning works of emerging writers—as well as mounting readings, workshops and full productions—requires a substantial investment of resources. Many of the artists who launched their careers at the Goodman are now leaders of American theater, including Rebecca Gilman, David Mamet, Mary Zimmerman, Lynn Nottage and Sarah Ruhl, among many others. Time spent cultivating these voices reaps great rewards.

Musical Theater Fund

A uniquely American art form, musicals have delighted audiences since their beginnings—and are a significant part of the Goodman’s legacy. Since moving into our new facility in 2000, the Goodman has premiered many new musicals, including The Visit, Bounce, Turn of the Century and the Tony Award-winning The Light in the Piazza, while mounting major musical revivals such as Purlie, Ain’t Misbehavin’, Animal Crackers and Candide. The Musical Theater Fund will help the Goodman keep musical theater alive and thriving.

Classics Fund

The works of great American playwrights, like Eugene O’Neill, Tennessee Williams and Arthur Miller, are the backbone of American theater, and the Goodman has embraced their plays and the work of Shakespeare, Molière, Shaw, Chekhov, Beckett and other playwrights whose art has stood the test of time. For many audience members—from young people on school trips to long-time Subscribers—the Goodman is their first introduction to these beloved works. Supporting the Classics Fund means that our cornerstone works, often the definitive new version of a favorite classic, will continue to thrill, delight and astonish audiences for generations to come.

Cultural Diversity Fund

In our commitment to diverse aesthetics and points of view, Goodman Theatre provides audiences with a mirror of our city and world on our stages. Partnerships with companies such as Teatro Vista and Cuba’s Teatro Buendia as well as the rich collaboration we enjoyed with the late August Wilson exemplify that commitment. The Cultural Diversity Endowment will support the work of diverse artists, including Resident Director Chuck Smith, Resident Artistic Associate Henry Godinez and Artistic Associate Regina Taylor. This critical endowment will also provide resources for work by artists of color such as David Henry Hwang, Naomi Izuka, Lynn Nottage, Thomas Bradshaw, José Rivera and Tanya Saracho.

A Christmas Carol Fund

“God bless us, every one!” Charles Dickens’ classic story, the exceptional acting and miraculous stagecraft have made A Christmas Carol at Goodman Theatre a beloved Chicago tradition for more than three decades. The play’s timeless themes of generosity and kindness have touched the hearts of more than one million patrons, and the A Christmas Carol Fund preserves the magic of this cherished holiday treasure for generations to come.

Education & Engagement Fund

The next generation of theatergoers engage in the Goodman’s in-depth, nationally recognized education programs, including the School Matinee Series, PlayBuild Youth Intensive, Cindy Bandle Young Critics, Internships, CONTEXT Series and other outreach. Our in-depth educational programs serve more than 3,000 students and their teachers each year, most from Chicago Public High Schools, as well as more than 5,000 adults in the community. The Education & Engagement Fund supports the vast array of our nationally recognized student education and community access programs as well as professional development for teachers.

Building, Infrastructure & Technology Fund (B.I.T. Fund)

The B.I.T. Fund provides the resources to keep Goodman Theatre on the forefront of theatrical and business technology—ranging from new software to better address patron needs to providing our designers with highly specialized equipment to realize their vision.