Our Events
We’ve designed The Understudy from the ground up to support a variety of events. Join us after close for play readings, drag performances, concerts, meetups, and more! The calendar is always updating, so check back often.
The Understudy believes curiosity is a powerful, generative force for transformation. We seek to feed our collective creative lives by nourishing deep curiosity– whether toward your own vision, or through engaging generously with the work of another. We see curiosity, empathy, and justice as interdependent ideals. Our work seeks to foster deeper connections to our passions, our neighbors, and to contemporary life.
We’re always on the lookout for new ways to share our space and bring creative people together. If you have an idea for a new one-off event or series at The Understudy, please fill out the form below. Please note that we give priority to theatre related events, and, though we really want to, we can’t accommodate every request. Let’s chat!
recurring series
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KAPWA II: Shake, Rattle and Roll (18+)
October 29 @ 7:30 pm – 10:00 pm
A ~sp0okY~ Filipinx variety show produced by The Understudy and The Rizal Center. Who says the sequel isn’t as good? October is Filipino-American History Month, and the KAPWA Variety Show […]
KAPWA II: Shake, Rattle and Roll (18+)
October 29 @ 7:30 pm – 10:00 pm
BLITHE SPIRIT by Noel Coward
October 26 @ 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Catch Noel Coward’s “improbable farce in three acts” at The Understudy Exit, Pursued by a Play Reading is a new reading series where Chicago’s best and most beloved actors find […]
BLITHE SPIRIT by Noel Coward
October 26 @ 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
FAREWELL TO P3N15 PARTY: A FUNDRAISER SHOW FOR KJ’S GENDER AFFIRMING CARE
October 23 @ 7:30 pm – 10:00 pm
A benefit party and open mic hosted by K.J. Whitehead with special guest comedian, Rey Tang. GUESS WHO’S GETTING BOTTOM SURGERYYYYY~ Our friend and your lovely host, K.J. Whitehead. Come […]
FAREWELL TO P3N15 PARTY: A FUNDRAISER SHOW FOR KJ’S GENDER AFFIRMING CARE
October 23 @ 7:30 pm – 10:00 pm
FAREWELL TO P3N15 PARTY: A FUNDRAISER SHOW FOR KJ’S GENDER AFFIRMING CARE
October 23 @ 7:30 pm – 10:00 pm
A benefit party and open mic hosted by K.J. Whitehead with special guest comedian, Rey Tang. GUESS WHO’S GETTING BOTTOM SURGERYYYYY~ Our friend and your lovely host, K.J. Whitehead. Come […]
FAREWELL TO P3N15 PARTY: A FUNDRAISER SHOW FOR KJ’S GENDER AFFIRMING CARE
October 23 @ 7:30 pm – 10:00 pm
Public Tea Tasting with Spirit Tea
October 17 @ 11:00 am – 1:00 pm
Join us to sample new selections from Spirit Tea and The Understudy We’re welcoming our friends from Spirit Tea to share some new selections, alongside expert knowledge and insight from […]
Public Tea Tasting with Spirit Tea
October 17 @ 11:00 am – 1:00 pm
ATTACK ON MARZ: A LATTE THROWDOWN
October 16 @ 7:30 pm – 10:30 pm
Oh, so you think ur the slickest barista in town? Well, get ur best pair of cow/moon boots on, come on down to The Understudy and PROVE IT. Just a […]
ATTACK ON MARZ: A LATTE THROWDOWN
October 16 @ 7:30 pm – 10:30 pm
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[post_content] => A ~sp0okY~ Filipinx variety show produced by The Understudy and The Rizal Center.Who says the sequel isn't as good? October is Filipino-American History Month, and the KAPWA Variety Show is back with more killer performances from local Fil-Am artists. Join us as we celebrate community in times of fear with scary good food, songs, storytelling, MAGIC, burlesque, and more! Stay tuned for the Line-up~
Half of all ticket sales will benefit the Rizal Center's Balikbayan Book Club, which educates and empowers readers through the stories of Filipino writers. The group is a space to connect, discuss, and learn more about the Philippines' history of resistance. By critically engaging with the past, they encourage each other to build a better future.
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[post_content] => Catch Noel Coward's "improbable farce in three acts" at The UnderstudyExit, Pursued by a Play Reading is a new reading series where Chicago’s best and most beloved actors find themselves chased by rabid, unrehearsed, theatrical comedies - desperately trying to stay ahead, as they strive to tickle your fancy, brighten your heart, and warm the chilliest of Chicago evenings.
This time, we're reading Blithe Spirit by Noel Coward
Edith: Ali Foley
Ruth : Jaeda LaVonne
Charles : Gregory Linington
Dr. Bradman : Demetrios Troy
Mrs. Bradman : Blair Robertson
Madame Arcati : Issy van Randwyck
Elvira : Katy Sullivan
Stage Directions : Noah Tibbetts
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[post_content] => A benefit party and open mic hosted by K.J. Whitehead with special guest comedian, Rey Tang.GUESS WHO'S GETTING BOTTOM SURGERYYYYY~
Our friend and your lovely host, K.J. Whitehead.
Come join us in celebration as we say goodbye to K.J.'s bits in this month's open mic here at The Understudy! Tickets are PWYC and all proceeds will go to K.J. as she recovers post-op.
So if you're a comedian, poet, musician, or just a person with social anxiety who's feeling brave - sign up here.
Can't come through but would still like to donate?
K.J.'s Venmo is: iamkjwhitehead
[post_title] => FAREWELL TO P3N15 PARTY: A FUNDRAISER SHOW FOR KJ’S GENDER AFFIRMING CARE
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[post_content] => A benefit party and open mic hosted by K.J. Whitehead with special guest comedian, Rey Tang.GUESS WHO'S GETTING BOTTOM SURGERYYYYY~
Our friend and your lovely host, K.J. Whitehead.
Come join us in celebration as we say goodbye to K.J.'s bits in this month's open mic here at The Understudy! Tickets are PWYC and all proceeds will go to K.J. as she recovers post-op.
So if you're a comedian, poet, musician, or just a person with social anxiety who's feeling brave - sign up here.
Can't come through but would still like to donate?
K.J.'s Venmo is: iamkjwhitehead
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[post_content] => Join us to sample new selections from Spirit Tea and The UnderstudyWe're welcoming our friends from Spirit Tea to share some new selections, alongside expert knowledge and insight from the Spirit Tea team.
Tickets are Pay What You Can, and proceeds will support Street Vendors Association of Chicago.
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[post_content] => Oh, so you think ur the slickest barista in town? Well, get ur best pair of cow/moon boots on, come on down to The Understudy and PROVE IT.Just a good 'ol latte throwdown at The Understudy in Andersonville with a special halftime performance by the iconic Ari Gato. Hosted by Jett, John-Payne and Lezbian Minnelli. Dress up if you wanna: the theme is cowboys n' aliens. 🤠👽✨
The throwdown will be judged by Ari Gato and special guests from Metric and Minor Figures. Beer will be provided by MARZ Brewing.
Admission is free, but it's $10 to compete. Doors open at 6:45pm, first pour is at 7:30pm. Contestants can only use steaming pitchers provided by The Understudy.
Each participant will receive a goody bag from Metric. Top 3 winners will win a cash prize of $150, $100 or $50 as well as other prizes from Espresso Parts, La Marzocco, Fellow and Minor Figures.
Be there or be ▪️
RSVP if you're going. SIGN UP AND PAY UP IF YOU'RE FEELIN' BRAVE 🐎🛸
❤️Maaaany thanks to our sponsors👽
MARZ Brewing
Metric Coffee
Minor Figures
Fellow
La Marzocco
Espresso Parts
Milli by Metric
💗aaaand shout out to our Understudy Team for making this happen🦉
Ander Shunneson
Adam Crawford
Casey Whisler
John-Payne
Magdalena Dalzell
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