OUR MISSION
THEATRE FOR A NEW AGE
At Gwydion Theatre Company, our mission is to serve as a platform for our ensemble’s generation. Through the work of striking dramatists both new and old, we confront uncomfortable truths, question internalized bias, and push the boundaries of the form. Building off of Chicago’s rich theatrical traditions of ensemble work and Grotowski’s theory of “Poor Theater”, we re-center the theatre in our generation's socio-political discourse.
COMMUNITY COMMITMENT
DIVERSITY COMMITMENT
Theatre is a community event.
We aim to engage with our local community through outreach programs, educational initiatives, and partnerships with local schools, and bring together the next generation of artists and change-makers. Our goal is to empower individuals to use art as a tool for dismantling prejudices and building a future that is sustainable and inclusive
Gwydion Theatre Company is committed to the belief that every individual deserves equal opportunities, respect, and dignity. We actively collaborate with local artists, activists, and community organizations to ensure that our work is inclusive, representative, and responsive to the needs of our community. We believe art is a political tool and must be used to dismantle systems of oppression.
Land Acknowledgement
We acknowledge that the Greenhouse Theater Center and Chicago at large stand on unceded Native land. This includes the land of the Ojibwe, Odawa and Potawatomi—all related Anishinaabe Tribes— in addition to Ho-Chunk, Kaskaskia, Kickapoo, Mascouten, Menominee, Meskwaki, Myaamia, Peoria, and Sac and Fox Nations.
As story-tellers, it is our responsibility to recognize the legacy of the land we inhabit and carry its rich history with us in our work.
THE ENSEMBLE
THE BOARD
Bob Webb He/Him (President) - Serves as the acting president of Gwydion Theatre’s board, he was formerly a member of the board at Hypocrites Theatre and is a long time supporter of Chicago Theatre. Bob previously worked in freelance advertising with projects including Marlboro and Lollapalooza.
Rick Yaconis He/Him (Vice President) The Sr. Vice President of Enrollment and Chief Marketing Officer of National Louis University. He was also the founder, Executive Director/Artistic Director of The Edge Theater in Lakewood Colorado (Nov 2010 - Dec 2018)
Eileen Gustafson She/Her (Secretary) - Chicago area calligrapher and artist specializing in on-site events, brand activations and private commissions.
Jeff Brown He/Him (Voting Member) - Currently an attorney with Leonard Law Group in Chicago and serves as a voting member on Gwydion Theatre’s board. Jeff primarily serves as the board's consultant on all legal documents presented to the company.
Brian Reif He/Him (Voting Member) - Currently contributing to NielsenIQ as the Director of Qualitative Research & Creative Strategy. Brian is dedicated to fostering growth through thoughtful strategies and impactful partnerships.