Chicago Shakespeare Theater050

For those with teens who love Mr. Shakespeare's works, and for those with teens who absolutely do not, a visit to the Chicago Shakespeare Theater can be an enlightening way to help put the bard's works in perspective.

Prominently situated on Navy Pier, CST is housed in a the seven-story theatre - with a 500-seat courtyard theater and a 200-seat black box theater - and, in addition to Shakespeare, it presents a variety of other family-friendly programming and works by some of the most distinguished American and international playwrights and directors.

But, this group doesn't merely produce and present world-class plays. It also offers unprecedented opportunities to meet with the cast, explore the theater, and join in discussions about Shakespeare, acting, and more. A few of our favorites include:

Pub Cast Call (select Fridays at 6:30pm): Members of the cast gather in The Pub before the show to informally discuss the play and their roles. All are invited! No charge and no reservations necessary.

Pre-Amble (select Saturdays and Sundays at 2pm): A guided stroll into the world of the play before the curtain goes up. Meet in the rehearsal hall for a half-hour amble into a Chicago Shakespeare production. All are invited to attend. No charge and no reservation necessary.

Talk Back (following all Short Shakespeare! productions and Wednesday matinees): An opportunity to discuss the current production with members of the cast immediately following the performance. No charge and no reservations necessary.