Next Theatre Company produces socially provocative, artistically adventurous work.

The company has become a national destination for audiences and artists who share our vision that theatre can promote awareness and provoke change. For 29 years Next has entertained and inspired audiences in our Evanston home with award-winning world and Chicago premieres and re-imagined classics, winning over 35 Joseph Jefferson Awards. Next has become synonymous with cutting-edge theater and, after the success of Adding Machine: A Musical, it is clear that the we have an important role to play in the generation of world premiere works. Now entering our 30th year, the organization’s mission and vision is focused toward producing high-profile works with provocative themes and adventurous forms. “In 2002, the Next was in danger of slipping off the radar screen of Chicagoland theater after more than 20 years of honorable service. Next is now a place to go for what’s hot and invigorating in area theater.” (Dan Zeff, Copley News)

29 years strong and still you might not know:

• Next was founded in 1981 by Harriet Spizziri and Brian Finn and opened with the 4 time Jeff Award-winning Class Enemy.
• We have produced more than 100 plays and musicals including over a dozen world or American premieres and two dozen regional premieres.
• Next has won more than 35 Joseph Jefferson Awards.
• We have premiered plays by some of America’s best known playwrights including the multi-award-winning midwest premiere of The Normal Heart; Jeff Award winner The Laramie Project; Jeff Nominated Defiance, Omnium Gatherum and Yellowman and Tracy Letts’ first major success, Killer Joe.
• Adding Machine: A Musical by Jason Loewith and Joshua Schmidt and directed by David Cromer won the Jeff Award for Outstanding New Musical. It moved off-Broadway where it earned nine Drama Desk nominations, four OBIE Awards and two Outer Critics Circle Awards.
• Since 2002 our subscription base has tripled, contributed income has doubled and we’ve retired $100,000 in debt.
• We received a $25,000 grant from the U.S. Government Recovery Act, one of only three theater companies in Illinois to receive stimulus money.
• Our 2009 production of The Overwhelming sold to 98% capacity in an extended run. The show earned a Jeff nomination for Outstanding Production.

We ask you to support our work with a generous tax-deductible donation. As a contributor to the Next, you’re setting the stage for a future filled with thought-provoking plays in Chicagoland.

Make your contribution online:

Make your contribution with our Donor Services Manager:

Call 847-475-1875 x 10 or print a donation form here. Next Theatre is a 501(c)3 organization. Your generous gift is tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.

Join our Next Era Society:

We encourage you to play your part by becoming a member of the Next Era Society – the Next’s new premiere individual giving program. Annual membership in the Society is extended to individuals contributing $1,000 or more to the Next. Society members enjoy exclusive access to our artists and events throughout the season. Each level of the Society is designed to give our most trusted friends and supporters an extraordinary insider’s look at the Next Theatre Company. Learn more about special Next Era Society Events.

Learn about the benefits of each giving level at Next Theatre.

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You receive a tax-deduction for the fair market value of your gift, and the Next receives the proceeds. Contact Kevin Heckman at kevin (at) nexttheatre.org for more information.

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