Emerald City Theatre Guts, Rebuilds Storefront to Call Home (PHOTOS)

They’ve hopped between Lake View staples like Theater Wit, Stage 773 and the Athenaeum Theatre, but now organizers behind the Emerald City Theatre Company are unveiling a newly transformed space to call their own.

Marketing and Events Manager Aileen McGraddy said owners completely gutted and transformed the storefront at 2933 N. Southport Ave. across the street form the Athenaeum to create their Little Theatre.

Following their ribbon cutting on May 29, the Emerald City Little Theatre is ready to provide professional lighting and sound systems for young children age 0-to 4-years-old.

“It is a natural extension of our current work,” said Executive Director Karen Cardarelli in a statement. “Often I watch the younger siblings, babies and toddlers, tagging along to the theatre, loving what they see, but constrained by the experience of a traditional show and facilities meant for adults. Those children will now have their own place to experience theatre in a way that is perfect for them.”

What’s more is the remodel for the non-profit theater was in large part made possible through funding by the MacArthur Foundation. That’s combined with being designed and furnished by Crate & Barrel children’s retailer The Land of Nod.

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Building on 16 years of creating theater experiences for early learners, Emerald City will use the Little Theatre to expand their programing to an age group not generally served by Chicago’s arts community.

Emerald City recently wrapped production of The Cat in the Hat, and will perform The Frog and the Price Continued for the last time on May 25 at the Apollo Theatre. The theater group will also create a “Munchkinland” with crafts, dance parties and storytelling at Lincoln Park’s new “Lincoln Avenue LIVE” street festival on June 1.