New Project Shines Light On Chicago Experimental Theatre Scene

WDCB’s Gary Zidek sits down with MCA Associate Curator of Performance Tara Aisha Willis and Prop Thtr Artistic Director Olivia Lilley for a conversation about THE STOREFRONT PROJECT.

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WDCB's Gary Zidek talks to MCA Associate Curator of Performance Tara Aisha Willis and Prop Thtr Artistic Director Olivia Lilley about THE STOREFRONT PROJECT.

“What does it mean to bring together Chicago theatre directors to try to get from point A to point B and show us what that process looks like.” - the MCA’s Tara Aisha Willis talking about the idea at the heart of The Storefront Project.

A unique collaboration between Chicago cultural organizations is putting a spotlight on the city’s experimental theatre traditions. The Museum of Contemporary Art and Prop Thtr have joined forces to present THE STOREFRONT PROJECT. Six Chicago-based directors were invited to participate in the Project with a mandate to use some type of source material as a jumping off point to create a new devised work.

The Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago

“I think there’s a big stereotype of experimental theatre, as people in all black doing some sort of abstract movement and it being boring. And this Project is going to blow that stereotype out of the water.” - Prop Thtr artistic director Olivia Lilley.

Prop Thtr

The Museum of Contemporary Art and Prop Thtre are co-presenting THE STOREFRONT PROJECT over two weekends (9/14 - 9/15 & 9/21 - 9/22). There are two performance schedules on both Saturdays and Sundays. You can find out more at mcachicago.org