Dearest Refracted Community,
We are making some big moves at Refracted. Like major and literal moves.
After two defining years in New York City, Refracted will be officially relocating the company to the city of Chicago as of winter of this year. Refracted and its Artistic Directors, Graham and Tova, will be making Chicago their permanent home for many reasons, some of which we outline below. We know, this is big! And we couldn’t be more excited to take this step toward the future we always dreamed for ourselves: to be the theatre company that grapples with the complicated issues our audiences see playing out in their lives and beyond, the theater they readily and proudly call their theater.
We understand this may come as a big surprise to many, especially our dedicated New York community who helped make this company what it is today. What we’ve accomplished in under two years never would have happened without your ardent support: the endless favors, invaluable advice, generous meetings, glorious partnerships, rewarding collaborations, loyal attendance...not to even mention the in-kind and personal donations that have allowed us to create so much in such a short amount of time. Our baby is alive and thriving because of you, and we’ll never forget that.
So why would we leave the theatre capital of the country to freeze our butts off in the midwest? Well, a few reasons.
WHY CHICAGO:
A Theatre Community
Chicago’s storefront theaters are part of a supportive network, which will be critical to our success in the next five to ten years as we grow.
Brick-and-Mortar
We want to have a theater space someday! And that’s way more likely to happen in Chicago than in the crazy realty market of NYC.
A Home for Discourse
This eventual building will be a home for discourse in all forms: debates, political action, art therapy, education…we want to be the place you go to figure out where you stand.
The Bigger Picture
Part of running a theatre company means building a life that checks a bunch of boxes so that your gas tank stays full. In order for us to keep making Refracted work, we need to make sure Refracted works for us.
Chicago, Look Out!
Oh Chi-town..do we have big plans for you! If you live in or near the Windy City and have been following us from afar, now’s your chance to get involved. Please email admin@refractedco.com to get in touch about our exciting next season and how you can play a part in combating bias as we continue to create nuanced conversation in our divided world.
Any questions, ideas, well-wishes, or advice you have for us as we “go west,” bring it on. No matter what city you live in, we are always here to hear from you. And believe us...we’re just getting started.
We love you,
Refracted