Redtwist Theatre

We strive to create searing hot drama, from bold new works to obscure buried treasures, that builds empathy, dissects cruelty, and reveals broader truths. We realize these goals by transforming our tiny black box and its explosive immediacy into a thematic asset, tailoring every show to close the gap between actor and audience. Ultimately, we add a little red twist to every production by exploring the violence inherent in our humanity and confronting our audiences with the contradictions of our modern world.

As an ensemble of artists, we embrace our responsibility to stand with those who call for change, inclusivity, and equity, and to stand against hate and racism. We reject white supremacy and we do not tolerate discrimination on the basis of race, complexion, religion, creed, gender, gender expression, age, national origin, ancestry, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status. We commit to ongoing anti-racist growth and decolonializing our practices and our art. We encourage conversations that inspire allyship, awareness, and solidarity. We aim to create brave spaces, where listening and learning can take place. We trust in the guidance of groups like We See You White American Theatre and strive to implement their recommendations in our work. Our Edgewater community is diverse, and we are growing and expanding our artistic ensemble to include artists that reflect that diversity.

As a member of the Chicago area theater community, we acknowledge the abusive practices of many leaders in our industry. The Not In Our House movement shed light on many of these abuses within our local community, and the #metoo movement opened all of our eyes to the systems that help keep abuse in the shadows. We seek to create nurturing spaces where artists can be courageous, authentic, and vulnerable. Redtwist follows the Chicago Theatre Standards and employs intimacy choreographers to ensure safe environments for creativity.

In 1994 a group of friends who read plays in each other's apartments formed Actors Workshop Theatre and embarked upon their first production as an itinerant company with Simon Gray’s Otherwise Engaged. After eight shows in seven years, they incorporated as a non-profit and named Michael Colucci as Founding Artistic Director in 2001. The next year Actors Workshop Theatre moved to our current home in the vibrant Bryn Mawr Historic District of Edgewater. The new space was christened with a production of ensemble member Clifford Morts’ Praying Small. Around this time, Jan Ellen Graves joined the company as Managing Director. In 2008, Michael and Jan renamed the company Redtwist Theatre. During this time, Jan directed critically-acclaimed productions of Arthur Miller’s The American Clock and the world premieres of Geezers and Aura, by company member Tommy Lee Johnston. Michael directed critically-acclaimed productions of All My Sons, Les Liaisons Dangereuses, and Broken Glass. 

After twenty-five years at the helm, Michael decided to step down in 2019. With the blessing of the Redtwist Board and ensemble, Charlie Marie McGrath was invited to take over duties as Producing Artistic Director. Unfortunately, Charlie’s first season was cut short by the COVID-19 Pandemic, which shuttered many beloved Chicago institutions. Charlie kept Redtwist moving forward, presenting quality digital content while cleaning up the company's finances, but decided to step down in 2022. Company member Brian Parry stepped in as Interim Artistic Director, while the board of directors began the search for a worthy successor to Michael, Jan, and Charlie. 

In 2022, Dusty Brown joined the company as Artistic Director, after serving as production manager on Antigone. Dusty, a non-binary director and producer from Atlanta, began a campaign to rejuvenate Redtwist's facilities, diversify the company, and expand our community connections. In 2024, Eileen Dixon joined the leadership team as co-Artistic Director, following eighteen months rebuilding Redtwist’s community roots in the Bryn Mawr historic district. As leaders, Dusty and Eileen envision Redtwist as an artistic institution that seeks to listen, learn, and facilitate empathy on and off its stage.