According to a recent permit filing, The Home Theater, or Home Comedy Theater, is slated to open soon at 2843 N Halsted Street.
“The opening date depends on city inspections. We’re hoping for at least a soft opening in April but that will dictated by the inspections! Overall, we are a comedy theater specializing in improv comedy with a full training center for improv, sketch, and TV writing programs,” owner and CEO Cesar Jaime told What Now Chicago.
“Our location offers two bars: One in the theater and a separate one in the front. We think our location will be a new go-to place for people to have a laugh or simply hang out with some friends to have drinks, eat, and have a good time.”
“My artistic home for over 25 years closed during the pandemic. It was eventually bought by a real estate group and brought back to life, however, with a slightly different mission. A close friend decided to help me launch the new artistic home that I could run alongside highly respected veterans of the Chicago improv comedy scene to teach and perform the type of art that helped inspire us for many years and that helped make Chicago the mecca of improvisation,” Jaime added.
According to the company website, “The idea behind the Home Comedy Theater was conceived during the pandemic of 2020 that shut down most of the world and forced the closing of thousands of small businesses, including countless live performance venues around the world.”
“They started by offering online classes and performances, and when it finally started to look like businesses would be coming back, they took a stab at purchasing the brand of the theater they called home for many years and re-start the business with a re-focused vision and emphasis on the art of long-form improv.”
“Although they came close, a deal could not be made, making them feel like they lost their home twice. Soon after that, a good friend offered some words of encouragement: “Your Home is gone, but You are not.” He then offered to help them find a new venue where they could continue to teach and perform the art of improvisation.”
“A slow and patient search then began for a space that could fit their vision: A new go-to place for comedy in Chicago with a strong dedication to the teaching and performance of ‘long-form’ improvisation staffed and led by some of the most talented and influential teachers and performers in the field of improvisation for the past three decades.”
“After almost 3 years of patiently looking at spaces, in July of 2023 we signed a lease on a perfect space in the heart of Chicago’s Lakeview neighborhood that was then aptly named, “The Home Comedy Theater”.”
