Profiles Theatre was a small, formerly non-Equity theater company based in Chicago. The company was founded in 1988 by artistic director Joe Jahraus, and it developed a reputation for emotionally powerful and dramatically intense productions, including the multiple Jeff Award-winning Killer Joe.Sullivan, Catey (June 8, 2010). "Killer Joe and Chess Sweep Last Night's Non-Equity Jeff Awards", Chicago magazine. Retrieved June 13, 2016.Dale, Michael (June 13, 2016). "Jeff Awards Will Address Petition to Revoke Darrell W. Cox's 2010 Killer Joe Honor", Broadway World. Retrieved June 13, 2016.
In June 2016 the Chicago Reader published an article alleging an extensive pattern of workplace abuse and sexual harassment on the part of the theater company's artistic director Darrell W. Cox.Weiss, Hedy (June 10, 2016). "Readers Story about Profiles Theatre Generates Massive Response", Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved June 13, 2016.Sherman, Howard (June 10, 2016). "In Wake of Profiles Theatre Expose, a Few Points to Know", Arts Integrity Initiative. Retrieved June 13, 2016. Later that month, the theater announced that it was closing.Jones, Chris; Metz, Nina (June 15, 2016). "Profiles Theatre Closes; Actor Responds to Allegations of Misconduct", Chicago Tribune. Retrieved June 15, 2016.
In response to concerns about harassment and abuse at some non-Equity Chicago theaters, including Profiles Theatre, the organization Not in Our House was founded by Lori Myers, Laura T. Fisher, and other theater professionals. Not in Our House developed a code of conduct called the Chicago Theatre Standards which has been adopted by a number of theater companies.
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