The future is looking bright for the Libertyville-based Improv Playhouse. The 25-year-old performing arts institution is in the process of moving to a new 5,000-square-foot rental space in downtown Libertyville at 130 N. Milwaukee Ave.
Founding Executive Director David Brian Stuart reported that the company had been looking for a larger space for some time when this space became available. “It’s something we have been planning carefully,” Stuart said. “We have looked at other spaces. My Advisory Committee and I had been speaking about this space and had seen it some time ago. It really worked to our favor and I think to that area’s favor. Having a theater and multipurpose space in that area is going to be great for even the heart of Downtown Libertyville, though we are on the periphery.”
Keith Johns, who first came to Improv Playhouse as a student in 2007, coaches the house improv team, teaches adult improv classes, and does corporate events. He also praised the new facility.
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“There’s a beautiful lobby with brick walls, a built-in concrete receiving desk, and tons of window frontage to the main street, lots of parking, good signage, and high visibility,” Johns said.
Most of the changes that need to be made in the space are primarily cosmetic, including painting.
“We just installed new carpeting and vinyl flooring for some of the multipurpose workspace,” Stuart said. “We’ve got some epoxy flooring that is being repaired and touched up.”
The space has a lot to offer the company, allowing them to build out to their specific needs, Stuart indicated. They will have to install lighting and stages, of course.
“A lot of what we’ve been doing is moving in everything we need to move in out of warehouses, such as props and education supplies, and our lighting racks, etc.,” Stuart said.
He noted that the space is “kind of the cornerstone of that retail strip,” offering both parking and accessibility.
“In our minds, the move was more than just a location change,” Stuart said. “It’s really kind of a launching pad where we can expand what we have but also create access points for a theater for young audience program, for schools and smaller organizations, corporate training and development, planning events and holding events there.”
Stuart noted that the project is self-financed by the fiscally-responsible company. People who want to financially support Improv Playhouse can contribute to its 501(c)(3) Community Outreach and Education program.
Stuart declared that the new space is “quite an upgrade” from the company’s previous space. “We’re going to miss all the graffitied walls,” he joked.
The enlarged space will be well utilized by Improv Playhouse.
“We’re going to continue as we did before but in a much more expanded theme,” Stuart declared. “Interactive murder mysteries, themed events. There’ll be more immersive experiences for the public and for private groups. I think what we do excellently is full-blown performing arts,” Stuart said.
He hinted that future planned partnerships with theaters in the city are in the works.
Stuart listed other possibilities for the adaptive space. “It can be converted for productions, comedy, training, filmmaking, banquets, workshops. That flexibility, from our perspective, is what makes it exciting.”
Stuart reported that the training center will have a soft opening during the third week of August. Everything will launch officially the weekend after Labor Day. For details, visit improvplayhouse.com.
Myrna Petlicki is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.