The Building Stage opened its doors with a critically acclaimed new vision of Hamlet in the fall of 2005, described as "an exquisite bare-bones [production]" (Performink Year in Review), and "a triumph of extraordinary achievement" (Gay Chicago).

Since then the company has been honored with After Dark Awards for Outstanding Production (Dustbowl Gothic, 2006) and Outstanding Technical Achievement (Noir, 2007).

During the 2011/12 season the company's production of Moby-Dick was awarded three Non-Equity Jeff Awards (New Adaptation, Original Incidental Music, Artistic Specialization — Percussion) and was nominated for two others (Director — Play, Ensemble).