Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University

The Auditorium Building is a National Historic Landmark, a contributing property to the Historic Michigan Boulevard District, and a designated Chicago Landmark. Of all Chicago's iconic structures, none more accurately embodies the spirit of the city and soul of its people than the live performance venue that has stood within this building since 1889 - the Auditorium Theatre. Today, the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University, Inc. is an Illinois not-for-profit that continues the venue's legacy as the Theatre for the People by restoring and operating the 3,900-seat theatre and historic site as a lively entertainment and tourist destination. Through wide-ranging venue partnerships, annual performance seasons, and innovative community opportunities, more than 250 performances and events each year bring together over a quarter of a million people to the Loop neighborhood of Chicago to enjoy some of the best music, dance, and ideas that the world has to offer. We work with partners to host high-profile acts as varied as David Sedaris, Neil Young, Kanye West, A.R. Rahman, "Jersey Boys," String Cheese Incident, Mavis Staples, and Sarah Brightman. We are home to other non-profits that require a large venue with exceptional patron services to help fulfill their missions. The International Dance Series, the American Music Series, the "Made in Chicago" Dance Series, and the National Geographic Live series of the annual Auditorium Theatre Season feature the world's most prestigious ballet productions; a diverse range of national and Chicago-based musicians working in genres that include classical, oratorio, cabaret, rock, jazz, gospel, and blues; local dance artists working across Spanish, Irish, and American dance traditions; and explorers and scientists who have dedicated their professional lives to understanding our natural world. The variety of special ticket offers available to community groups, students, and young professionals throughout the season help ensure that Auditorium patrons represent every living generation, every income level, and every level of education. They reside in every standard Chicago zip code, in more than 450 other zip codes across Illinois, and in every US state. Pre-show Fireside Chats, post-show Q+As, Young Professionals Nights, Dance Master Classes, and similar events bring patrons together to connect with each other and with the artists and ideas of our seasons. In a typical year, the Auditorium Creative Engagement Department engages 21,000 people in content-rich opportunities that are customized in collaborative partnerships with more than 110 civic organizations. Auditorium staff work year-round to provide in-person on-site arts education, trainings, and mentorship services at the theatre and at 52 school sites, neighborhood venues, and correctional facilities in 29 zip codes across Chicago and beyond. Signature programs include the Student Matinee Series, ArtsXChange mentorship year for teachers, "Too Hot" Education Outreach and Prison Initiative, ADMIT ONE ticketing program for community groups, and Hearts to Art performing arts youth bereavement camp for young people who have lost a parent to death. We offer each opportunity at little or no cost so that people of all ages, incomes, and backgrounds who may not otherwise have the chance can join us for season performances. At the center of our mission is the commitment to restoring the National Historic Landmark Auditorium Theatre and preserving its 132-year legacy of uniting and connecting Chicagoans through the performing arts. Most recently, the Illinois State Senate declared December 9, 2019 "Auditorium Theatre Day" in honor of the 130th anniversary of the site's original opening and its continued service as a cultural resource for all of Chicago. We celebrated the Auditorium Theatre's 130 anniversary on December 9, 2019 with free daytime Historic Theatre Tours and the free evening Open House birthday party. Auditorium Historic Theatre Tours began in 1998. During a typical year, trained docents lead more than 1,600 visitors on 45-minute public tours scheduled 200 times each year, with an additional 30 private tours given on request to large groups. Visitors walk through many primary spaces while hearing stories of the theatre's artistic history, its architecture and ornamentation, and recent restoration and preservation projects. Although we opened a month later than expected due to residual effects from the pandemic, we were pleased to once again offer the finest in local, international, and community programming to the people of Chicago. However, our attendance and ticket sales were still inhibited by the lingering presence of the pandemic. Despite that obstacle, we were honored to showcase some of the most diverse collections of talent to be found anywhere in Chicago, and we fully expect attendance and ticket sales to continue to increase and soon reach pre-pandemic figures.