Intern Intros - Meet Gary!

Hi! I’m Gary. I am currently the Operations Intern at the Auditorium Theatre for the summer. I have only been in Chicago for two weeks, and I love all the experiences I have had so far! I am a junior Sociology/Anthropology major at Denison University, located in Granville, OH. So you may ask: “What brings a Sociology/Anthropology major to Chicago for an internship at a theatre?”

There are a few reasons…

First, I love theatre. I enjoy watching people use their talents to entertain patrons for a few hours. When I see a show, I am transported to an artistic, imaginative, and creative world. I forget about all my worries and assignments that I have to complete and am immersed in what is happening on stage.

Second, I love the people who work here. Everyone is a little bit crazy, which makes everyday exciting and new. We joke around a lot and have fun while we work. I enjoy how my supervisor, the patron services coordinator, and I bicker about little things and tease each other. It makes the day go by much faster if you can laugh while you are working!

Third, I love pretty and shiny things. Who would want to work in a drafty, grey, and boring cubicle in an office building? I get to come to work every day and marvel at the beautiful golden arches as I enter the theatre. The theatre glistens and sparkles, welcoming me as I enter. A National Historic Landmark, the Auditorium Theatre is known internationally for its perfect acoustics, innovative architecture and stunning design. I am consistently amazed by its exquisiteness, and I always find another intricate detail I didn’t notice the day before.

Last and certainly most important, I love myself! I want to be considered significant and make an impact where I work. I did not want to be an intern who pushes paper, fetches coffee, and runs errands for their supervisors. As an intern at the Auditorium Theatre, I don’t have to do any of that. They took the time to understand my wants and desires. They wanted to know what I want to learn about and are designing my internship to fit my needs, not theirs.

I love the city of Chicago and my internship at the Auditorium Theatre. I hope everyone can eventually work in a place as beautiful and exciting as I am right now!

Building our future...one brick at a time

The Auditorium Theatre is currently immersed in one of the most ambitious and comprehensive restoration efforts ever seen in the building’s long and storied history. This massive undertaking comprises a variety of renovation initiatives including:

• Adding new and improved lighting throughout the building
• Replacing nearly 4,000 seats that comprise the Auditorium’s magnificent theatre
• Building a rehearsal space
• Re-plastering, painting and restoring the interior of the lobby to its original splendor

The extensive costs associated with these improvements create some unique challenges. Fortunately, a very dear friend to the Auditorium recently presented our theatre and our patrons with a special opportunity. His generosity is so profound that he’s willing to give $100,000 to set up a unique matching gift to assist with the operating costs and help preserve our theatre for future generations.

In other words, for every dollar given to the Auditorium Theatre as part of this challenge, one dollar will be matched from the $100,000 gift, thereby doubling the value of every donation we receive. This is truly an incredible gesture, one for which everyone at the Auditorium Theatre is immensely grateful.

If you would like to give to help support the Auditorium Theatre’s ongoing restoration and operating expenses, please contact Amanda Martinez at (312) 922-2110, ext. 368 or set up an account and give online. And please remember, any gift you can spare will double in value—and will make twice the impact on our future, and our legacy.

Guest post by Kevin Fitzpatrick, Director of Development.

"The Architecture of Harry Weese" - A new book about the man who led the Auditorium Theatre's restoration

After World War II, there was a lull in our history and the Auditorium Theatre fell into disrepair. In the 1960's Harry Weese led the restoration of the theatre and restored it to its grand state.

Celebrating Harry Weese, and his legacy, author Roger Bruegmann and contributor Kathleen Murphy Skolnik have written a new book, "The Architecture of Harry Weese" which includes a section on the restoration of the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University.

The author is hosting a free event to celebrate the release, together with the release of author and Too Hot to Handel choir member, Samantha Hoffman's book "Mr. Right-Enough," on Saturday, November 6 at Mart Anthony's Restaurant, 1200 W. Hubbard St., Chicago, IL from 3-6pm. Wine and appetizers will be served.

 Ed: Changed Sarah Hoffman to Samantha Hoffman.