EVENTS
Writer's [un] Block
If you’ve been searching for a supportive space to buckle down and get some writing done—while having the added benefit of accountability and feedback from like-minded peers—then welcome to Writer’s [un]Block!
This program, designed to foster community, encourage collaboration, and boost your writing focus. The concept is simple: you show up with your laptop, notebook, or preferred writing tools, and dive into your creative process alongside others. Whether you're polishing stand-up bits, drafting sketches, writing pilots, novels, or plays, or simply working through ideas, this space is open to any and all projects.
Join us as we create an atmosphere of productivity and mutual support, where ideas flow freely, and creativity flourishes. Bring your work, and let’s build something together!
Coming Soon!
Stay tuned for more upcoming shows and events. Be sure to subscribe to our newsletter to receive updates directly to your inbox.
PAST EVENTS
Writer's [un] Block
If you’ve been looking for a space to get some writing done but you need accountability and possibly some feedback from your peers, then welcome to Writer’s [un]Block. This is a new program that we are launching to promote community, collaboration and writing focus. It’s very simple. You show up with your laptop and/or writing materials and get to work. Feel free to bring your stand up bits, your sketches, pilots, novels, plays or whatever you are working on into the space.
Stepping Stone's Cultural Exchange Program
Here in Chicago, we are so fortunate to be surrounded by amazing food, an accessible commuter system, and a wide, diverse range of cultures that make this city so wonderfully unique. However, it’s rare to find ourselves stepping out of our comfort zones to experience something new! Introducing Stepping Stone’s Cultural Exchange Program. Once a month, Stepping Stone will organize a group outing to one of the many cultural centers around Chicago as an opportunity to immerse ourselves in a culture we may not have had an opportunity to appreciate. Through this initiative, we hope to not only develop relationships with many different communities in Chicago, but also introduce improv and theater to groups who may not otherwise have been exposed to it.
Argyle Night Market
Hey community! Come join us on Thursday, August 31st to check out the Argyle Night Market in Uptown! Started in 2013, this vibrant event is part market, part street festival, and features delicious food from local restaurants plus live cultural, musical, and dance performances weekly throughout the summer. The SST team will be attending and we’d love for you all to join us for a fun night hanging out with friends. Isn’t that what summer is really all about?
This is the first event of our new “Stepping Out with Stepping Stone” initiative, which we’ve created to help open doors and provide opportunities within our theater and improv community to connect, collaborate, and show off our creativity. The event is free and all are welcome, so mark your calendars and come meet us in front of Top Tao Tea.
Visit https://exploreuptown.org/argyle-night-market/ for more information.
Coaching the Coaches Workshop with Julia Morales
Interested in becoming an improv coach, or looking to take your current coaching game to the next level? Even coaches need coaching to continually improve their craft. Let Stepping Stone’s own Julia Morales teach you some best practices for giving constructive feedback, fostering a safe space for students to learn and grow, the importance of time management, and how to create a productive plan for your classes. This workshop is open to anyone looking to level themselves up so they can better support others in our community. Drop in and don’t miss out on a great opportunity to sharpen your skills.
Support the Greater Chicago Food Depository
It’s hard to get a good belly laugh going if that belly is empty. Hunger and food insecurity affect our community right here in Chicago. Stepping Stone Theater is participating in a virtual food drive to benefit the Greater Chicago Food Depository to help change that. Chicagoan deserves the support needed to have all their needs met, and food is one of the most basic. Our goal is $500 by August 1st. Donate what you can to this incredible organization via money or time. We know we can reach it with our community’s help!
Personal Safety Tools Workshop
Being in the comedy community often requires a lot of late night shows and hangouts. Unfortunately, sometimes those late nights can feel a bit unsafe. Stepping Stone Theater is coordinating with another amazing non-profit organization, IMPACT Chicago to help provide safety tools to our comedy community. We want to spread the word about our FREE Personal Safety Tools (PST) Online Workshop. Hosted by IMPACT Chicago, PST workshops introduce attendees to Empowerment Self-Defense (ESD). Participants have a chance to expand their current toolkit of basic safety principles and build from existing strengths to navigate both daily life and threatening situations. Personal safety, empowerment, and the ability to prevent, minimize, or stop violence are powerful resources for anyone to have. So, we want to see all your wonderful faces at the PST Online Workshop on March 25th from 2-3pm! Sign up below and mark your calendars! And stay tuned for more upcoming workshops from IMPACT Chicago.
Consent in Improv
Sunday, February 12, 2023
2pm - 5pm
Clash on Clark
4416 N. Clark St.
Over the last few years we have seen interest grow in the worlds of #Inclusion and #Consent . But they encompass so much info that it can be overwhelming deciding where to begin or how that might look for your theater or team. In this seminar, Luis Cortes will walk you through the basics of these topics and answer those burning questions that you’ve had but have not been able to ask. Our goal is to arm you with enough information so that you can confidently begin doing your own research, work and growth for you and your theater/team.
Stepping Stone
Holiday Party
Saturday, December 10, 2022
2pm - 7pm
Parson's Chicken & Fish - West Town
2109 W. Chicago Ave.
‘Tis the season for friends and folly. Come join us for our annual Stepping Stone Theater Holiday Party! In addition to plenty of joyful, merry vibes, we’re also continuing our organization's fundraising with bingo games and raffles. All are welcome, so gather your friends and celebrate an amazing year of support and collaboration with tasty food and delicious drinks while partying festively.
HAPPY FEELINGS Workshop & Open Mic
Stepping Stone Theater, in collaboration with Glenwood Comedy, presents The Happy Feelings Workshop & Open Mic. Are you somebody that wants to try stand-up? Or maybe you've been doing stand-up and just want to workshop material you're working on? The Happy Feelings Workshop is what you need! Stepping Stone will host this FREE stand-up workshop where comedians of any experience level can get pointers, share material in progress, and get feedback before trying that material out. The Happy Feelings Workshop will be held at various locations, so follow them on social media for specific details: @happyfeelingscomedyworkshop Then on the first and third Tuesday of the month, you can try out your material at The Glenwood Open Mic located at 6962 N. Glenwood Ave. in Rogers Park. Sign-up begins at 7pm! Follow their social media for more info: @glenwood_open_mic Special thanks to Stuti Sharma, Anthony Aguinaldo, the Rogers Park Business Alliance, and The Glenwood for providing space and opportunity.
STARVING THE HEART
Every Friday | 8pm
July 22 - September 9, 2022
In co-production with our friends at The Annoyance Theatre, we are proud to present our very first stage production! This dramedy interweaves improv into narratives focused on sociopolitical issues POCs face to exemplify what diversity looks like in the United States.
A percentage of ticket sales supports SST fundraising. Half price tickets available for college students (must present ID).
If not sold out, the show is free for Annoyance students.
The Annoyance Theatre
851 W. Belmont Ave.
Purchase tickets in advance at www.theannoyance.com or by calling (773) 698-9693.
Stepping Stone Theater Holiday Party
Friday, December 17th, 2021 | 8pm
Join us for Stepping Stone Theater's first Holiday Party! Festivities start up at 8pm with a show at 9pm. Featuring musical performances by Sonal Aggarwal, Just Jrod, & CO. Spinning all night is DJ Teddy Ragzy! We'll have drinks, raffle prizes, and snacks. Feel free to BYOB!! Proof of vaccination must be provided at the door.
1621 N Kedzie Ave
Stepping Stone Presents: "It Will Be Okay?"
Thursday, December 16th, 2021 | 8pm
A traveling stand up showcase highlighting the most talented voices in comedy. Hosted by Kenya Élan, this month features guest host Eunji Kim, Daisy Bently, Jeff Brumfield, Shawn Banks and Nana Rodriguez.
Parson's Logan Square
2952 W Armitage Ave (at N Humboldt Blvd)
Purchase Tickets in Advance - $5 via
Venmo @itwillbeokayshowr
