DePaul University Weighs Future of Historic Merle Reskin Theatre Amid Budget Shortfalls

The future of the Merle Reskin Theatre, a 1,400-seat landmark in downtown Chicago, remains uncertain as DePaul University considers options for the iconic venue amid ongoing budget constraints. The theater is located at 60 E. Balbo Drive and has been a centerpiece of Chicago’s performing arts since its opening in 1910.

While DePaul University has not made a formal announcement about a permanent closure, significant indications suggest that the venue may go dark following a scheduled two-week run of “Mirror of Most Value: A Ms. Marvel Play,” set to open in mid-May. After this production, DePaul’s Chicago Playworks for Families and Young Audiences will move their performances to the university’s Theatre School building in Lincoln Park, leaving the Reskin’s future in question.

University representatives said the institution is currently "working to determine the future use" of the Reskin Theatre and declined to confirm whether any events would be held there after May. The financial strain facing the university, driven in part by lower international student enrollment, has also resulted in the scheduled closure of the DePaul Art Museum this June.

The Merle Reskin Theatre, formerly known as the Blackstone Theatre, is a designated part of the landmark-protected Historic Michigan Boulevard District, which protects the property from demolition. Designed by prominent architect Benjamin H. Marshall, the theater has hosted notable performers and productions for over a century. It was acquired by DePaul in the late 1980s and reopened under its current name in 1992, following a major renovation funded by businessman Harold Reskin and his wife Merle.

Local preservationists and arts advocates have voiced concerns about the building's uncertain status. Jane Lepauw, president of the Benjamin Marshall Society, emphasized the significance of the venue and expressed hope that another theater company might step in, but acknowledged the challenges posed by the current economic climate.

According to Rich Gamble, interim CEO of the Chicago Loop Alliance, discussions with DePaul about the theater’s future are ongoing, but no concrete plans have been disclosed. The university has affirmed that no decision has been made regarding the theater's fate as of now.