"Our goal is to cut through the layers of political, social and religious philosophy that have separated people from one another and to concentrate on the rhythms and energies common to all people." - Patrick Henry, Free Street Founding Director, 1969

Free Street was born in 1969 out of an impulse to bring revolutionary theater into communities.

When Goodman Theatre director, Patrick Henry heard that only 3% of the population went to the theater, he decided to take the theater to the people. Free Street Theater began performing free shows in Chicago's communities. Free Street was one of the first arts organizations in Chicago dedicated to community arts. Free Street was confronting Chicago's racial segregation by performing as a multi-racial company touring into homogenous neighborhoods. Free Street was the first theater in Chicago where a person of color could get an Equity contract.

Over the years, Free Street has linked quality programs in the performing arts with effective social service, creating diverse programs to fit the changing needs of the community. In doing so, it has created shows and programs with the physically challenged, seniors, prisoners, hospitalized children, parenting and pregnant teens, and inner city youth and teens. It has achieved national model program status for its work in Arts in Education, Arts and the Disabled, Arts in Public Places and Arts for At-risk Youth.

More information about Free Street's history can be found by visiting the archives in the Chicago Public Library at the Harold Washington Library. We have begun to work in partnership with the library in the hopes that soon we will be adding materials from the archives to the web.