You got a guy™ for venue tickets
Gorton Center Tickets
Now selling
Upcoming Events at Gorton Center
The venue
About Gorton Center
Gorton Center is a nonprofit community arts center in Lake Forest, Illinois, hosting touring performing arts, film, and music events in a welcoming, intimate setting. The Hughes Theater seats 309, and the Stuart Community Room accommodates up to 125 attendees (configurable). For larger gatherings, outdoor events can accommodate up to 500 guests, weather permitting. The center remains active with ongoing concerts, film screenings, and performances, reflecting its mission to bring diverse arts to the community.
Whether you’re here for a concert, film series, or a special event, we’ve got you covered with practical details on seating, parking, transit, and nearby lodging and dining options to help you secure your seats with ease.
Accessibility, convenient parking, and easy rail access are among the hallmarks of a visit to Gorton Center. The venue is located at 400 E Illinois Rd, Lake Forest, IL 60045, just steps from the Lake Forest Metra (UP-N) Station. Free onsite parking is available in the Gorton lot, with additional city parking to the north and train station parking across from Gorton. For a comfortable stay and convenient meals before or after performances, explore partner hotels like The Forester Hotel and Deer Path Inn, plus recommended restaurants in nearby Lake Forest. The Hughes Theater bears the name of a major donor, reflecting the center’s enduring community support, while the venue continues to operate with a busy schedule of touring acts and local programming.
Good to know
Seating, Parking & Venue Information
- Address: 400 E Illinois Rd, Lake Forest, IL 60045
- Venue type: Nonprofit community arts center housing the John & Nancy Hughes Theater (309 seats) and the Stuart Community Room (up to 125 seats, configurable)
- Seating capacity: Hughes Theater 309 seats; Stuart Community Room up to 125; Outdoor events capacity up to 500
- Seating chart: Floor Plan and Seating Chart available on the Theater rental page
- Parking: Free onsite parking in Gorton lot; additional city lot to the north; train station parking across from Gorton
- Transit: Located steps from the Lake Forest Metra (UP-N) Station
- Nearby hotels: The Forester Hotel (200 N Field Dr) and Deer Path Inn (255 E Illinois Rd) in Lake Forest
- Notable events: Hosts touring performing arts, film and music events (examples include Hair Spray, Mountainfilm on Tour, The Zaniac, and Giordano Dance Chicago’s All That Jazz).
- Renaming/demolition: The John & Nancy Hughes Theater is named after a major donation; no demolition of the venue has occurred; center remains active