ABOUT DEFINITION
Definition Theatre Company is a Chicago ensemble-based theatre founded by six graduates of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Featuring a multi-ethnic core companionship of actors, Definition strives to artistically reflect the myriad of modern America to inspire and engage the communities it represents through contemporary and classical theatrical works. Our mission is to tell language-driven, relationship-oriented, thought-provoking socially relevant stories.
“Stay In It,” the rallying cry of DTC, is defined as persistence and determination across the board from the audience to the actor. And while this ambitious company has their work cut out for them as they continue to lay the foundation for unfolding their own myth, there’s no doubt they’ll be just fine as long as they heed their own call." - New City
OUR HISTORY
Definition Theatre Company was founded by six graduates from the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign. The founding ensemble members are Aurora Adachi-Winter, Kelson Michael McAuliffe, Jessica Dean Turner, Julian Parker, Tyrone Phillips, and Mercedes White. These actors share the same passion for vital, vivid, and effectual theatre.
OUR VISION
We now exist in a country where the lines of race, gender, partisanship, class, and culture are blurred, our individualized stories are interwoven, and our national pride needs to be rooted in our multiculturalism.
OUR PEOPLE
Artistic Director
Tyrone Phillips
Managing Director
Neel McNeill
Founding Ensemble
Aurora Adachi-Winter
Jessica Dean Turner
Kelson McAuliffe
Julian Parker
Tyrone Phillips
Mercedes White
Lighting Director
Slick Jorgensen
Costume Director
Kristy Hall
Scenic Director
Moon Jung Kim
Communications Director
Karyn Todd
Digital Content Producer
Richard Calk III
Producer
Clyde C. Compton
Dramaturg
Jared Bellot
Marketing Director
Jacqueline Rosas
OUR BOARD
Chair
Timothy Ortmann
Christina Adachi
Peter Davis
Barbara Reeder