The historic Auditorium Theater has been a nexus in Chicago’s vibrant cultural scene for over 120 years.  Built in the late 19th century by architects Adler and Sullivan (with help from a young draftsman named Frank Lloyd Wright), the Auditorium Building has been the base of operations for a number of Chicago’s major cultural organizations, including the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Chicago Opera Association, and the Chicago Conservatory of Music and Dramatic Art.

The Theater’s early years included talks and speeches by such notables as Theodore Roosevelt, William McKinley, and Booker T. Washington. It closed during the Great Depression and served as a Servicemen’s Center during World War II.  In the latter half of the 20th century the Theater was a major rock and roll venue, featuring icons such as Jimi Hendrix, The Who, and Janis Joplin.  Major Broadway productions including Les Miserables and Phantom of the Opera made splashes in the late ‘80’s and early ‘90’s.

Today the Auditorium Theater is known widely as a major destination for dance and theater performances of the highest quality.  The renowned Bolshoi and Kirov Ballets make regular stops here on international tours.  The Joffrey Ballet and Broadway in Chicago are both Auditorium partners and make the Theater their performing home.   In addition to its top-quality programming in dance, theater, and music, the Auditorium is committed to educational initiatives, partnering with the Alvin Ailey Dance Company for programs in Chicago Schools, and offering an award-winning summer arts camp, Hands Together, Heart to Art.

Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University Information

• Public Transportation: Very Good (a short walk from buses 1, 3, 4, 6, 7, 14, 26, 126, 129, 143, 147, and X28 at East Congress Parkway/South Michigan Avenue; a 3-minute walk from Metra Trains at the Van Buren Street Metra Station; and a 4-minute walk from buses 2, 10, 29, 36, 144, 145, 146, and 148 and the Brown, Purple, Orange, and Pink Lines at the Harold Washington Library Station)
• Handicapped Accessibility: Good
• Performances/Programs: Programming includes ballet, dance companies, concerts, musicals, and other cultural offerings
• Ticket Prices: Vary based on program. Discounted tickets sometimes available via HotTix. Student Rush is sometimes available, depending 
on policies set by individual shows. Shows also occasionally available on Goldstar.com
• Group Discounts: Discounts available for groups of 10 or more
• Subscriptions: Subscription packages include the International Dance Series, Jazz Series, Auditorium Series, and Create Your Own Series. Benefits include 10%–20% discounts on tickets, Fireside Chat discussions and receptions, ticket exchanges, priority ticketing, and discounted pre-paid parking
• Membership: Friend ($100–$149); Supporter ($150–$249); Patron ($250–$499); Benefactor ($500–$999); Golden Circle ($1,000–$2,499); Landmark Club ($2,500–$4,999); Peck Club ($5,000–$9,999); Sullivan Club ($10,000+). Depending on level, donor benefits include name recognition in program books; invitations to Fireside Chats; historical and architectural tours of the Auditorium; invitations to bi-annual donor appreciation events; ticket exchange privileges; a private reception in the Dress Circle; invitations to attend a private dress rehearsal; and invitations to post-performance receptions with company members and artistic team.