Theater Works Receives New Funding

Reviewing the 2013/2014 season, the City of Peoria confirmed the accomplishments of Theater Works as the managing tenant of the Peoria Center for Performing Arts. Recognizing its renewed capacities, the city has continued its financial support for the Theater Works' operation of the Peoria Center in the upcoming season.

At its June 17 meeting, the Peoria City Council unanimously approved providing Theater Works a total of $350,000 over the next fiscal year to cover operating expenses including utilities, box office operations, and maintenance functions. Similar to the previous year's agreement, a number of performance, financial, management and operational conditions are required of Theater Works. All of the designated performance goals for 2013-14 were achieved.

The 28-year old not-for-profit theater company has served as Managing Tenant of the $11.3 million, two-stage Peoria Center facility since its opening in 2007.

"It is gratifying that the City Council and Staff recognize the progress we have made at Theater Works. There is a working partnership in place, and increasing public recognition of the quality and variety of programming available at the Peoria Center for the Performing Arts" commented Theater Works Executive Director Daniel Schay. "This vote is a testament to the hard work of hundreds of professionals and volunteers, making the arts happen in, by and for our community."

Theater Works kicks off its new year of programming with the "New Works WESTival" - staged readings of new plays by Valley and national playwrights, which will run over three weekends in July. The 'MasterWorks' series opens September 5 with I GET A KICK OUT OF COLE, a review of songs of the masterful American composer. The 'YouthWorks' series of plays for young audiences begins with a highly theatrical retelling of TALES FROM THE ARABIAN NIGHTS September 12.

Information about the full season of plays, musicals, concerts, comedy, dance and facility rentals is available at at Theater Works/Peoria Center for the Performing Arts is at www.theaterworks.org and at (623)815-7930.