The eclectic troupe specialized in productions that emphasized inventive stagecraft, perverse and controversial topics, and skillful stage combat.
The company disbanded in 2004. by William Shakespeare directed by Christopher Johnson Opened Friday, November 19, 1993 at The Greenview Arts Center "Rosencrantz and Guildenstern may be dead; Defiant Theatre's Hamlet most certainly is not."
- Chicago Reader[1] by John Guare directed by Darren Critz Opened Friday, February 11, 1994 at American Theater Company "A smoother, more consistent presentation might not have been able to reach the emotional heights of Defiant Theatre's Landscape of the Body."
Opened Saturday, June 1, 1996 at American Theater Company "The most sensational off-Loop show to hit the stage in a very long time...
Opened Wednesday, October 23, 1996 at The Firehouse "Defiant Theatre pulls no punches in this production that could have easily tumbled over into camp."
- Windy City Times [This quote needs a citation] by Charles Ludlam directed by Jim Slonina Opened Monday, May 5, 1997 at National Pastime Theater "Blisteringly intelligent comedy."
- Nightlines [This quote needs a citation] by Albert Camus directed by Richard Ragsdale Opened Monday, July 21, 1997 at The Griffin Theatre "Defiant presents plenty of philosophy with fornication."
Opened Wednesday, June 10, 1998 at American Theater Company "It's punk, pulp fiction classicism, whipped into a frenzy in a tight, stylish production."
Opened Monday, October 5, 1998 at Charybdis Multi-Arts Complex "Defiant gives the script's malevolent camp a pointed recklessness."
- Windy City Times [This quote needs a citation] by Joe Foust & Richard Ragsdale directed by Joe Foust Opened Wednesday, June 16, 1999 at American Theater Company "A veritable feast of outstanding stage combat, fantastic puppets, inventive directorial ideas...
- Windy City Times [This quote needs a citation] by Deborah Pryor directed by Richard Ragsdale at Victory Gardens Theater Downstairs Studio "Rich with storytelling make-believe."
- Windy City Times by William Shakespeare directed by Christopher Johnson Opened Friday, October 27, 2000 at The Viaduct "The whole production has the rough, raw air of a medieval mystery play, charged with violence and spiritualism."
- Newcity by Lee Blessing directed by Justin Fletcher Opened Friday, September 14, 2001 at The Viaduct "Defiant's well-crafted production is exceptionally well-acted."
Opened Friday, July 5, 2002 at American Theater Company "A wild ride on a crazily off-kilter roller coaster."
- Chicago Sun-Times by John Kohler, Larry Larson, Levi Lee and Rebecca Wackler directed by Jim Slonina
- Gay Chicago Magazine by William Shakespeare directed by Christopher Johnson Opened Friday, January 17, 2003 at The Viaduct "A mixed-up contemporary shebang, full of unruly life...
- Chicago Tribune featuring Fabulon Historifarcicon by Christopher Johnson directed by Jim Slonina Opened Friday, August 8, 2003 at The Viaduct "It was a gas... Defiant has built its reputation on excess and outrage."
- Chicago Tribune by Steven Dietz adapted from the novel by Bram Stoker directed by Richard Ragsdale Opened Sunday, October 12, 2003 at The Vittum Theatre "Defiant Theatre, not a troupe to shy away from the eek, the ook or even the odd "uck," has a spirited blood-sucker now on display, just in time for Halloween."