A conversation between two good friends

Barbara Gaines, Chicago theater pioneer and Rick Kogan, author and radio personality will discuss post-covid challenges facing the arts in Chicago and why institutions like Chicago Shakespeare Theater must remain relevant for all ages.

Barbara Gaines, founder and recently retired Artistic Director of Chicago Shakespeare Theater, has been instrumental in bringing outstanding stage productions to Chicago for 37 years. Beginning in 1986, with an inaugural performance on a pub’s roof top in Lincoln Park, Barbara's creativity, intelligence and hard work provided the catalyst needed to showcase Chicago Shakespeare’s talented organization which in turn, brought high praise and recognition from the Chicago arts community and the global stage as well.

Rick Kogan, Born and raised in Chicago, a Tribune columnist, author, WGN radio show host, and past contributor to Chicago Daily News and the Sun-Times, Mr. Kogan is often referred to as one of the great voices of Chicago radio and the last in a great tradition of classic newspaper men. He’s one of the true chroniclers of our city.

Together, Barbara Gaines and Rick Kogan will join ranks on stage at the Union League Club to discuss highlights and challenges facing the Chicago arts community along with a grab bag of other topics. And as old friends go, the two of them will most likely share a few “inside” Chicago stories never to be found in the tribune or heard on the radio.

More on Chicago Shakespeare Theater & Barbara Gaines

Transitioning from the Red Lion Pub's roof top to residency at the Ruth Page Dance Center, where budget constraints initially allowed only one show a year, Chicago Shakespeare Theater would eventually enter into a period of rapid growth with Gaines joining forces with Executive Director Criss Henderson in 1990. The Theater would need to expand, with a move to its flagship campus on Navy Pier in 1999 and where the company’s offerings grew from exclusively Shakespearean productions to include musicals, world premieres, and hosted artists from all around the world.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater has also served more than two million students and teachers through its nationally recognized arts-in-education programs and has engaged with Chicagoans citywide through creative community programs like the free Chicago Shakespeare in the Parks tour.

With 60 productions under her belt which includes 33 Shakespearean titles and six world premieres, Barbara Gaines is shifting gears away from decades of leadership, and is looking to spend more time on personal projects and reading a book from cover to cover. But theater is in her blood and regardless of retirement, Barbara will continue to be that beacon of light for the arts community and the city of Chicago.