We’re reconnecting.

One story, one community, one train stop at a time.

The Connecting Routes Project connects Chicago artists with communities beyond our own.

We achieve this by touring their work by train and performing in towns connected along the railway networks that stem from our city.

Why tour this way?

1. It’s more environmentally-friendly! We’re proud to be a touring company that promotes, prioritizes and practices sustainable transportation in our travels. Traveling by train is a cleaner mode of touring our productions - cutting down our carbon footprint, while connecting us with both small towns and big cities.

2. It’s not a new idea, we’re borrowing and reimagining this concept from those before us! We’re inspired by the classic American theater programs of days gone by. We seek to follow in the footsteps of Vaudeville artists who toured their work across the nation’s theater circuit by train, and the accessible arts programs the Federal Theater Project offered to an array of American communities in the 1930s.

3. It’s fun! Touring theater by train is a thrilling and challenging adventure, while allowing us to slow down a bit and reconnect with American communities.

How Do We Do It?

1. We partner with Chicago-based artists and companies to tour their work beyond the city limits by train.

2. We meet at a station in Chicago and board the train together, carrying all set pieces and production elements aboard the train.

3. We partner with community spaces located within walking distance to their local train stop. Once our train arrives in town, we walk to the venue, and present a free performance for the community.

4. Afterwards, we pack up, board the train, and do it all again at our next train stop!

Behind the Scenes