Profiles Theatre

Sadly, Profiles hasn’t been producing real theater, just sick voyeurism: the violence and abuses «portrayed» onstage are really being enacted by the abusive co-​perpetrators, Cox and Jahraus, who have also lied and invented additional artistic staff to disguise their despotic control over the process and create the illusion of accountability and collaboration. Those who use the actual craft of theater to tell stories while keeping their actors safe and healthy deserve your patronage. Until they toss Cox and Jahraus into the gutter where they belong, Profiles doesn’t.

The performances here are great. Definitely worth seeing. The classes, however, are not good. Bad teaching, no real tools to help.

Saw Hellcab at Profiles and the show itself would rate a 3.5÷5. The acting was closer to ⁴⁄₅ and exceeded that in a few scenes. Lead was perfectly cast.
The Theatre’s layout and size was also perfect for this particular show. It’s about the size of Greenhouse on Lincoln Ave and is about as small and intimate a venue you’ll find.
No frills and stripped down to the essence of the show and its performers.

My boyfriend and I thought, «Lets go see Chicago» since we had never been before. We took in a couple of shows and one of them was at the Profiles Theater. We saw «Hellcab» in December and it was quite good. The theater is small and intimate, everyone was really welcoming as soon as we walked through the door. The production value was great for the space. If I am ever in Chicago again, I will probably stop by. The ticket prices were pretty great too!

We love small theater, and this might be 100 seats. Hellcab was thought provoking and with a surprisingly large cast when everybody came out for some bows at the end.
We BYOB’d from Thai Aroma across the street straight to Profiles, just be sure and make the same $ 5 donation for your glass that you would have for their wine, and there is a tip jar too. Support local small theater.
No bad seats. Very talented cast. Show up to have fun and cheer on the «garage band». Street Parking.

I love this place. My wife and I have gone to several plays here and have always found the experience to be intimate and very interesting. There is a great Thai food place across the street which makes for a nice date night that won’t break the bank. Highly recommended.

I saw In God’s Hat, and I really wish I hadn’t. Terrible music, terrible performance. Won’t be returning

Unexpected fun!
I was perusing the Internet for a different thing to do on a recent trip to Chicago and came across Hellcab at Profiles. What a great find!
As others have mentioned, it is small and cozy, which I really liked. It made me feel like the performance was just for a select few. I’ve been in exercise classes with more people! Hellcab was very entertaining! It was a bit shorter than I thought it would be but fun none the less.
It was a little chilly, but not a far walk from the Red Line.
I like the $ 5 donation for wine or beer.
I am keeping this place on my radar for our next trip to Chicago.

Profiles Theatre is a hidden gem, in my humble opinion! I saw the 20^th Anniversary production of Will Kern’s ‘Hellcab’ there and thoroughly enjoyed every single minute of it. From the intimate, immaculately designed theatre to the outstanding performance of Konstantin Khrustov (Driver), I left Profiles feeling pensive, peaceful and positively grateful I gave this storefront theatre a try, on a whim. Cheap tickets and proximity to the Red Line surely makes this ‘night out on the town’ affordable for penny pinchers and CTA enthusiasts, such as myself. I will definitely be regularly checking their website for new performances. Thanks Profiles for a thought provoking, beautifully orchestrated, undeniably Chicagoan theatre experience!

It took a dear friend from Kenosha to introduce a city girl such as myself to this wonderful theatre. I’m so grateful. The seating is intimate — beautiful chandelier in the middle of the stage, classy furniture, dim lighting, the works. We saw ‘Bacheloratte’ on a Friday evening and peed in our pants from laughter. So nice to learn about local artists in the city and show some support for the arteeste inside all of us as well as the artsy Chicago community.

A great storefront theater. The space seats no more than 50 people in two sets of seats on either side of the tiny stage. It makes for a very intimate experience that really lets you lose yourself in the play.
I went on the first preview night of Bachelorette, a raunchy, sometimes funny, mostly uncomfortably awkward (intentionally so) tale of booze, coke, pills, overdose and general self-​loathing. The actors were excellent, they were completely immersed in their roles and didn’t break character, even when the audience roared in laughter or nervously chuckled along. I tried to imagine myself playing such loathsome roles with a straight face, and it just couldn’t be done. Well done Profiles group!
Theater pluses: it’s on the 36 bus route, easy to get cabs, and across the street from Bar on Buena (which has a fantastic beer list).

I was lucky enough to catch a preview of «Fifty Words» this past weekend at Profiles Theater. I’m still taking it all in.
This is a tiny storefront venue which has approximately sixty seats, with seating on either side of the stage (which is really more of a set than a stage); this really makes the viewer feel a part of the action. I very much prefer intimate spaces to larger venues. We were so up close and personal to the action in fact, that when clothes were flying off in one scene, I was almost pelted with the leading lady’s bra.
This theater does some fantastic productions so if you’re a fan of offbeat theater, you should definitely support Profiles.

Saw «Jailbait» yesterday — the official last night of the run. I frequent many of Chicago’s smaller venues. This was my first time here, and I’m hooked. The ensemble is amazing, and I can’t say enough about the staging. I’ll definitely become a patron!

Went to watch Killer Joe, one of the best plays I have watched in Chicago. Shocking, riveting, full of heart-​stopping moments. Naked dude was unnecessary but I guess it adds to shock value. Definitely not for the faint of heart or for the easily offended. Killer Joe made you feel dirty & uncomfortable, laugh hysterically, and shart with excitement. There was never a dull moment. Chicago theatre is still alive!

The Profile theatre has been existence since 1990, originally performing in the Wright College Theatre Building, but now resides in the Uptown area. It’s a small store front theatre that holds maybe 60 plus people, the seats need some repair but are comfortable enough. It’s clean I guess, to be honest you can’t really expect too much from a store front theatre because that’s just how it is, consider it part of the charm. Unfortunately this theatre has or had a major heating issue, I recommend dressing warmly if you’re going to see a play here in the winter.
I can’t express how talented the actors are, I will go as far as to say some of the best I’ve seen. It’s had to describe the level of depth and commitment they bring into their characters. I appreciate the physically aspect of the performance but when a performer can look you into the eye and deliver a line with no expression on their face and make you shiver is nothing short of talent. This is the kind of level you can expect at the Profile Theatre.
*** The Play– Killer Joe***
I’m kind of speechless, more so in deep thought, but then again I guess that’s how Tracy Letts’s plays leave you. Killer Joe was written back in 93 but has been performed many times since in different countries and in many different languages. It’s an honest telling of a plan gone wrong, but what gives this story depth is Letts’s knack for being subtle but complex, riveting, clever, he pulls you into this twisted word with each line that is spoken. He gives just enough to sit on that border of too much info but keeps you wanting more. Of course with this play there is a little shock value too (I could have done without one scene). Letts toys with violence and blood with a hint of humor and then tops it all off with a healthy dose of nudity. I won’t say anymore but this, it’s not a play for everyone. Hell, I’m still undecided. Go see it and make up your own mind.

Saw «Graceland» at a Sunday matinée today upon the recommendation of a friend. Very good production, very good actors, innovative use of a small space.
I was disappointed that half the seats were empty on this lovely day. This play is too good to have an empty seat!
The kid who plays «Miles,» Vic Kuligoski, was terrific. He’ll be on Broadway soon – after he graduates from high school.
I’m going to be on the lookout for more work from Ellen Fairey, the playwright. She has a great ear for dialogue and had a very light touch with topics that could be maudlin. Go see it!

I finally had a chance to see another Profiles production, Graceland, this weekend. Graceland has been getting wonderful reviews, which are totally justified. This, again, was one of the better productions I’ve ever seen and (again) starred an amazingly talented high school aged actor.
The set is quite clever and manages to incorporate both the cemetery of the play’s title and an apartment — it makes great use of the theater’s extremely limited space. The four actors are all good, though the teenager and the brother were standouts.
The theater was (also again) emptier than it should have been for the Sunday matinée. Graceland’s run has been extended through November 15^th — all Chicago theater lovers should do themselves a favor and take themselves to this out of the way theater to catch Graceland before it closes!
(Side note: as mentioned in other reviews, restaurant options around the theater are limited. Thai Aroma, Bar on Buena, and Dollop are your best nearby food/​drink choices.)

Profiles is a storefront theatre. It is small yet intimate.
I am pretty sure that this is a non equity house with seating for about 50 people.
As far as the facilities go, they are fine. I’m not wowed by the beauty of the inside of the space at all, but it gets the job done. They put in new bathrooms, which is nice. It ultimately feels like your the cool basement of one of your friend’s from high school.
All that aside the production work that they do is amazing. They transform an ‘in the round/​auditorium based’ seating arrangement excellently. While there is no ‘best’ seat in the house, there is no bad seat in the house. You are literally right on top of the actors the entire time. At first I thought that would feel too on top of the action, but while the play is happening, you feel like you are living within this little diorama that has come to life.
The casting of each of their shows is stellar. The acting is stellar.
This theatre takes risks. They do new works that you probably have not heard of. They are all good.
If you know much about theatre and playwrights, this is literally Neil Labute’s playground. Anything new he has written is probably going to be seen here first. That is pretty amazing.
It is relatively affordable as far as theatre is concerned. You won’t be disappointed with your experience to say the least. I can’t beam about this place enough or anymore than I already have.
Setback: you’ll probably need to go to dinner beforehand in a different neighborhood. There are a few places around that are pretty good: noteworthy The Bar on Buena. I’ll review that as a dinner and a play coupled experience.

I saw a fantastic play, «The Things We Said Today», by LeBute. It was a mosaic piece of the human ambition to leave an impression– very cool collection of humor and chaos, if you saw it, then you know the alarming finale.
The theater itself is very small, but this provides a necessary intimacy with the actors. The company is stellar and because you are almost on the stage with them, you can really experience each scene. This is why I’m thankful they choose their productions wisely, and better still, offer this entire season of Neil LeBute plays (he directed/​wrote «The Shape of Things» among other films).
I’m definitely gunna go see «This is How it Goes.» I’ll let you all know… how it goes.
Oh, and there’s one bathroom for men and women and it’s a little rickety, but thats the way it goes with a small theatre in an old building. They make up for it with some sweet sweet culture.

This place is worth checking out on an off weekend. The 3 star review is based on the best theatres in Chicago, but as a niche, this place is worth the admission fee, even if you’re a no-​good cheap SOB. You’ll get some culture here.
I’ve been a few times to see some Neil Labute shows. If you haven’t seen his plays, do it. He’s a great playwright and Profiles Theatre is smart enough to show his stuff. This venue is VERY SMALL. No matter where you sit you feel as though you are literally in the play. And isn’t that what you always wanted?
The acting is mixed. I’ve seen some very good performances and some not so hot ones. If «Fat Pig» comes back, see that. The Fat Pig was great (I hope you don’t hear that everyday)
«Some Girls» was just OK. The lead, «Guy» was too odd for me to be playing the character. He was very neurotic seeming — too neurotic. We laughed all the way back to the car about the noises he made during the show.
Not a great deal of restaurants near the theater but there is some standard grub for a date. Get a date and try this place out. Parking sucks but other then that, you’ll enjoy yourself.