Bramble Co-Founder Matthew Lunt explains, “The pandemic has shuttered an untold amount of venues creating a crunch that has yet to be fully understood. Securing not only a space for us but also the arts community at large ensures that the Chicago Theatre world will continue to thrive. The time was not only right for us, but for the city.” 

The Capital Garage property was constructed in 1926 as a parking garage and has since been renovated to house multiple businesses such as BEC Packaging, Metropolis Coffee, and current tenants Athletico Physical Therapy and Uptown Animal Hospital. 

Bramble Theatre leadership first visited the Capital Garage space in early 2022 and very soon after expressed interest in signing a lease. Capital Garage’s current owner, Bill Stotis, is a long-time resident of Andersonville and was delighted to accept Bramble’s proposal to become the second-floor tenant.    

“The Stotis family, our family, has been in the Andersonville neighborhood for over 50 years. The addition of the Bramble Theatre and other soon-to-open businesses will benefit the entire Andersonville community. It is with much excitement and exhilaration that we welcome the Bramble Theatre into our beloved Andersonville community,” remarks Stotis.

Bramble’s decision to secure a performance space in Andersonville was an easy choice due to the need for more performance spaces in a vibrant and deeply artistic neighborhood, and that choice was further solidified by the incredible support of former Alderman Osterman and the Andersonville Chamber of Commerce. 

The Bramble Arts Loft is designed by local architect Avram “Avi” Lothan of Lothan Van Hook DeStefano Architecture. Lothan plans to highlight the extensive and unique features of the building. The restored European metal-work, the 40-foot skylight, and wall of windows overlooking Clark Street will be incorporated into the sustainably-minded build. 

“Collaborating with mission-driven organizations has always been central to our work. The space Bramble has selected for their new home is terrific, and we are excited at the prospect of creating something special for both the Bramble Theatre Company and the Andersonville community with the new project,” reveals Lothan. 

Funding for The Bramble Arts Loft is supported in part by the generosity of a private benefactor who believes in the need for more artistic spaces in the city of Chicago. Bramble Theatre Company is a fiscally sponsored project of Fractured Atlas, a 501(c)(3) charity.

Bramble Theatre leadership is thrilled at the boundless possibilities internally and community-wide that come with opening a brand new performance space. Bramble Co-Founder Karissa Murrell Myers explains, “For an ensemble of theatremakers, having the foundation an artistic home offers is a key ingredient to growing and evolving as a collective. Putting down our roots in Andersonville will generate countless opportunities for our artists as well as the Chicago community at large, all while contributing to a thriving historic neighborhood on Chicago’s Northside.” 

Lunt adds, “It is our most fervent wish to do right by our new neighbors. We plan to call this our home for years to come.”