- This event has passed.
Independent Bookstore Day
April 27 @ 8:00 am - 6:00 pm
Yet again, Chicagoland proves itself to be the dream destination for book lovers and readers of all ages! More than 40 independent bookstores in the greater Chicago area—from Lake Forest to Beverly, and Naperville to the Loop—are collaborating on our annual Chicagoland Bookstore Crawl, which encourages book lovers to indulge in bookstore tourism by visiting 10 or more stores in a single day. The Understudy is proud to be one of them.
The annual challenge is being held again on Independent Bookstore Day (IBD), which is a one-day national party celebrating indie book stores on the last Saturday in April. Each store creates its own unique events—including guest authors, special kids’ story times, readings, contests, giveaways, and special sales.
How to Participate…
Select your first bookstore and receive a passport and your first stamp.
Now check out the map—which lists all the participating stores—and start planning your route!
Additional bookstores you visit throughout the day will provide you with a stamp with no purchase required!
• Visit TEN stores in one day and get 10% off at all participating bookstores for an ENTIRE YEAR!
• Visit FIFTEEN stores in one day and get 15% off at all participating bookstores for an ENTIRE YEAR!
After visiting 10 or 15 participating bookstores, on your last bookstore visit show your passport and receive a limited edition pin!
Readers are encouraged to post a snapshot of themselves and their Independent Bookstore Day haul on social media with the hashtag #TEAMINDIE and #ChiLoveBooks.
This year we are adding three bus routes so readers can explore bookstores they’ve never seen before. One is going as north as Lake Forest. One will go as west as St. Charles/Geneva, and one will go south to the Beverly neighborhood. Tickets can be found HERE.
Other Events
American Theatre Presents: Grown in Chicago
May 6 @ 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm
This panel will feature local Chicago theatre leaders as they chat about adapting and planning for longevity, establishing a distinct company identity, staying true to your mission, and serving your community on stage and beyond. The conversation will be moderated by Carla Stillwell, faculty at The Theatre School at DePaul University. Panelists will include: Xavier Custodio, co-founding artistic director, Vision Latino Theatre Company Myesha-Tiara, founding artistic director, Perceptions Theatre Shepsu Aakhu, founding member, Ma’at Production Association of Afrikan Centered Theatre (MPAACT) This…
American Theatre Presents: Grown in Chicago
May 6 @ 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm
A Taste of RED with A Red Orchid Theatre
May 14 @ 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Hang out with our friends from A Red Orchid Theatre on May 14th for the latest installment of their series A Taste of Red. A Red Orchid Theatre invites you to take a peek behind the curtain and see how their team goes about exploring a play. What gets their ensemble excited about a script? How do actors, directors, playwrights, and designers all approach the same text differently? What defines a quintessential A Red Orchid production? THE CAVE by Ensemble…
A Taste of RED with A Red Orchid Theatre
May 14 @ 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm
ISLAND OF LOVE by Felicia Oduh
May 20 @ 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm
A batch of romantic hopefuls compete for a chance to win love and a large cash prize on the UK’s hottest summer reality dating series. Though everyone has come on the show for the same reasons, one contestant soon learns that not everyone will have the same experience. Positioning the audience as the camera and including all of your favorite elements of reality TV — confessionals, drama, and surprise eliminations — Island of Love dives deep into the various forms…
ISLAND OF LOVE by Felicia Oduh
May 20 @ 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm
I Can’t, I Have Trivia
May 22 @ 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Theatre nerds, your time has come! Join us for another round of trivia at 7:30 on May 22nd. We recommend playing with a team of four. Hosted by our friend Patrick Zakem, each round will test your knowledge of a different facet of theatre history, current events, or culture. Think you’ve got what it takes to triumph? Don’t miss it! No need to RSVP, just bring your team on the 7th!
I Can’t, I Have Trivia
May 22 @ 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm
THE DRAG by Mae West presented by Gerber Hart Library
May 25 @ 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Join us for a community reading of “The Drag” presented by the Gerber/Hart Library and Archives. Written by the iconic Mae West, this 1927 drama about a closeted socialite and the morality of homosexuality was banned from theatres and torn to shreds in the press. No acting experience required! This is a reading with the goal of getting this text out into the world. By doing this as well as providing historical context and archival materials, we are recentering text…
THE DRAG by Mae West presented by Gerber Hart Library
May 25 @ 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Next Draft Series: How to Kill a Rodent
June 1 @ 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm
How to Kill a Rodent By Eleanor McCaughey Canadians Guy and Carrie take a road trip to Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania only days before Groundhog Day, in an effort to assassinate Punxsutawney Phil on live television. Cast: Peter Ferneding Stephanie Fongheiser Madison Kiernan Playwright: Eleanor McCaughey Director: Maddy Brown Dramaturg: Zoe Sjogerman CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS This reading is presented as part of Avalanche Theatre‘s Next Draft Series The Next Draft Series is Avalanche Theatre’s ongoing new play incubator. Over the course…
Next Draft Series: How to Kill a Rodent
June 1 @ 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm
TGNC Theatre Maker’s Meetup
June 2 @ 7:00 pm - 10:00 pm
🏳️⚧️MEETUP🏳️⚧️ Trans and gender non-conforming theatre makers, Join us June 2nd for an evening of community and connection. We’re hanging out 7pm to 10pm and keeping the cafe open for refreshments. BYOB also welcomed. Don’t miss this!
TGNC Theatre Maker’s Meetup
June 2 @ 7:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Next Draft Series: How to Kill a Rodent
June 3 @ 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm
How to Kill a Rodent By Eleanor McCaughey Canadians Guy and Carrie take a road trip to Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania only days before Groundhog Day, in an effort to assassinate Punxsutawney Phil on live television. Cast: Peter Ferneding Stephanie Fongheiser Madison Kiernan Playwright: Eleanor McCaughey Director: Maddy Brown Dramaturg: Zoe Sjogerman CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS This reading is presented as part of Avalanche Theatre‘s Next Draft Series The Next Draft Series is Avalanche Theatre’s ongoing new play incubator. Over the course…
Next Draft Series: How to Kill a Rodent
June 3 @ 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Next Draft Series: Infinity Burns
June 8 @ 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Infinity Burns By Felix Abidor Giordano Bruno, a 16th-century monk, is sentenced to death for his radical beliefs in an infinite universe. Cast: Peter Ferneding Stephanie Fongheiser Madison Kiernan Playwright: Eleanor McCaughey Director: Maddy Brown Dramaturg: Zoe Sjogerman CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS This reading is presented as part of Avalanche Theatre‘s Next Draft Series The Next Draft Series is Avalanche Theatre’s ongoing new play incubator. Over the course of 3-4 months, Avalanche develops new work by emerging Chicago playwrights through…