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Read the press release here.

Strawdog Theatre Co. Changing Locations After 25 Years

By Mina Bloom | July 6, 2015 1:40pm
 A 2006 production at Strawdog Theatre Co., 3829 N. Broadway.
A 2006 production at Strawdog Theatre Co., 3829 N. Broadway.
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LAKEVIEW — Strawdog Theatre Company has officially decided to pack up and move after 25 years at the corner of Broadway and Sheridan, citing "real estate developments on the block" as the primary reason, it was announced Monday.

The longtime tenant was considering moving out of its second-floor space at 3829 N. Broadway as early as May, when building owner and developer Dave Gassman's plans to transform 3817-45 N. Broadway into an 80-foot-tall, mixed-use development received almost unanimous approval from the 46th Ward's Zoning and Development Committee.

The theatre company distributed a letter to committee members at the meeting, saying that producing theater elsewhere for 14-18 months for the duration of construction simply wouldn't work for them, especially considering Strawdog's lease was up in June 2019.

 The latest rendering shows the top of the development set back from the street and the white
The latest rendering shows the top of the development set back from the street and the white "eagles building" in front, however it does not show what the development will look like along Broadway.
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Ald. James Cappleman's Office

"It is not our desire to stand in the way of progress; however, we do hope that should progress create the need for us to leave our home, that opportunities for a new home in the 46th Ward might also be created," the letter reads.

Gassman's proposal — which is now in the hands of the city's Department of Planning — includes 93 residential units, 93 parking spots, office space and retailers.

He said at the zoning meeting that he could not "accommodate" the Strawdog team.

Artistic director Hank Boland said while he and the rest of the Strawdog team "hoped to celebrate [their] 30th season" at the Broadway space, the company now looks forward to future seasons in a new permanent home. 

"Over the last few seasons we have challenged ourselves and pushed production schedules generating more than 7,000 audience members attending performances in our second-floor home this season. The space has been very good to us, and to many other artists and companies over the years," Boland said in a release.

In the coming months, Boland said the Strawdog team will be "going out of [their] way to create opportunities for people to say goodbye to the space."

The final show at the Broadway space will be the 1930s classic, "Once in a Lifetime," a production directed by Damon Kiely opening in April of next year. It'll be the company's 110th production.

Though a new location has yet to be announced, the theatre company intends to put on a three-show 29th season in their new home in fall of next year, according to the release.

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