Stage 773 anchors the Belmont Theatre District with its innovative showcase of the best off-Loop talent. The flexible performance venue offers four stages with an equally diverse array of entertainment. Think comedy, theater, dance, musicals and more. Plus, good entertainment serves a good cause. This nonprofit organization works to catalyze Chicago’s theater community while incubating up-and-coming talent. American Blues Theater, Storytown, and Vaudezilla theater companies all take up residence in the coveted space.
Stage 773 Facilities
Formerly Lukaba Productions, what we now know as Stage 773 was born from extensive theater complex renovations in 2011. Today, the impressive complex has two 148-seat theaters, with pronescium and thrust-style stages. It is also home to an 80-year black box and a 70-seat cabaret,
Together, these four theaters host more than 70,000 guests and 5,300 artists each year. The diversity of these performance spaces allows Stage 773 to host both intimate performances and large-scale festivals, like the Chicago Women’s Funny Festival and Chicago Nerd Comedy Festival.
Stage 773’s venues are also available to rent. The 69-seat cabaret, called The Cab, is perfect for a short production or staged reading. The venue has an intimate feel with tables and red leather bench seating. There is also a private dressing room backstage. Another cozy option is The Box, which seats 78 and rents weekly. It also offers some sophisticated extras like a pre-hung lighting grid and raised-stage option.
The Proscenium (or The Pro) is ideal for larger performances, seating 148 theatergoers. It features plush, red stadium-style seating and a private bi-level dressing room. The Thrust also seats 148 but offers a thrust-style stage, which means there is seating availability on three sides of the stage. Additionally, there are upper wings where actors can play and a bi-level dressing room backstage.
Stage 773 Programs
Stage 773 is home to three resident theater companies. The first, Vaudzilla is synonymous with Chicago Burlesque. Chicago’s longest-running burlesque show offers weekly theater performances at Stage 773.
On the far-opposite side of the risque scale is Storytown Improv, a children’s theater company that takes kids on an interactive adventure from superheros to undersea journeys. Kids design the setting and help shape the story, then actors and musicians bring the adventure to life. Shows are held every Saturday morning at Stage 773, and no two performances are ever the same.
Third is the American Blues Theater, winners of American Theatre Wing’s National Theatre Company Award. American Blues Theater is a premier arts organization that creates an intimate, accessible environment for Chicago patrons. The group’s 32-member ensemble has a combined 600 years on stage.
Along with resident companies, Stage 773 hosts an array of performers like Chicago Fringe Opera, Guilty Pleasures Cabaret, and Infinity Arts Academy. Comedy is another favorite genre here, and the venue hosts several festivals. The Women’s Funny Fest, Sketchfest, Bye Bye Liver, and Nerd Comedy Fest are held here annually.
Getting to Stage 773
Located in Chicago’s Belmont Theater District. Getting here via public transit is easy. Stage 773 is located just a few blocks west of the Belmont Red/Brown/Purple L subway stop. Additionally, it is accessible from the #77 Belmont bus. If you prefer to drive, valet parking is available one hour before showtime for $12.