TimeLine Theatre Company today shared details about the current architectural design and other updates related to its ongoing project to develop a new home in Chicago’s Uptown neighborhood. Located at 5033-5035 N. Broadway Avenue near the corner of Broadway and Argyle, the new facility will house TimeLine’s future operations and support its mission of exploring today’s social and political issues through the lens of the past.
Progress on the new home project has continued throughout the pandemic, even while the company’s live productions have been shuttered since March 2020.
HGA design rendering showing future street exterior view of TimeLine’s new home at 5035 N. Broadway in Chicago’s Uptown neighborhood.
“This new building is an investment in the future of TimeLine—a home for artists, audiences, and community members that will ensure the company and its mission can endure,” Managing Director Elizabeth K. Auman said. “We want to create a space and an organization where artists are supported in doing their best work, where the community can thrive, and where the next generation will see themselves.”
“We’re creating a home that will enhance everything audiences love about TimeLine and take our work to a new level,” Artistic Director PJ Powers said. “And we haven’t stopped working toward that goal despite the last year’s immense challenges.”
Updates shared below include details about the new facility’s architectural design, community engagement efforts in the Uptown neighborhood and beyond, fundraising progress to date, and a leadership transition and expansion as TimeLine’s new home project moves into its next phases.
HGA side section view of TimeLine’s new home
Architectural Design
TimeLine has been collaborating with renowned architect HGA to design its new home since the firm’s selection in June 2019, guided by design principles developed through strategic planning with TimeLine’s Company, Board, and Staff, and working in tandem with consultants including Rotholz LLC (Owner’s Representative), Schuler Shook (Theatre Planning and Lighting Design), Threshold Acoustics (Acoustic and A/V Design), Bulley & Andrews (Pre-Construction Services), and ESD (Technology and Security).
Over that time, HGA designers, consultant teams, and TimeLine representatives have moved through the complex design conceptualization, schematic design, and design development phases—informed by extensive site analysis and engineering studies.
The resulting building design features a façade that offers an open, inviting presence to the Uptown community, and interior spaces that fulfill TimeLine’s goal of creating an inspiring home that is driven by and supports the company’s mission and ensures accessibility and inclusivity for all.
HGA design rendering of first floor lobby café and bar.
Upon entering, audiences and neighbors will encounter a lobby café and bar that encourages them to arrive early and stay late. At the heart of the building is a 250-seat flexible black box theatre that’s built to be transformative, accommodating multiple seating and stage configurations to provide a unique discovery and vantage point for audiences at every production. Surrounding the theatre are exhibit galleries designed to support the immersive, interactive lobby experiences that are a TimeLine hallmark. And backstage, several areas tailored for collaboration and creation—including a rehearsal room, design and production studios, and staff offices—fully support artists and staff in their work.
Collage of design renderings by Jeffrey D. Kmiec of lobby exhibit galleries.
Additionally, the company’s Living History program will have dedicated space for its engagement with students, and that space also will be available for community meetings and events.
“Our engagement with HGA has been everything we hoped for and more,” Powers said. “They have been ideal collaborators—responding to every idea, inspiration, and challenge during the process with deep insight, impressive problem-solving, and boundless creativity. And they’ve delivered a design that fulfills our dreams and much more.”
With design development completed, the next step in the process is to develop construction documents in preparation for selecting a contractor for the project. Securing building permits, groundbreaking, and construction will follow. At this time, anticipated opening date for the building is early 2024. In the meantime, TimeLine will continue to maintain its operations in Lakeview East.
To read more about the design process for TimeLine’s new home, visit the company’s blog at timelinetheatre.com/2021/08/new-phase-for-new-home.
HGA design rendering of first floor Education and Engagement Room.
Community Engagement
One of the foundational pillars of TimeLine’s new home project is a desire to embrace the Uptown community. Being a good neighbor; partnering with local businesses, organizations, and schools; and honoring the legacy of Uptown’s historic Entertainment District are key goals.
"TimeLine Theatre Company will serve as a strong cultural and economic anchor for the Uptown community,” 48th Ward Alderman Harry Osterman said. “I am thrilled to welcome another highly acclaimed theatre company to the 48th Ward. TimeLine will bring new foot traffic to support the restaurants and shops of the Argyle district and will enhance community programming through partnerships with our local schools and community organizations."
“TimeLine Theatre Company is already a valuable part of the Uptown community,” said Martin Sorge, Executive Director of the Uptown Chamber of Commerce, which TimeLine joined soon after purchasing the North Broadway property. “As soon as they set down the path to make Uptown their new home, they became deeply involved in the neighborhood. They’ve been a part of local events, met with small business owners, and engaged area residents and nonprofit organizations. We are over the moon that TimeLine is a part of our community—the newest one of Uptown’s entertainment gems.”
To support TimeLine’s community engagement goals, the company is undertaking a formal Community Connection Project to inform, engage, empower, and energize current and new members of its community, in Uptown and beyond. Led by Artistic Producer of Innovative Partnerships Tiffany Fulson with the company’s internal Community Engagement Team, and developed in partnership with HGA, this effort also involves a Curation Team of individuals drawn from the community who are helping to guide the project.
The Community Connection Project is planning more than a dozen community engagement gatherings to explore the needs of existing audiences; Living History students, teachers, and parents; Uptown neighbors, businesses, and organizations; and other current and potential constituencies. The project will not only strengthen TimeLine’s relationships with individuals across the community, but will also ensure that a broad range of diverse voices have a say in making the company’s new home a place where all visitors can feel a sense of belonging, have an arts experience unlike any other, and do their best work.
To read more about TimeLine’s community engagement efforts, please visit the company’s blog at timelinetheatre.com/2021/06/engaging-the-community.
Fundraising
TimeLine is seeking both private and public sources of financial support to fund this $35 million project. Private philanthropic sources, including foundations and corporations as well as individual contributions, make up the majority of funding. The company is pursuing public funding at the federal, state, and local level. The project has secured $2.5 million in grants from the State of Illinois, is applying for TIF assistance from the City of Chicago, and is pursuing federal New Markets Tax Credit financing.
Thus far, IT’S TIME: THE CAMPAIGN FOR TIMELINE’S NEW HOME has raised nearly half of its $20 million private funds goal, securing donations from 74 generous private contributors. Lead donors of $100,000 or above include Christine Albright and Larry Gill, Judith Barnard and Michael Fain, The Abe and Ida Cooper Foundation, Mary and Bruce Feay, Joseph and Bessie Feinberg Foundation, The Forum Fund, John and Jessica Fullerton, Brenda and James Grusecki, David Hiller, Ronald B. Johnson, Maridee Quanbeck and Jared Kaplan, Sonia Marschak, Robert and Eleanor Meyers, Bill and Penny Obenshain, Debbie Siegel and Bob Altman, John Sirek and Colleen Loughlin, and multiple anonymous contributors. Campbell & Company is serving as TimeLine’s capital campaign counsel.
“The entire community is going to help us build this new cultural asset for Chicago,” said TimeLine Board President John Sterling. “TimeLine’s unique mission and its ongoing commitment to exploring everyone’s history provide an ever-growing array of opportunities for the entire Chicago community to engage, learn about, and discuss our shared histories. Participating in the development of this new home in Uptown provides a tangible way for us all to work together.”
Individuals who would like to learn more about how to support TimeLine’s new home project should contact Associate Director of Development Chelsea Smith at chelsea@timelinetheatre.com.
Collage of design renderings by Jeffrey D. Kmiec of the flexible black-box theatre interior, showing multiple stage configurations.
Leadership Transition and Expansion
In recognition of the complex path ahead, Managing Director Elizabeth K. Auman will be transitioning her responsibilities away from day-to-day management of the company in order to focus exclusively on guiding TimeLine’s new home development in Uptown.
TimeLine’s Board and Company will conduct a search for a new executive leader who will become the co-equal leader of the organization alongside Powers as Artistic Director. Further details, including the timeframe and next steps for the search, will be announced soon, pending the Board and Company’s work to develop a job description and an inclusive, collaborative, and transparent search process.
To read today’s news release about this leadership transition and expansion, please click here.
About TimeLine Theatre Company
TimeLine Theatre Company, recipient of the prestigious 2016 MacArthur Award for Creative and Effective Institutions, was founded in April 1997 with a mission to present stories inspired by history that connect with today's social and political issues. Currently entering its 25th season, TimeLine has presented 82 productions, including 10 world premieres and 38 Chicago premieres, and launched the Living History Education Program, which brings the company's mission to life for students in Chicago Public Schools. Recipient of the Alford-Axelson Award for Nonprofit Managerial Excellence and the Richard Goodman Strategic Planning Award from the Association for Strategic Planning, TimeLine has received 58 Jeff Awards, including an award for Outstanding Production 11 times.
The company has long been bursting at the seams of its current leased home located at 615 W. Wellington Avenue in Chicago’s Lakeview East neighborhood, where the theatre has been in residence since 1999. Over the years, it has increasingly faced numerous limitations that constrain artistry, hamper audience accessibility and comfort, and challenge the ongoing financial sustainability that is critical for long-term success. TimeLine announced the purchase of the property at 5033-35 North Broadway to be the site of its new home in December 2018.
TimeLine’s new home project is overseen by its Facilities Committee, chaired by Board Member Alvin Katz (Partner, Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP) and including Board Vice President Anne Voshel (Retired Principal, AVA Consultants); TimeLine Past Board President and current Board Member Eileen LaCario (Vice President, Broadway In Chicago); Board Members J. Robert Barr (Retired Partner, Sidley Austin LLP), Philip E. Cable (President, John A. Cable Foundation); and Karen B. Case (Executive Managing Director and President of U.S. Commercial Real Estate for CIBC U.S.); TimeLine President’s Advisory Council Member Alan M. Bell (Partner, Charity and Associates); former TimeLine Board Member Thaddeus J. Malik (Partner, Paul Hastings); and TimeLine staff members Auman, Powers, Nick Bowling (Associate Artistic Director), Dan McArdle (General Manager), and Maggie Fullilove-Nugent (Production Manager).
TimeLine is led by Artistic Director PJ Powers, Managing Director Elizabeth K. Auman and Board President John Sterling. Company members are Tyla Abercrumbie, Will Allan, Nick Bowling, Janet Ulrich Brooks, Wardell Julius Clark, Behzad Dabu, Charles Andrew Gardner, Lara Goetsch, Juliet Hart, Anish Jethmalani, Mildred Marie Langford, Mechelle Moe, David Parkes, Ron OJ Parson, PJ Powers, Maren Robinson, and Benjamin Thiem.
Major corporate, government and foundation supporters include the Abe and Ida Cooper Foundation, Allstate Corporation, Paul M. Angell Family Foundation, City of Chicago, Crown Family Philanthropies, Joseph and Bessie Feinberg Foundation, The Forum Fund, Lloyd A. Fry Foundation, Illinois Arts Council Agency, Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, Laughing Acres Family Foundation, MacArthur Fund for Arts and Culture at Prince, National Endowment for the Arts, Pritzker Traubert Foundation, The Shubert Foundation, and the United States Small Business Administration.
For more information, visit timelinetheatre.com or Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram (@TimeLineTheatre).