This list is not all-inclusive.
ACTING TROOPS/THEATERS
CENTERSTAGE
“Strike Up the Gershwin!” will be presented Nov. 20-22 and Nov. 27-29. The cabaret-style revue features a selection of Gershwin’s best-loved melodies. Performances are held at the Gorton Community Center’s John E. Baggett Auditorium. 400 E. Illinois Road, Lake Forest. 847-234-6062; centerstagelakeforest.org
CITADEL THEATER COMPANY
Performances are held in a renovated 150-seat theater in Lake Forest. “Ordinary People” will be run through Oct. 18. “Oliver!” will be presented Nov. 20-Dec. 20. 300 S. Waukegan Road, Lake Forest; 847-735-8554; citadeltheatre.org
CLOCKWISE THEATRE COMPANY
A The Midwest premiere of “Soldier’s Heart” will be presented Sept. 25 through Oct. 18. at the Genesee Theater, 221 Genesee St., Waukegan. 847-775-1500
DEERFIELD FAMILY THEATRE
“Mary Poppins The Broadway Musical” will be presented Nov. 13-15, 20-22 at the Caruso Auditorium, 1800 Montgomery Road, Deerfield. 847-223-2659; deerfieldfamilytheater.com
EVANSTON CHILDREN’S THEATRE
The theater encourages local youth from third to eighth grades to express themselves on stage. Members of the Levy Senior Center also participate. There are spring and fall productions. The Levy Senior Center, 300 Dodge Ave., Evanston. 847-448-8250; city-ofevanston.org
FLEETWOOD-JOURDAIN THEATRE
This theater brings to life the experiences of African Americans and Africans through original works and Broadway shows. Performances take place at the Noyes Cultural Arts Center. 927 Noyes St., Evanston. 847-448-4311; cityofevanston.org
HIGHLAND PARK PLAYERS
“Avenue Q,” the Tony Award winning musical will be presented Oct. 16, 17, 18, 22, 23, 24, 25 at the Northbrook Theatre at the Leisure Center, 3323 Walters Ave. in Northbrook. Highlandparkplayers.com
KIRK PLAYERS
The current season includes productions of “The Velveteen Rabbit” in November and December: “The Ladies Man” April 1-3; and “Seussical Jr. The Musical Jr.” June 3-5. Performances are held at Mundelein High School Auditorium, 1350 W. Hawley St., Mundelein. 847-521-6192; kirkplayers.org
MUSE OF FIRE THEATER COMPANY
Each summer, Muse of Fire presents free outdoor Shakespeare-in-the-park productions at 3 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays in Ingraham Park in Evanston. Ingraham Park is located behind the Morton Civic Center, 2100 Ridge Ave. museoffiretheatre.weebly.com
NORTHLIGHT THEATRE
The 2015-16 season includes “Fun-nyman” through Oct.18; “You Can’t Take It With You” Nov. 6-Dec. 13; “Mothers and Sons” Jan. 22-Feb. 28, 2016; “Butler” March 11-April 18; and “The Gospel According to Thomas Jefferson, Charles Dickens and Count Leo Tolstoy: Discord” May 6-June 12. The theater is located at 9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie. 847-673-6300; northlight.org
OIL LAMP THEATER
“Jest a Second” will be presented Sept. 24-Nov. 8 and “It’s a Wonderful Life – A Live Radio Play” on Nov. 19-Dec. 20. The theater is located at 1723 Glenview Road, Glenview. 847-834-0738; oillamptheater.org
PETITE OPERA PRODUCTIONS
An updated version of “The Magic Flute” will be presented Nov. 6-22 at the Mary Wilson House Beyer Auditorium, part of the St. Mary’s Episcopal Church campus, 306 S. Prospect Ave., Park Ridge. 847-553-4442; petiteoperar.org
PICCOLO THEATRE
The 2015-16 season includes “The Outfit” through Oct. 10; “Clara and the Nutcracker” Nov. 6-Dec. 20; the annual “First Laugh — One Act” festival Feb. 5-13, 2016; and “The Misanthrope” March 25-May 14. The theater is located at 600 Main St., Evanston. 847-424-0089; piccolotheatre.com
PIVEN THEATRE WORKSHOP
“Young People’s Company” will be presented Dec. 16-29. The 2015-16 season continues with “Project” Feb. 8-13, The Second Annual Piven Improv Series Feb. 13-March 13 and “Dead Man Walking” by Tim Robbins on April 16-May 15. Performances are at Noyes Cultural Arts Center, 927 Noyes St., Evanston. 847-866-8049; piventheatre.org
PALETTE, MASQUE & LYRE THEATRE
Upcoming shows for 2015 include “A Few Good Men” Sept. 25-27; “Shrek: The Musical” Oct. 30-31, Nov. 1, 6-8, 13-15; and “A Christmas Carol” in December. 877 Main St., Antioch. 847-395-3055; pmltheatre.com
SOVOYAIRES
The theater group has been bringing Gilbert & Sullivan musicals to the North Shore since 1965. “H.M.S. Pinafore” will be presented Oct. 9-11 and Oct. 16-18. Performances are held at Chute Middle School Auditorium, 1400 Oakton St., Evanston. 847-835-1024; savoyaires.org
THE WILMETTE THEATRE
“Oliver!” will be presented Nov. 6, 7, 8, 13, 14 and 15 at the Auditorium of the Community Recreation Center, 3000 Glenview Road, Wilmette. 1122 Central Ave., 847-251-7424; wilmettetheatre.com
THE ACTORS GYMNASIUM
“Circus in Progress: An Evening of Daring New Work” will be presented Oct. 10 and “Fall Youth Circus” will be held Nov. 8-9 and 15-16 at the Noyes Cultural Center, 927 Noyes St. in Evanston. 847-328-2795; actorsgymnasium.org
WINNETKA THEATRE
Winnetka Theatre includes the Big Noise Theatre Company, which performs three plays per season from October through May at the Prairie Lakes Theatre, 515 E. Thacker St., Des Plaines. 847-604-0275; winnetkatheatre.org
WRITERS THEATRE
The 2015-15 season begins with “Marjorie Prime” Oct. 21-Feb. 21 at 664 Vernon Ave., Glencoe. “Arcadia” will be presented March 16-April 24, at WT’s new state-of-the-art venue at 325 Tudor Court, Glencoe. 847-242-6000; writerstheatre.org
ART
THE ART CENTER HIGHLAND PARK
The center showcases pieces from regional, national and international artists in three galleries. Free museum admission. The center is open from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday. 1957 Sheridan Road, Highland Park. 847-432-1888; theartcenterhp.org
MARY AND LEIGH BLOCK MUSEUM OF ART
Making its home on Northwestern University’s campus, the museum’s four galleries fo-cus on reproducible art forms such as prints, photographs, film, video and computer-generated art. Classic and contemporary films are screened at Block Cinema; $4 for Block members; $6 for the public. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday, Saturday and Sunday and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday through Friday. Admission is free to the mu-seum but donations are accepted. 40 Arts Circle Drive, Evanston. 847-491-4000; block-museum.northwestern.edu
MITCHELL MUSEUM OF THE AMERICAN INDIAN
Devoted exclusively to the preservation of the culture and history of Native American and First Nation peoples of the United States and Canada, the museum contains collec-tions of John Mayo Mitchell and wife Betty Seabury Mitchell. Museum hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday and Saturday; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday; and noon-4 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $5 for adults; $3 seniors, students and children younger than 12. 3001 Cen-tral St., Evanston. 847-475-1030; mitchellmuseum.org
DANCE
DANCE CENTER EVANSTON
The center offers a fun, progressive program in a variety of dance techniques, including ballet, modern, tap, jazz and hip hop. The Evanston Dance Ensemble performs several productions each year. The “Young Choreographers Project” will be presented Dec. 11-13 at Studio5. The center is located at 1934 Dempster St., in Evanston. 847-328-6683; dancecenterevanston.com
THE NORTH SHORE SCHOOL OF DANCE
This professional school houses five studios with classes offered in ballet, pointe, jazz, tap, modern and hip-hop. The school also has adult and seasonal classes. The school has four dance troupes: North Shore Dance Company, North Shore Repertory Dance Ensem-ble and North Shore Ballet Theatre. Every year, NSSD presents “The Nutcracker.” 505 Laurel Ave., Highland Park. 847-432-2060; northshoredance.com
STEPS PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
The center brings the arts to children and adults of all ages. Classes culminate with an end of the year show. The center is located at 2064 E. Grand Ave., Lindenhurst. 847-245-3000; stepspac.com
SOUL2SOLE DANCE INC.
This professional dance academy offers instruction for all levels. Classes include ballet, hip hop, jazz, lyrical, modern and boys only hip hop with two state of the art studio loca-tions, 1350 Abbott Court in Buffalo Grove, 847-276-2820; and 799 Central Ave. in High-land Park, 847-579-4660; soul2soledance.com
ORCHESTRAS
THE LAKE FOREST SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
This orchestra presents five concert pairs at the James Lumber Center for the Performing Arts in Grayslake. “Achucarro Plays Grieg” at 8 p.m. Nov. 7 and 2 p.m. Nov. 8.; “Beethoven 8” at 8 p.m. Jan. 23 and 2 p.m. Jan. 24. 847-295-2135; lakeforestsymphony.org
LAKE SHORE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
Orchestra performs at the Northside College Prepatory High School auditorium, 5501 N. Kedzie Ave. in Chicago. “In the Key of Sea” will be performed Nov. 2. 312-409-5670; lsso.org
NORTHBROOK SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
The orchestra performs at Sheely Center for the Performing Arts on the campus of Glenbrook North High School in Northbrook. Upcoming concerts are Oct. 11 “Between Heaven and Earth;” Nov. 15 “Romantic Vienna;” Jan. 17 “Celestial Briannce;” March 6 “Bohemian Odyssey;” and May 15 “Royal Treasure from Saxony.” 847-272-0755; northbrooksymphony.org
NORTH SHORE CHAMBER ARTS ENSEMBLE
Concerts are performed in the sanctuary of the North Shore United Methodist Church in Glencoe. Upcoming concerts include the “Cookies, Cocoa and Carols” at 4 p.m. Nov. 29; and “The Great Baroque Classics” at 4 p.m. Dec. 6. Northshoreensemble.org
NORTHSHORE CONCERT BAND
The NCB performs 12-15 concerts a year, including a November through June four-concert series at Northwestern University’s Pick-Staiger Concert Hall. “Zero to Sixty!” will be presented at 3 p.m. Nov. 1. 847-432-2263; northshore-band.org
SKOKIE VALLEY SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
Concerts are held at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts in Skokie. The season kicks off is Oct. 11 with “Students and Teachers.” 847-679-9501, Ext. 3014; svso.org
THE NEW NORTH SHORE ORCHESTRA
Concerts are held at The Unitarian Church of Evanston. A concert will be held at 3:30 p.m. Nov. 15. 847-864-2288; newnorthshorechamberorchestra.org
PERFORMING ARTS CENTERS/CULTURAL CENTERS
NORTH SHORE CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS IN SKOKIE
The two-theater complex, features an 867-seat mainstage theater and a convertible 318-seat theater. The center’s residents include Northlight Theatre, Skokie Valley Symphony Orchestra as well as other organizations. The center offers a Youththeatre Program for students in kindergarten through 12th grade. 9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie. 847-673-6300; northshorecenter.org
NOYES CULTURAL ARTS CENTER
This City of Evanston’s Cultural Arts Division center is home to over 20 artists and arts organizations offering music, theater, and visual arts programs and studios. It manages summer art festivals, art camps, Arts & Humanities Month and Cultural Fund Grant pro-grams. The building houses a 190-seat full stage area and two galleries, which change exhibits every two months. 927 Noyes St., Evanston. 847-448-8260; cityofevanston.org
PICK-STAIGER CONCERT HALL
This hall doubles as a classroom and performance venue for the Bienen School of Music. Visitors see a wide range of music genres from orchestral, choral, opera, to folk, jazz, world, contemporary, brass and percussion concerts as well as solo recitals, lectures and master classes. Pick-Staiger is also home to professional performance organizations such as The Chicago Chamber Musicians, Chicago Philharmonic, Northshore Concert Band, and Evanston Symphony Orchestra. 50 Arts Circle Drive, Evanston. 847-491-5441; pick-staiger.org
RAVINIA FESTIVAL
Ravinia provides summer performances from June to September under a starlit sky with picnic dining or pavilion seating. For further musical experiences, Bennett Gordon Hall features young artists from October to May in its Rising Stars concert series. Martin Theatre is an 850-seat hall that has special programs. Lake Cook and Green Bay roads, Highland Park. 847-266-5100; ravinia.org
SPACE
Society for the Preservation of Art & Culture in Evanston considers musicians and music lovers of all ages for its rustic and warm venue with state-of-the-art technology. There is a 250-person capacity. SPACE attracts folk, rock, blues and eclectic acts. 1245 Chicago Ave., Evanston. 847-492-8860; evanstonspace.com
THE VIRGINIA WADSWORTH WIRTZ CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS
This center is responsible for managing theater, music and dance programming from Northwestern University’s School of Communication, Department of Theatre and De-partment of Performance Studies, planning as many as 40 productions each year. Per-formance venues include the 439-seat Ethel M. Barber Theater, the 369-seat Josephine Louis Theater, the 100-seat Hal and Martha Hyer Wallis Theater and the 100-seat Mus-setter-Struble Theatre. 2240 Campus Drive, Evanston. 847-491-7282; tic.northwestern.edu
