Congressman Randy Hultgren Visits Raue Center for the Arts

Raue Center For The Arts is pleased to share Congressman Randy Hultgren visited the theatre on August 23, 2017 to learn more about several exciting happenings taking place at Raue Center, including the grant their professional in-house theatre company, Williams Street Repertory, was recently awarded by the National Endowment for the Arts.

"Raue Center is an economic engine that generates approximately $200,000 for McHenry County each year in tax. Our overall economic impact is about $2.4 million and the NEA is helping us to increase our service area with this new marketing grant," says Executive Director, Richard Kuranda.

Raue Center was recently awarded a $10,000 NEA grant to support their Next Generation Initiative and Audience Development for WSRep. Last year, Raue Center focused their attention on attracting new audiences, donors and artists, and WSRep lead the initiative with new plays, community events and educational outreach initiatives

Over the past year, Raue Center has seen a tremendous amount of growth both regarding artistic, audience and operational development. The new grant will be used to support marketing initiatives associated with WSRep and its Next Generation Initiative.

Raue Center is proud to work with local, state and federal officials as they provide the arts for an annual audience of 60,000 and is grateful for the support of Mayor Shepley, Senator Althoff and Congressman Hultgren as the region's premier arts center.

"We are thankful that Congressman Hultgren and Senator Althoff continue to focus on the strengths of our community by representing and fighting for our interests," says Kuranda.

Raue Center is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to enriching the lives of all through the arts. For 16 years, they have provided quality programming - striving to make it pertinent, available and affordable to all. As a painstakingly restored, 1920s regional Showcase Theatre named for its benefactor-Lucile Raue-Raue Center has attracted the finest stars, Broadway shows, musicians and artists. Named on the League of Historic American Theatres, Raue Center is one of the finest examples of restored art and decor in the nation. The 750-seat theatre, located in historic downtown Crystal Lake, Ill., is a gathering place for our region's citizens and has become a true destination.

Williams Street Repertory is a non-profit theatre company located in Crystal Lake, Ill. Over the past seven years, WSR has built a reputation for artistic excellence as one of Illinois' leading producing theatres. WSR is dedicated to sustaining an artistic process of innovative and emotionally charged work, telling diverse stories and creating an in-house Production Company of well-respected artists. Since opening, WSR has presented more than 25 productions with a wide range of appeal, from Chicago premieres and international debuts to holiday favorites. In 2016, WSR entered into a contract with Actors' Equity Association, making WSR the only professional theatre company in McHenry County. WSR is dedicated to its mission of producing diverse and emotionally charged stories that deepen the cultural richness of our community and our region. WSR is also a proud member of Theatre Communications Group and the League of Chicago Theatres. WSR was made possible through support provided by Susen Håakansson Berg and James C. Berg, the City of Crystal Lake, ComEd, McHenry County Community Foundation and Epic Repertory Theater Company.

Pictured: Senator Pam Althoff, Raue Center's Executive Director Richard Kuranda, Congressman Randy Hultgren, Raue Center's Board President Tim Paul.