our name
The theatre is named after Artemisia Gentileschi, who was a great feminist painter, largely forgotten by history until recently. Now, she’s considered the greatest female artist prior to the modern period. That’s why women’s stories are important. They change our perspective, on the past, the present and the future. That’s why Artemisia Theatre was founded, to share women’s untold stories.
#wewomen
we empower women.
#wewomen we empower women.
our mission
Artemisia produces plays that empower women, creating career-altering opportunities for female identifying theatre artists of all racial and ethnic backgrounds; sexual orientations and identities; economic status; ages and disabilities. We make women heroes of their own lives by sharing their stories and amplifying their voices. We invite anyone and everyone who wants to empower women to join us as artists and audience.
Artemisia aims to be at the forefront of the fight for women and female-identifying people through outstanding performances that push the envelope. From world premieres to the virtual stage, our mission is and will always be to better our world for women and female-identifying people.
We strive to be a social justice theatre, committing to anti-sexist and anti-racist practices in our work. We are grateful for the anti-racist training received from ArtEquity funded by the Gaylord & Dorothy Donnelley Foundation and EnrichChicago funded by The Richard H. Driehaus Foundation. Our work to dismantle racist and sexist practices in theatre is ongoing as we continue to use our collective talents and voices to promote hope, healing and empowerment.
We acknowledge that the land on which we create art was stewarded by the Ho-Chunk, Kickapoo, Miami, Peoria and Potawatomi People. We respectfully recognize that we occupy land that was taken by force from its owners. Today, Chicago has the third-largest population of urban Native Americans in the United States, with approximately 175 tribes represented. Source material from the American Library Association. Visit their website to learn more about the Indigenous Tribes of Chicago.
our Leadership
Artemisia is led by a volunteer coalition of Chicago-based artists and administrators who are fully committed to the theatre’s mission and its core values of empowerment, diversity and inclusion. The coalition creates a safe space for ALL Chicago artists while practicing pay equity; amplifying the voices of BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ artists and engaging the community in plays driven by the idea that her story empowers us all.
Our Founder Julie Proudfoot
Julie Proudfoot began her acting career in 1989 and has performed in numerous classic and world premiere plays off-Broadway and in regional theatre. Julie's work on-camera includes TV, film, commercials and music videos. She did very popular appearances on GILMORE GIRLS and BOOMTOWN, and gained fans for her role as Mom in a video of Bon Jovi's IT’S MY LIFE. Her favorite on-camera appearances include Elaine in the film SENIOR MOMENTS and CHICAGO MED, where she has recurred as Dr. Amy Watkins. In 2011, Julie founded Artemisia Theatre out of her passion for feminist storytelling. At Artemisia Julie originated the role of Viola in the world premiere of CHEWING ON BECKETT, by Ed Proudfoot, and the role of Marla, in the virtual premiere of GOODS, by Lauren Ferebee. Julie recently returned to writing and her play TITLE X was produced as a world premiere at Artemisia in 2022. Julie’s other writing includes Abortion Wars: Whose Life Is It Anyway? (play); Shutdown (play); Harm (screenplay): Ghost Mill (screenplay in development); Book Burning (play in development). She is represented as an actor by Grossman & Jack Talent.
FOUNDER’S STATEMENT
It’s hard to believe that in 2024 women and girls still struggle to be seen and heard as equal human beings. The sad truth in America, and in many parts of the world, is that individual freedoms are being erased for those of us who identify as female. Founding Artemisia was a bold move to put female-empowering stories at the forefront of our culture. Stories that not only examine women and girls’ lived experience, but stories that also define females as powerful; independent; smart; loving; autonomous. It’s my hope that experiencing feminist stories at Artemisia will liberate everyone from the prison of the patriarchy and inspire an ongoing celebration of the feminine within us and our worlds. I am so grateful to Artemisia’s leadership and talent for carrying on this important work.