ATC Launches GoFundMe To Support Expansion As Independent NFP

The Actors Training Center (ATC) in Wilmette, Illinois, one of the most respected actor training programs in the Chicagoland area, announces exciting plans to expand its course offerings, remodel existing facilities, create new studio space, increase the number of scholarship students, and launch as a not-for-profit entity independent of the Wilmette Theatre, of which it is currently a division. A new GoFundMe campaign has been created to support these endeavors. Now through May 31, 2018, ATC hopes to reach its goal of $20,000.

ATC was founded in 2007 by Carole Dibo, a 30-plus year veteran of "the business" who is also a former actress and current talent manager. The Actors Training Center's mission is to provide all students with a creative outlet, a welcoming professional space, and industry-grade training. ATC provides children, teens and adults the opportunity to develop their talents and pursue their artistic passions within a safe, supportive environment. ATC has helped hundreds of students to feel comfortable in their own skin, learn and work collaboratively with peers and mentors, form lasting bonds with new friends, and even land roles on Broadway, in touring companies, movies, TV shows, and feature films. Indeed, Carole and ATC have a national reputation for bridging the gap between a young actor's needs and the industry's expectations. ATC students Train to Work and Learn for Life.

"Carole runs a program that is equally focused on understanding and fulfilling your passion as an actor and also understanding and fulfilling the needs of the business. That's a great thing to be able to teach a lot of young actors," says ATC alumnus Rachel Brosnahan, recent Golden Globe Winner for Best Performance by An Actress in a Television Series for the Amazon series, "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel."

Since 2012, ATC has operated as a division of the Wilmette Theatre Education Project, a 501(c)(3) not- for-profit entity. Due to the high demand for its programs, ATC is forming a new 501(c)(3) entity with exciting plans to:

• PROVIDE MORE SCHOLARSHIPS: ATC's mission includes accepting students into our programs without regard to financial need. We never turn a student away. However, like most non-profit educational institutions, tuition does not cover our expenses.
• CREATE BETTER SPACES + PLACES: While we will continue to operate above the Wilmette Theatre, we are adding a new and improved studio space in downtown Wilmette. We are also expanding our curriculum to reach new students throughout Chicago neighborhoods with our new "ATC@" series.
• EXPAND PREMIERE PROGRAMMING: We are expanding course offerings to meet the demand of our premier programs to reach students all over the Chicago area.

To support these endeavors, ATC is launching a GoFundMe campaign. Public support is essential to help ATC launch independently, grow its programs in welcoming spaces, and continue to create life-changing experiences for every child, teen and adult student. As a division of the nonprofit Wilmette Theatre, contributions to ATC's campaign are deductible to the extent provided by law.

For more information about the Actors Training Center, please visit www.ActorsTrainingCenter.org.

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