Chicago Construction News staff writer
Steep Theatre marked the start of construction on its new permanent home Thursday with a groundbreaking ceremony at 1044 West Berwyn Avenue in the city’s Edgewater neighborhood.
The company is converting a former church into a flexible 70-seat black box theater, complete with a welcoming lobby-lounge for performances and community engagement, as well as dedicated, accessible spaces for artists and staff.
The project has been made possible through support from Steep patrons, the Paul M. Angell Foundation, and the City of Chicago, which awarded the theater a $3.87 million grant to support construction.
Steep partnered with Civic Projects Architecture, known for community-oriented design, on the theater’s layout. Norcon, Inc. serves as general contractor, and CharcoalBlue, which previously worked on Steppenwolf Theatre’s 2021 campus expansion, provides theater and venue consulting.
“For 25 years, Steep has been committed to fearless storytelling and ensemble-based work,” said artistic director [Name]. “Our new home will allow us to create dynamic experiences for our community while providing accessible spaces for artists and staff.”
Since 2008, Steep operated in a storefront theater in Edgewater until the building was sold for redevelopment in 2020. The company purchased its new site in 2022 and has been producing in temporary venues while preparing for construction.
Steep has produced more than 80 plays, earning 63 Jeff Award nominations and 12 wins, and has been recognized on numerous “best of” lists, including the Chicago Tribune’s Top Ten Shows of the Year and WBEZ’s Top Ten Shows of the Decade.
Construction is now underway, with the company aiming to establish a permanent home that reflects its mission of inclusive collaboration, community building, and innovative theater-making.
