Rivendell Theatre Ensemble

Rivendell Theatre Ensemble (RTE) is a professional theatre company committed to advancing women's lives through the power of theatre. RTE was born out of a specific need: women theatre artists are vastly underrepresented in American theatre, a situation which limits the range of stories produced for audiences. This situation skews our perception of the American experience toward a predominantly male perspective presented by men and it limits career opportunities for women artists - which helps perpetuate the disparity. RTE’s mission counteracts these circumstances by providing women theatre artists a creative home where they can nurture, develop, and produce their craft and by producing plays where audience see new voices and stories, including, in many cases, their own.

RTE burst onto the off-Loop theatre scene with the 1994 world premiere of WRENS, which earned three Joseph Jefferson awards. The company's mission was evident and its focus clear. Since then we have staged 36 productions, been honored with 23 Joseph Jefferson Award nominations, and emerged as a national force in new play development and a home for women theatre artists. 

For many years we operated as an itinerant company without office space and with a single part-time employee. In 2011 RTE found a permanent home in Chicago's north side Edgewater neighborhood. This was a seismic change for the company as we became a part of the Edgewater community and began producing full seasons. We have been affirmed in our decision to settle in the new space and continue to build our audience and our role in the community in the coming years. The 20th Anniversary Season (2014-2015) will be the company's third in Edgewater.