The mission of the Griffin Theatre Company is to create extraordinary and meaningful theatrical experiences for both children and adults by building bridges of understanding between generations that instill in its audience an appreciation of the performing arts. Through artistic collaboration the Griffin Theatre Company produces literary adaptations, original work and classic plays that challenge and inspire, with wit, style and compassion for the audience.
Over the last twenty-five years the Griffin has provided a wide range of work including world and mid-west premieres of acclaimed scripts, critically lauded productions of Shakespeare and original adaptations of novels. Many of the Griffin’s 100 plus productions have appeared on Chicago area critics “Best of the Year” lists. These productions included, Time and the Conway, Angus, Thongs and Full-Frontal Snogging, Ash Can Alley, Shakespeare’s Dog, Much Ado About Nothing, The Art of Success, Women and Wallace, The Downside, Romeo and Juliet, Loving Little Egypt, Independence, Letters Home, Port and recently, Punk Rock & Spring Awakening.
Children’s programming at the Griffin brings young people original productions of award-winning children’s literature. Productions over the last twenty-five years have included the world premieres of Little Brother, Be More Chill, No More Dead Dogs, Sleeping Ugly, Frindle, Romeo and Juliet are Alive and Well and Living in Maple Bend, The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales and The Flying Trunk. The Griffin’s national touring company brings these same shows to children throughout the United States. Tours have included such prestigious venues as Cleveland Playhouse Square, Tennessee Center for the Performing Arts in Nashville, and the Cerritos Center for the Arts in Cerritos, California. In addition, the Griffin tours its hit adult production of Letters Home.
The following titles will be available for the 2025-26 season. (Click any title for more information.)
Astronaut Group 1
The story of the original Mercury Seven Astronauts comes to life in an original theatrical production. Chosen from hundreds of crackerjack pilots for their fitness, intelligence and courage.
The Stinky Cheese Man
Poor Jack. He’s got to use his wits to save himself from the terrible Giant, but a host of familiar fairytale characters keep messing up his plans—and then there’s that annoying Stinky Cheese Man!
Ban This Book
It all started the day Amy Anne Ollinger tried to check out her favorite book in the whole world, From the Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, from the school library. That’s when Mrs. Jones, the librarian, told her the bad news: her favorite book was banned! All because a classmate’s mom thought the book wasn’t appropriate for kids to read.
Letters Home
Letters Home puts the wars in Afghanistan & Iraq front and center by bringing to life actual letters written by soldiers serving in the Middle East.
In to America
A world premiere drama that traces the American immigrant experience from Jamestown to present day through the stories of ordinary men, women and children who departed their homelands in the hopes of creating a new life. An extraordinary story 400 years in the making that transcends time, space and race to reflect the diversity and commonalities of our shared American experience.