Pegasus Theatre Chicago (formerly Pegasus Players) began in June 1978, growing out of original student writings performed by both faculty and students at the City Colleges. Touring began in order to fill the need of the Uptown area and to reach groups that had no access to live theatre.
After becoming incorporated in 1979, the group found a home in a rented space in the Edgewater Presbyterian Church, allowing it to continue its commitment to residents of the community. In 1984, the theatre relocated to the O’Rourke Center for the Performing Arts on the Truman College campus, located in the heart of the Uptown community. In 2014, Pegasus relocated once more to the Chicago Dramatists, where it remains an independent, autonomous theatre company.
Recognition for artistic excellence has prevailed throughout Pegasus’ history. The company has received seventy-seven Joseph Jefferson Citations, more than any other Chicago theatre in this category. The experience Pegasus provides for Chicago artists is invaluable.
Pegasus is committed to providing a quality arts experience for those who would normally be denied it, such as inner-city school students and low-income senior citizens. The Joseph Jefferson Committee awarded the first-ever Jeff Citation to an outreach program to Pegasus for its “extraordinary success in serving Chicago’s disenfranchised, bringing the arts to the young, the elderly, the disabled, and the disenfranchised.” The Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs recognized the Young Playwrights Festival by a special cash award for “outstanding contribution to the arts and outreach efforts to expand the accessibility of high quality arts experiences.”
A selection of historical production photos
