The Goodman Theatre celebrates 100 years of storytelling

Congratulations to The Goodman Theatre, that is celebrating a century of art, community and transformation in the heart of our city. Established in 1925, the Goodman opened its doors on October 20 of that year, founded as a tribute to the late playwright Kenneth Sawyer Goodman and gifted to the Art Institute of Chicago with the intent “to restore the old visions and win the new” according to the Chicago Public Library.

In its early days the theatre was tucked beneath the surface of Chicago’s Loop, a city ordinance restricted the original structure on 159 E. Monroe Street to just 15 feet above grade and so much of the auditorium was built underground, complete with a concrete saucer foundation to manage the high water-table. Its lobby showcased artworks from the Art Institute and busts of playwrights.

Over the decades, the Goodman’s rise mirrored that of Chicago’s theatre scene itself, evolving from a training ground with a resident acting company toward a nationally prominent non-profit theatre. One of its pivotal chapters began in the 1950s under artistic director John Reich, who re-established the resident company though budget pressures soon shifted the Goodman to hiring actors on a show-by-show basis.

Another major milestone came in the late 20th century under the leadership of Robert Falls beginning in 1985, when the Goodman solidified its status by embracing ambitious classics and new work alike, and became the first theatre to present all ten plays of August Wilson’s Century Cycle.

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In 2000 the theatre moved into its current space at 170 N Dearborn Street, part of Chicago’s Loop revitalization and built with dual performance venues (the Albert and the Owen theatres) to accommodate both large-scale productions and experimental work.

Today the Goodman embraces a mission that frames theatre as more than entertainment, it is “where humanity takes center stage” and where the art of theatre is leveraged to build a better Chicago through quality, equity and community as reported on the Goodman Theatre's website.

Now, as it celebrates 100 years, the Goodman’s anniversary season is marked by both homage and innovation. From parts of the city it draws its stories, its “wildly Chicago” narratives playing deeply in the DNA of the city, to bold creative partnerships with artists coming from rock halls, neuroscience labs and immersive theatre traditions as reported by WTTW News.

What this centenary underscores is the durability of live theatre in a changing cultural ecosystem. From the humble beginnings beneath Monroe Street, through decades of structural change, artistic risk-taking and civic engagement, the Goodman has served as a cultural anchor. It has premiered nearly 200 world or American premieres, developed educational and engagement programs and remained rooted in the city’s identity.

The Goodman Theatre’s first century is not simply a celebration of survival, it is a celebration of relevance, transformation and the power of story in the public life of a city.

Sources:

• https://www.chipublib.org/blogs/post/100-years-of-the-goodman-theatre/
• https://news.wttw.com/2025/09/10/goodman-theatre-marks-100-years-2-rock-hall-famers-and-messy-stories-chicago
• https://www.facebook.com/GoodmanTheatre/posts/happy-birthday-goodman-theatre-on-october-20-1925-we-opened-our-doors-to-chicago/1268164218672512/;
• https://www.goodmantheatre.org/about/