Bringing science fiction, fantasy and other speculative literature to life in performance has been the mission of Moebius Theatre since the troupe’s founding in 1976. We started by adapting short stories for live theatre. We added sketch comedy and improv. One-act and full-length plays. Short films and live audio theatre. Environmental theatre. No operas… yet.
We are based in Chicago, where a thriving arts scene allows creative people with scant money and experience to experiment and find an audience. And where a vibrant community of SF/fantasy artists, writers, publishers and fans has supported us with a continuous influx of talent and feedback and encouragement.
Though we call Chicago home, we have built no “house” (permanent performance space) here. The majority of our performances have been in hotel ballrooms at science fiction (and other) conventions, including 7 different World Science Fiction Conventions across the US and Canada, as well as one World Fantasy Convention. We have also played in store-front theatre venues, nightclubs, universities, libraries, coffeehouses, banquet halls, retirement homes, and even performed for a fundraiser in a hospital parking lot. Take a look at our incomplete, but ever-expanding, production archive for more detail.
The group of friends who started this included a few professional writers, a few professional artists, plus several aficionados of SF, and the possibilities it presented. Not included were professional actors, directors, producers, or fund-raisers. Over time, new people joined the troupe and everyone kept learning to broaden our base of talents and skills.
Moebius has produced and adapted well-known SF works, ranging from Karel Capek’s R.U.R. to H.G. Wells’ The Island of Dr. Moreau, but most of the effort has gone into creating original SF for performance. Troupe members have written nine plays, and nearly 400 comedy sketches. The ‘DIY’ approach continues to drive us forward. And so, we proceed into what SF has always looked towards: The future.
Interested in having Moebius Theatre perform at your event? Contact us!