Some time ago, we were advised that Chopin Theatre should not reserve space for House Theatre for this upcoming season. Being eternally optimistic we were hoping that after this Spring's production, under new artistic leader and director Lanise Antoine Shelley, that things would change. But,unfortunately they didn't. The House Theatre is nevermore. And we are extremely sad -- not just for the loss to us but for hundreds of artists associated with the House and huge audiences which will also have to move on. And Chicago, famous for its theater community, has lost another distinguished member.

Since 2008, House Theatre produced 47 shows at Chopin, most on them on the Main Stage with a few running in the Studio Theatre. Most of them ran 7-8 weeks, 4-5 performances per week, and almost every performance sold out to young and enthusiastic audiences. They sustained their budget mainly from ticket sales, which is unheard of, gave special performances for high school students and the vision- and hearing-impaired, and presented many productions at Miami's renowned Adrienne Arsht Center. Their show The Magic Parlour moved from the Studio to the grand Palmer House Hotel. The escape room, "The Last Defender," another Studio show was about to open in another location. Their workshops with University of Chicago performance lab, used their own scripts and music. And over the last few years, before the pandemic, they created their own headquarters with offices, storage rooms, scenic shop and rehearsal space with the dimensions of Chopin's Main Stage. We were there when they were closing that space, moving all their sets and equipment to temporary storage. It was a heartbreaking, scary experience.

Not many theaters were able to do what House Theatre did. And not just in Chicago. If we had to choose a word to describe them, they were "builders." More broadly, "building" is something slowly disappearing in our country.

But they were also builders in the direct sense of the word. House completely rearranged our space to build site-specific, atmospheric universes for their plays -- moving the stage to different parts, often replacing theater chairs with benches or picnic tables or people sitting in pits, dressing the walls with huge gates, circus posters or canyon walls, etc., painting lyrics on the floor or trees coming from it, and snow falling from the rafters to create a paradise for kids during intermission. Or hanging actors in the air, sometimes upside down and inside a water tank. Sophisticated puppets and magic tricks. Large ensembles of singing and dancing with live music. They would tear down the world and build it up again. It's hard to list the hundreds of theatricals they used to make people amazed.

Before the House had their scenic shop, most of the sets were built from scratch on Chopin's floor/stage. There was always a lot of noise from saws and drills; tons of dust on the seats and equipment going into other spaces; piles of scrap materials making the space sometimes like a maze. It was a pain in the neck for us, but also the most exciting and satisfying part of the show. People were hanging out throughout all of the theater spaces making props; making costumes; rehearsing or recording; staying way past midnight and perhaps having a few drinks. You could feel that people were on a mission rather than contract labor.

We are convinced that when House members look back at their generosity in spending their youth to make the world more enlightened and civilized through their art, they will be very proud. We hope to celebrate their accomplishments together very soon.

A special thanks to Nate Allen who kept all that together for 20 years, balancing acting and directing needs of ensemble members with newer artists and new sensitivities, and pulling it financially together. Grinding work. There were times when he was the only part time employee and times when rent was delayed by many weeks, but eventually everything was balanced. Then the pandemic happened.

Thank you as well to all House Theatre ensemble members, designers, technicians and the Board for their incredible dedication and great successes.

Perhaps this is also the occasion to thank the Hypocrites and Sean Graney who presented 20 innovative, often absurdist shows at Chopin Studio before leaving Chicago a few years ago with his wife Vanessa Stalling (a great director as well). Also Signal, Tuta, Uma, Roadworks and other theaters who stayed with us for many years before closing and moving on. An unfortunate reality for a city that wants to be known worldwide for its theater and arts communities.

Among others, there is a growing disconnect today between older and younger people. Young people know and learn more and more from other young people, when older people, people who have survived marriages, parenthood, mortgages, businesses, illnesses, etc., could have so much to offer. Likewise, young people can provide their new and idealistic perspectives, if we could just find a way to bridge this gap. Perhaps theater could be a way to do this, or at least begin this work, if there could be a way to keep older thespians in the active business.

We are very sad and sorry that will not hear again the pre-opening call, "Welcome to the House" followed by thunderous applause.

Zygmunt and Lela Dyrkacz
Chopin Theatre

2008 - Dave Davinci Saves the Universe
2009 - Rose and the Rime
            All the fame of Lofty Deeds
2010 - Wilson wants it All
            Girls vs Boys
            Thieves Like Us
            The Magic Parlor
            The Game Show Show..and Stuff
            The Nutcracker
2011 - Odradek
           Star Witness
           Cyrano
           The Magic Parlour
           The Game Show Show..and Stuff
           The Nutcracker
2012 - Death & Harry Houdini
           The Iron Stag King
           The Nutcracker
2013 - The Magnificents
            Ploughed Under
            Death & Harry Houdini
            The Crownless King
            The Nutcracker
2014 - Rose and the Rime
           Dorian
           Season on the Line
           The Nutcracker
2015 - The Hammer Trinity
           The Revel
           The Nutcracker
2016 - The Last Defender
           United Flight 232
           Death and Harry Houdini
           A Comedical Tragedy for Mister Punch
           The Nutcracker
2017 - Diamond Dogs
           The Great and Terrible Wizard of Oz
           United Flight 232.
           The Nutcracker
2018 - Hatfield & McCoy
            Borealis
            The Nutcracker
2019 - Pinocchio
           The Nutcracker
2020 - Verboten
2021 - The Snow Queen
2022 - The Tragedy of King Christophe