100th Anniversary celebration for the Athenaeum Theatre

 

Day-long Festivities include Performances, Workshops and More

 

Chicago, IL – Chicago’s Athenaeum Theatre celebrates its 100^thanniversary in 2011.   This community arts center, the largest in the Midwest, has been a home to thousands of artists and offered support to hundreds of arts organizations.  To commemorate the past and celebrate the future, there will be a Centennial Celebration at the Athenaeum Theatre on Monday, October 10, 2011 at 7 p.m.   The event will feature dozens of performances, workshops, historic displays and a grand finale saluting the past and revealing the future.  Alderman Scott Waugaspack, of Chicago’s 32^ndward will present special recognition of the Athenaeum’s contribution to the city of Chicago.   The event is free; however donations for the future of the Athenaeum Theatre will be appreciated.

 

The Athenaeum opened in 1911 and was constructed by St. Alphonsus Church as a recreational center serving the mostly German community. The building featured a 1000 seat theatre for German Operetta, A gymnasium, bowling alleys, music and meeting rooms. Over the years, meeting rooms gave way to classrooms and the theatre became a temporary church in the early 1950’s after a devastating fire damaged the church.  Today the Athenaeum is once again fulfilling its original purpose. Offices and studio Theatres now occupy former meeting room space and the 1000 seat theatre has been updated.

 

The Celebration begins at 11 am with theatre arts workshops for kids.  This kid’s matinee will feature ‘get involved’ workshops by Chicago Improv Festival productions, Play Mechanics, Blake Williams and the Rope Warrior.  There will also be an appearance from Lucy the dog from the musical Annie.

 

The Mainstage Show at 7 p.m. will feature performances from several arts organizations.  Artists scheduled to appear include:  3 Card Monty, American Cyborgs, Autumn Hays, BAM!, Cerqua Rivera Dance Experience, Chicago Gay Men’s Chorus, Chicago Moving Company, Elements Contemporary Ballet, Enidsmithdance, Everlasting Drifters, Hedwig Dances, Inside Chicago Dance, Karen Faith, Lizzy MacKenzie, Matthew Nicholas, moments, Porchlight Music Theatre, Reggio The Hoofer, Treeline Dance Works, Vicki Fowler & Trevor Martin and Z3 Movement Project.

 

The event is produced by Bob Bagnuolo of the Athenaeum Theatre, Margaret L. Nelson of Lumen Siccum Productions, Inc and L. Walter Stearns of The Mercury Theater.

 

The Centennial Celebration is generously sponsored by: 32nd Ward Alderman Scott Waguespack, Eli’s Cheesecake, Side Street Saloon, The Saints, Tripp Lite, Tenenbaum Hardware & Paint Co., S & G Restaurant, Jewel Osco @ Ashland Ave. and Wellington, Jack’s Bar & Grill, Fiorentino’s Cucina Italiana and Golden Apple Restaurant, Lincoln Tap Room and Source One Media