Lookingglass Theatre Company
Lookingglass Theatre Company is a Chicago nonprofit theatre known for physically inventive productions, ensemble-based creation, adaptations, and new-play development.
Last updated August 26, 2026
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Overview
Lookingglass Theatre Company is a nonprofit performing-arts organization based in Chicago, Illinois. Founded in 1988 by an ensemble of artists including David Schwimmer, David Catlin, Eva Barr, Thom Cox, Lawrence DiStasi, Joy Gregory, David Kersnar, and Andy White, the company developed an identity around collaborative creation, theatrical physicality, imaginative design, and adaptations of literary and historical material. Its first production, Through the Lookingglass, was staged at the Great Room in Jones Residential College on Northwestern University's campus. The company spent its early years operating as an itinerant theatre organization, presenting work in different Chicago venues while building a reputation for ambitious ensemble productions. In 2003, it moved into a permanent home in the renovated Chicago Water Tower Water Works building on the city's Magnificent Mile. The venue contains a flexible black-box theatre whose seating and stage configuration can be changed for individual productions, together with lobby, dressing-room, concession, rehearsal, education, and event facilities. The principal performance space can accommodate approximately 240 people, including a removable balcony configuration. Lookingglass has produced more than 60 world-premiere plays and has developed a substantial body of original and adapted work through its Glassworks new-play-development program. Its best-known productions include Mary Zimmerman's Metamorphoses, adaptations of The Arabian Nights and The Odyssey, Lookingglass Alice, and a circus-influenced reimagining of Herman Melville's Moby-Dick. The company has also presented Around the World in 80 Days, The Steadfast Tin Soldier, Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, Eastland: A New Musical, In the Garden: A Darwinian Love Story, Black Diamond, and other ensemble-created works. Several productions have toured beyond Chicago. The company's programming has also addressed social and political subjects. David Schwimmer adapted Upton Sinclair's The Jungle and Studs Terkel's Race: How Blacks and Whites Think and Feel About the American Obsession. More recent work has included 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, adapted by David Kersnar and Althos Low; Plantation!, written by ensemble member Kevin Douglas and directed by ensemble member David Schwimmer; and Beyond Caring, created by British playwright and director Alexander Zeldin. Other cited world premieres include Mr. and Mrs. Pennyworth, created by Manual Cinema; Thaddeus and Slocum: A Vaudeville Adventure; Still Alice; and The North China Lover. Lookingglass combines professional theatre production with education and community programs. It offers school residencies and student matinees for Chicago Public Schools, youth classes and summer camps, and a Young Ensemble program founded in 2006 in which children devise and produce their own work. The organization has received significant recognition, including the 2011 Regional Theatre Tony Award, a 2016 MacArthur Award for Creative and Effective Institutions, and the 2017 League of Chicago Theatres Artistic Achievement Award. Lookingglass is led by Artistic Director Heidi Stillman and Executive Director Rachel Fink, with the company continuing to operate as a Chicago-based nonprofit theatre and new-work producer.
History
Lookingglass Theatre Company was established in Chicago in 1988 by a founding ensemble that included David Schwimmer, David Catlin, Eva Barr, Thom Cox, Lawrence DiStasi, Joy Gregory, David Kersnar, and Andy White. The group began with Through the Lookingglass, directed by Kersnar and presented at Northwestern University's Jones Residential College. From the beginning, the company emphasized collective artistic development rather than a conventional repertory model centered on a single resident playwright or director. During its itinerant period, Lookingglass produced work in changing Chicago locations and developed a distinctive theatrical language based on movement, visual invention, nontraditional staging, and adaptation. The company became particularly associated with large-scale reworkings of familiar literature. Mary Zimmerman's Metamorphoses, along with adaptations of The Arabian Nights and The Odyssey, helped establish the organization's profile for transforming canonical stories through ensemble performance and design. Lookingglass also developed David Catlin's circus-influenced versions of Alice in Wonderland and Moby-Dick, productions that connected literary adaptation with acrobatics, physical theatre, and theatrical spectacle. A major institutional turning point came in 2003, when Lookingglass moved into a permanent venue in the renovated Chicago Water Tower Water Works building on the Magnificent Mile. The landmark facility, designed for its new use by Morris Architects Planners, includes a flexible black-box theatre, backstage spaces, public areas, and a multipurpose studio. The adaptable auditorium allows the company to modify audience and playing-area arrangements for individual productions. Its first production in the new home was Race, David Schwimmer's adaptation and direction of Studs Terkel's work on racial attitudes in the United States. The permanent venue supported a broader and more consistent production program. Lookingglass has since created more than 60 world premieres, including original works, commissioned adaptations, and collaborations. Its Glassworks initiative serves as the company's new-play-development program. The premiere slate has included Eastland: A New Musical, Lookingglass Alice, Around the World in 80 Days, Black Diamond, The Steadfast Tin Soldier, Act(s) of God, Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, In the Garden: A Darwinian Love Story, Still Alice, The North China Lover, Thaddeus and Slocum: A Vaudeville Adventure, and Mr. and Mrs. Pennyworth, created by Manual Cinema. The company has maintained a dual interest in imaginative spectacle and socially engaged subject matter. Alongside literary adaptations, it has produced The Jungle, based on Upton Sinclair and adapted by Schwimmer, Race, and Plantation!, a work about reparations written by ensemble member Kevin Douglas and directed by Schwimmer. Other recent productions cited in the company's history include 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, adapted by David Kersnar and Althos Low, and Beyond Caring, created by Alexander Zeldin. Education and youth development have become an established part of Lookingglass's institutional work. The company provides in-school residencies and student matinees for Chicago Public Schools, offers classes and summer camps, and operates the Young Ensemble, founded in 2006 to support children in devising and producing their own theatre. These programs extend the company's ensemble and creative-process model beyond the professional stage. Lookingglass received the Regional Theatre Tony Award in 2011. During Rachel Kraft's twelve-season period as executive director, the company also received a 2016 MacArthur Award for Creative and Effective Institutions and the League of Chicago Theatres Artistic Achievement Award in 2017. Leadership is identified as Artistic Director Heidi Stillman and Executive Director Rachel Fink. The organization remains an active Chicago nonprofit theatre company with a permanent downtown venue, a substantial record of world premieres, and a continuing focus on collaborative creation and physically inventive performance.
- 2017
League of Chicago Theatres award
[1]Lookingglass received the League of Chicago Theatres Artistic Achievement Award.
- 2016
MacArthur institutional award
[1]The company received a MacArthur Award for Creative and Effective Institutions.
- 2011
Regional Theatre Tony Award
[1]Lookingglass received the Regional Theatre Tony Award.
- 2006
Young Ensemble founded
[1]The company established the Young Ensemble to let children devise and produce their own theatrical work.
- 2003
Permanent Water Tower venue opens
[1]Lookingglass moved into a permanent theatre in the renovated Chicago Water Tower Water Works building on June 14, 2003.
- 1988
Company founded
[1]Lookingglass Theatre Company was founded in Chicago by an ensemble including David Schwimmer, David Catlin, Eva Barr, Thom Cox, Lawrence DiStasi, Joy Gregory, David Kersnar, and Andy White.
- 1988
First production presented
[1]The company's first production, Through the Lookingglass, was directed by David Kersnar and staged at Northwestern University's Jones Residential College.
Products and positioning
An ensemble-driven Chicago theatre company positioned around imaginative physical storytelling, flexible staging, literary adaptation, original plays, and artist-led experimentation. Its brand combines acclaimed main-stage productions with new-play development, education, and community engagement.
Theatrical production
Lookingglass Alice
A circus-driven theatrical reimagining of Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland material, developed by David Catlin and Lookingglass artists. The production exemplifies the company's use of acrobatics, ensemble movement, visual design, and flexible staging to transform well-known literature into physically immediate theatre.
Theatrical production
Metamorphoses
Mary Zimmerman's adaptation of classical myths, produced by Lookingglass as one of its signature literary and ensemble works. It helped establish the company's reputation for combining mythic storytelling, visual invention, and imaginative theatrical environments.
Theatrical production
Moby Dick
David Catlin's circus-oriented adaptation of Herman Melville's novel. Lookingglass used physical performance and theatrical spectacle to reinterpret the scale, danger, and adventure of the source material, and the production was among the company's works to receive touring exposure.
Theatrical production
The Arabian Nights
A Lookingglass production based on Mary Zimmerman's adaptation of the traditional story cycle. It belongs to the company's major body of literary adaptations and reflects its interest in nonlinear storytelling, ensemble performance, and theatrical transformation.
Theatrical production
20,000 Leagues Under the Sea
A recent Lookingglass adaptation of Jules Verne's adventure novel, adapted by David Kersnar and Althos Low. The production extends the company's practice of using movement, design, and inventive staging to reinterpret classic adventure literature for the stage.
New-play development program
Glassworks
Lookingglass's new-play-development program. Glassworks supports the creation and refinement of original plays and adaptations and forms part of the company's broader record of more than 60 world-premiere productions.
Arts education · 2006
Education and youth programs
A group of education offerings that includes Chicago Public Schools residencies, student matinees, youth classes, summer camps, and the Young Ensemble. The programs introduce students to collaborative devising, performance, and theatre production.
Brand decisions
2003
Move to a permanent downtown venueStrategyBackground
After operating as an itinerant theatre company, Lookingglass sought a stable home that could support production, rehearsal, education, and audience activities.
Action taken
The company moved into a renovated space in Chicago's Water Tower Water Works building and created a flexible black-box theatre.
Aftermath
The permanent venue provided an institutional base for expanded production, new-play development, education programs, and touring work.
Recent events
- 2017
Lookingglass receives League of Chicago Theatres artistic achievement recognition[1]
Other
The League of Chicago Theatres honored Lookingglass with its Artistic Achievement Award.
- 2016
MacArthur recognizes Lookingglass with institutional award[1]
Other
The company received a MacArthur Award for Creative and Effective Institutions during Rachel Kraft's executive-director tenure.
- 2011
Lookingglass receives Regional Theatre Tony Award[1]
Other
Lookingglass Theatre Company received the Regional Theatre Tony Award in recognition of its contribution to American theatre.
Sources3 sources
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