OPEN STAGE! at Hairpin Arts Center is a multidisciplinary performance night celebrating Chicago’s creative community. Throughout the evening, audiences will experience a rotating lineup of short live performances across disciplines including music, spoken word, dance, comedy, theatre, puppetry, performance art, and other hybrid forms.
Each artist is given up to five minutes on stage, creating a dynamic program where audiences can discover a wide range of voices, styles, and ideas. Performers are encouraged to sign up in advance for priority consideration, though a limited number of day-of opportunities may be available depending on the evening’s schedule. All artists who sign up will receive a complimentary ticket to attend the event, whether or not they are scheduled to perform!
Artists interested in performing can sign up here:
PERFORMER SIGN-UP HERE
For audience members, OPEN STAGE! offers an exciting night out filled with live performance, local talent, and opportunities to connect with artists and fellow community members between acts. Light refreshments will be available throughout the event.
Tickets & Donations
OPEN STAGE! uses a sliding-scale ticket system to help keep the event accessible to everyone. Guests may choose from several ticket tiers ranging from $5–$20, with each ticket carrying a fair market value of $20. We encourage guests to contribute at whatever level feels comfortable. Any additional donations directly support Hairpin’s mission of creating accessible programming and help fund future OPEN STAGE! events.
Accessibility
The performance space is located on the second floor of Hairpin Arts Center and is accessible via elevator from the Milwaukee entrance. If you have specific accessibility needs or questions ahead of the event, please feel free to reach out.