Beyond the Gold Curtain: Show Off the Stage [VIDEO]

We are thrilled to launch our brand new web series "Beyond the Gold Curtain." In BTGC, we'll give you glimpses of the Auditorium Theatre in Chicago that the audience never gets to see. Journey with us on stage, up in the grid, above the arches, and more! In this first episode, we'll put you right where the performers stand as we "Show off the Stage."

   

Hallelujah Broadway Kicks off the Auditorium Season! [video]

Hallelujah Broadway

Saturday, September 17

Experience the emotional power of Broadway's most uplifting and powerful songs that have inspired millions of theatergoers. Showcasing inspired vocal performances from three featured soloists, including the amazing tenor Rodrick Dixon, the powerful soprano Alfreda Burke and the marvelous Irish Tenor Anthony Kearns, with a 32-piece orchestra and chorus. Including songs from Godspell, Wicked, Rent, West Side Story, and Les Miserables among others.

Receive $10 OFF your ticket purchase until Labor Day!
Use code AUDITORIUM.

Available on price levels II & III only. Valid until 11:59 pm on 9.5.2011. May not be combined with other offers or promotions. Not valid on previously purchased tickets. Subject to availability; restrictions apply.

Ticketmaster | 800.982.ARTS (2787)
Box Office: 50 E. Congress Pkwy
Subscriptions and Groups 10+: 312.431.2357

The Audience is Always In The Thoughts of River North Dance Chicago Dancers [video]

PBS recently aired a rebroadcast of the documentary "Every Dancer Has a Story" featuring River North Dance Chicago, a company performing on our stage for the first time this Saturday, April 16 at 8 p.m. In the promo clips for the documentary, it's interesting to hear that the perspectives of both the dancers in the company, and their artistic director, Frank Chaves, both talk about presenting a piece for the benefit of the audience and how passionate about what they do (it's not a money making endeavor).

Take a few minutes to see the dancers in action below and to get an insider's take on River North Dance Chicago!

Challenge: getting to our orchesta pit vs. Spinal Tap's route to the stage

We just found this great video by Youtube user, ngibson5 showing the route to get to our orchestra pit (spoiler: lots of yellow doors).

Here's a little Friday distraction for you: which is more challenging, getting to our orchestra pit or Spinal Tap's route to get to the stage for their epic concert? Personally, I'm happy to see how clean our hallways are!

Let us know your thoughts in the comments!

The Joffrey Ballet's The Nutcracker returns Dec. 10 through Dec. 26!

It's that time of year again when Chicago really turns into the Windy City, commuters clutch their gingerbread lattes and tourists and locals alike flock to the Loop for their holiday shopping.

As Chicago's annual winter tradition, the Joffrey Ballet's The Nutcracker returns to the Auditorium Theatre for an exciting run of performances from Friday, December 10 through Sunday, December 26. In a show that's sure to dazzle everyone from Grandma Jean to Baby Billy, The Nutcracker brings a smile to all and is a great way to celebrate the holiday season with the entire family.

Not convinced? See a sneak peek in this video by the Joffrey Ballet!

The best seats are selling fast, get yours today on Ticketmaster.com/auditorium!

Children explore Too Hot to Handel through school outreach programs

Picture this: a desk piled high with children’s books on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., a teaching guide on Too Hot to Handel scribbled with updates and edits for this year, poetry contest fliers and the first entries, residency workshop information and school schedules, master class outlines and one very big smile – yes, it’s that time of the year—Too Hot to Handel is only a few short months away, and I couldn’t be more excited. As the Auditorium’s Senior Director of Education and self proclaimed “Too Hot groupie,” it’s finally time to kick some of our most thrilling educational program initiatives into high gear.

Too Hot is a wonderfully rich piece that truly embodies Dr. King’s vision of the Beloved Community. It’s the kind of show that has the power to reach a broad range of listeners and invite them to actively experience its message, to stand up, to clap, to get involved and respond. Its message of peace and love helps us create a dialogue together and share in the building of community. And who better to engage in this dialogue than Chicago Public School students? Our second annual Poetry Contest invites CPS students in grades 3-12 to write a poem celebrating Dr. King’s dream of the Beloved Community. We are curious to find out what MLK’s message and vision of community means to modern youth. The deadline for submissions is December 3, 2010!

The Auditorium is also thrilled to continue and deepen the Too Hot Residency Program for CPS students in grades 3-8. Working under the guidance of Too Hot Teaching Artist Christina Bourné, students will explore one of Dr. King’s speeches and create an original musical composition as a response. This top-notch program built a reputation for excellence last year and quickly booked again this year. CPS high school music students will also benefit from our educational initiatives with our Master Class Series with the artists of Too Hot to Handel.

Too Hot to Handel will surely not disappoint, leaving all audiences with the sense that they are part of something very, very important. You’ll also see me, the “Too Hot groupie”, singing and swaying in the alto section as part of the 150-person Too Hot Community Choir. The Auditorium is going to be jazzing up the Messiah, and we want you to be there!

For more information on our education programs, please contact education@auditoriumtheatre.org.

Nicole Losurdo is the Senior Director of Education.

Too Hot to Handel education programs are made possible through the generous support of JP Morgan Chase.

Video - Meet the Masters: Judith Jamison

Here's some footage of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater Artistic Director Judith Jamison in a Kennedy Center interview. She discusses the role of the Company as cultural ambassadors, the importance of modern dance repertory, and the legacy of Alvin Ailey and his body of work.

Video - frame of view Rehearsal Footage Plus Didy Veldman's Thoughts

Listen to choreograher Didy Veldman talk about her work frame of view and her creative process.

Cedar Lake Video - on "Ten Duets"

In this video, one of Cedar Lake's dancers talks about Crystal Pite's Ten Duets on a Theme of Rescue, one of the pieces that will be performed November 14 & 15.

Meet the Miami City Ballet dancers

On their YouTube Channel, Miami City Ballet is posting a series of short videos catching up with their dancers! Find out more about these "Superhuman Dancers" who will be gracing our stage in October.

New Video From Miami City Ballet

Yesterday, Miami City Ballet posted this video featuring two of their principal dancers, Jeanette and Patricia Delgado, and ballet mistress Crista Villella.

Edward Villella and the Miami City Ballet School

An interesting video featuring Miami City Ballet Artistic Director Edward Villella.

Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet video.

Check out video of the Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet's performance of "frame of view" by Didy Veldman.

Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet will perform at the Auditorium November 14 and 15, 2009. We're currently renewing subscriptions and groups of 10 or more. New subscriptions go on sale May 18. Single tickets will be available in June for the fall shows, and September for the winter and spring. Please call 312.431.2357 for more information on subscriptions and groups.

Video - Eifman Ballet "Onegin"

(This video was posted in YouTube by the Orange County Performing Arts Center. Please remember the Auditorium's dates are May 14-17.)

Chicago Tonight feature from Tuesday

On Tuesday, March 31, AAADT dancer and Chicago native Vernard Gilmore joined our Executive Director Brett Batterson on WTTW's Chicago Tonight. Click here to watch.

See the Auditorium Lobby in the Public Enemies Trailer

Public Enemies, starring Johnny Depp, Christian Bale and Marion Cotillard, filmed a few scenes at the Auditorium last summer. In this trailer, you can see our lobby at about the 23 second mark!

Everyone's talking about Ailey!

Chicago's 50th Anniversary Ailey celebration starts tomorrow, and it's the talk of the town. We've already seen record ticket sales - if you haven't gotten your tickets yet, call 800.982.ARTS, visit Ticketmaster.com or come to our box office today!

Some of the dancers stopped by WGN TV this morning for a performance:



Also, click here to read Sid Smith's article from Sunday's Tribune and here for a feature in Chicagoist.

NDT - Kylian's Wings of Wax

Nederlands Dans Theater I is making a rare Chicago appearance June 16 and 17. Their program will include Paul Lightfoot and Sol Leon's Shoot the Moon, Jiri Kylian's Wings of Wax (above) and Crystale Pite's The Second Person. Tickets are available now - don't miss it!

Ailey Video - "Unfold"

Only 8 days until Ailey opens at the Auditorium! Robert Battle's Unfold is on the program Sunday afternoon.

Tickets are going fast - get yours today! Call 800.982.2787(ARTS), visit http://www.ticketmaster.com/ or come by our box office at 50 E. Congress Parkway.

Alvin Ailey's Blues Suite

Ailey's Blues Sweet is on the program for the Saturday, April 4 matinee performance. An excerpt is also part of Thursday, April 2's performance of Anniversary Highlights.