Internship Conclusion - Luke Bandoske

To say this summer flew by would be a vast understatement. Though my time at the Auditorium Theatre was short-lived, I can honestly say that I have never enjoyed myself more while getting the hands-on experience of arts administration in the marketing realm. Not only has this internship made what I’ve learned in classes relevant while extending my knowledge past the books, but it also made me grow on a professional and personal level.

Putting the work-load aside for a moment, the history of the Auditorium Theatre is incredible. As the largest theatre in Chicago and one that will be celebrating its 125^th Anniversary this December, the Auditorium Theatre is unlike any other around. I was lucky enough to learn the history very fast by not only attending one of the two weekly tours that Patron Services hosts, but also creating my first internship project: a historical timeline in PowerPoint for a Press Tour Conference.

Louis Sullivan and Dankmar Adler, the dynamic and famous architectural partnership, both brought their unique brilliance together to create Chicago’s Landmark Stage™, which originally opened in 1889. On the press tour, I was educated at how acoustically sound the theatre is. Christina Bourné, the Director of Education as well as a beautiful soprano voice, sang “Home Sweet Home” from the stage, which was the same song that Adelina Patti sang on opening night. Without a microphone and with all of the press on the 6^th floor gallery, every word that she sung was heard without confusion. It was INCREDIBLE!

Aside from being acoustically sound, the theatre has an endless amount of unique features like being the first theatre with air conditioning, using 3,500 electric incandescent light bulbs, the decorative golden arches, politically-positioned boxes, and a lot more! From being a hotel and office to a bowling alley to a World War II servicemen’s center to closing down and being reopened, the Auditorium Theatre’s history is a rich one. The stage has seen array of different artists ranging from Broadway tours to premier ballet companies to rock stars such as Bob Marley, Bruce Springsteen and most recently Jack White. Being surrounded by something so beautiful with an extensive historical story is sort of an overwhelming feeling and I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to market such a wonderful place.

If I were to explain everything I learned and took part in throughout this experience, you would be reading this blog for quite a few hours. Instead, I will share some of the highlights of my time here. The most prominent responsibility that comes to mind was social media. I monitored and engaged consumers on multiple different social networking platforms, input a social media plan into the calendar, helped create the “125^th Anniversary Season T-Shirt Contest” campaign, live-tweeted events such as the Floyd “Money” Mayweather Press Conference and even created graphics and updated their website at times.

Other responsibilities of mine included attending and working special events like the Summer Solstice party and the Group Leader Party, helping with upcoming merchandise for the 125^th, learning how to order brochures and other marketing materials, researching potential audiences and even brainstorming for upcoming production’s. I also was able to attend many meetings with different promotional organizations like See Chicago Dance and WXRT to discuss and understand ad buying.

Lastly, I was asked to participate in the creation of two different film projects. Both projects were tons of fun! The first video we filmed was for National Dance Day since the Auditorium Theatre hosts many, many dance companies. We filmed in the beautiful theatre, in the company’s offices and even filmed in our staff meeting. The second video was filmed the day after and will be used as a promotional American Ballet Theatre video. I’m not going to give many details away, but let’s just say that I was required to wear a sailor outfit and dance around Chicago!

The Auditorium Theatre administrative staff is committed to creating an educational and real-world internship program.  I’m a public relations major with a minor in theatrical studies and since they knew of my background they made it a priority for me to attend weekly meetings with Carol Fox & Associates, their out-of-house public relations firm. Additionally, I attended other departmental meetings and helped where I could to leave me with a more well-rounded understanding of arts administration. I can’t thank the administrative staff enough for all of the insight and tools they have given me, and I definitely cannot wait to return for some of their 125^th Anniversary Season productions!

Auditorium Employee Retires After 47 Years

After 47 years, our long-term employee Frank Romeo is retiring. His last day at the Auditorium is this coming Sunday. We found this fantastic article about Frank in the Summer 2007 issue of Roosevelt University Magazine. Thank you for your years of service Frank! Click here to read the article.

The Arts are my Inspiration [Heather Intro!]

By Heather E. Heslup

Some of my earliest memories include sitting with my dad, sketching, listening to music, watching/ critiquing films with my family or going to the latest Alvin Ailey performance! Needless to say the Arts run deep within me and have inspired every move I’ve made in life. In high school I gravitated toward visual and performing arts. I loved my painting classes and reveled in my drama course - such that by my senior year I was given the honor of directing a segment of the schools spring play, Into The Woods.

Born and raised in Chicago, I ventured to Washington D.C. for college where I received my B.A. in Media Production from Howard University. There I worked at the campus’ main performance venue, Cramton Auditorium. At the Cramton I wore many hats on any given day, from assistant to the House Manager, Assistant to the Production Manager to Lighting Technician. My 3 year experience at Cramton deepened my appreciation and love for the Performing Arts.

I began my career at Public Broadcast Service, trying to connect with my media degree, but after a few years I yearned for more. During a visit home I attended a concert with some friends and began feeling very nostalgic as I watched the stage crew work – I remember the hard and long days of work and the roar of a crowd once a show ended. The feeling that overcame me, knowing that I was a part of a team that brought this experience to the public, was such an amazing feeling at that moment that media was no longer my focus; with that I made a decision to enroll in the Masters of Arts Management Program at Columbia College Chicago. I made my journey back to Chicago and towards my future in Arts Management.

I have been back in Chicago for 5 years and have had the pleasure of working with many wonderful organizations. I worked 2 seasons with the Grant Park Music festival - my first introduction to classical music. During my graduate studies I was awarded a Columbia College’s Diversity Scholarship for my efforts in planning various events for Columbia College’s Office of Multicultural Affairs. This award allowed me to enroll in the International Arts Management course offered in my graduate program; I had the extreme pleasure of traveling to Vienna and Prague, exploring various arts institutions. The education I received at the Grant Park Music Festival proved very beneficial to me in Europe!!

Before coming to Auditorium Theatre I held the role of Community Schools Program Associate for the Center for Community Arts Partnerships (CCAP), an organization dedicated to Arts Education. In my role I helped bring various after-school arts programs to Chicago Public Schools. My experience at CCAP fueled my long-time desire to do work that was meaningful and beneficial not only to myself but to the community at large. Naturally, joining the Education team at The Auditorium Theatre was the perfect next step. I am extremely enthused to not only be back in a Performing Arts environment, but to serve as the Project Manager for the Theatre’s latest education initiative, the ArtsXchange program. This program thrills me because it is a way to directly change how teachers and school administrators in Chicago Public Schools approach arts education and understand its impact on student learning.

All in all I feel blessed that I can say I am on the right path. I can’t wait for what’s in store for me at The Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University.

My Path to the Auditorium Theatre [Joelle Intro]

By Joelle Weber

Somehow, I always knew that I wanted my career path to lead back to my roots, and my roots are definitely seeped in the performing arts. My mother started me in ballet classes at the age of three—little did she know how much that one decision would impact the rest of my life. Not only did I remain in ballet from age three through high school and into college, I tried out other forms of dance, took ten years of piano lessons, played the French horn for a while in middle school, and eventually found my way around to choir and acting in high school and throughout college. It should not have come as a surprise then to any of my friends or family members when I decided to pursue a career in Arts Administration upon graduation from college.

Originally, I hail from sunny Centennial, Colorado, and while I miss the mountains dearly, I would say the trade-off for Lake Michigan almost seems fair. Part of the reason I picked Chicago was for the lake. I knew I wanted to live in a city close to the water, and as half of my family is originally from the Midwest, water must be in my blood. So, after I graduated from the University of Wyoming in Laramie with both a B.A. in Communication and in Theatre Performance, I moved to Chicago. I fell in love with this city, from its amazing architecture to the vast community of arts and cultural organizations here. Plus, I figured it was a great place to start a career in Arts Administration, particularly in Marketing. Fun fact: While I was repeatedly warned about the terrible Chicago winters, they are NOT worse than Laramie winters. So, I’m happy.

I started with Victory Gardens Theater in August 2009 as their Marketing intern. After a month, I was bumped up to one of two full-time Kemper Arts Administration Fellowship positions, rotating between Marketing, Development, Business/Finance and Box Office duties. It was a fantastic way to get my feet wet in the industry and to figure out where I fit best. I also started working Front of House for Victory Gardens in October 2009, primarily as a house manager, and I have been in this position ever since! After my Kemper Fellowship, I transitioned into a role with VG’s Development department as the Campaign for Growth Assistant through August 2010. From there I went on to do the nine-month Apprenticeship Program with Steppenwolf Theatre Company as the Publicity Apprentice where I met a lot of great friends and worked under a fantastic mentor. Finally, this summer I worked part-time with Emerald City Theatre as the Marketing Coordinator, serving as their in-house graphic designer and helping plan the Pink Carpet Gala event for their show Pinkalicious: The Musical. On top of all this, I am an acting ensemble member and the Director of Marketing for The Island Theatre Company, a new storefront company. Needless to say, I have been really busy!

Now, I am glad to say, I have finally landed here at the Auditorium Theatre as the new Marketing Associate. I was attracted to this position because of the wonderful variety of work presented on the Auditorium stage. In particular, I am very excited about the many unique dance groups I will get to work with this year like Rasta Thomas’ BAD BOYS OF DANCE, the AXIS Dance Company, Batsheva Dance Company, American Ballet Theatre, and of course Chicago’s very own, Joffrey Ballet. My job responsibilities will range from working on show specific e-blasts, helping with our Social Media Campaigns, website upkeep, designing and programing the marquee for each performance, and hopefully much more! I am so thrilled to be on board and cannot wait to see where the season takes us.

It has been quite the path to the Auditorium, but in the long run, every step has held purpose and shaped me into the Chicagoan I am today. I have many people I can thank for helping get me here, but one in particular carries a lot of weight—so, thank you Mom. I truly owe you a lot for putting me in that first ballet class!

Intern Intros - Meet Nick!

Hello there, my name is Nicolaus Weyrauch and two weeks ago I started as the Production Intern at the Auditorium Theatre. I have been living in Chicago for over a year now and love the city! I also go to college in the city too, at Columbia College Chicago. Having grown-up outside the Chicagoland area, moving to the city was a big change for me; Rockford, IL was my hometown growing up.

So, what brings me to the Auditorium Theatre for a summer internship? Well, currently at school I am studying Theatre Design with a concentration in Lighting Design. Next summer (May 2012) I will graduate college with my Bachelors of Arts in Theatre Design, and I’m anxious to get out into the professional world.

But, my internship this summer has little to do with hands on design for shows. What I’m doing instead is working to help Steve (Director of Production) prepare the theatre for when shows come into the space. He and I work to make sure that a show has all that they need when they arrive for a load in through the run(s) and load out.

So why intern in an area that my degree does not specifically cater to? Ever since I was little, I loved being involved with live performance, whether it was running a light board, designing a set piece, or making things run smoothly. I’m no actor; so, I had to try something that I was more comfortable with and that’s why I turned to lighting (they get all the cool toys). But now, I realize that it would help to have a well-rounded background in the live performance industry. This is why I am here at the Auditorium Theatre, to test the waters and develop a good sense of how a theatre functions outside of the night of a show, and I’m excited to learn!

Now that I have been here two weeks, I’m starting to see what goes on here, but I can tell that Steve has only scratched the surface. I can’t wait to learn in a setting that I love and be with awesome people.

Staff News: Two Staff Members Complete Courses at the Center for Nonprofit Management

On behalf of Brett Batterson and the staff here at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University, I'm pleased to congratulate Director of Development Kevin Fitzpatrick and Donor Relations Manager Amanda Martinez on their successful completion of courses at the Kellogg School of Management's Center for Nonprofit Management!

As part of our commitment to education both in the community and internally amongst our staff, we sent Kevin and Amanda "back to school" to increase their understanding of current non-profit management trends and techniques. Over four weeks of classes, Kevin and Amanda took courses in fundraising, marketing, fundraising in tough economic times, and nonprofit finance.

"It was helpful t to discuss the current challenges within the nonprofit industry with our instructors and peers as well as bounce ideas off them. Also, hearing success stories from other organizations and from the Kellogg professors gave Kevin and me some great techniques we can start using right away," said Amanda.

Once again, congratulations to both Kevin and Amanda and we look forward to seeing them put what they've learned to use!

Logo credit:  Center for Nonprofit Management