John Kelly Connolly Pub Night
2024-11-25 19:00 - 21:00 (America/Chicago) | Vito’s Vault, 5901 W. Lawrence, Chicago, IL, 60630, United States
The Gift Theatre’s Inaugural

JOHN KELLY CONNOLLY PUB NIGHT
You’re Invited!

Join us on Monday, November 25th at 7 PM for drinks and appetizers at Vito’s Vault (5901 W Lawrence Ave, Chicago, IL 60630) as we gather to talk about theatre and honor our dear friend and ensemble member, John Kelly Connolly.

John lived an extraordinary life, and he deeply loved the community that supported The Gift Theatre. After every show, you could always find him at the old Fischman’s, connecting with audience members, eager to hear their thoughts on the performance and their love for The Gift.

As we approach the 5th anniversary of his passing, we invite you to join us for the inaugural John Kelly Connolly Pub Night—a chance to come together, talk theatre, and remember John.

Our artistic directors will share a bit about where The Gift has been and where we’re excited to go. We’d also love to hear from you about what The Gift means to you, what keeps you coming back, and perhaps a favorite memory of John.

This event is FREE. Drinks and light appetizers will be available for purchase.
Thank you for supporting The Gift and helping us celebrate John. We look forward to seeing you there!

In the Works: ADIRONDACK CHAIR CIRCLE
2024-12-03 19:30 - 21:30 | Filament Theater, 4041 N. Milwaukee, Chicago, IL, 60641
Join us for our next In the Works staged reading!
ADIRONDACK CHAIR CIRCLE
Written by Stephanie Alison Walker
Directed by ensemble member Marti Lyons
Featuring Ensemble Members :
Cyd Blakewell, Paul D’Addario, and Jennifer Glasse
with guest artists Erinn Fredin, Krystal Ortiz, and Emma Norville
Tuesday, December 3rd at 7:30pm
Filament Theatre- 4041 N. Milwaukee Ave
“Banna is a perfection-seeking, suburban mom who finds meaning in leading a group of like-minded moms fighting the school district’s indoctrination of children. But behind the impressive facade, her marriage is in trouble, her relationship with her teenager is strained, and she is being tormented by an ever-present crow defiling her backyard. As Banna’s group gains notoriety and some sinister allies, she is faced with a choice: to open up and evolve or to double down and become isolated.”
In the Works is a staged reading series focused on plays in development by local playwrights at all stages of their careers. Curated by Co-Artistic Director Brittany Burch, performances are hosted on the city’s Northwest side and are free of admission
Stephanie Alison Walker is an award winning playwright committed to radical truth-telling in her work. Her plays are known for mining humor in darkness, the personalization of the political, the complexity of human emotions, and the exploration and dramatization of the strength of women.

CYGNUS by Susan Soon He Stanton
2025-02-06 19:30 - 21:30, 2025-02-07 19:30 - 21:30, 2025-02-08 19:30 - 21:30, 2025-02-09 15:00 - 17:00, 2025-02-13 19:30 - 21:30, 2025-02-14 19:30 - 21:30, 2025-02-15 19:30 - 21:30, 2025-02-16 18:00 - 20:00 and 17 more dates | Filament Theater, 4041 N. Milwaukee, Chicago, IL, 60641
CYGNUS -World Premiere Production
Written by Susan Soon He Stanton Multi Award Winner, Writer, and Producer of HBO’s Succession
Directed by Co-Artistic Director, Brittany Burch

Cydney believes an angel rescued her from an ineffable trauma, and the truth may prove stranger than she imagines. In this mythic, hilarious, and poetic new play, a burnt feather may illuminate the possibility of a divine intervention.

February 6 – March 16, 2025
Performing at the Filament Theatre
4041 N. Milwaukee Ave

Preview Performances: February 6-February 15th. Thursday-Saturday at 7:30pm and Sunday at 3pm.
Opening Night Performance February 16th at 6pm

CYGNUS runs 1 hour and 45 mins with no intermission
Please note there will be NO LATE SEATING for this production
Click here for tickets
Featuring
Angela Morris, Jeff Rodriguez, and Rengin Altay

JKC Pub Night
2025-02-23 17:00 - 19:00 | Gracie O’Malley’s Portage Park, 4058 N. Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL, 60641, United States
JKC PUB NIGHT
You’re Invited!
Join us on Sunday, February 23rd, at 5 PM for drinks and appetizers at Gracie O’Malley’s (4058 N. Milwaukee Ave, Chicago).
We had such a wonderful time at our inaugural John Kelly Connolly Pub Night in November, and we’d love to do it again! After the 3 PM matinee of Cygnus (which we’d love for you to attend—tickets available here), we invite you to gather with us, talk theatre, and raise a glass in John’s honor.
Our dear friend and ensemble member, John Kelly Connolly, lived an incredible life and had a deep love for The Gift Theatre community. After every show, you could find him at the local bar, chatting with audience members about the performance and what they loved about The Gift.
We’d love to hear from you—what The Gift has meant to you and what keeps you coming back!
This event is FREE. Gracie O’Malley’s is generously providing the first round of drinks for our guests, with a full bar and food menu available for purchase.

Space is limited, so RSVP!
Thank you for supporting The Gift and celebrating our friend John. We can’t wait to see you there!
JKC Pub Night
Sunday, February 23rd, 2025 at 5 PM
Gracie O’Malley’s Sports Bar
4058 N. Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60641

In the Works- Hayward by Netta Walker
2025-07-28 19:30 - 21:30 | The Understudy, 5531 N. Clark, Chicago, IL, 60640
Next up in our In The Works series:
HAYWARD by Netta Walker — a bold, personal, and haunting new reimagining of Elektra and Hamlet.
Monday, July 28th at 7:30pm
The ⁠Understudy Coffee and Books
5531 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60640
⁠
“On the day of her father’s funeral, Luna confesses to her siblings she has seen her father’s ghost.”
A semifinalist for the Eugene O’Neill National Playwriting Conference and soon to be published by 1319 Press, Hayward is a searing exploration of grief, family, and the echoes that refuse to fade.
⁠
In The Works is our ongoing staged reading series focused on plays in development by local playwrights at all stages of their careers. Join us to witness the process—and the power—of new work in progress.
This exciting presentation is a collaboration with The Understudy Coffee and Books and 1319 Press,
Directed by AmBer Montgomery,
Stage Managed by Sarah Luse, and featuring:
Ireon Roach
Gregory Fenner
Sydney Charles
Victor Musoni
Shanésia Davis
Robert Cornelius
Alfred Wilson
Tia Pinson
This reading is now SOLD OUT. We suggest arriving to The Understudy at 7pm on the day of the reading to join the waitlist. Thank you!

GiftLit: Back to School
2025-09-10 19:00 - 21:00 | Chief O’Neill’s, 3471 N Elston Ave, Chicago, IL, 60618
Back to School with GiftLIT!
Join us on Wednesday, September 10th at 7:00pm on the patio at Chief O’Neill’s (3471 N Elston) for an evening of stories, community, and connection.
Come celebrate the return of Fall and GiftLIT—for an evening of stories that connect and inspire.
Tickets are $15 click here to buy tickets!
