The Chicago Youth Shakespeare Ensemble (CYSE) is our flagship performance company, open to youth artists ages 14-19 from across the Chicagoland area. Representing a variety of communities, ethnicities, cultures, and life experiences, CYSE members create a unique, artistic ensemble fueled by collaboration, innovation, and a diversity of creative approaches and ideas. CYS is committed to providing young artists of all backgrounds with a safe, supportive, and inspiring creative environment, and to ensuring that audiences of all income levels access to our performances. Ensemble auditions and contributing artist submissions for the 2019/20 season will be held early September. (Can't wait till fall? Auditions for the CYS Summer program are coming up in March! Learn more.)
Up next: Writers Theatre!
Join us on Monday, February 25th at Writers Theatre for a special performance of CYS's Othello hosted by WT Education.
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About the show. Set on a modern day college campus, CYS's Othello examines issues of systemic racism, sexism, and abuse, through a contemporary lens that speaks directly to young adults. |
Freedom Martin (Othello) and Sonia Zartman (Desdemona)
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Join the conversation. Immediately following the performances, join the Writers Theatre Youth Council in a post-show discussion with the cast about race, equity, and the impact of theatre on social justice. |
Tickets are FREE. Space is (seriously) limited.
CYS PRODUCTION History
Click HERE to view production programs online.
Othello
(Fall/Winter, 2018/'19)
Ticketed & outreach performances at Raven Theatre, UIC School of Theatre & Music, and Writers Theatre of Glencoe
Uneasy Lies the Head...
(Summer Ensemble, 2018)
Ticketed & outreach performances: UIC School of Theatre & Music MainStage & Raven Theatre
The Tempest
(Fall/Winter, 2017/'18)
Ticketed performances: Arpino Black Box Theatre at Joffrey Tower
Outreach shows & events: The Old Town School of Folk Music & the Addison Public Library
Much Ado About Nothing
(Summer Ensemble, 2017)
Ticketed performances: Fury Theatre at Chase Park
Outreach shows & events: Open Books West Loop, Adventure Stage Chicago, Francis W. Parker School, & Indian Boundary Park
Hamlet
(Fall/Winter, 2016)
Ticketed performances: Theater Wit
Outreach shows & events: The Old Town School of Folk Music, The Arts Club of Chicago, & LaSalle Language Academy (CPS)
The Comedy of Errors
(Summer Ensemble 2016)
Ticketed performances: Stage 773 Theater
Outreach shows & events: Stage 773 Theater & Noble Street College Prep (CPS)
A Midsummer Night's Dream
(Fall/Winter, 2015)
Ticketed performances: The Hoover-Leppen Theatre at Center on Halsted
Outreach shows & events: Hefferan Elementary School (CPS) & Kelvyn Park High School (CPS)
Julius Caesar
(Summer Ensemble, 2015)
Ticketed performances: The Hoover-Leppen Theatre at Center on Halsted
Outreach shows & events: Roe Elementary School (CPS) & Unity Park in Logan Square
Romeo and Juliet
(Fall/Winter, 2014)
Ticketed performances: Gorilla Tango Theatre & Charnel House
Outreach shows & events: Lakeview High School (CPS) & Theodore Roosevelt High School (CPS)
As You Like It
(Summer Ensemble, 2014)
Ticketed performances: The Hairpin Arts Center
Outreach shows & events: Wrigley Square at Millennium Park, Unity Park in Logan Square, Piccolo Theatre, & The Admiral on the Lake
Macbeth
(Fall/Winter, 2013/'14)
Ticketed performances: The Lincoln Park Cultural Center
Outreach shows & events: Phoenix Military Academy (CPS) & Urban Prep Academy, Englewood (CPS)
(Fall/Winter, 2018/'19)
Ticketed & outreach performances at Raven Theatre, UIC School of Theatre & Music, and Writers Theatre of Glencoe
Uneasy Lies the Head...
(Summer Ensemble, 2018)
Ticketed & outreach performances: UIC School of Theatre & Music MainStage & Raven Theatre
The Tempest
(Fall/Winter, 2017/'18)
Ticketed performances: Arpino Black Box Theatre at Joffrey Tower
Outreach shows & events: The Old Town School of Folk Music & the Addison Public Library
Much Ado About Nothing
(Summer Ensemble, 2017)
Ticketed performances: Fury Theatre at Chase Park
Outreach shows & events: Open Books West Loop, Adventure Stage Chicago, Francis W. Parker School, & Indian Boundary Park
Hamlet
(Fall/Winter, 2016)
Ticketed performances: Theater Wit
Outreach shows & events: The Old Town School of Folk Music, The Arts Club of Chicago, & LaSalle Language Academy (CPS)
The Comedy of Errors
(Summer Ensemble 2016)
Ticketed performances: Stage 773 Theater
Outreach shows & events: Stage 773 Theater & Noble Street College Prep (CPS)
A Midsummer Night's Dream
(Fall/Winter, 2015)
Ticketed performances: The Hoover-Leppen Theatre at Center on Halsted
Outreach shows & events: Hefferan Elementary School (CPS) & Kelvyn Park High School (CPS)
Julius Caesar
(Summer Ensemble, 2015)
Ticketed performances: The Hoover-Leppen Theatre at Center on Halsted
Outreach shows & events: Roe Elementary School (CPS) & Unity Park in Logan Square
Romeo and Juliet
(Fall/Winter, 2014)
Ticketed performances: Gorilla Tango Theatre & Charnel House
Outreach shows & events: Lakeview High School (CPS) & Theodore Roosevelt High School (CPS)
As You Like It
(Summer Ensemble, 2014)
Ticketed performances: The Hairpin Arts Center
Outreach shows & events: Wrigley Square at Millennium Park, Unity Park in Logan Square, Piccolo Theatre, & The Admiral on the Lake
Macbeth
(Fall/Winter, 2013/'14)
Ticketed performances: The Lincoln Park Cultural Center
Outreach shows & events: Phoenix Military Academy (CPS) & Urban Prep Academy, Englewood (CPS)
CYSE productions are made possible in part through support from
and the following program partners:
