Free Street has been at the forefront of creating affordable, inclusive, and innovative theater in communities across Chicago by seeking out new and effective ways to challenge racial and economic segregation through the arts.
Aminata Harley (youth) and Katrina Dion (adult) aided Creative Generation’s investigation into the deeper mechanics of Free Street Theater, an organization that endorses the practice of arguing, critical generosity and collaborations with Community Partners. Because the plays produced are not necessarily changing the world, they look at their artistry as a tactic to ignite social change within the Chicago community. For instance “PARCHED: Stories about Water, Pollution, and the Theft,” a work revolving around water justice and accessibility, was tailored to educate the public on water justice. With many individuals having a knowledge of water through written accounts, such as textbooks, the topic can be dry. However, theater has the power to construct attractiveness; a way to bridge the gap.
Free Street Theater prides itself on creating authentic engagements where the audience, artists and partnerships can be and see themselves in the work. For them, theater’s future relies on embracing everyone where there at and supporting without hesitation.