Steppenwolf Theatre Company: Celebrating 50 Years of Artistic Innovation

Steppenwolf Theatre Company, founded in the early 1970s by a group of teenage friends in Chicago, is marking its 50th season as one of the nation’s most influential ensemble theaters. Co-founders Jeff Perry, Terry Kinney, and Gary Sinise began their journey in a church basement, aspiring to transform American theater. Over the decades, Steppenwolf has become an incubator for talent, launching the careers of notable actors such as John Malkovich, Laurie Metcalf, and Joan Allen, as well as acclaimed playwrights like Tracy Letts and Branden Jacobs-Jenkins.

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The ensemble model at Steppenwolf fosters collaboration among artists, allowing them to work together across various productions. Tracy Letts, a prominent playwright and ensemble member, emphasizes the unique freedom this structure provides, stating, “I can afford to take chances. I can afford to make a fool of myself.” This environment has led to significant achievements, including 18 shows transferring to Broadway and winning 14 Tony Awards, showcasing the theater's impact on the broader theatrical landscape.

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As Steppenwolf celebrates its milestone, it faces challenges exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and shifts in the theater industry. Co-Artistic Directors Glenn Davis and Audrey Francis, who took on leadership roles during this tumultuous period, acknowledge the difficulties of maintaining a vibrant theater in a landscape where fewer productions are staged. Davis notes, “The structural mechanics of doing theater today are very difficult,” highlighting the struggle to employ artists amid reduced show numbers.

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Despite these challenges, Davis and Francis remain committed to the theater's core values and programming. They assert that the theater will continue to provide a thoughtful and intentional space for the community, without feeling pressured to comment on current political events. This commitment reflects Steppenwolf's enduring mission to nurture artistic expression and community engagement.

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As Steppenwolf Theatre Company embarks on its next chapter, it aims to adapt while preserving the collaborative spirit that has defined its history. The theater's ability to evolve and embrace new generations of artists will be crucial in navigating the complexities of the modern theatrical landscape.

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• “A place built of artists, by artists and for artists is an exceedingly rare experiment.” — Jeff Perry, Co-Founder, Steppenwolf Theatre Company

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• “won the 2008 Pulitzer Prize, and Rajiv Joseph and Tarell Alvin McCraney. All of them and more, along with several directors, are to this day ensemble members of Steppenwolf, meaning they work together in different shows over many years. Tracy Letts, Playwright: It sounds different every time you do it. And whatever else they do in theater, TV, or film, they can and do come back to work at Steppenwolf. In 2016, as he rehearsed a new play written for his Steppenwolf colleagues, Letts told me that the freedom and sense of security that comes with the ensemble approach is priceless. Tracy Letts: I can afford to take chances. I can afford to make a fool of myself. And they will keep you around anyway. They will keep me around anyway, and they will tell me. They will tell me to my face, you didn't get this right. Success can be counted in many ways, including the number of shows, 18, that have transferred to Broadway over the years, winning 14 Tony Awards. You said your daddy was some sort of reverend, but not like this kind of reverend. Among them,” — Tracy Letts, Playwright

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• “The structural mechanics of doing theater today are very difficult.” — Glenn Davis, Co-Artistic Director, Steppenwolf Theatre

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Steppenwolf Theatre Company stands as a testament to the power of collaboration and artistic innovation. As it celebrates 50 years, the theater continues to navigate the challenges of the contemporary arts landscape while remaining a vital part of Chicago's cultural fabric.

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