Our Story

ABOUT ITC

Founded by Coburn Goss, Michael Grant, Thomas Vincent Kelly, Kate Martin, Catherine O’Connor, Andrew J. Turner, Karen Tarjan, and Ann Noble, Irish Theatre Of Chicago began life in 1995 as Seanachai Theater Company, established in part to bring playwright and founding member Noble's debut work AND NEITHER HAVE I WINGS TO FLY to the stage.

That inaugural production became an immediate hit, establishing Seanachai as a theatrical force and garnering Noble nominations for American Theatre Critic’s Association award for Best New Play, and the Osborn Award for Best Emerging Playwright. By 1998, Seanachai had further cemented its place in the community with critically acclaimed productions of THE CLEARING and CHEKOV IN YALTA, which marked the company's first production under an Actor’s Equity contract, and also as a member of the League of Chicago Theaters. Over the next decade, Seanachai continued to build its reputation as a strong acting ensemble presenting bold and exciting plays both from emerging and established playwrights in the Irish canon.

To date, Irish Theater Of Chicago has produced 33 mainstage productions and 15 iterations of their "Three Pints" staged reading series, garnered 7 After Dark Awards, and 7 Joseph Jefferson Awards (from 27 nominations), as well as playwriting awards for ensemble members Coburn Goss (Osborn Award, Best Emerging Playwright – MARKED TREE), and Ann Noble (Stanley Drama Award, Best New Play – THE PAGANS). In 2012 the company was proud to participate in the First Irish Festival's first national event.

In 2014, as part of the celebration surrounding the company's 20th season, Seanachaí Theatre Company changed its name to Irish Theatre of Chicago.

Irish Theatre Of Chicago is proud to be Chicago’s only
professional theater company dedicated to presenting works
that reflect the rich history and culture of Ireland.

Our emphasis is on honoring Ireland’s strong tradition of storytelling,
with a focus on empowering our ensemble and production teams to
create works that reflect the artistic voices of our entire community.

Awards

Production and Acting Awards

Equity Jeff Award – Sound Design, Victoria Delorio – The White Road
Equity Jeff Award – Best Ensemble – The Seafarer
Equity Jeff Award – Scenic Design, Elizabeth Schuch – Journey’s End
Equity Jeff Award – Lighting Design, A. Cameron Zetty – Journey’s End
Equity Jeff Award – Sound Design, Josh Schmidt – Journey’s End
Equity Jeff Award – Actor in a Principal Role, John Sierros – Dylan
Equity Jeff Award – Best New Work, Ann Noble – The Pagans
After Dark Award – Best Production – Journey’s End
After Dark Award – Outstanding Playwright, Coburn Goss – Marked Tree
After Dark Award – Best Director, Scott Cummins – Marked Tree
After Dark Award – Outstanding Scenic Design Stephanie Nelson – Marked Tree
After Dark Award – Outstanding Ensemble – Translations
After Dark Award – Outstanding Technical Design – Translations
After Dark Award – Outstanding Male Performance, John Dunleavy – A Night in November

Playwriting Awards

Osborn Award – Best Emerging Playwright, Coburn Goss – Marked Tree
Stanley Drama Award – Best New Play, Ann Noble – The Pagans

Production and Acting Nominations

Equity Jeff nomination – Actor in a Principal Role, Dan Waller for Spinning
Equity Jeff nomination – Best Solo Performance, Barbara Figgins for My Brilliant Divorce
Equity Jeff nomination – Best Production (Midsize) – The White Road
Equity Jeff nomination – Best Ensemble – The White Road
Equity Jeff nomination – Original Music in a Play, Victoria DeIorio – The White Road
Equity Jeff nomination – Scenic Design (Midsize), Ira Amyx & Merje Veski – The White Road
Equity Jeff nomination – Lighting Design (Midsize), Julian Pike – The White Road
Equity Jeff nomination – Sound Design (Midsize), Victoria DeIorio – The White Road
Equity Jeff nomination – Projection/Video Design, Smooch Medina – The White Road
Equity Jeff nomination – Production (Midsize) – The Seafarer
Equity Jeff nomination – Best Director, Matt Miller – The Seafarer
Equity Jeff nomination – Actor in a Principal Role – Play, Brad Armacost – The Seafarer
Equity Jeff nomination – Actor in a Supporting Role – Play, Ira Amyx – The Seafarer
Equity Jeff nomination – Actor in a Principal Role, Brad Armacost – The Weir
Equity Jeff nomination – Scenic Design to Bob Groth & Jenniffer Thusing – The Weir
Equity Jeff nomination – Actor in a Supporting Role, Ira Amyx – That Was Then
Equity Jeff nomination – Best Ensemble – Scenes from the Big Picture
Equity Jeff nomination – Best Sound Design, Robert Steel – Drink Me
Equity Jeff nomination – Best Production – Journey’s End
Equity Jeff nomination – Best Leading Actor, John Dunleavy – A Night in November

Playwriting Nominations

American Theatre Critics Assoc – Best New Play, Coby Goss – Marked Tree
American Theatre Critics Assoc – Best New Play, Ann Noble – The Pagans
American Theatre Critic’s Assoc – Best New Play, Ann Noble – And Neither Have I Wings to Fly
Osborn Award – Best Emerging Playwright, Ann Noble – And Neither Have I Wings to Fly

PRODUCTION HISTORY

ITC ENSEMBLE

STAFF & LEADERSHIP