For more detailed driving and public transportation directions along with some tips about parking, click here.

Our Fall and spring shows are performed at The Madison Street Theatre (formerly known as the Village Players Theatre), 1010 W. Madison St., Oak Park. On-street parking is available on Madison Street and side streets.

Austin Gardens park, our summer home, technically doesn’t have an address. It’s often referred to as “Corner of Lake and Forest” or “the 100 block of North Forest Avenue” in Oak Park. If you use GPS or an online mapping site such as Mapquest or Google Maps, the address “167 North Forest” will point you to the entrance gate in the park. Parking is available in the Forest Avenue parking garage as well as various downtown Oak Park lots.

But when I search online, I find 1010 Lake Street. Isn’t that your location?

No. We have a business office in 1010 Lake Street but that’s not where we perform. (Austin Gardens is immediately north of 1010 Lake Street.)

We try to cancel as few shows as possible, and decisions to cancel a show is made as close to showtime as possible. If you have already purchased a ticket for a specific performance and it is cancelled, bring your ticket or purchase receipt to the box office on another day and we will let you in.

Sometimes a light rain will break out during a performance. We may pause if it looks like the rain will abate shortly. If it rains enough to stop the show, your ticket stub will allow you to come back for any of our remaining shows during the season.

If we are rained out (or heated out) the entire last week of the season or closing night, and you were in attendance, please call (708)445-4440 and leave a message for our Box Office Manager to discuss the situation.

This answer only applies to Austin Gardens: We sell soft drinks and snacks but have no restrictions on outside food or beverages. The Park District of Oak Park has an ordinance banning alcohol in parks.

This answer only applies to Austin Gardens: They are welcome as long as they do not disrupt the performance. If they do, we ask that they be taken to another part of the park until they are quiet enough to return. (Also bear in mind that per Oak Park statute, all dogs must be on a leash of a maximum 8 feet in length.)

In the Madison Street Theatre: Yes. In Austin Gardens: Chairs are not set up in advance except for some group sales. We have two small sets of bleachers which are set up in the park. In front of them is a grassy area where people can set up chairs or blankets. (We like to think of it as similar to the lawn at Ravinia.) You may bring your own chair or rent one from us for $2. If you need help placing or setting up you chairs/blanket we will be happy to assist you.

The box office is normally set up at least one hour before show time.

This portion of the answer only applies to Austin Gardens: As a public park, the gates are open all day. (Some people come as early as 4:30 to stake out their spots!) If you arrive before the box office is set up that’s fine, just be sure to visit the box office to purchase tickets – or show your pre-purchased tickets – once it is open. About 45 minutes before showtime we close the park to all except those attending the performance.

Stay tuned for information regarding vendors who make picnics especially for our patrons!

Visit OakParkDining.com for information and reviews of restaurants in the Oak Park area. (Link opens in new window.)

We have two port-a-johns in the park. One is handicapped accessible.

The Oak Park Park District’s plans for future improvements to Austin Gardens include restroom facilities.

It varies from year to year. The Park District of Oak Park has a policy of not spraying any of the parks, including Austin Gardens. Free sprays of insect repellant are available at our concession stand.

We’re so glad you asked!

There are many ways to help, from donating money to becoming a board member. Please see our Support Us page for more information on how to do it.