The Loop District in Chicago in Cook County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Chicago Playworks for Families and Young Audiences

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, June 17, 2025

1. Chicago Playworks for Families and Young Audiences Marker

Inscription. Founded as the Goodman Children's Theatre in 1925 and recognized as a pioneer of theatre for families, Chicago Playworks welcomes more than 25,000 students and families to our highly celebrated productions each season. Today, we are dedicated to reflecting our audience's experience in an urban, contemporary, and multi-racial environment.

The Theatre School at DePaul is proud to present the Chicago Playworks for Families and Young Audiences series to the community in a historic and treasured Chicago theatre.

Opening its doors as Chicago's Blackstone Theatre in 1910, designed by Chicago architects Marshall & Fox, the Merle Reskin Theatre's Beaux-Arts style is reflected in the neighboring venue to your right, The Blackstone. Since its unveiling, the theatre has changed names, owners, audiences, and even addresses (the street you're on was called Hubbard Court, and then 7th St).

Erected by The Theatre School at DePaul University.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Arts, Letters, Music • Education • Entertainment. A significant historical year for this entry is 1910.

Location. 41° 52.388′ N, 87° 37.523′ W. Marker is in Chicago, Illinois, in Cook County. It is in The Loop

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District. It is on East Balbo Drive east of South Wabash Avenue, on the right when traveling west. The marker is to the left of the main entrance to Merle Reskin Theatre. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 64-66 East Balbo Drive, Chicago IL 60605, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American Midwest

and on the Great Lakes.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Merle Reskin Theatre (within shouting distance of this marker); Blackstone Hotel (within shouting distance of this marker); ... I'm Speaking. (within shouting distance of this marker); The 19th Amendment (within shouting distance of this marker); Brunswick Corporation Headquarters (within shouting distance of this marker); Johnson Publishing Company Building (about 800 feet away, measured in a direct line); Diosa (Jasmina Cazucu) (approx. 0.2 miles away); Crane Company Building (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chicago.

Also see . . .
1. Merle Reskin Theatre. From DePaul University's Theatre School, a history of the Reskin Theatre. (Submitted on June 17, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

2. Chicago Reader: Street honoring fascist Balbo to remain after aldermen cave. As referenced on this marker, the Merle Reskin Theatre is on a street that has changed names multiple time since it was built. Most recently, in 1933, it was renamed from 7th St. to Balbo Dr., to honor fascist airman Italo Balbo,

Merle Reskin Theatre image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, June 17, 2025

2. Merle Reskin Theatre

The marker is visible to the left of the last door on the left.

who brought a fleet of Italian planes to Chicago in 1933 for the Century of Progress World's Fair. Despite periodic attempts to change the street's name, it remains Balbo Drive as of 2025.

Excerpt: "King told the Sun-Times that a major concern was the expense and hassle posed to business owners and residents who would have to change their addresses. However, there appear to be only three properties on Balbo whose addresses would have been affected by the name: DePaul’s Merle Reskin Theatre at 64-66 E. Balbo, the university’s new 30 East upscale student apartments, and the Carter House Apartments at 1 E. Balbo, the building that houses the South Loop Club. Reilly previously said DePaul was in favor of the Balbo name change."

(Submitted on June 17, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

Credits. This page was last revised on June 17, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 17, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 104 times since then and 10 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 17, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.