Dream Real Theatre Company01
Theatre & performance
Acting, rehearsal, stagecraft, writing, and live productions that welcome new and experienced artists.
Dream Real Theatre Company NFP | 501(c)(3)
Don't just dream the dream. Live it.
Original theatre. Creative opportunity. A stronger Chicago. Dream Real Theatre Company is raising support for its planned Youth Arts & Financial Empowerment Initiative, building on our work on stage and our mission of Saving Our Communities Through the Arts.
Chicago rootedServing diverse communities through stage and film
501(c)(3) nonprofitMission-driven arts, education, and community programming
IntergenerationalYouth, teens, young adults, families, and older adults
“We live out our visions through the arts.”
Our mission
Where dreams become reality
Dream Real Theatre Company inspires, engages, and entertains audiences through theatrical productions and a creative process that ranges from new plays to classical works.
Our production history is the foundation for our next step: developing arts education and mentorship for Chicago youth and young adults. Classes, school partnerships, and expanded community services are planned as funding, teaching teams, and host sites are secured.
- Original productions and community storytelling
- Creative education, mentorship, and workforce pathways
- Programs designed to strengthen families and communities
What we do
Creativity with a purpose
Our work uses the performing arts to build voice, belonging, practical experience, and pathways forward.
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Youth development
Planned arts education and mentorship for youth, teens, and young adults, developed with qualified teaching artists and school or community host partners.
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Film & media
Story development, on-camera experience, and production skills that connect creative expression to career possibilities.
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Creative careers
Workforce readiness, entrepreneurship, leadership, and financial empowerment for emerging creatives.
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Reentry & family support
We seek partnerships that connect returning citizens and families with creative expression, practical skills, and community connection. This is a developing service vision; Dream Real does not operate housing or a residential program.
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Intergenerational arts
Opportunities for older adults, families, and neighbors to tell stories, build relationships, and create together.
Our current funding priority
Youth Arts & Financial Empowerment
Help us launch a participatory Chicago program where young people learn acting, storytelling, teamwork, and practical money skills, then bring their work to a community stage.
We are seeking teaching artist compensation, rehearsal and performance space, materials, accessibility, and participation support. This program is in development. Enrollment, host sites, dates, and the final budget will be announced when confirmed.
Discuss program supportClasses & sponsored seats
Training that meets people where they are
Dream Real plans affordable, hands-on instruction for youth, teens, emerging adults, and working performers—with sponsor-supported seats so cost does not close the door.
Classes we are building
Programs may be offered as single workshops, multi-week sessions, school-hosted workshops, or after-school partnerships.
Acting fundamentals
Audition & scene study
Playwriting & storytelling
Film & on-camera performance
Stagecraft & set building
Podcast, radio & media
Planning prices for a pilot
Class interest onlineIndividual workshop: about $20-$30. Four-session series: about $75-$100 per learner. Sponsored seats may be free to participating families. School and group programs need a written quote based on class size, teaching time, supplies, travel, and the host site.
These are proposed ranges, not active registration prices. Dates, location, enrollment, and fees will be confirmed before anyone pays.On stage & in development
Stories that bring people together
Explore our production history and projects in development. Tap any image for a larger view.
Production history · 2025–2026
My Momma's Era: The Musical
Presented at Greenwood Oasis and Kennedy-King College Theater in Chicago.
In development
The Gospel Wiz
An original stage project being developed for a future production.
Planned work
Kings and Queens of the Bible
A future faith-centered theatrical production.
The Gospel Wiz
Original stage work in development. A table read, auditions, venue, and performance dates have not been announced.
Send a headshot or ask about future auditionsView Gospel Wiz sponsorship overview
Kings and Queens of the Bible
A planned faith-centered work. Production dates and casting details will be shared when confirmed.
Ask about the projectSupport a production
Help fund artist pay, rehearsal space, costumes, sets, access, and a public presentation.
Download production sponsor formThe Gospel Wiz | Production updates
Cast, behind the scenes & video
As the production moves forward, this space will feature confirmed cast portraits and biographies, rehearsal photographs, trailers, interviews, and performance clips. Casting and performance dates have not been announced.
Our production archive
Past shows & community moments
Tap an image to view it. These photographs document Dream Real's past work; promotional cast images are archival and may differ from final casts.
One's a Headache, Two's Company but Three's a Crowd
Meet the Oldschools
My Momma's Era: The Musical & company moments
We will add video clips when they are provided in a format we can publish and the performers' sharing permissions are confirmed.
Our long-term vision
Programs first. A permanent home later.
The BSW Performing Media Arts Center is a future Chicago home for theatre, media, learning, and community connection. Dream Real does not currently own or operate this center. No site, architectural design, construction schedule, or capital budget has been confirmed.
Build the programs
Raise program support, recruit teaching artists, secure host venues, and deliver youth arts education and community productions. Document participation, spending, and feedback as programs take place.
Develop stable partnerships
Strengthen school and venue relationships, grow recurring support, and evaluate the space and staffing our programs actually need.
Explore a permanent venue
When program capacity and resources support it, work with community partners and qualified professionals on site options, feasibility, an operating plan, and a separate capital campaign.
Community connection
Reentry, family support & community care
Our broader vision includes arts experiences for returning citizens and families, intergenerational storytelling, and partnerships for practical community support. We are developing these relationships alongside our core theatre work. Housing, residential services, and clinical care are not offered by Dream Real.
Founder & CEO
Karla Monay Shaw
Writer · Producer · Community arts leader
Karla founded Dream Real Theatre Company to create a place where talent, purpose, and community could grow together. Her work centers original storytelling, new opportunities for artists, and the belief that the arts can support confidence, connection, healing, and economic possibility.
Dream Real's vision extends beyond the stage: it is building partnerships that connect creative expression with youth development, workforce preparation, family support, and community renewal.
“The dream becomes real when people have the space, support, and opportunity to create.”
Storytelling House
Your story deserves to be written.
Through Karla’s Storytelling House, individuals, families, ministries, entrepreneurs, and organizations can explore help shaping lived experience into a play, screenplay, series concept, biography, or legacy story.
Stage plays
Screenplays
Series concepts
Biography & legacy stories
Story development
Creative consultation
Ways to partner
Help Dream Real bring the work to life
Our main fundraising priority is the Youth Arts & Financial Empowerment Initiative. Partners can also discuss designated support for a production, the theatre company, or paid opportunities for adult actors, actresses, and creative teams. Each agreement will identify the project, budget, and recognition offered.
Illustrative giving levels: $250 community supporter, $500 artist supporter, $1,000 creative partner, $2,500 production partner, and $5,000+ company or presenting partner. Sponsorship benefits and project budgets are arranged individually.
Choose a partnership form
Submit an inquiry directly using the online form below, or download a PDF if you prefer. Completed PDFs can be emailed to dreamrealtheatrecompany@gmail.com. An inquiry is not a payment or a confirmed sponsorship. Recognition, project details, and any financial commitment are agreed separately.
For funders & sponsors
A clear purpose for your support
Current focus: launching the Youth Arts & Financial Empowerment Initiative. Our production archive shows the work we have made; our program goals show what we are building next.
30–75 youth: Year 1 goal
2–3 financial literacy sessions planned
Youth production or showcase planned
Teaching artists and access support
Dream Real has no paid staff at present. Approximately four to six ongoing volunteers assist with production and promotional support, with additional help around shows. Expanded services depend on funding and confirmed partners.
Request a funder conversationDocuments & due diligence
Request our IRS determination letter, available financial records, project budget, leadership information, and production materials. Proposed revenue and unconfirmed partnerships will be identified clearly.
The BSW center is a separate long-term vision. Current program fundraising does not represent an acquired building or a construction campaign.
Sponsor information
Businesses, churches, banks, and community partners can discuss a defined sponsorship. The updated one-page sponsor deck will be added after the project, audience estimates, recognition benefits, and prices are finalized.
Request sponsor informationAudience estimates will be identified as estimates. No sponsor, bank, church, or public official is represented as a committed partner without confirmation.
Connect with Dream Real
Start a partnership.
Send a sponsorship, school, in-kind, class, artist, or community inquiry directly to Dream Real. This form records your message securely for the company to review. It does not process a donation or reserve a class seat.
Inquiry privacy notice
Dream Real Theatre Company uses the contact information and message you submit to review your inquiry, respond, and coordinate a potential partnership. Information is stored in the website's database and is accessible to the site's authorized administrators. We do not display submissions publicly or use this form to collect payments. Website hosting and security services process information to operate the form, including a short-lived hashed network identifier to limit spam. Do not submit sensitive personal information. To request access, correction, or deletion of your inquiry, email dreamrealtheatrecompany@gmail.com and include your reference number. This form does not subscribe you to a marketing list.