About
Our Mission
Definition Theatre celebrates stories created with, inspired by, and intended for people and communities of color. Through the act of making, Definition expands perspectives, stewards resources, and bridges the immense possibility found at the intersection of art, innovation, and education.
Our Vision
We are a cultural hub that amplifies and archives BIPOC voices, visions, and stories as catalysts for social justice, racial healing, and conversations that explore the challenges and joys of our everyday lives.
Our Values
These values, which support our mission and vision, will guide our programmatic, financial, educational and community partnership choices and are at the center of all our decisions:
Community
Collaboration
Culture
Accountability
Anti-Racism
Archive
Our People
Our ensemble is a collective of artists, art administrators, educators, and designers who prioritize working towards and representing a more equitable theatre industry.
Our History
Definition was co-founded in 2012 by graduates Tyrone Phillips and Julian Parker, from the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign— inspired by the ensemble model of many local Chicago storefront theaters.
Our Future
With a $1.6 million seed grant from the City of Chicago’s Neighborhood Opportunity Fund, we will build our theater and community center at 6400 South Cottage Grove in Woodlawn.
Stay In It
Built as our rallying cry, #StayInIt embodies the mission, soul, and future of Definition Theatre. We use storytelling as our agent of change to continue pushing and breaking boundaries.
Our Future
With a $1.6 million seed grant from the City of Chicago’s Neighborhood Opportunity Fund, we will build our theater and community center at 6400 South Cottage Grove in Woodlawn.
-
Our Mission
Definition celebrates stories created with, inspired by, and intended for people and communities of color. Through the act of making, Definition expands perspectives, stewards resources, and bridges the immense possibility found at the intersection of art, innovation, and education.
-
Our Vision
We are a cultural hub that amplifies and archives BIPOC voices, visions, and stories as catalysts for social justice, racial healing, and conversations that explore the challenges and joys of our everyday lives.
-
Our People
Our ensemble is a collective of artists, art administrators, educators, and designers who prioritize working towards and representing a more equitable theatre industry.
-
Our History
Definition was co-founded over a decade ago in 2012 by graduates Tyrone Phillips and Julian Parker, from the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign—inspired by the ensemble model of many local Chicago storefront theaters.
Our Values
-
Community
-
Collaboration
-
Culture
-
Accountability
-
Anti-Racism
-
Archive
-
Our Future
With a $1.6 million seed grant from the City of Chicago’s Neighborhood Opportunity Fund, we will build our theater and community center at 6400 South Cottage Grove in Woodlawn.
-
Stay In It
Built as our rallying cry, #StayInIt embodies the mission, soul, and future of Definition Theatre. We use storytelling as our agent of change to continue pushing and breaking boundaries.
