<p>Chicago’s cultural department announced a new grant program Wednesday aimed at helping emerging theater organizations strengthen their infrastructure and build audiences.</p><p>The program, Next Stage Chicago, will provide a maximum of $50,000 to up to eight nonprofit theater companies that have been in business for at least three years but no more than 10. Cultural commissioner Kenya Merritt said the $400,000 program is an investment in organizations that are “essential to the vitality of Ch