Physical Theater Festival Chicago Returns, Celebrating Movement-Based Performance June 1, 2026

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Physical Theater Festival Chicago announces their 2026 festival lineup of contemporary and movement-based performance,June 1 – 7, 2026 with performances at both Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont Ave. and The Dance Center at Columbia College Chicago, 1306 S. Michigan Ave.

Each year, Physical Theater Festival reimagines what a live theater experience can be and do across cultures, languages and genres while showcasing a variety of performing arts, including clown, mime, improv, puppet/object theater, circus and dance. At this festival, the physical theater runs the gamut from innovative street theater, to award-winning and critically acclaimed new dramas, comedies and dramedies.

The festival’s schedule includes Scratch Night on Monday, June 1 at 7 p.m.; Made in Chicago Night on Tuesday, June 2 at 7 p.m.; I Think It Could Work by Full Out Formula on Wednesday, June 3 and Friday, June 5 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, June 7 at 2 p.m.; Beau and Aero by A Little Bit OFF on Wednesday, June 3 at 9 p.m., Saturday, June 6 at 5 p.m. and Sunday, June 7 at 11 a.m.; Los Regalos/The Gifts by Compañia de Teatro Fisico on Thursday, June 4 and Friday, June 5 at 8 p.m. and Saturday, June 6 at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m.; SELL ME: I am from North Korea by Sora Baek on Thursday, June 4 and Saturday, June 6 at 7 p.m. and Apocalipsync by Luciano Rosso on Thursday, June 4 – Saturday, June 6 at 9 p.m. A dynamic series of four hands-on workshops will also take place June 4 – 7 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., bringing international artists for an immersive exploration of physical theatre, movement, clowning, and storytelling.  Workshops include Partner Acrobatics – Weight Sharing, Counterbalances & Lifts!, From Neutral Mask to Melodrama, Clown & Stage Presence and Acknowledge your Audience and Write Your Own Solo Show. 

General admission tickets for individual shows are $40 The Dance Center at Columbia Chicago and $36 at Theater Wit, with industry/students/seniors/veterans discounts, festival passes and workshop tickets available. Ticket information, full schedule and location details are available at PhysicalFestival.com.

Photo by Michelle Reid