Theatre Building Chicago (TBC) has announced that it will sell its three-theater facility to an LLC, in order to provide continued availability of rental services for Chicago theater companies and expand opportunities for area artists and patrons. The TBC has been a venue where groups such as the award-winning Porchlight Theatre produce their annual seasons, and other companies have produced on an as-needed basis.
Along with news of the sale of the building to 1225 W. Belmont LLC., it has been announced that Lukaba Productions, which has often used the TBC space, has become the space’s primary tenant. Lukaba has produced Chicago Sketch Comedy Festival at TBC since 2002. In addition, Brian Posen, executive producer of Lukaba, has produced such plays as The Mousetrap, Noises Off!, and How the Other Half Loves at the venue.
As the sale of TBC is finalized, operations, including space services and facilities rental programs, will continue on a business-as-usual basis. Arthur Don, vice president of TBC’s board of directors has stated: “While the ownership of the physical property will change, we anticipate no change in commitment to the theatre community we have served for many years.”
The proceeds from the sale of the building will allow TBC to establish an endowment fund and to expand its Stages Theatre Festival, which offers staged readings of new musicals each summer.
Charles H. Jesser, manager of record for the LLC, has stated that the purchaser intends to make substantial upgrades to the building.
For further information, visit: www.theatrebuildingchicago.org.
