Located in Chicago's Auditorium Building at 50 E. Ida B. Wells Drive, the Auditorium Theatre is a landmark music and performance venue completed in 1889.
Designed by legendary architects Dankmar Adler and Louis Sullivan in the Richardsonian Romanesque style, this democratic performance space was created to make high culture accessible to everyone. When you visit today, you will step into an extraordinary venue that host over 200 annual events, ranging from dance and theater to diverse concerts and educational programs. Inside, you will experience Adler and Sullivan's deliberate 'compression and expansion' technique, transitioning from a low-ceilinged lobby into a dramatic, towering six-story auditorium adorned with gilded arches, glittering ceilings, and nature-inspired ornamentation.
You can admire early technological marvels, including thousands of carbon filament bulbs, historic hydraulic stage lifts, and famously unrivaled acoustics. Over its storied past, the venue has hosted everything from the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and major Broadway runs to rock legends like Jimi Hendrix and Bruce Springsteen, and even the NFL Draft. Today, owned by Roosevelt University and managed by a non-profit, it remains a vibrant hub for world-class performing arts.
What to see at Auditorium Theatre
- Adler and Sullivan's democratic design with gilded arches and nature-inspired murals
- Dramatic six-story interior built using the 'compression and expansion' architectural technique
- Historic technological features including 3,500 bare carbon filament light bulbs
- Rich history hosting legendary musicians, Broadway shows, world-class dance, and national events
Visiting tips
Be sure to admire the unique side-positioned box seats and wide balconies, which were specifically designed to give every member of the public optimal sightlines and access.
How long: 1-3 hours · Best time: Evening performance times
How to get there & what’s nearby
Auditorium Theatre is easy to reach on Chicago’s public transport, and pairs naturally with Buckingham Fountain and Chicago Theatre. For where to stay, the weather and full itineraries, see our Chicago travel guide.
See the full Chicago travel guide for where to stay, the best time to visit and the top things to do.