Callling it 'the end of an era,' Bailiwick Repertory founder and artistic director David Zak notified patrons in a letter that the company will be leaving its space at 1229 W. Belmont at the end of this year.
Jeremy Wechsler and Theatre Wit will take over the space in 2009. Bailiwick's remaining productions and events for the current year—including the Oct. 12 Trailblazer Awards—will still go on as planned. There will also be a prop sale Oct. 17-18.
Zak mentioned always having 'great memories' from productions such as Jerry Springer—The Opera, but also acknowledged that the space has 'been a great financial burden, and this being an old building was and is in constant need of repair.' He added that he is looking forward to moving into another venue and that the company is 'planning for Pride 2009 for summer.'
Zak told Windy City Times that the cost of keeping the building open added unnecessary pressure to juggle many shows at once, 'even if we weren't exactly ready for them.' He hopes that his crew can get a little breathing room and focus on putting on strong performances in their next space. 'We definitely don't want to rush this,' he added.
He told Windy City Times that the board is looking at a number of possible new locations, including the Center on Halsted, as well as other spaces in the neighborhood.
'Our neighborhood is no longer the gay haven it used to be,' Zak told Windy City Times. The gay community has moved slightly since Bailiwick first moved into the neighborhood 15 years ago, and he would like to move closer to where the audience lives, he said.
'It's sad, but we feel we petty much did everything we could do in this space,' Zak added.
He said that he does not want to rush acquiring a new space ( although, ideally, they will have one at the start of the New Year ) , and many local theaters have offered for Bailiwick to use their space for both large and small shoes during any sort of transitional period.
Zak insisted in his letter, and reiterated to Windy City Times in a follow-up interview, that the company is not folding: ' [ W ] e are not closing or shutting down. After all, we have after all made changes in venue in the past, from Jane Addams Hull House down the street to Belmont Avenue, and I know that change has always been an important part of the company's long term health,' he wrote.
In an interview, Zak told Windy City Times that for a small theater company, 15 years was a healthy run in such a large space, and is excited about the next step. He enouraged the LGBT community to check out Bailiwick's Pride Series during September and October, and help Bailiwick celebrate its final days in its current location.
