Refracted Theatre Company

What Refracted Theatre Company does

Refracted Theatre Company is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit theatre organization founded in 2019 in New York City by co-artistic directors Graham Miller and Tova Wolff, which relocated to Chicago in 2021. The company produces provocative theatrical works specifically designed to challenge audience biases rather than confirm existing views, framing its mission as building "mental and emotional fitness" through empathic discourse around divisive social and political themes. Its programming centers on four core products: mainstage theatrical productions at The Den Theatre (Chicago), an audio-immersive theatrical platform called The Swell (distributed as a podcast across Spotify and Apple Podcasts), a free outdoor audio tour format called Park 'n Swell, and a moderated post-show discussion format branded as the Refracted Forum. Supporting programs include the Role Call free monthly reading series hosted at Third Space Chicago, the RefrAction Lab eight-month playwriting development program for emerging Chicago playwrights, and The Shortlist pay-what-you-can festival.

The underlying technology combines live performance with synchronized silent disco-style audio hardware for individual audience immersion, multimedia production design, and site-specific outdoor theatrical expeditions. The company produces original works and Chicago premieres by playwrights including Dave Harris, Laura Winters, Andrew Kramer, and Mathilde Dratwa, and partners with mission-aligned community organizations (Brave Space Alliance, StoryCatchers, Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights) to align each production with relevant advocacy themes. Notable critical recognition includes 10 Jeff Award nominations for Tambo & Bones (the most for a single 2023 season production) and 7 Jeff Award nominations for Coronation in 2024-2025, marking two consecutive years leading non-musical nominations.

Revenue is generated primarily through ticket sales at $15 preview and $18 regular admission for mainstage productions, suggested $10 donations at free Role Call events, pay-what-you-can festival pricing (with proceeds donated to partner organizations), and tax-deductible donations enabled by 501(c)(3) status. The 2022 season listed JBFF and MacArthur Foundation as sponsors. No financial figures, headcount, or external funding rounds are publicly disclosed. The company distributes through The Den Theatre as primary venue partner, The Swell digital podcast platform, and various Chicago community venues including Third Space Chicago, Guild Row, and Theater Wit.

Name

Refracted Theatre Company

Legal name

Refracted Theatre Company

Website

https://refractedco.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2019

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Refracted Theatre Company is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit theatre organization based in Chicago that produces original theatrical works designed to challenge audience biases and facilitate moderated post-show discourse, using audio-immersive technology, outdoor expeditions, and supporting programs for emerging playwrights.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Live Theatre / Performing Arts

NAICS

Theater Companies and Dinner Theaters (711110), Performing Arts Companies (7111)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Regional & Repertory Theatre Companies (MPAGABAB)

akta.pro secondary industry

Hybrid Concerts & Live Shows (Venue + Remote Audience) (MPAGAOAE)

Keywords

• Live theatrical productions
• Audio-immersive theatre
• Outdoor audio experiences
• New play development
• Post-show discourse forums

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, Technology or R&D, Others

Pricing tiers

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Refracted Theatre Company is a nonprofit producing theatre company that creates live mainstage productions of new plays, audio-immersive theatrical experiences via The Swell podcast, outdoor site-specific theatrical expeditions (Park 'n Swell), a free monthly Role Call reading series, the RefrAction Lab playwright development program, and Refracted Forum post-show discussions. Offerings are delivered to Chicago audiences through partnerships with The Den Theatre, Third Space Chicago, Theater Wit, and other venues, plus podcast distribution.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• The Swell: An audio-immersive play experience and podcast featuring theatrical audio content
• Role Call
• RefrAction Lab

Products and services

• Coronation (mainstage production) A mainstage theatrical production by Laura Winters staged at The Den Theatre in Chicago as part of Season 5; aimed at adult theatre audiences seeking provocative new works with post-show discourse opportunities.
• Tambo & Bones (mainstage production) A Chicago-premiere mainstage theatrical production staged at The Den Theatre in Season 4; aimed at adult theatre audiences seeking challenging new plays.
• St. Sebastian (mainstage production) A mainstage theatrical production and Refracted's Chicago debut, staged at The Den Theatre in September 2022; aimed at Chicago theatre audiences and tied to community partnership with Brave Space Alliance.
• I'm Gonna Marry You Tobey Maguire (mainstage production) A current-season mainstage theatrical production listed in Season 2026 programming; aimed at adult theatre audiences.
• The Swell (audio-immersive theatrical podcast) An audio-immersive theatrical experience for one, distributed as a podcast via Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Breaker, Castbox, Google Podcasts, Overcast, Pocket Casts, and RadioPublic; for audiences seeking theatre experiences they can access remotely through headphones.
• Park 'n Swell (outdoor audio-immersive theatrical expedition) A free outdoor audio-immersive theatrical expedition that combines synchronized silent-disco-style audio with a guided in-person experience through parks; aimed at community audiences seeking site-specific theatre.
• Role Call (monthly community reading series) A free, ongoing monthly play-reading and discussion series hosted at Third Space Chicago and other Chicago venues; always free to attend with a suggested $10 donation to cover snacks; aimed at Chicago community members and theatre lovers.
• RefrAction Lab (emerging playwright development program) An 8-month playwriting development program for emerging Chicago playwrights, providing mentorship, stipends, and workshop opportunities to develop plays from divisive social and political questions.
• The Shortlist (annual festival) An annual pay-what-you-can theatrical festival staged at The Den Theatre, with proceeds going to community partners (e.g., ICIRR in 2025); aimed at community audiences and tied to immigration/refugee rights themes.

Quantifiable outcome

• 10 Jeff Award nominations for Tambo & Bones (most for a single production of the 2023 season)
• +1 more outcomes

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Illinois Coalition for Immigrant & Refugee Rights (ICIRR)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025In 2025, Refracted partnered with ICIRR for The Shortlist festival. Originally planning to partner with a Latine community organization serving teens, the partnership shifted to ICIRR due to organizations' programming changes to meet immediate needs of the Chicago Latine community. ICIRR promotes the rights of immigrants and refugees to full participation in society. All proceeds from The Shortlist festival go directly to ICIRR, and audience members can access Know Your Rights materials at performances.
• StoryCatchersminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Partnership established during 2023 production of Tambo & Bones, continuing Refracted's practice of partnering with community organizations that align with the themes of each production.
• Third Space ChicagocoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2023Community hub in Chicago's Lakeview neighborhood that partnered with Refracted to host monthly Role Call reading series. Third Space aims to be a 'third place' for community gathering, learning, and forming meaningful relationships. Role Call events took place at 716 W. Addison St., Chicago.
• Brave Space AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Community partnership during 2022 production of St. Sebastian. Brave Space Alliance is Chicago's first Black-led, trans-led LGBTQ+ center, providing services to the South Side community. The partnership aligned with the play's themes of racial dynamics and 'wokeness'.
• GertieminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Partnership for post-show forums following St. Sebastian performances. Gertie provides the platform for Refracted's unique forum experience, connecting audiences with trained moderators to facilitate discussions about the production's themes.
• Kip RepublicminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021International theatre collective based in Amsterdam that collaborated with Refracted on Skyscrapers, a devised work exploring mental illness and its intersection with race, culture, and economic status. Conceived and directed by Kip Republic's Artistic Director Ira Kip.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Lookingglass Theatre Company: Chicago-based ensemble theatre known for devised, physically innovative work. Comparable to Refracted in producing experimental theatrical experiences with immersive and adaptive staging.
• About Face Theatre: Chicago nonprofit theatre focused on LGBTQ+ stories and equity-driven new work. Comparable in mission scope, storefront scale, and emphasis on challenging audiences through thematic content.
• Silk Road Rising: Chicago storefront theatre producing work exploring Middle Eastern and Asian identities and cross-cultural themes. Directly comparable in mission alignment and small-scale nonprofit model.
• Timeline Theatre Company: Chicago storefront theatre producing plays grounded in historical and social justice themes. Closely comparable to Refracted in scale, mission, and nonprofit producing model focused on issue-driven work.
• Victory Gardens Theater: Chicago nonprofit theatre dedicated to producing new work that reflects the diversity of American experience. Strong overlap with Refracted in producing provocative, equity-centered plays and developing emerging playwrights.
• The House Theatre of Chicago: Chicago storefront theatre producing original and devised works with adventurous storytelling. Comparable in nonprofit producing scale and emphasis on innovative theatrical formats.

Broad incumbents

• Steppenwolf Theatre Company: Chicago's flagship nonprofit theatre producing new plays and devised work with a social-justice lens. Directly comparable to Refracted in mission-driven new-play development, though at significantly larger scale and national profile.
• Tectonic Theater Project: New York-based theatre company known for documentary and devised work addressing social issues (The Laramie Project). Comparable in mission-driven, bias-challenging theatrical approach and use of interview/devised methodology.

Regional players

• The Den Theatre: Chicago venue that serves as Refracted's primary producing partner for mainstage productions. Comparable as the shared physical stage for much of Refracted's work.
• Theater Wit: Chicago three-theatre venue that hosts Refracted workshop productions and is part of Refracted's venue network. Comparable as a Chicago storefront venue operator hosting new-play development.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/refractedco
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/refractedco

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 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 Refracted Theatre Company