TimeLine Theatre Company was founded in April 1997 by six graduates of
The Theatre School at DePaul University: Founding Artistic Director Nick Bowling, Brock Goldberg, Kevin Hagan, Juliet Hart, PJ Powers and Pat Tiedemann. On April 18, 1998, the company produced its first play,
Summit Conference by
Robert David MacDonald, at the Performance Loft Theatre at the 2nd Unitarian Church in Chicago. In September 1999, TimeLine moved into a new home in Baird Hall Theatre at the Wellington Avenue United Church of Christ on Wellington Ave., Chicago. The first production in this new home was
Gaslight by
Patrick Hamilton, which opened on October 21, 1999. Starting with their 2011-2012 season, TimeLine began producing one play a season at a larger offsite location to accommodate audience growth. In 1999, PJ Powers succeeded Bowling as Artistic Director. In 2007, Elizabeth K. Auman was named Managing Director. The company has since grown to include nine full-time staff members. In 2026, TimeLine relocated to the former
W. C. Reebie and Brother Building at 5035 N. Broadway in
Uptown, which it celebrated with a series of events. The 21,000 square foot space, a mix of new construction and renovations to an existing building, includes a 250-seat blackbox theater, a bar, rehearsal and event spaces and on-site offices. == Awards ==