Ruth Page Center to Host Porchlight Music Theatre's 2017-18 Season

Porchlight Music Theatre has announced that its 2017 - 2018 season will be performed at the Ruth Page Center for the Arts, 1016 N. Dearborn Ave. as one of Ruth Page Center's Artists In-Residence.

The Ruth Page Center will be Porchlight's new home for its mainstage and Porchlight Revisits series. In addition to the programming, Porchlight will provide the box office and all audience services for its performances at the venue. Events celebrating this new move will coincide with the launch in September 2017 of Porchlight Music Theatre's 23rd season, to be announced.

"Over the last few years, Porchlight has experienced an increase in subscribers and single ticket buyers that has accompanied an increase in the volume and scope of Porchlight Music Theatre programming. These factors pointed to the need for a larger capacity venue that would still retain the intimate approach for our musical productions, as we work to expand our audience and supporter base for future seasons," Jeannie Lukow, Porchlight Music Theatre's executive director said. "Stage 773 has been an invaluable venue for us and we've truly enjoyed their partnership in our being a resident company there. As Porchlight grows and our artistic and audience needs change, being an Artist In-Residence at the Ruth Page Center for the Arts offers Porchlight significant opportunities for our production capabilities and exposure not only to the community around the Center, but also to Chicago's tourism and travel markets."

Porchlight Music Theatre's Artistic Director Michael Weber added, "In addition to presenting our 2017/18 Mainstage and Porchlight Revisits productions at the Ruth Page Center, our School at Porchlight faculty look forward to collaborating with the Ruth Page staff on creating exciting new educational programs that bring together our individual focuses on music theatre and dance training. We look forward to announcing our first season at the Center and more details soon."

"Our Artist In-Residence Program has acted as an incubator for a number of Chicago's top theater companies - Chicago Shakespeare Theater, Lookingglass Theatre Company, and most recently Chicago Children's Theater." notes Venetia Stifler, executive and artistic director of the Ruth Page Center. "Music Theater complements the other disciplines present in our Center, and Porchlight's long history of artistic excellence make for an exciting new collaboration for both our organizations. We are so pleased to welcome them as our newest Artist In-Residence."

Porchlight Music Theatre, now in its 22nd season, is nationally recognized for developing innovative new works, reimagining classic productions and showcasing musical theatre's noted veterans and rising stars. Porchlight elevates the genre in Chicago by providing intimate and powerful theatrical experiences for its growing and diverse audiences. With the vision of Artistic Director Michael Weber, Porchlight builds on its role as Chicago's only Equity not-for-profit company exclusively specializing in music theatre. Porchlight's rich history includes the staging of more than 60 productions with 15 Chicago premieres and five world premieres. Through Porchlight's "Off the Porch" new works program, the musicals of the next generation are developed and given a first audience. The School at Porchlight is Chicago's new center for music theatre training in the areas of performance, writing and appreciation. The company's many accolades include 17 Black Theatre Alliance nominations and three awards, as well as a total of 126 Joseph Jefferson Award nominations resulting in 39 Jeff Awards including four consecutive Best Production awards for Dreamgirls (2016), Sondheim on Sondheim (2015), Ain't Misbehavin' (2014) and A Class Act (2013).

For more information on Porchlight Music Theatre's current season and performance schedule go to PorchlightMusicTheatre.org.

Venetia Stifler, Emmy-nominated choreographer and director, is the executive and artistic director of The Ruth Page Center for the Arts, guiding the vision of the organization left to Chicago by the dance icon and pioneer Ruth Page (1899-1991). An incubator of artistic energy and excellence, the Ruth Page Center for the Arts carries forward the vision of its founder to be a platform for developing great artists and connecting them with audiences and community. Located at 1016 N. Dearborn Street, the Center serves the Chicago dance and performing arts community by providing a home, office space, rehearsal space, performance opportunities, professional dance training and marketing support for the up-and-coming companies and artists of Chicago's vibrant performing arts scene. Emanating from the Illinois heartland, the visionary work of Ruth Page influenced the growth of theater design, opera-ballet and dance. She achieved worldwide recognition as a true pioneer of dance in America by creating at the forefront of social, political and artistic issues.

Central to the Ruth Page Center for the Arts' programming is the Artist In-Residence program, which is designed to serve organizations looking for a home base while they grow or expand their artistic and organizational capabilities. The Center is committed to nurturing and assisting dance and other performing artists, allowing for exchange and collaborative relationships to develop within this artist community. The Ruth Page Center for the Arts is a destination for quality performing arts, accessible to a wide community regardless of race, gender, age, education or disability.

Current Artists In-Residence are CDI/Concert Dance, Inc., DanceWorks Chicago, Ruth Page Civic Ballet, ShawChicago Theater Company and Hedwig Dances. Previous residents of the Ruth Page Center include Chicago Children's Theatre, Chicago Shakespeare Theatre and Lookingglass Theatre Company.

For more information about The Ruth Page Center for the Performing Arts and its programs visit www.RuthPage.org.