CHICAGO SHAKESPEARE THEATER
Mission Statement
Chicago Shakespeare Theater believes that Shakespeare speaks to everyone. A global theatrical force, CST is known for vibrant productions that reflect Shakespeare’s genius for storytelling, language and empathy for the human condition. Founded in 1986, under the leadership of Artistic Director Barbara Gaines and Executive Director Criss Henderson, CST has evolved into a dynamic company that produces award-winning plays at our home on Navy Pier, throughout Chicago’s schools and neighborhoods, and on stages around the world. The Theater’s year-round producing season features as many as 18 plays and 650 performances with work that engages 225,000 members of our community. We serve as a partner in literacy to Chicago Public Schools, working alongside English teachers to help struggling readers connect with Shakespeare in the classroom, and bringing his text to life on stage for 40,000 students every year. And each summer, 20,000 families and audience members of all ages welcome our free Chicago Shakespeare in the Parks into their neighborhoods across the far north, west and south sides of the city. Reflecting the global city we call home, CST is the leading producer of international work in Chicago and has toured our own plays abroad to Africa, Asia, Australia and Europe. The Theater’s tradition of excellence and civic leadership has been honored with numerous national and international awards, including the Regional Theater Tony Award, three Laurence Olivier Awards and 78 total Joseph Jefferson Awards. In 2012, CST became the first-ever arts organization to receive the Folger Shakespeare Library’s national Shakespeare Steward Award for our innovative teaching of Shakespeare in American classrooms. Among our many international engagements, CST participated in the Royal Shakespeare Company’s 2006 Complete Works Festival and was selected to represent North America at the Globe to Globe festival as part of London’s 2012 Cultural Olympiad.
Financial Overview — FY 2024
Compared with Peers
FY 2024| Ratio | This org | Peer median | Position (P10 → P90) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Program expense ratio
Program expenses / total expenses
· higher is better
|
81.0% | 79.7% |
P10P90
|
Above median |
|
Admin expense ratio
Management and general / total expenses
· lower is better
|
15.0% | 13.2% |
P10P90
|
Below median |
|
Fundraising expense ratio
Fundraising expenses / total expenses
· lower is better
|
4.0% | 5.9% |
P10P90
|
Above median |
|
Fundraising efficiency
Fundraising expenses / gross fundraising income
· lower is better
|
2029.8% | 812.3% |
P10P90
|
Bottom quarter |
|
Operating reserve
Months of expenses covered by net assets
· higher is better
|
25.3 mo | 29.3 mo |
P10P90
|
Below median |
|
Liabilities to assets
Total liabilities / total assets
· lower is better
|
27.0% | 12.3% |
P10P90
|
Below median |
|
Revenue concentration
Share of revenue from the largest source
· lower is better
|
56.4% | 67.9% |
P10P90
|
Above median |
|
Revenue growth
Year over year revenue growth
|
-18.8% | 7.9% |
P10P90
|
|
|
Expense growth
Year over year expense growth
|
-2.4% | 7.2% |
P10P90
|
|
|
Surplus margin
Surplus as a share of revenue
|
-37.0% | 2.0% |
P10P90
|
Financial History
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Net Assets | Program % | Staff |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $13.1M | $18.0M | $37.8M | 81.0% | 356 |
| 2023 | $16.1M | $18.4M | $40.9M | 78.1% | 396 |
| 2022 | $17.2M | $12.5M | $42.1M | 73.4% | 231 |
| 2021 | $8.3M | $9.1M | N/A | — | 513 |
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