Courtney Kueppers | WBEZ

Courtney Kueppers is a digital producer/reporter at WBEZ. Prior to joining WBEZ full time, she worked part-time on the digital desk throughout grad school. In addition to WBEZ, her reporting in Chicago has been published by the Chicago Tribune, Chicago Reader and South Side Weekly. She previously lived in Atlanta, where she worked for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and WABE, Atlanta’s NPR affiliate. She originally hails from Minnesota and is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire and Northwestern University.

1_CST_JUDG_Liz Lauren.jpgJason Alexander makes his Chicago stage debut in the world premiere comedy Judgment Day at Chicago Shakespeare Theater, directed by Moritz von Stuelpnagel. Performances begin April 23, 2024. Photo by Liz Lauren.

Theater

Jason Alexander's latest role plumbs the meaning of life and beyond in 'Judgment Day'

Alexander plays a sleazy lawyer who gets a lifechanging wakeup call in the world premiere comedy at Chicago Shakespeare Theater.

By Courtney Kueppers | WBEZ

Visitors take in artist Wole Lagunju’s paintings during Expo Chicago in 2023.

Art

How to see the art, buy the artwork and hear from the artists at this week's Expo Chicago

It’s the first edition of the Navy Pier festival under new owners with the clout to lure more galleries from around the world.

By Courtney Kueppers | WBEZ

TERMINAL5-020123-11.JPG Erin Harkey, commissioner of the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events,

Entertainment and Culture

Cultural affairs leadership at City Hall in flux as Chicago festival season looms

First deputy commissioner Jennifer Johnson Washington temporarily will fill role of departing commissioner Erin Harkey at Chicago’s Cultural Affairs Department.

By Courtney Kueppers | WBEZ and Mitch Dudek

Education

Kenwood Academy often makes house calls to verify students' residency — a practice some parents call invasive

Kenwood officials defended the steps they take to ensure students enrolling in the highly sought after school actually live in its attendance boundaries — especially in the wake of residency violations that left several members of the school’s basketball team ineligible to play.

By Courtney Kueppers | WBEZ

Theater

‘Illinoise’ team puts dancers up front in adapting Sufjan Stevens’ album for stage

Director Justin Peck says it took some five years of lobbying for the singer-songwriter to allow use of music from his acclaimed 2005 set ‘Illinois.’

By Courtney Kueppers | WBEZ

Ana Amaya (from left), Marjorie Kersten and Alton Lynum are among those who responded to a WBEZ survey about CTA service.

Transportation

Is CTA service getting better? What Chicago commuters told us.

Chicago city transit officials have said L service is getting back on track. Hundreds of riders who answered a WBEZ survey aren’t so sure.

By Courtney Kueppers | WBEZ

A child holds a Christkindlmarket souvenir mug on the first day of Christkindlmarket at Daley Plaza in November 2022.

Entertainment and Culture

Christkindlmarket’s back Friday: Here’s everything you need to know about it

The market’s downtown location will offer a fast-entry pass option for the first time for visitors who want to skip the line and get right to the warm drink in a collectible mug.

By Courtney Kueppers | WBEZ

Actors alfonzo kahlil, David Dowd and Dana N. Anderson perform during the 2022 ‘ENOUGH’ readings at the Goodman Theatre.

Theater

Six plays by teens take on gun violence at Goodman, other U.S. theaters

A year before the election, dozens of performing arts troupes will participate in the Monday initiative called ‘ENOUGH!’

By Courtney Kueppers | WBEZ

A scene from last year’s Chicago Marathon, with Caio Silva from São Bernardo do Campo, Brazil, racing towards the finish line along South Columbus Drive near Grant Park on Oct. 9, 2022.

Entertainment and Culture

Chicago Marathon spectators’ mile-by-mile watching guide — all you need to know

Use our map and recommendations for each mile marker to help you stake out your perfect viewing perch, from nearby L stops to where to eat or grab coffee.

By Courtney Kueppers | WBEZ