“CUE THE LIGHTS: While Northwest Side residents work to preserve the Portage Theater at 4050 N. Milwaukee, its Six Corners neighborhood is getting a cultural infusion with the decision by Filament Theatre Ensemble to lease ground-floor space across the street at 4041 N. Milwaukee. The ensemble has been staging productions in rented theaters around the city since 2007.

“It’s the first time we felt like we had come home,” said artistic director Julie Ritchey, citing the local support the troupe has received.”