About Us:
The Drama Group was born on October 28, 1931, with its first production, Telegrams, an original three-act comedy by Mabel Waters. Playwright Waters later became president of the Drama Group, which at that time was under the sponsorship of the Art and Literature Department of the Chicago Heights Women's Club.

From 1931 to 1957, momentum built. The Drama Group was well received by the community and continued to grow and prosper. Lacking rehearsal space for productions, the participants held rehearsals in the building that housed the Chicago Heights morgue.

During World War II, the Drama Group took a hiatus from producing shows, as many of its members were involved in the war effort. After the war, as prosperity increased, the Drama Group sought a permanent home. Finally, in 1956-57 two lots were purchased. The Drama Group board of directors successfully petitioned to have the property annexed to Chicago Heights and rezoned, and the Drama Group Studio was built, providing a working studio theater complete with rehearsal/stage space, set workshop, costume and props loft, dressing rooms, and offices.

In 1959 the Drama Group began staging musicals at the Bloom High School Auditorium, and three productions a year are now staged there. By 1981, when the Drama Group celebrated its 50th anniversary, three other productions were being performed at the Studio Building each season.

The Drama Group, still a volunteer organization, is well known and respected throughout the Chicago area for its well-produced shows. As it works its way toward its first 100 years, the Drama Group is dedicated to providing quality theater at affordable prices while also giving the community the opportunity to participate whether performing, working on a crew, or both and become a member of this vital organization. Fund-raisers, donations, grants, and road shows help the Drama Group keep ticket prices low.

One of the Drama Group's most exciting additions to its activities in recent years has been the theater-exchange program, inaugurated in 1999 when Drama Group members traveled to Hastings, East Sussex, England, to perform Spoon River Anthology. The following year, the Stables Theatre brought Great Expectations to the Drama Group audiences. Several other exchanges have taken place since then, and the Group looks forward to continued friendship and sharing with the Stables.

With a vast active membership and interesting, varied seasons of quality productions, the Drama Group is proud of its heritage and committed to a long future in the south suburbs.