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ESD’s relationship with Chicago’s award-winning theatre group began in the early 1990s and continues with an opening night production of Anton Chekhov’s Seagull, the play that will open Steppenwolf’s new in-the-round Ensemble Theater in Honor of Helen Zell.
While the completion of the new $54 million theatre campus takes center stage, ESD takes a well-deserved bow for providing the mechanical, electrical, plumbing (MEP), and fire protection design and implementation for the new facility. At its heart is the 400-seat Ensemble Theatre space that replaces the old Upstairs Theatre which is being reclaimed for rehearsal space. The unique seating configuration is only six rows deep and places audience members no more than 20 feet from the stage.
This is the latest of three independent projects over several years ESD has provided with multiple project delivery approaches. The renovated Steppenwolf Theatre campus is comprised of three adjacent buildings dominating a block of prime commercial real estate in the Lincoln Park neighborhood on the Near North Side.
Performances of Seagull run through June 12. During each show, “many Steppenwolf ensemble members will wrestle with the eternal questions that haunt the intellectual artist class: What is Love? What is Art? When is Lunch?”
ESD is an active community participant in its pursuit of improving society through the built environment. For more information about the company’s mission and values, visit our website.
For more information about ESD services, including mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and fire protection, contact our engineering professionals.
