TUTA Theatre

What TUTA Theatre does

TUTA Theatre is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit theatre company founded in 1995 in Washington, DC by Zeljko and Natasha Djukic and relocated to Chicago in 2002. The company produces contemporary and international theatrical productions, with a programmatic focus on US premieres of foreign plays from Serbia, France, Russia, and Austria, as well as world premieres of new works developed through its TUTAlab workshop series. Over 30+ years TUTA has staged 7 world premieres, 8 US premieres, and 4 Midwest premieres, with productions appearing on Chicago critics' "best of the year" lists 8 times in the past 10 years. The current mainstage production is Crime and Punishment (May-August 2026, extended due to demand), directed by Co-Artistic Director Jacqueline Stone.

TUTA operates from a dedicated performance and rehearsal venue at 4670 North Manor Avenue, Chicago, supplemented by a mailing address at 5315 N. Clark St. The organization runs a lean operation with 1-10 employees and a broader ensemble of recurring company members. Its product surface extends beyond live theatrical productions to include Theatre for Young Audiences programming (introduced in 2012), streaming video recordings of select productions, a space rental program, and tiered donor fundraising including the Amy R. Ewart Actor Fund. The leadership team comprises Co-Artistic Directors Jacqueline Stone and Aileen Wen McGroddy, Managing Director Brad Gunter, Creative Producer Helen Lattyak, and Founding Artistic Director Zeljko Djukic (now adjunct at University of Illinois Chicago).

The business model blends earned, contributed, and ancillary revenue. Earned revenue comes from pay-what-you-choose ticket sales with suggested price points of $20, $45, $60, and $100 (where $100 reportedly covers full per-ticket production cost) and space rentals at $20-$25/hour. Contributed revenue comes from public grants (CityArts via the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, Illinois Arts Council), private foundation support (Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation, Richard H. Driehaus Foundation, NVIDIA Corporate Giving), and individual donations across tiered giving levels. Geographic reach has historically extended to New York Off-Broadway (59E59 Theaters), Los Angeles, and internationally to the National Theatre in Belgrade, Serbia. Marketing is conducted primarily through the company's website, email newsletter, and earned media coverage from Chicago critics.

Name

TUTA Theatre

Legal name

TUTA Theatre

Website

https://tutatheatre.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1995

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

TUTA Theatre is a Chicago-based nonprofit theatre company that produces contemporary international dramatic works, including world and US premieres, for general and young audiences, supported by ticket sales, grants, and donations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Live Theatre Performance

NAICS

Theater Companies and Dinner Theaters (711110)

akta.pro primary industry

Classical & Contemporary Theatre (Plays/Drama) (MPAGABAH)

akta.pro secondary industry

Regional & Repertory Theatre Companies (MPAGABAB)

Keywords

• Contemporary theatre productions
• International drama premieres
• Performing arts education
• Ensemble-based theatre
• Live theatrical performance

Headquarters

HQ city

Chicago

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Ticket Sales: TUTA relies on ticket sales as primary revenue, using pay-what-you-choose pricing model with suggested price points of $20, $45, $60, and $100 per ticket.
2. Grants and Donations: TUTA receives support from grants (CityArts from City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, Illinois Arts Council) and donations from individuals and foundations.
3. Space Rentals: TUTA rents their performance/rehearsal space for outside events including rehearsals, auditions, classes, and film/photo shoots at $25/hour (up to 15 hours) or $20/hour (over 15 hours).
4. Donor Contributions: Annual giving program with tiered donor recognition ($99 and under, $100-$999, $1,000-$9,999, $10,000+). The Amy R. Ewert Actor Fund provides additional financial assistance to performers.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

TUTA Theatre is a nonprofit ensemble theatre company that produces contemporary theatrical performances, including world premieres, US premieres, Midwest premieres, and modern reimaginings of classics, with a specialization in international contemporary drama from Serbia, France, Russia, and Austria. The company also produces educational Theatre for Young Audiences programming, develops new works through its TUTAlab workshop series, rents its rehearsal/performance space to outside artists, and sells streaming video recordings of select productions.

Product overview

TUTA Theatre is a Chicago-based theatre company that produces theatrical productions and educational events. Their portfolio includes mainstage productions (theatrical performances), streaming video content of select shows, space rentals, TUTALab for new work development, and a donor-supported fundraising program. The company was established in 1995 in Washington DC and relocated to Chicago in 2002, focusing on international contemporary drama and challenging theatrical forms.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Theatrical Productions Live theatrical productions including world premieres, US premieres, Midwest premieres, and modern reimaginings of classic works, with a specialization in international contemporary drama from Serbia, France, Russia, and Austria. Performed by a long-standing ensemble at TUTA's Chicago venue and on national/international tours. Targeted at general theatre-going audiences and supported by pay-what-you-choose ticketing.
• Streaming Videos Streaming video recordings of select TUTA productions (including Fulton Street Sessions and Save Me) sold through the TUTA Theatre website, allowing remote audiences to access recorded performances.
• Space Rentals Hourly rental of TUTA's performance/rehearsal space at 4670 N. Manor Avenue, Chicago, for rehearsals, auditions, classes, film/photo shoots, and low-key events. Features flexible seating, masonite floors suited to physical theatre, first-floor access with no stairs, and 24/7 availability. Pricing is $25/hour up to 15 hours and $20/hour beyond 15 hours.

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered major and minor.

• 59E59 Theaters (New York)majorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTUTA has presented productions at 59E59 Theaters in New York, including Chicago premieres of Music Hall (2015) and The Edge of Our Bodies (2016) that transferred to Off-Broadway.
• National Theatre in Belgrade (Serbia)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTUTA productions have been presented internationally at the National Theatre in Belgrade, Serbia.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Strawdog Theatre Company: Small Chicago ensemble producing contemporary and classic works in an intimate venue, and an existing TUTA production partner. Comparable in scale, ensemble structure, and venue-based production model.
• Lookingglass Theatre Company: Chicago-based ensemble theatre producing original work and adaptations with strong physical-theatrical vocabulary. Comparable in size, ensemble-based model, contemporary repertoire focus, and Chicago institutional positioning to TUTA.
• Lifeline Theatre: Chicago mid-size ensemble producing literary adaptations and original works, including youth programming. Comparable to TUTA in scale, adaptation-heavy repertoire, and educational programming.
• The Hypocrites: Chicago ensemble known for re-imagining classics and intimate staging. Comparable to TUTA in size, ensemble model, and repertoire approach that blends classics with contemporary interpretation.
• TimeLine Theatre Company: Chicago mid-size theatre producing contemporary plays with a curated thematic lens. Comparable in scale, ensemble-driven approach, and audience demographic seeking substantive contemporary drama.
• Victory Gardens Theater: Chicago ensemble theatre with a multi-decade focus on new work and diverse voices, and an existing TUTA production partner. Comparable mission-driven, ensemble-based, contemporary drama programming.
• A Red Orchid Theatre: Small Chicago ensemble theatre with an intimate venue producing edgy contemporary drama. Directly comparable to TUTA in scale, ensemble structure, and emphasis on challenging contemporary work.
• About Face Theatre: Chicago theatre producing work focused on LGBTQ+ stories and contemporary voices. Comparable in size, Chicago-based ensemble model, and emphasis on specialized contemporary programming.

Broad incumbents

• Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company: Washington, DC-based theatre known for bold contemporary and new-work programming. Comparable to TUTA in contemporary drama focus and touring relationships, though larger in scale and budget.
• Berkeley Repertory Theatre: Mid-size regional theatre with a strong track record of new plays, premieres, and transfers to larger markets. Comparable to TUTA in premiere-heavy repertoire, though substantially larger in budget and audience scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/tutatheatre
• Facebookfacebook.com/tutatheatrechicago
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/tuta

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about TUTA Theatre