It’s happening. Uprising Theater has begun transforming our multi-functional community space and new theater in Avondale! We have come this far with the support of thousands of small donations. Your support will bring us closer to opening the Uprising Theater’s doors. Together, we can share the stories of marginalized and systemically silenced peoples from all over the world.
Our building was initially a single-screen nickelodeon called The Drake Theater over 100 years ago, long before Iymen Chehade's father bought it in the 1960s after he and his wife immigrated from Palestine. It was open and operating from 1912 to 1919.
After a long journey, the Drake Theater in Avondale returns to its theatrical roots.
Iymen's family has deep roots in Avondale, and his father's business provided many job opportunities in the neighborhood. We are so proud to have our theater here, where there is so much interconnected history between our founder and the neighborhood.
Iymen won his fight for academic freedom, but he is still driven to speak for the Palestinian cause. It is a beautiful opportunity for the Uprising Theater building to be close to the diverse population of Avondale that we want to be a voice for.
We believe in the collective power of people. Uprising Theater is meant to be a connection conduit, and with our generous donors' support, we are now bringing a space of our own to Chicago. A space where we can house a cafe, small rotating gallery, host performances of our work, and rent to other performance companies and community events. Most importantly, a space where everyone has a voice.
Uprising will produce its own seasons of theater, dance, music, and performance art by Palestinian artists and art that shares Palestinian voices. Uprising also hopes to help co-produce and host Palestinian touring companies' productions when they pass through Chicago. Non-Palestinian specific work will include pieces like 'Redacted': A series of art and education that has been banned, burned, or lost people's jobs.
Uprising will offer classes in performance (including Palestinian Debka) and acting classes taught by local working artists. Uprising will also host one-off events where touring artists, advocates, and experts can speak to the Uprising community about their social justice, arts, and activism work.
Uprising looks forward to co-producing and helping to host exhibitions and galleries of Palestinian work along with screenings of films.
Concept images created by Coorlas Architects.
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Thank you for helping us make the Uprising Theater space possible.
Make check out to: Uprising Theater
Memo Line: Building
Mail to: 1041 N California Ave
Chicago, IL 60622
