Created to be a theater for people NOT going to the theater, 16th Street was founded in 2007 to serve and give voice to ALL in our community.

Dedicated to artistic excellence, professionalism (paying artists a decent wage) diversity and affordability, 16th Street exists to encourage debate, discussion and compassion amongst our community by creating and producing intimate and diverse theater with the playwright as our central focus.

16th Street is a place where audiences are invited to experience not only their own stories, but to experience their neighbors’ stories and stories of “the other.”

16th Street is proud to be a program of the North Berwyn Park District residing in the 60-seat Berwyn Cultural Center. As Berwyn’s only professional theater, inclusivity and affordability is our mantra. With the majority of Chicago theaters (small, mid-size and large) having ticket prices of $25 and up, they inadvertingly may be telling a large part of the community: “This is not for you.” Believing that artists are skilled workers who must be paid for their craft, 16th Street is proud to be Illinois’ most affordable, professional Equity theater with a top ticket price of just $22 ($18 for Berwyn Residents and Low Income) ensuring excellent, diverse and affordable theater to all.

16th Street is led by Founder/Artistic Director Ann Filmer and Managing Director Marissa McKown. Allyce Torres is Education and Finance Director with Nancy García Loza as 2018-2019 NNPN Producer-in-Residence.

Rick Torres is Box Office Manager.