About
ABOUT THE CHICAGO AVENUE PROJECT:
Since 1996, the Chicago Avenue Project brings together the Twin Cities best adult playwrights, actors, and directors who volunteer to work one-on-one with neighborhood youth in our Afterschool Program on the creation and production of an original play. Individual children develop close mentoring relationships with at least four adults who are successful in their creative fields while adult professional artists share the chance to perform in wildly imaginative plays as talking guinea pigs, horses, computer gaming systems, and other indescribably unique characters.
The project is not about teaching youth to perform, though they do learn acting—nor is it about teaching them how to write plays, though they learn that as well. The Chicago Avenue Project gives every child—no matter their circumstances—the opportunity to discover that they have a lot of value to offer.
Our program is expanding! Learn more.
What's New
2018 CHICAGO AVENUE PROJECT:
A Hot Potato
Sunday, April 22nd, 7 PM
Monday, April 23rd, 4 and 7 PM
The Ball is in Your Court
Sunday, December 9, 7 PM
Monday, December 10, 4 and 7 PM
All performances are free and family friendly. Just show up!
CHICAGO AVENUE PROJECT NEWS:


Pillsbury House Theatre’s Chicago Avenue Project presents THE DEVIL IS IN THE DETAILS, November 6 and 7, featuring seven short plays by neighborhood youth in partnership with professional dramaturgs, and performed and directed by some of the Twin Cities’ best theatre artists.

Elvis Has Left the Building features nine original, short plays written by professional playwrights, directed by professionals, and performed by some of the Twin Cities’ top theatre artists in partnership with South Minneapolis youth.

Pillsbury House Theatre’s Chicago Avenue Project presents OUT ON A LIMB, November 3 and 4, featuring ten original, short plays written by neighborhood youth in partnership with professional dramaturgs, and performed and directed by some of the Twin Cities’ best theatre artists.
Easy as Pie, features ten original, short plays written by professional playwrights, directed by professionals, and performed by some of the Twin Cities’ top theatre artists in partnership with South Minneapolis youth.

Pillsbury House Theatre’s award-winning Chicago Avenue Project presents Take the Cake.
Take the Cake features eight original, short plays written by neighborhood youth in partnership with professional dramaturgs, and performed and directed by some of the Twin Cities’ top theatre artists.
November 18 and 19, 2013
Photos
Video
Chicago Avenue Project: How did CAP start? from Pillsbury House Theatre on Vimeo.
2012 Chicago Avenue Project video by McGinley Motion
Behind the scenes with Chicago Avenue Project – Video by Usry Alleyne from Pillsbury House Theatre on Vimeo.
Past Seasons
PAST SEASONS OF CHICAGO AVENUE PROJECT:
2015
Elvis Has Left the Building
Drastic Times Call for Drastic Measures
2014
Easy as Pie
Out on a Limb
2013
Once In a Blue Moon
Take the Cake
2012
It’s Raining Cats and Dogs
Mark my Words!
2011
On the Other Hand
Table for Two
2010
Over the Top
Table for Two
2009
Forward/Reverse
Eyes on the Prize
2008
All or Nothing
Up Up and Away
2007
Grin and Bear It
Heard It through the Grapevine
Face the Music
2006
Sky’s the Limit – The Best of the Chicago Avenue Project
All Dressed Up & Nowhere to Go
Sumthin’ Fishy Going On!
2005
All Washed Up
Life of the Party
2004
You Snooze You Lose
Breakfast of Champions
2003
Buzzword
The Cat’s Out of the Bag
2002
Lights Out: Plays in the Dark
Keep the Ball Rolling
Opposites Attract