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

 

April Showers

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

Echoes of the Future

The Auditorium Theatre enjoys an incomparable legacy.  Within our walls, Broadway musicals, international ballet, rock concerts, and modern dance are augmented by Louis Sullivan's breathtaking design and Dankmar Adler's flawless acoustics.  This acclaimed history has solidified the theatre's status as one of the world's most respected performing arts venues. 

But the Auditorium Theatre is more than a building...it's a family.  And everyone here is invested in its success--now, and for the future. 

That’s why many of our board members and staff have the Auditorium in their estate plans.  They understand how vital it is to preserve this treasure for future generations. 

Planned giving is a unique chance to make a difference that will affect the lives of countless patrons, families, and arts lovers throughout Chicago.  By providing a gift through a bequest, trust, or annuity, you are ingraining your legacy with the Auditorium’s in perpetuity. 

We hope you will take advantage of the chance to join The Echo Society, a group of compassionate friends who are committed to including the Auditorium Theatre in their wills and trusts.

Planned gifts make a difference to not only the organization…they make a difference to friends like you, too.  They are a means for you to make a substantial gift without depleting your day-to-day income or your retirement assets.  Additionally, planned gifts allow you to provide the vision and strategy for how you would like your contribution applied over time.  

Membership in The Echo Society is extended to those caring individuals who:

•   Include the Auditorium Theatre in their estate plans

•   Establish a charitable life-income arrangement (such as a charitable gift annuity or a charitable remainder trust) to benefit the Auditorium Theatre

•    Name the Auditorium Theatre as a beneficiary of life insurance or stock gift

By joining The Echo Society, you will make a difference.  A planned gift today can ensure our prosperity tomorrow...and will help enjoin your legacy with the Auditorium Theatre, forever.  

 For more information on becoming part of “The Echo Society,” please call (312) 341-2397. 

Board Games

On July 14, 2015, the Auditorium Theatre’s Auxiliary Board will hold one of their most entertaining and popular events of the year.  The board’s “Taproom Trivia” fundraising event will feature ten rounds of challenging, witty, and unique trivia questions and an assortment of exciting prizes.  Held at the Lagunitas Brewing Company Taproom, located at 2607 W. 17^th Street, the highly-anticipated evening will help benefit one of the Auditorium Theatre’s most crucial programs, "Hands Together, Heart to Art."

The Auditorium Theatre Auxiliary Board, a diverse group of young professional 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 will help "Hands Together, Heart to Art," the Auditorium Theatre's summer arts camp for children who have experienced the death of a parent. 

Beginning at 5:30 pm, teams of up to six individuals will compete to answer questions that cover a wide range of topics.  The event will award prizes to the first and second place finishers, and will feature a raffle with even more exciting opportunities to win.  The entire fundraiser will be emceed by Chicago's hip-hop sensation, The Q Brothers. 

Tickets to this entertaining evening are $35 each (or $180 for a team of six).  Each ticket entitles the owner to three beer tokens, food, and the opportunity to enter the trivia competition.  The Taproom Trivia event promises to be an enjoyable evening for all who attend; and, more important, will help bring hope, comfort and healing to hurting children from throughout the Chicago area. 

For more information contact abyrne@auditoriumtheatre.org or (312) 341-2364
 

Our Cornerstones

On June, 16, 2015, the Auditorium Theatre will hold a celebration fit for a king.  In conjunction with The Royal Ballet’s performance on our stage, the Auditorium Theatre is pleased to announce a special gala event commemorating the arrival of this illustrious company.  We are especially thrilled that this exciting evening will be co-chaired by Jay Franke and David Herro, two of Chicago’s most prestigious and compassionate arts lovers.

The co-founders (along with Lar Lubovitch) of the incredibly successful Chicago Dancing Festival and the recipients of the Illinois Humanities Council’s 2014 Public Humanities Award, Jay Franke and David Herro have already made an indelible mark on the cultural landscape of Chicago.  Their passion for the arts is palpable, evidenced by their inexhaustible immersion in the artistic world and staggering list of accomplishments. 

A Juilliard-trained dancer and Presidential Scholar finalist, Mr. Franke has danced with a host of acclaimed companies, including the Twyla Tharp Dance Company, the Lyric Opera Ballet Chicago, and Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, and he was a leading dancer in the Lar Lubovitch Dance Company. In addition to being the co-founder and co-artistic director of the Chicago Dancing Festival, Mr. Franke serves on the boards of several arts organizations in Chicago and New York.  

David Herro's impact on cultural, economic, and social causes is equally laudable.  Throughout his already illustrious career Mr. Herro has served on the Board of Directors for the Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago Foundation, the Field Museum, and the Economic Club of Chicago, served as the Treasurer of Chicago Dancing Festival, and worked on the Advisory Board of After School Matters. 

It is only fitting that such an exalted gala event be led by two individuals whose accolades are simply too numerous to list in a single article.  As evidenced by their stunning collection of accomplishments, enriching the communities that surround them is nothing new for this exceptional duo.  

When asked about the source of their passion for the arts (and especially for dance), they provided a thoughtful point of reference, a quote from the great Martha Graham who asserted that: "Dance is the hidden language of the soul.”  In accordance with this touching reflection on the art form, Jay Franke and David Herro “believe dance is able to speak to an audience in a way that words cannot communicate.”  

Despite their innumerable achievements and the profound difference they make in the community, Jay and David remain gracious,  grounded and humble.  Of course, their impact on the cultural fiber of our region can never truly be measured, but we had hoped to provide an anecdote that encapsulates just how honored we are to benefit from their generosity—and how significant their involvement in the Auditorium Theatre’s 125^th Anniversary really is. 

But their own words summarize our relationship with these pillars of our community, and their sentiments only underscore our appreciation for all they do to help not only the Auditorium Theatre throughout our 125^th anniversary, but Chicago’s entire cultural landscape persevere and prosper:

 “To witness the Auditorium Theatre turning 125 is a reminder to all of us how blessed we are to live in Chicago, a city where art, culture, and architecture are an integral part of our everyday lives.”