Who We Are

Our Mission

Madison Street Theatre is a performing arts center that produces, supports, and hosts exceptional arts programming through maintaining a quality and affordable space to create, teach, collaborate, and perform.

Annual Appeal Letter

Dear Friend of MST, Did you know that the Madison Street Theater used to be a tile factory? In 2019 it was slated to be demolished and turned into condos, before a new all-volunteer Board of Directors took over and rescued it. And did you know that the years since have been spent renovating, fundraising, and improving the building so it can be a community hub for the performing arts in Oak Park for years to come? Our mission is to produce, support, and host exceptional arts programming. Consider yourself informed! We are SO passionate about maintaining and growing this cultural gem that we are reaching out to folks like you to be part of it. If you care about MST, or supporting the performing arts in Oak Park, we could really use your help! Here are some stats: The new Board took over in June 2019 - which makes this MST’s 4th birthday! Between 2019 and 2022, MST brought 9 self-produced shows to the stage. During that time, the theater was rented to 59 other performers and arts groups. MST is the artistic home of Ovation Academy, which serves over 1,200 students annually with its theater programs. The building has 2 theaters, a scene shop, 2 dressing rooms, 4 restrooms, a dance studio, 2 lesson rooms, an office, and a private courtyard. Following our first round of renovations, MST’s “grand re-opening” event was scheduled for March 12, 2020. We all know how that turned out… Want to be part of our mission of helping to keep this wonderful facility alive? Your tax-deductible gift of any amount will directly affect our ability to repair, renovate, and improve this performance space and have a visible and lasting impact on our community. Thank you for your support! We can’t wait to see you soon at the theater. Best regards, John Dalton President Board of Directors

Staff

Tina Reynolds, Artistic Director
Lisa Green, Managing Director

Board of Directors

John Dalton – President
Tina Reynolds – Vice President
Juan Gonzalez – Treasurer
Maureen Spain – Secretary
Kevin Bry
JaneAnne Campbell
Ned Crowley
Lisa Green
Michael Jones
Stephanie Thomas
David Zapata

Our Vision

We strive to:

Inspire Creativity

Nurture Diversity

Promote Equity

Encourage Inclusivity

Enlighten our Community

We Believe:

In the importance of producing exceptional programming which celebrates all types of arts: including theater, music, dance, and spoken word.

In supporting and featuring artists of all types: renowned performers, local talent, performing arts students, and up-and-coming artists.

In the power of collaborating with producers, renters, and performers and offering quality, affordable space for fine arts education and community gatherings.

In the strength of partnering with other NFP organizations which support the performing arts.

In celebrating the uniqueness of every person who comes through the doors of our theater.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Madison Street Theater is committed to building a creative and diverse space to create art that celebrates the uniqueness of every person who  through the doors of our theater – patrons, artists, employees, volunteers, and vendors. We will work to ensure everyone feels valued and respected, regardless of gender, age, race, ethnicity, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, education, or ability. 

To achieve this goal, Madison Street Theater will focus its attention on the following priorities over the next 24 months:

  • Focus on anti-racism in our organization to include, but not limited to, the development of a board led committee and annual training on this specific topic, 
  • Ensure productions, educational programs, and digital content consider diverse voices in content, partnerships, staff, cast, artists, and renters,
  • Engage audience and community through deliberately focused events and partnerships,
  • Provide pricing structures to make theater accessible to all people at any income level

History of Madison Street Theater

Designed by local architect Errol Kirsch in the early 1980s, the former 1920s-era tile warehouse and storefront was fully repurposed by mostly volunteer labor into an intimate, state-of-the-art performing arts space.

Today, the building is still owned by the same not-for-profit, Oak Park River Forest Civic Theater, founded in 1961. Over the past 25 years, the space has been home to such groups as The Village Players, Circle Theatre and Saltbox Theatre Company. Since 2017, due to leadership turnover and a lack of consistent fundraising, this community treasure had fallen into a state of disrepair. In June of 2019, a new Board of Directors stepped in and with the assistance of Forest Park Bank, refinanced the property and set about creating a new vision for this wonderful space.