Welcome to the
Buffalo Theatre Ensemble!
Buffalo Theatre Ensemble (BTE) was founded in 1986 as a professional ensemble in residence at the College of DuPage (COD). Loosely modeled after the Kansas City Repertory Theatre, BTE was created with the dual purpose of producing quality professional theatre — focusing on plays that ask audiences to explore provocative themes and embrace the human condition — and providing the college with a training program where students could work side by side with professional actors, designers and directors. The professional company members augment the college’s educational mission creating workshops, presenting demonstrations, and participating in community outreach.
Our mission is to provide a forum in which artists, scholars, writers, students and community members explore new ideas and provocative issues through the production of high-quality theatre for the enjoyment of its audiences. Company members and visiting artists are a vital part of BTE’s mission and thereby the fabric of the DuPage County community: producing a three-show season; creating master classes for students; presenting demonstrations of theatre arts; hosting pre-show discussions, post-performance talk backs, and subscriber nights; and participating in community outreach.
Over its history, BTE has produced over 120 productions presenting well over 2,000 performances, featuring world and regional premieres, productions presented in rotating repertory, and productions that were remounted in a second run in a Chicago venue. Though BTE is in its third decade of producing professional theatre, it was only in the fall of 2016 that we established ourselves as an independent nonprofit 501(c)(3) corporation.
The only Equity ensemble theater in DuPage County, BTE earns its reputation every time it’s cast takes the stage. The ensemble includes such venerable talent as Aly Renee Amidei, Robert Jordan Bailey, Amelia Barrett, Bryan Burke, Robyn Coffin, Rebecca Cox, Lisa Dawn, Nick DuFloth, Jon Gantt, Loretta Hauser, Connie Canaday Howard, Christopher Kriz, Michael W. Moon, Kurt Naebig, Laurea Leonardo Ownby, Galen G. Ramsey, William "Sandy" Smillie, Kelli Walker, and Norm Woodel. [MORE]m Woodel.
The mission of the Buffalo Theatre Ensemble is to "provide a forum in which artists, scholars, writers, students and community members explore new ideas and provocative issues through the production of quality theater for the enjoyment of its audiences." The company has pursued this mission through a long-term relationship with the MAC Theatre at College of DuPage and, since its founding in 1986, the staging of over 120 world-class productions. [MORE]
The MAC Theatre at College of DuPage has been well described as the "cultural center of DuPage County." Led by Artistic Director, Diana Martinez, with an extraordinary staff and supporting company, the McAninch Arts Center has been focused on enriching our community with world-class entertainment opportunities since 1986. The MAC Theatre prides itself "on providing unique outreach and engagement programs before [and] after performances to enlighten and educate our audiences." BTE prides itself on being part of the MAC community! [MORE]
The League of Chicago Theatres, of which BTE is a member, constantly emphasizes that "theatre is essential to the life of a great city and to its citizens." BTE is thus proud of its long history as the only Equity ensemble resident to DuPage County, Illinois. DuPage County is our home and its community has long been our strongest source of support. [MORE]
