Founded in 2022, Sandbox Theatre Collective began as a small group of Chicago artists looking to redefine the structures of theatre we’d all become accustomed to. Over the course of our first few years together, we embraced a non-hierarchical leadership structure, put our focus into new and reimagined works, and created opportunities for as many local artists as possible. As our ambitions and numbers have grown, so have our operational costs! It is with humility and gratitude that we now look to our greater community to help us fund the next steps of Sandbox’s journey and ensure that we can continue providing resources to Chicago artists for years to come.

Over the last 3 years, Sandbox has grown from a seedling into a sapling ready to blossom. Now, as we find ourselves preparing to extend our branches even further, we turn to you, our community!  From Seed to Stage, as we affectionately call it, is a two-pronged fundraiser to generate financial support for Sandbox Theatre Collective’s future, beginning with this month-long digital campaign and culminating in a Variety Event* featuring Sandbox members. 

With your help, we hope to raise a grand total of $7,500 for our collective. These funds will facilitate our growth and cover future expenses including:

1. The cost of becoming a non-profit organization and the associated administrative costs for two years.
2. Operational costs for the next two years, including:
• Website creation and maintenance 
• Membership to the League of Chicago Theatres
• Access to professional business suite software
3. Funds for future projects, including: 
• Rental fees for rehearsal/performance spaces
• Artist stipends
• Theatrical rights to published works
4. Material resources, including:
• Basic lighting and sound equipment, costumes, etc.

But we can’t do it alone! Every donation to Sandbox Theatre Collective - no matter how incremental - will get us one step closer to achieving these goals.

As part of our mission and love for Chicago, 5% of all funds raised after $2,500 from our digital fundraiser will be donated to Chicago Community Jail Support. Please check out their incredible work at: https://chicago-community-jail-support.webnode.page/ 

Thank you for your contribution! If you are reading this, you’ve likely played a pivotal role in the artistic journey of at least one of our members. Sandbox would not be where it is today without the incredible support of our community; whether you’ve attended a Sandbox show or cheered us on from afar, you are a part of this community garden and we thank you!