The Drama Group

The Drama Group has put on plays in Chicago Heights since October 28, 1931, when a three-act comedy called Telegrams opened under the wing of the Chicago Heights Women’s Club. The company rehearsed in the building that housed the city morgue in the early years, paused for two seasons during World War II, then bought two lots in 1956 and 1957 for a permanent home at 330 W. 202nd Street. The theater is still volunteer-run. The 2026-27 season, the group’s 96th, opens October 9, 2026 with Memphis and continues with Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Choir Boy, The Minutes and Dear Evan Hansen, plus a staged reading of The Cake.

What to know

• Founded October 28, 1931; the 2026-27 season is the company’s 96th.
• The theater is at 330 W. 202nd Street in Chicago Heights, south of Lincoln Highway.
• The 2026-27 lineup is Memphis (opens October 9, 2026), Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Choir Boy, The Minutes and Dear Evan Hansen.
• The group runs open auditions, staged readings and summer youth programs, and sells tickets and show gear on its website.
• Productions are volunteer cast and crew; the group is funded by subscriptions, donations, grants and ads.