Celebrating a milestone 125th Anniversary Season, Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University will open its doors for the entire community beginning tonight, October 31 with the first film in the "Made in Chicago" Movie Series, "Chicago," and continuing on November 9 with Family Fun Day where all are welcome to experience the magic of the Auditorium Theatre while enjoying interactive activities, exciting crafts, special tours and more. Both events are free and open to the public.
"The founder of the Auditorium, Ferdinand Peck, had one goal in mind when he commissioned Louis Sullivan and Dankmar Adler to create the magnificent theatre: make it welcoming for all Chicagoans. It was to be a theatre for the people and of the people," said Brett Batterson, Auditorium Theatre Executive Director. "As we celebrate the 125th Anniversary, we continue to honor this vision of Ferdinand Peck through our programs, educational offerings and architectural tours. The Auditorium Theatre is Chicago's theatre and all of this great city's rich citizenry is welcome at our doors."
"Made in Chicago" Movie Series
Paying homage to the movies that feature the great city of Chicago and its rich history, the Auditorium kicks off the free "Made in Chicago" Movie Series with a spectacular Halloween celebration on October 31. Guests are invited to dress in their most "Razzle Dazzle" Jazz-era/1920's garb and sing-along to the show-stopping tunes of "Chicago," the stage musical turned multiple award-winning motion picture highlighting the scandal, celebrity, corruption and music that once were signature attributes of the Windy City.
At 6:00 pm, guests are invited into the lobby of the Auditorium for a "Speakeasy Cocktail Hour" where they will enjoy specialty cocktails and a live performance of "Chicago" tunes as well as other Kander and Ebb hits by celebrated cabaret artist Kimberly Lawson. Make sure to dress your best as a costume contest will commence, awarding fun prizes to attendees.
The musical mayhem will continue as the film begins on the National Landmark stage of the theatre at 7:00 pm. Guests are invited to sing-a-long to the movie and will also be treated to live performances by the "Merry Murderess Dancers" that will have movie-goers also dancing in the aisles!
Auditorium Theatre's 125th Anniversary Family Fun Day
On Sunday, November 9, the Auditorium Theatre will open its doors from 1:00 - 5:00 pm for a free Family Fun Day full of interactive activities and hands-on experiences highlighting the rich history of the landmark theatre. Allowing families to discover all of the magic the Auditorium has to offer both then and now, activities and entertainment are broken into three sections-"Be A Part of History," "Engage With the Community" and "Create at the Auditorium."
"Be A Part of History"
Family Friendly Tours: Learn about the magic of the theatre during family friendly tours through the nooks and crannies of the Auditorium.
Brownie Bonanza: In 1893, Bertha Palmer, whose husband Potter Palmer opened the Palmer House Hotel, requested that the Palmer House's Chef make a new dessert for ladies attending the World's Fair. The result was what we now know as the "brownie," and the same recipe is used to this day at the Palmer House. Join
Elise Mayfield from FOX's MasterChef and Palmer House Executive Chef Stephen Henry as they demonstrate how to make the delectable dessert throughout the day. Samples provided!
Stained Glass Ornaments: Immediately upon entering the Auditorium Theatre, guests are welcomed by six arched lunettes of beautiful colored art glass located above each door leading into the main lobby. Designed by
George Healy and Louis Millet, the inspiration for the windows is said to depict the allegorical figures of Wisdom, Oratory, Drama, Music, Poetry and Dance, announcing the theatre's varied purposes. Design your own stained glass creation at the Auditorium's Arts & Crafts table, bringing home some of the beautiful magic of the historic landmark.
Stories from the Past: The Phantom of the....Auditorium! Hear some of the oldest stories of the Auditorium Theatre including ghost stories and significant memories from the past.
"Engage With the Community"
Passport Scavenger Hunt: Guests will be given their own personal passports as they enter the theatre in order to collect stamps as they visit various destinations throughout, discovering exciting fun facts. At the end of the scavenger hunt, participants will receive a prize and are automatically entered to win a "Family Fun" package at the Auditorium Theatre to one of the 2014 - 15 season performances.
Musical Instrument Petting Zoo: Join the Chicago Jazz Philharmonic in their very own musical instrument petting zoo where guests are invited to see and touch the celebrated instruments these talented musicians use every day.
"Create at the Auditorium"
Become a Backup Singer: Put on your dancing shoes and learn the smooth moves of backup singers that help make the famous rock stars that have graced the Auditorium stage look so good. BeMoved dance instructor Jennifer Edgcomb gets the entire family swinging and swaying.
Family Dance Ballet: Meet dancers from The Joffrey Ballet as they teach their beautiful dance technique to participating guests.
Make 'Em' Laugh: Some of Chicago's favorite comedians and improvisers gather together to teach guests tricks of the trade through theatre games, joke telling and more. Instructors include Chicago actress and Stage 773 Director of Education and Programs Amanda Long, Organic Theater Company Manger and Northern Illinois School of Theatre and Dance Assistant Professor Joel Moses and Auditorium Theatre Teaching Artists Jacob Watson and Tobi Mattingly.
For more information on the Auditorium Theatre's 125th Anniversary Season, visit
AuditoriumTheatre.org/125.
About the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University - The Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University, located at 50 E Congress Pkwy, is an Illinois, not-for-profit organization committed to presenting the finest in international, cultural, community and educational programming to Chicago, and to the continued restoration and preservation of the National Historic Landmark Auditorium Theatre. In August of 2014, the Auditorium Theatre was named as an inaugural Fifth Star Award Honoree by
Mayor Rahm Emanuel and the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events. The Auditorium Theatre is generously supported by the MacArthur Foundation, the Illinois
Arts Council, the Sage Foundation, and the Palmer House Hilton. For more information about programming, volunteer and donor opportunities or theatre tours, call (312) 341-2310 or visit
AuditoriumTheatre.org.
