The Factory Theater is a Chicago theatre company founded in 1992. Originally working out of a 50-seat storefront theater in the Rogers Park neighborhood in the northern part of Chicago, the company has produced over 100 shows during its existence (all original scripts written by ensemble members). The typical schedule during the first five seasons of the Factory Theater was a Thursday evening show, a Friday/Saturday mainstage show, and a Friday/Saturday late-night show. In 1997, after years of ongoing improvements and renovations to the theater in an unsuccessful attempt to satisfy building-code requirements, the company moved out of its Rogers Park storefront and into the Footsteps Theater's space on Clark Street in the Andersonville neighborhood. They were itinerant from 2000-2003 then took residence at the Prop Thtr in Chicago. As of 2015, they have moved into their new 70-seat space right back in Rogers Park on Howard Street right by the CTA Red Line.
Artistic leadership
In the resurgence of live theater at the tail end of the pandemic, the Factory announced new Co-Artistic Directors--long time ensemble members Timothy C Amos and Shannon O'Neill. In 2017, the Factory announced the election of their new artistic leadership team, Co-Artistic Directors Stacie Barra and Manny Tamayo. Barra and Tamayo replaced Scott OKen who had served as Artistic Director since 2007. Prior to 2007, the Artistic Director was founding member and radio personality Nick Digilio.
The Factory Theater West
The Factory Theater West, composed of Factory Theater ensemble members who had relocated to Los Angeles, produced five productions from 1999-2001. All productions were either remounts of past Factory Theater shows or original works.
Members
Founding
Sean Abley
Bo Blackburn
Michael Meredith
Tom Purcell
Jeff Rogers
Amy Seeley
Current ensemble
Past and emeritus ensemble
Production history
1992
Snafu: sketch comedy
Reefer Madness by Sean Abley
1993
Attack of the Killer B's by Sean Abley
Tribe: improv with Bo Blackburn, Joe Dempsey, Marssie Mencotti and Kent Sterling
The Angry Show by Nick Digilio and Mike Meredith
Buckets of Blood by Marssie Mencotti and Dave Springer (based on the film) Bitches by Sean Abley Santa Claus Conquers the Martians - The Musical: book by Sean Abley, lyrics by Sean Abley and Amy Seeley, music by Dave Springer
1994
Hooray! conceived by Amy Seeley, written by Sean Abley, Mike Beyer, Bo Blackburn, Heather Delker, Jenny Kirkland-Laffey, Joey Meyer, Mike Meredith, Amy Seeley and Wendy Tregay Alive by Nick Digilio and Mike Meredith Kong! by George Brant Free Pizza: by Mike Beyer Man Card by Kirk Pynchon and Jesse Dienstag Disco Bob: improv with Sean Abley, Bo Blackburn, Mike Meredith, Amy Seeley and Eric Frankie Beaverhunt by Amy Seeley and Jenny Kirkland-Laffey
1995
Sabotage by Kirk Pynchon and Jesse Dienstag
Jailbait by Amy Seeley
P by Sean Abley, Bo Blackburn, Heather Delker, Jenny Kirkland-Laffey, Amy Seeley
Pet-Scare Theater by Jill Rothamer
White Trash Wedding and a Funeral by Mike Beyer and Bill Havle
The Christmas Show by Joey Meyer
1996
Preying Manthis by Wendy Tregay
ABBArama conceived and written by Amy Seeley
My Period by Jenny Kirkland-Laffey
Urban Legends by Bo Blackburn
Being at Choice: by Mike Meredith
Win, Place or Show by Nick Digilio and Ernie Deak
529 S. Something by Molly Brennan
Rapid Fire by Molly Brennan
Utterly, Completely Bored Out of My Friggin' Mind by Jill Rothamer
Escape from The North Pole by Nick Digilio and Mike Meredith
Second City Didn't Want Us, or, Is There a Spot in the Touring Company for My Girlfriend? sketch comedy conceived by Sean Abley and written by Sean Abley, Bo Blackburn, Brooke Dillman, Eric Frankie, Jenny Kirkland-Laffey, Mike Meredith and Amy Seeley