Welcome, Charlie Gardner!

Photo: Dan Rest

Please join us in welcoming Charlie Gardner to the position of Chairman of the Board of Directors!

The Auditorium Board members and staff are extremely pleased to welcome our newly appointed Chairman of the Board, Charlie Gardner.

Charlie has long been a loyal steward of the Auditorium Theatre, serving on the Auditorium Board of Directors since 2003. A certified public accountant by training, Charlie previously served for a time in the office of Board Treasurer. He’s been part of our extended Roosevelt community for even longer, actively serving on the Roosevelt University Board of Trustees since 1993.

In his professional life, Charlie was President and CEO of The Chicago Dock & Canal Trust, a publicly traded real estate investment trust. With Chicago Dock, Charlie helped develop jewels like the Sheraton Chicago Hotel and Towers, the NBC Tower, the University of Chicago’s Gleacher Center and more than 1,000 condominiums and rental apartments in projects that today are known as Cityfront Center and River East. “It was a lifetime dream to be involved in a major piece of land in a major city and in a great location,” says Charlie.

Charlie and his wife, Patti Eylar, always answer our calls for support. They are “Friends of Too Hot to Handel,” tirelessly concerned with preservation efforts of our National Historic Landmark building, and happy patrons of our dance presenting and producing.

This fall, you will see Charlie and Patti here at the Auditorium enjoying a performance of The Joffrey Ballet, the Twyla Tharp--50th Anniversary Tour, and the Billy Strayhorn gala on November 21. They subscribe every year to our dance series and many other productions like Too Hot to Handel.

In fact, their contributions to dance, and to ballet in particular, go far beyond our stage. Patti was a founding member of Chicago City Ballet, directed by Maria Tallchief and Paul Meija, and currently co-directs Chicago Ballet Arts in the west Rogers Park neighborhood. She is currently the President of the Joffrey Ballet Women's Board, and an active board member of Chicago Dancers United and Audience Architects, Chicago’s dance service organization.

Charlie is also active around town, serving on the board of the Civic Federation, and as a member of the Joffrey Circle Committee. He is also a former member of the Boards of Northwestern Medical Faculty Foundation, Northwestern Memorial Foundation, the Illinois Gaming Board, and the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority. He is a Life Trustee of Northwestern Medicine.

Charlie retired from business in 1997. But if that inspires you to challenge him to a pick-up game of hoops, a word of caution- you’ll need to bring you’re A-game. Charlie is a former basketball player with the ABA team Denver Rockets.

Welcome, Charlie! We are thrilled to have you serve as Chairman of the Board.

Bring Arts Back Into the Classroom

Sponsor a Classroom Campaign

ArtsXChange directly addresses the need for arts education and exposure in our public schools, many of which are at-risk schools at the heart of Chicago’s most underserved and disadvantaged communities.

Help us continue our expansion of ArtsXChange into the greater Chicago Public School District and support classroom teachers who are working hard to provide quality arts experiences for their students, despite lean school budgets.

By growing ArtsXChange within CPS, we will equip these students’ primary educators with the tools necessary to successfully and continuously expose their classrooms to the benefit and relevance of the arts in all areas of life and learning.

About ArtsXChange

ArtsXChange, one of the most original and groundbreaking professional development programs, was created by the Auditorium Theatre to serve Chicago Public Schools (CPS).

ArtsXChange provides classroom teachers with long-term professional development and coaching in arts-based learning techniques. By pairing participating CPS teachers with one of our Teaching Artist Mentors, ArtsXChange trains educators to integrate the arts into everyday classroom learning.

Ultimately, ArtsXChange imparts knowledge, enhances capacity, and affects long-lasting change in overall teaching practice.

Why Give?

In light of the current challenges our Chicago Public Schools are facing, we at the Auditorium Theatre are committed to providing ArtsXChange programming free of cost to this year’s participating classrooms.

We need your help. The total cost to a CPS classroom to participate in ArtsXChange is $4,300—a fee that is simply insurmountable for any classroom in our public schools.

This cost directly correlates to the most crucial elements of the program: Teaching Artist Mentor training, classroom residency time, tickets to see three student matinee performances at the Auditorium Theatre (Twyla Tharp’s 50th Anniversary Tour, Too Hot to Handel: the Jazz Gospel Messiah, and Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater), buses to and from the theatre, and specific supplies.

We need to raise $10,000 by October 31 to achieve this goal. Donate today to sponsor a classroom and bring the arts back into our public schools. No gift is too small. Just $50 sponsors one student’s participation in ArtsXChange for the entire school year.

ArtsXChange provides a method of educational and cultural programming of the most exceptional standard to Chicago’s underserved children as they grow, giving them the necessary tools to impact the Chicagoland area and beyond as confident and empowered future residents, artists, and leaders in adulthood.

Partner with us to make this critical impact—sponsor the ArtsXChange experience today.

Sponsorship Levels

$4,300 – Classroom Sponsor

This immensely generous donation will provide a full sponsorship for ArtsXChange residency programming in one classroom. Includes: Teaching Artist Mentor training, 3 weeks of in-class residency time, supplies, three bus trips to and from the theatre, and student matinee ticket costs to three performances at the Auditorium Theatre.

$1,120 – Student Matinee Ticket Sponsor

This donation will cover all ticket costs for one classroom of students to attend the full season of student matinee performances – three shows over the course of the school year.

$980 – Teaching Artist Mentor Sponsor

A donation of this amount will provide for all training and professional development expenses for one of our Teaching Artist Mentors, fully preparing them for their work in the classroom.

$540 – Sponsor Three Bus Trips

Donate to provide three bus trips to get a CPS classroom to the Auditorium Theatre for each of the student matinee performances throughout the school year.

$180 – Sponsor One Bus Trip

Sponsor one bus trip to and from the Auditorium for one of the three student matinees over the course of the residency.

$125 – Supplies Sponsor

This donation will pay for one year’s worth of residency supplies for an ArtsXChange classroom.

$50 – Student Sponsor

This donation supports one student’s experience throughout one year of ArtsXChange programming. Even a donation of this amount will impact a child’s life forever!

For more information, or to become a sponsor of ArtsXChange, please contact Erica by phone at 312.341.2382, or by email at ebittner@auditoriumtheatre.org. Thank you!

ArtsXChange is made possible in part through the generosity of the Polk Bros Foundation.

Join Hands and Sing!

We have some very generous people to thank as we prepare for the Auditorium Theatre’s 11th annual production of Too Hot to Handel: The Jazz-Gospel Messiah, taking the stage January 16-17, 2016.

The Auditorium Theatre produces this show only with the help of a close circle of donors known as the “Friends of Too Hot to Handel,” led by chairs Frantz and McGhee Osse.

At a time of the year when we as a country come together to recognize the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., it’s the “Friends of Too Hot to Handel” who help make it possible for the Auditorium to bring this glorious musical experience to our beloved community.

If you have experienced the show, you know what Too Hot soprano soloist Alfreda Burke means when she says, “You don’t leave the same way that you come! It never fails to bring us together.”

One of our most anticipated events, the show is a true celebration of diversity. The production includes a cast of acclaimed soloists—tenor Rodrick Dixon, soprano Alfreda Burke and alto Karen Marie Richardson - plus pianist Alvin Waddles, bassist Marion Hayden, the 150 voices of the city-wide Too Hot Choir (under the direction of Old St. Pat’s Music Director Bill Fraher), and a 50-piece symphony orchestra and jazz ensemble conducted by Suzanne Mallare Acton.

To our generous dear “Friends of Too Hot to Handel,” thank you, again. You know the power of this show to inspire and energize, and you are true champions of the show’s larger purpose.

If you are interested in joining a group of donors who are passionate about the show, consider becoming a “Friend of Too Hot to Handel” today. Members of this close circle of donors enjoy:

• Two prime tickets
• An elegant dinner with the stars and other “Friends” 
• Opening night post-performance champagne toast with the cast
• Immediate membership in the Adler Society, including access to The Adler Room whenever you attend a show at the Auditorium, and more.

For more information, or to become a "Friend of Too Hot to Handel," please contact Amanda by phone at 312.341.2364, or by email at abyrne@auditoriumtheatre.org. Thank you!

Celebrate a Lush Life with us

The Auditorium Theatre will host its annual Fall Gala, sponsored by The Pasquinelli Family Foundation, on Saturday, November 21. This year, we are celebrating The Billy Strayhorn Festival, proudly curated and presented by the Auditorium in honor of what would have been the jazz legend's 100th birthday.

The gala performance of Lush Life: The Music of Billy Strayhorn on November 21 on the Auditorium Theatre stage is the culminating performance and festival finale of the three-month long city-wide festival. Lush Life is under the musical direction of Bruce Mayhall Rastrelli, and features Broadway star Darius de Haas and local favorite Joan Curto with Grammy Award winner Alan Broadbent on piano, the Auditorium's Too Hot to Handel Orchestra, a 30-voice all-male choir, and The Joel Hall Dancers.

Please join us for the Gala Celebration! We want to share this finale with you because the festival is happening only with your generous support of the Auditorium Theatre.

Billy Strayhorn was one of the greatest jazz composers America has produced, but he remains overshadowed by his brilliant employer, Duke Ellington. [Strayhorn] penned scores that are revered around the world, but masterpieces such as Lush Life and Take the “A” Train are far more famous than the man who wrote them. He showed courage in coming out as a gay man in an era when few artists of his stature did, but he paid dearly for that heroic stance.

–-Howard Reich, Chicago Tribune

For our gala evening, cocktails and dinner begin at 5pm at the Hilton Chicago. As a very special treat, we’ll enjoy dinner music from The Orbert Davis & Rich Daniels Quintet playing a program to honor the Strayhorn legacy.

After dinner, we’ll move to the Auditorium Theatre for the 8pm performance of Lush Life: The Music of Billy Strayhorn, and enjoy a champagne intermission together.


Gala Celebration sponsored by The Pasquinelli Family Foundation
Honorary Chairs Alyce and Rochelle Claerbaut
Event Chairs Bruce Bachmann, Sidney and Sondra Berman Epstein, Dave Samber and Darrell Windle

We hope to see you there! Gala Tickets start at $500 and Tables start at $5,000. All include a ticket to the Lush Life performance. Gala proceeds benefit the Auditorium Theatre.

For more information, or to reserve your Gala Tickets, please contact Amanda by phone at 312.341.2364, or by email at abyrne@auditoriumtheatre.org. Thank you!

Concert only tickets are available through AuditoriumTheatre.org or by calling 312.341.2300.

You Happy Devils

In case you couldn’t make it to the event, we’re happy to share with you that the Auditorium Theatre Auxiliary Board hosted the fifth annual Devil’s Ball, presented by Rivers Casino, on Friday, October 2.

This year, the cocktail party fundraiser benefiting the Auditorium Theatre welcomed approximately 300 guests into the Auditorium’s historic lobby for dancing, hors d’oeuvres, theatre tours, wine auction and raffle.

See the photo gallery from Chicago Magazine's coverage.

Attendees were treated to a surprise musical performance by Environmental Encroachment, who have been creating marching band spectacles in Chicago since 1994, and close-up magic by Benjamin Barnes.

The money raised through Devil’s Ball benefits the programming, educational outreach opportunities, and restoration of the Auditorium, Chicago’s iconic and legendary National Historic Landmark building.

Take a look back at the Smilebooth moments that helped make the night magical.

This evening could never have been possible without the commitment and the generosity of our dedicated members of the Auxiliary Board. Over the past five years, they have helped Devil's Ball grow and flourish. In that time, the Auxiliary Board has welcomed more than one thousand people into the theatre for this occasion, and has helped raise awareness of, and support for, this incredible National Historic Landmark.

This 5th anniversary is not merely an indication of all that the Auxiliary Board has achieved—it’s a compelling reminder of the expansive possibilities that await! We look forward to future milestones, and we welcome the chance to share them with you.

Thank you to our Devil's Ball Sponsors!

Rivers Casino – Presenting Sponsor
My Drink On
Chicago Magazine – Media Sponsor

Event Sponsors: KlearSky, Lagunitas Chicago Brewing Co., Chirp Design, Julia Nash Photography, NRI, Russian Tea Time, Rent the Runway, Smilebooth, Benjamin Barnes Magic

Thank you to the members of the Auxiliary Board for your friendship and your patronage!

Dillon Goodson, Chair 
Kylin Fisher, Secretary
Mariana Karampelas, Treasurer
Julia Nash, Chair Emeritus 

George Bliss
Ryan Bormet
Jason Burch
Tracey Cosby
Ashley May Coussens
Sabrina Lee Edelhauser
Robert Gordon
Anthony Guerrero
Nicole M. Hill
Genevieve Hughes
Joseph Martin III
Erin Meyer
Elizabeth McNicholas
Matthew McNicholas
Kari Micheel
Olivia Pasquinelli
Elizabeth Raspolich
Abby Redfield
Robert Sheehan
Trice Turner
Willis Welch
Tiffanie Williams

The Auxiliary Board wishes to extend its gratitude to Auditorium Theatre Board member Sidney Kerley for his time and service to our efforts.

Want to get involved? To find out more about Auxiliary Board membership and their hosted events, please contact Amanda by phone at 312.341.2364 or by email at abyrne@auditoriumtheatre.org.

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.    

It is difficult to express the profound impact Hands Together, Heart to Art makes on hurting children throughout Chicago. For over eleven 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 Martinez Byrne at 312.341.2364.  

 

Board Games

On July 14, 2015, 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 Taproom Trivia fundraising event featured ten rounds of challenging, witty, and unique questions and a litany of exciting prizes.  Held at Lagunitas Brewing Company, 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 the these dedicated professionals. Everyone at the Auditorium is proud to have such talented and compassionate individuals as ambassadors of this cultural institution, and we look forward to witnessing future achievements of the committed group of philanthropists. 

For more information about the Auxiliary Board, Trivia Night or upcoming Devil's Ball please contact  abyrne@auditoriumtheatre.org or 312.341.2364.

Summer Rain

Over the last several years, the Auditorium Theatre implemented a variety of restoration and capital improvement projects aimed at augmenting our facilities and enhancing the theatre-going experience for our patrons.  From the addition of a full-service elevator to large-scale plumbing repairs, it’s amazing to see what we’ve accomplished thanks to the kindness of friends like you.

However, as proud as we are of all our recent enhancement efforts, we are currently faced with one of our most challenging initiatives ever. 

Revised ordinances in Chicago require that parts of the Auditorium Theatre be equipped with sprinklers in order to follow updated fire codes.  And for many years, the Auditorium was exempt from this regulation.  But due to recent changes, the theatre must now begin installing sprinklers in order to be compliant with these new laws. 

At a total cost of nearly $1,000,000, this is one of the most challenging and expensive projects that the Auditorium Theatre has ever seen. 

This project is on the heels of one of the Auditorium Theatre’s most exhilarating—but expensive—seasons in history.  That means there is a wide array of expenses that need to be addressed at the theatre…and we are more dependent than ever on the generosity of good people like you.

Fortunately, an anonymous friend has provided the Auditorium Theatre with a unique opportunity that will make an incredible difference to the future of this National Historic Landmark. 

Because she wants to make sure the Auditorium completes this project successfully and addresses the variety of expenses we’ve accumulated over the course of the season, she’s willing to match the first gifts from friends like you up to $65,000!

That means if you send a gift of $25—you’d really be giving $50 to the Auditorium Theatre.

And if you could manage to send a gift of $50 today, this incredibly generous gift would double to be worth $100!

By taking advantage of this special matching opportunity, you will double your impact immediately.  Any gift you can spare will keep the Auditorium Theatre safe, welcoming, and running smoothly for generations to come.  

For more information or to provide a gift, contact abyrne@auditoriumtheatre.org or 312.341.2364

Our Cornerstones

Every landmark building needs a 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 their kindness.  And we want to acknowledge their efforts because they are instrumental in helping our National Historic Landmark persevere, prosper, and grow.

These are compassionate people, responsible corporations, and philanthropic institutions. 

These are friends just like you.

These are our cornerstones.  

This month, learn about the historic Palmer House Hilton.  

 

For over one hundred and twenty-five years, the Auditorium Theatre and the Palmer House Hilton have enjoyed a remarkable union as two of the premier architectural, social, and cultural edifices nestled within the heart of Chicago.  Our joint existence has spanned some of the most marvelous decades of the modern era—together, we’ve survived two World Wars, a national Depression, and the natural ebb and flow of triumph and tragedy.  Through it all, we’ve witnessed the landscape of our world-class city shift and sway, rise up and spread further than many would have dreamed—and yet we have remained, honored and proud to be among the most integral threads in the fabric of one of the world’s grandest and most historic cities. 

 

The Palmer House Hilton is recognized throughout the world for being the iconic Chicago hotel in operation since 1871, and they value their highly-prized heritage of traditions that have been in place for nearly 145 years. When asked about the hotel 's history and their enduring relationship with the Auditorium Theatre, Ken Price, the Palmer House Director of Public Relations, was characteristically humble and gracious:  “By virtue of our history, our hotel continues to attract new generations of customers and  clients. A key element in the success of this endeavor is allying with other historic partners.  The internationally acclaimed Auditorium Theatre is a supreme example.  If we are known by the company we keep, we feel we are among the best company in the world."

 

While we at the Auditorium Theatre are touched by these words, we would like to reciprocate Mr. Price’s kind words and acknowledge that our legacy is only possible through ongoing collaboration with esteemed institutions like the Palmer House Hilton.  Considering all that has been attained by our respective organizations, it is only natural that we should build on this shared history, and add to our common chronicle of achievement.  As the official hotel sponsor of the Auditorium Theatre, the Palmer House Hilton continues to ensure that their iconic status will be forever adjoined with ours. Everyone at the Auditorium is honored by this relationship and we eagerly await new opportunities to enhance our partnership and continue shaping the landscape of Chicago for many more generations to come.
 

A Wall of Fame

Throughout the Auditorium Theatre’s exceptional 125-year history, millions of audience members have passed through our doors.  Each of those individuals has an invaluable memory of their time here—including you. And now you have the chance to share your experiences with millions of people for generations to come.

You now have the unique opportunity to share your favorite memories on our “Memory Wall,” an installation located on the north wall of the Auditorium Theatre’s lobby.   

We are pleased to announce the unveiling of this exciting addition to our National Historic Landmark.  This new construction features plaques containing the names, dates, and favorite memories of our most cherished friends.  Although the Memory Wall is now officially installed, please know that this will be an ongoing opportunity for all our friends, and there are still plenty of spaces available for reserving your place on this enduring time capsule. 

Whether it’s seeing The Who, or a “who’s who” of American dance…whether watching a child's eyes light up during a performance of “The Nutcracker” or marveling at the beauty of Adler and  Sullivan's vision... those experiences can now be recorded forever.  And whatever your favorite memory of the Auditorium might be—witnessing a performance or marveling at the architecture, attending an event or applauding a show with your friends—you can now share it for future generations to enjoy.     


We would like to thank those gracious friends who have already claimed their place on our Memory Wall:

• Brett Batterson
• Gail Beedie
• Robert and Tammy Campbell
• Joyce Chelberg
• Patti Eylar & Charlie Gardner
• Bill and Shelley Farley
• Judie Green
• Jack Hartray 
• Dr. Paul M. Lisnek
• Paul Green
• Cy & Lolly Rosengarten
• Darrell Windle and Dave Samber

To learn more about how you can share your memory for years to come, call (312) 341-2397, or email jagreen@auditoriumtheatre.org