Art imitates art
The layout of 16th Street Theater is actually modeled after the Chicago Dramatists theater, according to Artistic Director Ann Filmer. The concept was the brain child of North Berwyn Park District Executive Director Joe Vallez, who had seen shows at the Chicago theater and decided to use the layout for Berwyn’s first theater. “The thing that’s serendipitous is that I was the producing director at Chicago Dramatists,” Filmer said. “When I walked in, it was like flash back.”

Brushes with fame
In 1993, Filmer shared a stage with Tom Wopat, of “Dukes of Hazzard” fame, and movie star Jennifer Garner. The women were acting apprentices at The Barn theater in Michigan, while Wopat was the show’s star. Years later, Filmer was producing and directing the Chicago premiere of Steve Martin’s play “WASP,” and received flowers from the comedian. “He sent the cast and me flowers on opening night, so I’ve always had a special place in my heart for (him),” Filmer said.

It was meant to be
Before 16th Street Theater was created, Filmer was directing a reading of Will Dunne’s “The Ascension of Carlotta,” which happens to take place in Berwyn. Coincidentally, Filmer and her husband had also just made an offer on a home in Berwyn. “I mean, how many plays take place in Berwyn? One, and this is it,” Filmer said. “I guess this is destiny.” The play later became 16th Street’s first original production in 2008.

Just the numbers
In just under two seasons, 16th Street has put on 13 shows, which combined have had seven languages peppered throughout the scripts; English, Spanish, sign language, Arabic, Urdu and Punjabi. Each play is generally rehearsed for just more than three weeks, but Filmer and her crew begin planning for a play more than a year before it makes it to the stage. “When the season started in January, I was already thinking about what we’re going to do next season,” Filmer said.

‘The Last Barbecue’
This season’s final play, “The Last Barbecue,” will run July through Aug. 8. But make sure to get tickets early. Every showing of 16th Street’s last play, “Unveiled,” sold out in advance, including four shows added due to demand. Filmer got her hands on the play after working with playwright Brett Neveu for Collaboraction’s inaugural Sketchbook festival in 2000.