Company History

As we celebrate our 15th Anniversary season during 2011-2012, TimeLine Theatre Company seeks to continue the extraordinary legacy of Chicago theater companies that started small, dreamed big and matured into prominent institutions that enrich the cultural landscape of the city. Aspiring to be a leader among these vital organizations, TimeLine continues to grow steadily — expanding artistic programs, building infrastructure and nurturing our Living History Education Program for students to bring our mission to a new generation.

Our work has been recognized in Chicago and beyond: Terry Teachout named TimeLine his 2010 "Company of the Year" in The Wall Street Journal, the American Theatre Wing (founder of the Tony Awards®) named TimeLine among 2011's top 10 emerging professional theatre companies nationwide, and the company was named "Best Theatre" in the city for 2011 by Chicago magazine.

TimeLine's distinctive mission explores the stories that define the past and resonate in the present. The company chooses historically inspired material that will create a dialogue among audience members about the social and political issues facing society today.

The heart of TimeLine is our team of Company Members, who work closely together to shape the artistic vision and choose the programming for the organization. But the TimeLine family extends much further, including Associate Artists and welcoming other emerging and established artists to contribute to the company's work.

When we look back at TimeLine's early days, we always recall the first article written about the company. It appeared in the Chicago Tribune during our inaugural season. It said: "[They're] gambling on history ... betting they can find a niche for themselves by specializing in history plays — and unsettling ones at that. ... Time — and the vagaries of history — will tell."

Fifteen seasons, more than 50 plays, seven world premieres and 15 Chicago premieres later, TimeLine's work has received consistent audience and critical acclaim. We have been honored with 46 Jeff Awards, including an award for Outstanding Production eight times. We also have worked to match artistic excellence with sophisticated business management, and these efforts have also been recognized. In 2006, we were honored to receive the Alford-Axelson Award for Nonprofit Managerial Excellence of a small company. TimeLine was the first arts organization to receive the award. TimeLine also received the 2009 Richard Goodman Strategic Planning Award in the Non-Profit category from the Association for Strategic Planning.

Thank you to everyone who has worked with us and supported us along this remarkable timeline. We're honored to have made history with all of you and look forward to everything that is to come!