Theatre for Young Audiences USA (TYA/USA) has awarded Chicago Children’s Theatre a $10,000 grant as part of the TYA Fund, a fund to support midsize theater organization members of TYA/USA.
Chicago Children’s Theatre is one of 19 TYA theaters nationwide receiving unrestricted grants between $5,000-$10,000. All recipients have budgets between $300,000 and $3 million, produce at least three TYA shows per season featuring professional actors, and lease, rent, or own theater space. This fund, now in its second year, is supported by the Mark Edelman Theater Fund at the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Kansas City, and administered by TYA/USA.
“At a time when many TYA organizations are navigating real financial uncertainty, the renewal and expansion of this fund is both meaningful and deeply impactful,” said TYA/USA Executive Director Sara Morgulis. “We are incredibly grateful for the Mark Edelman Theater Fund’s belief in our field. This increased investment is a powerful affirmation of the value of Theatre for Young Audiences and the vital work our member theatres are doing across the nation.”
Chicago Children's Theatre is currently in rehearsal for its 20th anniversary season finale, an immersive production of Goodnight Moon. It's directed by Mikael Burke, and features Diego Vazquez Gomez (center) as Bunny, here reading the classic children's book to Mama Bear (CoCo Gonzalez, left) and Papa Bear (Jonah D. Winston, right). Performances are April 11 through June 7. Credit: Joe Mazza Chicago brave lux inc.
“I am honored to have the Fund and scholarship program named after me," explained Mark Edelman. "After a career presenting and producing live theater, it's nice to give back to the communities that we served.”
“We’re grateful for this support from TYA/USA and the Mark Edelman Theater Fund,” said Jacqueline Russell, Chicago Children’s Theatre Co-Founder and Artistic Director. “These funds will help our efforts to offer accessible, professionally produced plays, musicals, classes and camps to Chicago children and families.”
About Chicago Children’s Theatre
Chicago Children’s Theatre was founded in 2005 with a big idea: Chicago is the greatest theater city in the world, and it deserves a great children’s theater.
Now celebrating its 20th anniversary, Chicago Children’s Theatre is the city’s largest professional theater devoted exclusively to children and young families. Led by Artistic Director Jacqueline Russell and Co-Founder Todd Leland, Chicago Children’s Theatre has served over one million community members and built a national reputation on new work, producing 24 world premieres including Go Dog Go! • Ve Perro ¡Ve!, Milo Imagines the World, Last Stop on Market Street, Leo Lionni's Frederick, The Watsons Go to Birmingham - 1963, and Jackie and Me.
In tandem with its live productions, Chicago Children’s Theatre offers a full slate of Access services, including live theater experiences, classes and camps for children with autism and other special needs via its Red Kite Project. CCT also provides thousands of free and reduced-price tickets to weekday student matinees to under-resourced schools in partnership with Chicago Public Schools.
Currently, rehearsals are underway for Chicago Children’s Theatre 20th anniversary season finale, Goodnight Moon, based on the beloved picture book by Margaret Wise Brown and illustrator Clement Hurd. CCT’s new production, staged by acclaimed Chicago director Mikael Burke, will be like none before, featuring an immersive scenic design that invites audiences for a primary-colored play date right inside Bunny’s bedroom. Performances are April 11-June 7, 2026, Saturday and Sunday at 9:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.* Tickets are $47.25 and on sale at chicagochildrenstheatre.org. *Check website for exceptions.
Chicago Children’s Theatre, a “no shushing” theater, is located at 100 S. Racine Ave., at Monroe, in the heart of Chicago's West Loop, minutes from I-90 and I-290, downtown and Ashland Avenue. Free, onsite parking is available on the south side of the building. Free street parking can be found nearby on weekends, or try the Impark parking lot, 1301 W. Madison St.
Diego Vazquez Gomez jumps into the role of Bunny in Chicago Children’s Theatre’s 20th Anniversary finale, an immersive staging of Goodnight Moon, directed by Mikael Burke. Performances are April 11-June 7 at Chicago Children's Theatre, 100 S. Racine St., in Chicago’s West Loop. For tickets and information, visit chicagochildrenstheatre.org. Credit: Joe Mazza Chicago brave lux inc.
About TYA/USA
Founded in 1965, Theatre for Young Audiences/USA (TYA/USA) is the leading national member service organization for the professional field of theatre for children and families, representing theatres, organizations, and individual artists across 46 states. TYA/USA is the United States Center for the International Association of Theatre for Children and Young People (ASSITEJ). The organization’s mission is to connect, cultivate, and advocate for the field of Theatre for Young Audiences by providing opportunities and resources in programming, professional development, research, and leadership. tyausa.org.
About Mark Edelman Theater Fund at the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Kansas City
The donor advised fund honors Edelman's forty-five year career in the performing arts as founder and president of Theater League Inc, a civic not for profit organization dedicated to enhancing the quality of life in the communities it serves with the thrill of live theater. Fund beneficiaries include members of TYA/USA, members of Theatre Communications Group (TCG) that are part of the Thrive! grant program for Companies of Color and professional theater companies in Kansas City. In addition, the fund underwrites the Edelman Theater Scholarship Fund at the University of Missouri at Kansas City to support students enrolled in the Conservatory's MFA acting and design programs.