Chicago Theatre Company Sees the Light By Going Dark

WDCB’s Gary Zidek catches up with Theatre in the Dark co-founder Corey Bradberry to talk about the company’s origins and evolution over the past 12 months.

LISTEN

WDCB's Gary Zidek catches up with Theatre in the Dark co-founder Corey Bradberry to talk about the company's approach to creating work.

“Sound is always so important to me as a director, I view it as another character in the play in the play. Especially for what we do, it sets the foundation for everything to resonate, in the same way that a set will resonate for an actor standing in front of you.” - Theatre in the Dark co-founder Corey Bradberry talking about his attention to sound in the company’s productions.

Theare in the Dark co-founder Corey Bradberry

The world was a lot different back in the fall of 2019, when a new Chicago theater company debuted a novel concept, live theatre presented to audiences in pitch black darkness. The ensemble garnered critical praise for that first production, a piece titled THREE STORIES UP. The future looked bright for the company that calls itself Theatre in the Dark.

 But then, spoiler alert, the pandemic struck and any future plans of in-person performances had to be scrapped indefinitely. Not knowing when things would go back to normal, Theatre in the Dark pivoted, maintaining their focus on atmosphere and sound, but shifting it from in-person performances to the virtual realm. The company began presenting live audio plays, starting with an adaptation of its inaugural work THREE STORIES UP, then producing favorites like A WAR OF THE WORLDS and A CHRISTMAS CAROL. Now, Theatre in the Dark is taking on the classic American novel, MOBY DICK.

Theatre in the Dark’s audio play version of MOBY DICK is running live through April 10. You can find more information at theatreinthedark.com.