From the Heart

From the moment they first step through the door to their final performance on stage, they know they’re part of something special.   Their hearts may race as they stand in front of the crowd and their emotions may run high, but each of them represents an undeniably inspiring story of success. 

These performers aren't critically-acclaimed musicians or world-renowned dancers...they're children.  And they are part of "Hands Together, Heart to Art," one of the Auditorium Theatre's most profound community outreach programs. 
 
Hands Together, Heart to Art is the Auditorium Theatre’s one-of-a-kind summer arts camp for children who have experienced the death of a parent.  The camp uses music, dance, and theatrical performances to help the children interact, communicate, and ultimately heal.  Each day the campers explore a new artistic medium and a different conduit for channeling their creativity, activities that help them overcome the obstacles of their past and confront the pain left in the wake of their loss.

In addition to their daily activities, each session of camp culminates in a final performance during which the children perform for their friends and family.    

And this year is one of the camp’s most significant milestones ever, because the summer of 2014 officially marks "Hands Together, Heart to Art’s" tenth anniversary. 

For the past ten years, grieving children at "Hands Together, Heart to Art" have:  

• Participated in artistic activities that build self-confidence…  
• Listened to guest speakers who share their own stories of losing a parent when they were young…
• Discussed their grief with licensed therapists and social workers …
• Joined in a balloon launch as an expression of love for their deceased parent…    
• And engaged in skits, performances and talent shows that help boost their self-esteem,  encourage cooperation, and foster trust… 

·        Obviously we understand that we can never fully fill the void in each child’s life.  But by providing them with this outlet we can aid hurting children in their healing and ultimately empower them to lead happy, productive and healthy futures.  These goals, and our commitment to them, only increase every year—and we honored by the kindness of all those who help us provide hope, guidance and comfort to so many young lives. 

Hands Together, Heart to Art could never succeed without the generosity of good people like you.  To support this one-of-a-kind healing experience, call Amanda Byrne at (312) 341-2364. 

A Devil of a Time

Returning for the fourth year, the Auditorium Theatre’s Auxiliary Board, formerly the Junior Board, invites you and your guests to an evening at the National Historic Landmark Auditorium Theatre for The Devil’s Ball, an all-inclusive cocktail party hosted in the spirit of Old Chicago. Held in the Auditorium Theatre’s historic lobby the evening includes food, specialty drinks, tours, the ever popular Smilebooth and entertainment!  

Click here for more information on the Devil's Ball.   Click here for more information on the Devil's Ball.

Board Games

On July 8, 2014, the drinks were flowing, the questions were challenging, and the prizes were scintillating.    

 The Auditorium Theatre’s Auxiliary Board completed one of its most entertaining and successful efforts in their short history—and the attendance and enthusiasm were commendable.  The board’s “Trivia Night by the Water” fundraising event featured ten rounds of challenging, witty, and unique questions and a litany of exciting prizes.  Held at the Diversey Yacht Club, the evening was not only a tremendous success…it also helped benefit one of the Auditorium Theatre’s most crucial programs.  

The Auditorium Theatre Auxiliary Board, a diverse group of young professionals committed to furthering the mission of the Auditorium Theatre, is devoted not only to helping fund the restoration and preservation of our National Historic Landmark, but also to raising awareness and generating support for the Auditorium’s educational outreach efforts and world-renowned programming.  All proceeds from the auxiliary board’s trivia night helped support “Hands Together, Heart to Art,” the Auditorium Theatre’s summer arts camp for children who have experienced the death of a parent.   

The hard work of all the board members and those who attended the wonderful event proved instrumental in bringing hope, comfort, and healing to hurting children from throughout the Chicago area. 

Although the trivia event proved a resounding success, it is yet another accomplishment in the year-long efforts of these dedicated professionals.  Everyone at the Auditorium Theatre is proud to have such talented and compassionate individuals as ambassadors of this cultural institution, and we look forward to witnessing future achievements of this committed group of philanthropists.

A Lifetime of Legends

We hope you can join us on Tuesday, December 9, 2014 for a truly historic occasion.  The Auditorium Theatre’s annual gala event will occur that evening—and it promises to be the most significant gala this National Historic Landmark has ever seen.

On that night, the Auditorium Theatre will officially celebrate its 125^th anniversary, and this momentous milestone will be recognized with an appropriately extravagant celebration.  The black-tie gala will feature an evening of music, movement and memories celebrating the Auditorium Theatre’s incredible 125 years.  

The spectacular entertainment for the Auditorium Theatre’s 125^th gala will be an homage to our long history of exceptional programming, and will include:  the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the Lyric Opera of Chicago, the Joffrey Ballet, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, the Apollo Chorus, and a rock concert composed of legendary Chicago musicians.  In a scheduling coup of pure symmetry, one of the headliners, the world-renowned and Tony-Award winning Broadway sensation, Ms. Patti LuPone, happens to be the great-grandniece (and namesake) of Adelina Patti, the opera star who performed on the Auditorium Theatre’s stage during opening night in 1889.  

Please join us for one of the Auditorium Theatre’s most memorable events in recent memory.  Our 125^th gala celebration will be an acknowledgement of all the Auditorium Theatre has achieved—and the limitless possibilities that remain.   

To purchase tickets to the Auditorium Theatre’s 2015 Gala, or to address any inquiries, please contact Amanda Byrne at 312.341.2364, or abyrne@auditoriumtheatre.org. 

Our Cornerstones

Every landmark building needs a strong foundation…

…a source of strength that helps shoulder the burden

…and a base of support upon which the structure must rest.

In each issue of "The Curtain Speech" this section will highlight some of the Auditorium Theatre’s cornerstones—individuals, corporations, and foundations whose support has been especially heartwarming. We are incredibly grateful for their generosity and for their kindness. And we want to acknowledge them because their selflessness is instrumental in helping our National Historic Landmark persevere, prosper, and grow.

These are compassionate people, responsible corporations, and philanthropic institutions committed to making a difference in the world.

These are friends just like you.

These are our cornerstones.

Hearts in Harmony 

Throughout the years, the Auditorium Theatre has been fortunate to benefit from the generosity of countless individuals, corporations, and foundations whose heartwarming support has proven essential to the continued success of our most vital programs. We are uniquely honored, however, when we see this kindness exhibited by the performers who grace our stage. 

One of these individuals, Joan Curto, is a renowned Chicago-based cabaret singer who was particularly touched by the Auditorium Theatre’s seminal outreach program, “Hands Together, Heart to Art,” our summer arts camp for children who have experienced the death of a parent.  

A proud performer of the Great American Songbook and former Chicago After Dark Winner for Outstanding Cabaret Artist, Joan Curto first graced the stage of the Auditorium Theatre in 2009.  Although Joan would later say that she “felt honored to be on the (Auditorium’s) stage,” it was the audience, and the organization, that were truly honored—not merely by experiencing Joan’s incredible talent, but by the faithful friendship she would continue to display throughout the years. 

In addition to her wide array of captivating performances, Joan Curto is the President of the Board of Directors of the Chicago Cabaret Professionals (CCP).  This esteemed role allows her to contribute to an organization committed to making a difference by shaping and enhancing the cultural fabric that surrounds us.  

In "Hands Together, Heart to Art," Joan saw a program that truly aligns with the mission of the Chicago Cabaret Professionals, an outreach opportunity that makes a profound impact on the lives of some of Chicago's most vulnerable, impressionable, and important individuals...our children.

Over the last several years, the Chicago Cabaret Professionals have donated substantial time, energy, and support to ensure that all the children enrolled in "Hands Together, Heart to Art" experienced one of the most rewarding and life-changing opportunities possible.  The unique healing experience, “fits perfectly with the CCP’s mission” Joan said.  “The CCP has embraced this cause. The organization wants to help children in any way it can…especially those have endured such traumatic circumstances.  We are proud to help the camp.”   

The results of their graciousness cannot be overstated.  Anyone who gives to “Hands Together, Heart to Art” is helping to provide comfort, healing and inspiration to hurting children from throughout the Chicago area, and their generosity will have recurring resonance for the campers and their families for many years to come.  

Of course, Joan Curto is exceedingly humble, but the true measure of her kindness—and indeed, of the friendship of the Chicago Cabaret Professionals—cannot be gauged by simply acknowledging their tremendous support, however commendable it may be.

The mark of their friendship can be seen in the faces of hundreds of children throughout the Chicago area.  Its impact is visible in their smiles, their laughter, and in their newfound courage as they leave camp noticeably less-burdened than before, filled with the hope and the strength to pursue productive, promising, and successful lives.  

Because of this commitment, we offer Joan and the Chicago Cabaret Professionals our most heartfelt thanks.  We are immensely grateful for all they share with us…for the artistry they display on our stage, to the kindness they show long after the spotlights have grown dark.