Season of Concern is proud to acknowledge the Contributing Theaters and other Companies that have supported our efforts, and encourages you to attend their productions and patronize their businesses.
We also encourage you to investigate our Beneficiary Organizations, to learn about the multitude of services and the human lives that your SOC donation dollars directly support.
THE ACTORS FUND
The Actors Fund, a nonprofit human services organization founded in 1882, serves all professionals - and not just actors! - in film, theater, television, music, opera, and dance through programs that address their unique and essential needs. As a national organization with offices in New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago, The Fund directly serves almost 11,000 performing arts and entertainment professionals across the country, and more than 600,000 through our website. In providing care and service to professionals throughout the industry, The Fund's programs are wide in scope, responsive in nature, and produce significant results, affecting the lives of people in our community year after year.
SoC PROUDLY AWARDED THE ACTORS FUND A GRANT OF $35,000 AT THE END OF 2011, AND AN ADDITIONAL GRANT OF $20.000 IN AUGUST OF 2012
AIDS LEGAL COUNCIL OF CHICAGO
The AIDS Legal Council of Chicago exists to preserve, promote and protect the legal rights of men, women and children in the metropolitan Chicago area impacted by HIV. The Council provides direct legal services to people in need, educates the public about HIV-related legal issues, and advocates for social policies that ensure fair treatment for all people affected by HIV/AIDS.
SoC PROUDLY AWARDED AIDS LEGAL COUNCIL OF CHICAGO A GRANT OF $5,000O IN OUR 2011/12 FUNDING CYCLE
THE BISCOTTO-MILLER FUND
The Biscotto-Miller Fund is the only private grant given directly by Season Of Concern to local artists in need. Throughout the year, confidential Biscotto-Miller grants are awarded on an as-needed basis to cover short-term emergency costs such as medication, food, and rent for members of our community suffering from debilatating illness of any kind.
IN 2011, SoC IS PROUD TO HAVE DISTRIBUTED A TOTAL OF $16,085 IN GRANTS TO INDIVIDUAL ENTERTAINMENT COMMUNITY MEMBERS IN NEED THROUGHOUT THE CHICAGOLAND AREA
BONAVENTURE HOUSE CHICAGO
Bonaventure House came into being during an era when many institutions were questioning their positions on HIV/AIDS, but the Alexian Brothers forged ahead to promote care instead of debate. In the early days of AIDS, it wasn't popular for many religious institutions to associate themselves with the issues related to, and populations affected by the disease. Yet, in this unsympathetic environment, the Alexian Brothers made a decision to create an entire program of care for those suffering and in need. Guided by the Alexian Brothers vision of providing care, compassion and dignity for the marginated person, the mission of Bonaventure House in Chicago and its affiliate, The Harbor in Lake County is to enhance the quality of life for people with HIV/AIDS within a supportive community.
SoC PROUDLY AWARDED BONAVENTURE HOUSE A GRANT OF $2,000 IN OUR 2011/12 FUNDING CYCLE
C.A.L.O.R.
C.A.L.O.R. assists individuals with disabilities and their families, including those impacted by HIV/AIDS, to identify their needs and design a plan to best meet them. In a relaxed and confidential atmosphere, CALOR's bilingual professional staff focuses on helping disabled individuals in Chicago's Latino community to lead healthier and more productive lives.
SoC PROUDLY AWARDED C.A.L.O.R. A GRANT OF $1,500 IN OUR 2011/12 FUNDING CYCLE
CHICAGO WOMEN'S AIDS PROJECT
The Chicago Women's AIDS Project provides prevention Education, advocacy and support for women at risk or living with HIV in the Chicago area. Their overall mission is to empower women to get the support, information, and services they need to take control of their own health, and to live as fully and productively as possible.
SoC PROUDLY AWARDED THE CHICAGO WOMEN'S AIDS PROJECT A GRANT OF $3,000 IN OUR 2011/12 FUNDING CYCLE
THE CHILDREN'S PLACE
The Children's Place is the Midwest's first residential facility dedicated to the care of HIV/AIDS-affected children, offering around-the-clock nursing care and other specialized treatment for children who have been separated from their families. They include children who are themselves HIV infected or AIDS diagnosed, those whose parents are ill from HIV/AIDS-related conditions, as well as children with other life-threatening or serious illnesses, such as cancer.
SoC PROUDLY AWARDED THE CHILDREN'S PLACE A GRANT OF $3,000 IN OUR 2011/12 FUNDING CYCLE
THE CORE CENTER
The CORE Center's mission is to provide the highest quality care for persons and families affected by infectious diseases, with respect, dignity and compassion, without regard to the ability to pay; to ensure a patient-centered and consumer-guided environment; and to seek to better understand and to prevent these diseases through education and research.
SoC PROUDLY AWARDED THE CORE CENTER A GRANT OF $3,000 IN OUR 2011/12 FUNDING CYCLE
EDGEALLIANCE (formerly AIDSCare)
EdgeAlliance was established to revolutionize nonprofit management by providing the highest quality of administrative, operational, and financial support to its alliance members whose collective mission is to decrease homelessness and to support people living with HIV/AIDS, the disabled, and veterans. This organizational platform frees up alliance members to provide more effective direct care services to those in need.
SoC PROUDLY AWARDED EDGEALLIANCE A GRANT OF $1,000 IN OUR 2011/12 FUNDING CYCLE
INTERFAITH HOUSE
Interfaith House's 64-bed center on Chicago's West Side provides interim housing and support to ill and injured homeless adults who would otherwise lack a stable and safe place to heal. As the only agency of its kind in Illinois, Interfaith House fills a critical gap in services for homeless individuals who have been discharged from area hospitals and emergency shelters and who require housing and support. Interfaith House also provides comprehensive psychological and social support services that are critical to helping homeless individuals return to health and to break the debilitating cycle of homelessness.
SoC PROUDLY AWARDED INTERFAITH HOUSE A GRANT OF $1,500 IN OUR 2011/12 FUNDING CYCLE
TPAN: TEST POSITIVE AWARE NETWORK
Test Positive Aware Network (TPAN) empowers people living with HIV through peer-led programming, support services, information dissemination, and advocacy. They also provide services to the broader community to increase HIV knowledge and sensitivity, and to reduce the risk of infection.
SoC PROUDLY AWARDED TEST POSITIVE AWARE NETWORK A GRANT OF $2,000 TO IN OUR 2011/12 FUNDING CYCLE
VITAL BRIDGES CENTER ON CHRONIC CARE
Vital Bridges Center on Chronic Care helps the more than 28,000 people living with HIV and AIDS in metropolitan Chicago by providing food, nutrition, housing, case management and educational services. The vast majority of them live at or below the poverty line, struggling to meet their daily needs while dealing with a complex, debilitating and often fatal disease.
SoC PROUDLY AWARDED VITAL BRIDGES CENTER ON CHRONIC CARE'S NORTHSIDE GROCERY CENTER A GRANT OF $5,000 IN OUR 2011/12 FUNDING CYCLE
ABOUT FACE THEATRE
About Face Theatre creates exceptional, innovative, and adventurous plays to advance the national dialogue on gender and sexual identity, and to challenge and entertain audiences in Chicago, across the country, and around the world.
ACTORS THEATRE COMPANY
Actors Theatre Company's name and image reflects their passion to present the highest level of artistic excellence and their intent to extend their reach and reputation across the greater Chicago metropolitan area. They are committed to delivering excellence in their productions and to better understand you-their audience so they can continue to satisfy and to entertain you. Their desire is to touch more lives through quality live theatre.
APOLLO THEATRE
Built in 1978 by theatre producers Jason Brett and Stuart Oken and twice renovated, The Apollo Theater is a lush venue with a prestigious reputation, located in the heart of Chicago's fashionable Lincoln Park neighborhood.
ATTIC PLAYHOUSE
Attic Playhouse, a professional, not-for-profit theatre, was founded in April, 1998 by several local North Shore residents, whose goal was to provide quality entertainment for the greater Chicago area in addition to providing professional opportunities for artists of diverse ages in the pursuit of their craft.
BAILIWICK CHICAGO
Bailiwick Chicago is a new theatre company that was formed by a group of dedicated actors, directors, and production professionals after Bailiwick Repertory Theater closed its doors in September 2009. This group, which they call the "Collective", is the artistic ensemble responsible for the artistic mission and vision of the company. They tell stories that stimulate their audience and celebrate their diverse community, enhancing the understanding of ourselves and others.
AURORA UNIVERSITY THEATRE DEPT
The mission of the theatre program at Aurora University is to provide participants with a strong base in theatre performance, production and scholarship and instill an awareness of the viability of theatre arts across disciplines.
BAILIWICK REPERTORY THEATRE
Since its founding in 1982, Bailiwick Repertory has endeavored to produce diverse works, ranging from classics to cutting edge while remaining affordable, accessible, and responsive to the community. Bailiwick has been recognized with more than 150 Citations, Nominations, and Recommendations from the Jeff Committee and has received more than three-dozen After Dark Awards, several Black Theater Alliance Awards, and the Pride Series has been inducted into the City of Chicago's Gay and Lesbian Hall of Fame and been the recipient of the Torch Award from the Human Rights Campaign, the only theatre in the nation to be so honored.
BIG NOISE THEATRE COMPANY
Winnetka Theatre's decision to introduce Big Noise Theatre Company reflects the fact that the Winnetka Community House, the long-time home of the company, is not home to the majority of our productions. The extensive renovation of the Community House several years ago caused them to locate a new performance space at the Prairie Lakes Theatre in Des Plaines. Their new name, which comes from the big band song, Big Noise from Winnetka, is a great way to connect our past to our future.
BOHEMIAN THEATER ENSEMBLE
BoHo's vision is to challenge convention through literary originality and eclectic expression while fostering an ever-evolving artistic environment in which people are inspired to learn, think, dream, and feel. To teach others and ourselves how to expand, create, and present art through theatre while reveling not only in the process, but also in the journey.
CHICAGO MUSE
Chicago Muse develops and promotes high-quality, well-attended new musical theatre for a passionate Chicago audience. Innovation and creative collaboration with the theatre-going public is core to their concept.
CHICAGO SHAKESPEARE THEATER
Chicago Shakespeare Theater is one of the fastest-growing producing and presenting theater institutions in America today. In addition to its acclaimed productions of William Shakespeare's canon, CST presents work of the highest quality by some of the most distinguished American and international playwrights and directors. The theater is grounded in a dedication to quality, clarity and integrity, which are the hallmarks of every CST production, from Shakespeare to Sondheim.
CHOPIN THEATRE
Chopin Theatre is an independent arts center in the heart of Chicago's artistic neighborhood, Wicker Park. Established in 1990, it has had approximately 1,400 events with over 7,000 presentations (5,000 theatrical, 900 film, 800 literary evenings and over 100 music, dance, visual arts and social events). Chopin Theatre has also produced over 110 of its own productions, mostly Eastern European, and has hosted performers from every state in the U.S. and from over 40 countries.
CITY LIT THEATER COMPANY
City Lit was founded in 1979 and incorporated in 1980 by Arnold Aprill, David Dillon, and Lorell Wyatt. At the time it was the only theatre in the nation devoted to stage adaptations of literary material. Over the years, City Lit has explored fiction, non-fiction, poetry, biography, essays, and drama in performance, and presented a wide array of voices, from classic writers such as Henry James, Edith Wharton, Oliver Goldsmith, Mark Twain, Colette, and P. G. Wodehouse to such contemporary writers as Alice Walker, W.P. Kinsella, Lynda Barry, Raymond Carver, Edward Albee and Ruth Prawer Jhabvala. City Lit keeps its ticket prices below the actual cost of operation and production, and depends on the support of those who share its belief in the beauty and power of the spoken written word.
COLUMBIA COLLEGE THEATER
Columbia College Chicago's Theater Department is run as a professional theater and provides rigorous, complete, one-on-one training for actors, directors, playwrights, designers and stage technicians. The department also has BFA's in acting, directing and design. There are as many as 40 fully staged and workshop performances presented each semester, which allows students to learn by doing.
COURT THEATRE
Since Court's founding in 1955 at the University of Chicago, their work has been inspired by the belief that classic theatre illuminates the stories and themes that are timely and timeless.
DEPAUL'S MERLE RESKIN THEATRE
Each year, this 1,325 seat proscenium theatre provides performance space for the nearly 200 public performances of The Theatre School, including The Theatre School Showcase and Chicago Playworks for Families and Young Audiences. The school brings an audience of more than 45,000 people to the theatre each season. When not occupied by Theatre School productions, its world-class stage is used by DePaul's School of Music and many other not-for-profit organizations.
ECLIPSE THEATRE COMPANY
Eclipse Theatre Company presents the work of one playwright each season. They offer the audience an opportunity, unique in the midwest, to journey with us through the playwright's works; one playwright, one season, one illuminating journey. Since the inception of the one playwright-one season mission, playwrights that have been featured with Eclipse include French Playwright Jean Cocteau, Legendary American Playwrights Tennessee Williams, Lillian Hellman and Neil Simon; New York Playwrights Romulus Linney,John Guare and Lanford Wilson; Chicago playwrights Keith Reddin and Rebecca Gilman; and playwright Pearl Cleage.
ETOPiA
ETOPiA (The Engineering Transdisciplinary Outreach Project in the Arts) uses performance arts staged in the McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Sciences to inspire a cross-disciplinary dialogue about the role of science and technology in society. This annual event highlights the pursuit and application of knowledge by individuals whose historical and personal circumstances span from tragic to epic. In its inaugural year 2008, ETOPiA produced the play Copenhagen and opened the doors of the Technological Institute of Northwestern to an audience of almost a thousand community members, high school students, undergraduates, graduate students, staff, and faculty from the greater university neighborhood. ETOPiA strives to generate awareness among students of all ages and disciplines about the interdependence of the different fields of study, and the services, responsibilities, and obligations of engineers and scientists in today's society.
FULTON OPERA HOUSE
The Fulton Opera House Foundation is a not-for-profit public charity that exists to produce professional regional theatre of a quality that honors, affirms and extends the Fulton's role in the history of American theatre as a National Historic Landmark, and to provide educational, artistic and cultural benefits that engender community ownership.
GOODMAN THEATRE
Chicago's oldest and largest not-for-profit theater, The Goodman has won international renown for the quality of productions, depth and diversity of artistic leadership, and the excellence of its many community and educational programs. The Goodman is committed to producing both classic and contemporary works, giving full voice to a wide range of artists and visions. By dedicating itself to three guiding principles-quality, diversity, and community-Goodman Theatre seeks to be the premier cultural organization in Chicago, providing productions and programs that make an essential contribution to the quality of life in our city.
HELL IN A HANDBAG PRODUCTIONS
HIAH is dedicated to the preservation, exploration, and celebration of works ingrained in the realm of popular culture via theatrical productions through parody, music, and homage.
HIGHLAND PARK PLAYERS
Highland Park Players provides an accessible, hands-on theatre for the city of Highland Park. It is their mission to educate and entertain their community by providing area residents the opportunity to attend and to participate in a superior theatre experience as well as offer an outlet for the talents of area residents that would provide the unique pleasures of live theatre for family, friends, and the community as a whole.
THE HYPOCRITES
Founded in 1997, The Hypocrites create bold productions that defy expectations. By turning theater inside out and redefining the traditional role of the audience, The Hypocrites are recognized as groundbreakers in the world's premiere theater city of Chicago. The company's smash-hit Chicago production of Our Town, directed by David Cromer, transferred to Off-Broadway in February 2009 where it received rave reviews.
LOOKINGGLASS THEATRE
The Lookingglass Theatre Company combines a physical and improvisational rehearsal process centered on ensemble with training in theatre, dance, music, and the circus arts. We seek to redefine the limits of theatrical experience and to make theatre exhilarating, inspirational, and accessible to all.
MARRIOTT LINCOLNSHIRE THEATRE
The Marriott Theatre was founded in 1975 and today sells more than 400,000 tickets a year, and boasts the largest subscription base of any musical theatre. The Marriott Theatre earns lavish praise from critics, receiving a record 370 Joseph Jefferson Award nominations - Chicago's highest theatrical honor for artistic achievement.
MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART
One of the nation's largest facilities devoted to the art of our time, The Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA) offers exhibitions of the most thought-provoking art created since 1945. The MCA documents contemporary visual culture through painting, sculpture, photography, video and film, and performance. Located in the heart of downtown Chicago, the MCA boasts a gift store, bookstore, restaurant, 300-seat theater, and a terraced sculpture garden with a great view of Lake Michigan.
MUSIC ON STAGE
Since 1957, Music On Stage has given nearly 1,000 actors of all ages and from all walks of life the opportunity to hear the roar of the crowd and tens of thousands more the opportunity to experience affordable live musical theatre near home.
NEW LEAF THEATRE
New Leaf Theatre creates intimate, animate theatrical experiences that renew artist and audience. They believe that the process of creating theatre and the product that they create bring innumerable opportunities for deep personal engagement with one another and with the challenges that we face as human beings. They want audiences to leave their productions eager to look at the world through a new lens.
NILES NORTH HIGH SCHOOL THEATRE
Niles North High School Theatre strives to provide a safe, creative atmosphere, in a public school setting, where young theatre artists can feel free to express themselves and grow. Emphasis is placed on all aspects of the dramatic process, focusing on collaboration. Instilling a professional attitude toward the work is the key element in creating a program that balances an imaginative, nurturing process with expectations for a high quality product.
NORTHLIGHT THEATRE
Northlight Theatre is dedicated to enhancing the cultural life of the North Shore and Chicago, presenting life-affirming theatrical works which reflect and challenge the values and beliefs of the community it serves, and engaging community members, young and old, in the theatrical experience.
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY THEATRE
The Northwestern University Theatre and Interpretation Center exists as an operational and administrational component of the School of Communication with the specific charge of producing, managing, funding and administering the performing arts productions of the School of Communication, Department of Theatre and Department of Performance Studies, including programmatic responsibility for theatre, music theatre and dance.
PEOPLE'S THEATER OF CHICAGO
The PEOPLE'S Theater of Chicago is an ethnically diverse group of performers committed to making known the strength of its ensemble and to the craft of acting, by way of producing classic, contemporary and truly cutting edge works of theater and performance art. The PEOPLE*S Theater is committed to making a difference not only in the local performance arena, but in the lives of all Chicagoans.
PORCHLIGHT THEATRE
Porchlight Music Theatre is Chicago's music theatre leader, making a name for itself by producing award-winning musicals on intimate stages. The Chicago Tribune in assessing the musical theater scene in Chicago proclaimed that Porchlight "is rapidly becoming one of Chicago's marquee theaters."
RAVEN THEATRE
Raven Theatre's mission is to establish itself as an important voice in regional theatre focusing on American classics, as well as new and lesser-known projects that illuminate the "American Experience." Forays into world classics provide their audiences with a healthy perspective of our cultural differences and similarities. The company's mission is realized by uniting an ensemble of Chicago based theatre artists from diverse disciplines who work together with the goal of maintaining a high standard of artistic excellence with programming easily accessible to patrons of all ages and socio-economic backgrounds, and thereby enriching our community's cultural life.
THE RIGHT BRAIN PROJECT
The Right Brain Project (RBP) has been producing thought-provoking theatre in Chicago since 2005. The company was founded by Anthony Ingram, Nathan Robbel, Colby Sellers, and Anthony Tournis with a mission to "defy preconceived notions and challenge the Contemporary Theatre experience. The RBP will actively employ the raw and intimate relationship between actor and audience to share stories, ideas, and issues that edify us all."
ROYAL GEORGE THEATRE
The Royal George is one of the city's more important traditional medium sized theaters. A recognized name in the theater community and one of the busiest spaces in the city, the Royal George also houses a smaller studio theater, which traditionally stages an open run comedy or musical- hit shows include the long running musical I Love You You're Perfect Now Change, as well as a Cabaret space.
SERENDIPTIY THEATRE COMPANY'S 2ND STORY SERIES
2nd Story is a hybrid performance event combining storytelling, wine, and music. A typical 2nd Story evening goes something like this: you hang out with your friends and eat and drink and make merry. Three to five times during the night, the lights go down, a spotlight comes up on somebody - maybe the person sitting next to you!- and they tell you a story. It's a great time, and maybe, you'll leave telling your own stories.
SHAWCHICAGO
ShawChicago's mission is to present the plays of George Bernard Shaw and his contemporaries. Since forming the company in 1994, they have produced all of Shaw's major plays except SAINT JOAN, which is on their schedule for the near future.
SIDESHOW THEATRE
It is the mission of Sideshow Theatre Company to mine the collective unconscious of the world we live in with limitless curiosity, drawing inspiration from the familiar stories, memories and images we all share to spark new conversation and bring their audience together as adventurers in a communal experience of exploration.
SIGNAL ENSEMBLE THEATRE
Signal Ensemble Theatre is a nonprofit professional theater company headquartered in Chicago. Known for its ensemble acting and producing a diverse slate of plays that range from classics to new works, Signal uses the actor as focal point to clearly execute the playwright's vision. Founded by Ronan Marra, Christopher Prentice and Joseph Stearns, the company began producing in 2003.
STEPPENWOLF THEATRE COMPANY
Steppenwolf Theatre Company is a Chicago-based international performing arts institution committed to ensemble collaboration and artistic risk through its work with its permanent ensemble, guest artists, partner institutions and the community. Steppenwolf has redefined the landscape of acting and performance by spawning a generation of America's most gifted artists. Founded in 1976 as an ensemble of nine actors, Steppenwolf has grown into an internationally renowned company of thirty-five artists whose talents include acting, directing, playwriting, filmmaking, and textual adaptation. No other American theater ensemble has survived as long and thrived as much as the Steppenwolf company of artists.
SUTTON STUDIOS
David Sutton's portraits of people and their pets have been featured extensively in national media including the Today Show and Animal Planet, as well as in the Chicago Tribune, Denver Post, Ft. Worth Star-Telegram, Chicago Sun-Times and Crain's Chicago Business. He has also exhibited his work in numerous venues including Hermés of Paris and Takishimaya New York.
THEATER WIT
Theater Wit has assumed a ten-year lease in the former Bailiwick Arts Center, 1229 W. Belmont Avenue in Chicago's Lakeview neighborhood. The space has been completely renovated to include three 99-seat performance spaces, full bar, and office. The new space is a permanent home for Theater Wit, as well as for several off-loop companies.
THEO UBIQUE THEATRE COMPANY
Theo Ubique Theatre Company's history took a bold step in 2004 when it began to experiment with, and champion, the theatrical form they call "Cabaret Theatre." They have since presented a series of highly successful and critically acclaimed revue shows in the No Exit Cafe. From the first glass of wine that accompanies a meal appropriate to the story through the intermission's customary dessert selection and to the final bow, Theo Ubique's audiences are a part of an environment which is itself the show.
TIMELINE THEATRE COMPANY
TimeLine Theatre Company is a Chicago theater company dedicated to presenting stories inspired by history that connect with today's social and political issues. TimeLine Theatre brings Chicago theater audiences provocative work that engages, educates, entertains and enlightens. Founded in 1997 and located in Chicago's Lakeview East neighborhood, TimeLine is the recipient of 37 Jeff Awards, which signify excellence in Chicago theatre.
UP & COMING THEATRE
Up and Coming Theatre's mission is to provide professional level performances with equal regard to music, voice, dancing, and acting. They would like to raise the bar on what community theatre has typically been in terms of output, and yet retain the communal aspects in terms of input by giving opportunities for aspiring professionals to obtain practical experience, grow as people, and expand their artistry.
VICTORY GARDENS THEATRE
Founded in 1974, Victory Gardens Theater is a seminal institution within the Chicago Theater Movement of the 1970s and 1980s, dedicated by mission to serving playwrights and producing world premiere plays. Having just surpassed our 30th season as one of the country's most respected mid-sized professional theater companies, Victory Gardens Theater is the recipient of the prestigious 2001 Tony Award for Best Regional Theater and was recently heralded by The New York Times for its role in helping to position Chicago as a city "with a theater scene as vibrant as New York's" (May, 2003).
VILLAGE PLAYERS THEATER
Village Players Theatre, a non-profit organization founded in 1961, promotes the arts through theatrical productions and educational programs that encourage cultural understanding and embrace diversity in the Village of Oak Park and the surrounding communities.
WHEATON DRAMA
Wheaton Drama is a caring, all volunteer organization dedicated to improving the cultural life in their community by providing quality theater to their patrons and a creative rewarding experience to our members.
WRITERS' THEATRE OF GLENCOE
In the past decade, Writers' has offered more than 50 productions by or about literature's greatest creators or creations, including ten world premieres and has been nominated for 32 Joseph Jefferson Awards, including three consecutive nominations for Best Production. Other awards include nine After Dark Awards from Gay Chicago magazine; the Crystal Award in 2001 to Artistic Director Michael Halberstam for outstanding direction from the Chicago Drama League; the 2003 ABBY award from the Arts & Business Council of Chicago for Arts Management Excellence; and the 2005 Distinguished Service Award from the Lawyers for the Creative Arts to Writers' Theatre & Michael Halberstam in recognition of their outstanding contribution to the arts.
ACTORS' EQUITY ASSOCIATION
Actors' Equity Association ("AEA" or "Equity"), founded in 1913, is the labor union that represents more than 48,000 Actors and Stage Managers in the United States. Equity seeks to advance, promote and foster the art of live theatre as an essential component of our society. Equity negotiates wages and working conditions and provides a wide range of benefits, including health and pension plans, for its members. Actors' Equity is a member of the AFL-CIO, and is affiliated with FIA, an international organization of performing arts unions.
ANN SATHER RESTAURANT
There really was an Ann Sather. And over sixty years ago, she decided what Chicago needed a restaurant where people could come for generous homemade meals, warm hospitality and a genuine concern for their welfare. So, when the Swedish owners of a restaurant located on Belmont decided to retire, Ann quit her job of 22 years, pooled her life savings and bought herself a diner better known today as Ann Sather Restaurant.
ARMY & LOU'S RESTAURANT
Army & Lou's is one of the oldest black-owned restaurants in the Midwest. Since 1945 this soul food establishment has maintained quality service, food, and its original award-winning recipes. "This south side dining institution has a large, loyal clientele, drawn by its menu of high-end soul food. It was once a favored dining spot for Harold Washington, Chicago's first black mayor, and still attracts a good number of politicians and celebrities to its tables..." Metromix - Chicago Entertainment & Restaurant Guide.
BARKER & MEOWSKY
Barker & Meowsky, a paw firm, is a distinctive pet boutique that offers stylish products for you and the pets you love. They've been serving the Chicagoland area for over a decade with their knowledge, experience and love of furry friends. They carry a huge selection of exclusive dog apparel, beds, collars, harnesses, toys, cat furniture, pet carriers and they can help you find the perfect product to match your personal style or even your home's décor.
BROADWAY IN CHICAGO
Broadway In Chicago (BIC) was created in July, 2000 as a joint venture between The Nederlander Organization and Live Nation, the two largest commercial theatre producers and owners/operators in the United States. The creation of BIC allowed the two theatre industry leaders to present a full range of entertainment, including musicals and plays, on the stages of three of the finest theatres in Chicago's Loop - Bank of America Theatre, the Ford Center for the Performing Arts/Oriental Theatre and the Cadillac Palace Theatre. In 2007, Nederlander acquired Live Nation Theatrical's interests in Chicago changing BIC from a joint venture to a Nederlander company. BIC continues to bring the best new, classic and completely spectacular entertainment that Broadway has to offer. Said Mayor Richard M. Daley, "Broadway In Chicago is a leader in the Downtown Theatre District and is an economic engine that will keep our downtown alive and full of energy to come."
BUCKTOWN ARTS FEST
Since it began in 1984, the Bucktown Arts Fest has grown to become a neighborhood tradition and one of the city's - and the country's - premier arts festivals. Festival proceeds support the arts in Bucktown through programs and donations to neighborhood arts groups.
CAROL FOX & ASSOCIATES
Carol Fox & Associates is Chicago's largest marketing and public relations firm dedicated solely to promoting arts, special events and entertainment clientele. Carol L. Fox founded the company in her home in 1994, having earned widespread recognition for her work as a marketing and public relations director for various Chicago arts organizations. The agency employs 15 full-time marketing and public relations specialists, plus support staff and since 2004, a group sales division called GroupTix. The client roster includes numerous commercial and not-for-profit theatrical productions, performing arts presenters, dance companies, music ensembles, a record label, visual arts expositions, city fairs and festivals, gala benefits and other special events.
CHICAGO CABARET PROFESSIONALS
CCP is dedicated to the Art of Cabaret. They are an organization of performers, producers, writers, directors, venues, composers, lyricists and lovers of cabaret. Their mission is to help each other to learn and grow as artists and to promote the art of cabaret by education of ourselves, our audiences and our community through meetings, performances, benefits, workshops and networking. "If anyone can breathe new life into venerable cabaret forms, it's these artists." Howard Reich, Chicago Tribune
CHICAGO CABARET PROJECT
The Chicago Cabaret Project is a troupe of performers striving to change the cultural experience of after-dark entertainment. They create shows that tell stories through song, costume and choreography. Based in Chicago, IL, they perform in a myriad of venues. Their mission is to create a renaissance in the art of cabaret and allow people to experience something provocative.
CHICAGO READER
The Chicago Reader is Chicago's largest free weekly newspaper, nationally recognized as a leader in the alternative press. Since 1971, the Reader has served as Chicago's political conscience, cultural guide, and music authority. With a highly targeted-circulation of 100,000 and a consistent return rate of less than 2%, the Chicago Reader is the city's most essential alternative media resource, and one the largest and most successful alternative weeklies in the country.
CHICAGO THEATRE COMMUNITY OPEN
The CTC OPEN was started in 2006 as a theatre community social golfing event and has grown into a yearly art community golf tournament. The tournament is a classic four person golf scramble, with each team representing an organization (selected by the team - this can be a theatre, a charity, a company, a bar, a club, whatever). Teams compete for the CTC Open Trophy - - the green jacket of the Chicago Theatre Community. CTC OPEN provides CASH awards to the top placing teams, as well as prizes for the winners of the Longest Drive Contests, Closest to the Pin Contests, and Worst Drive Contest.
CULLEN'S BAR & GRILL
Chicago has many "Irish" bars, but walking into Cullen's you might hear an actual Irish brogue from either an employee or a patron. Bartenders take care in the pouring of Guinness, filling a glass half way, letting the brew settle and then finishing the pull. Also on tap, Irish import Smithwick's. Cullen's couldn't be more convenient to the Mercury Theatre and the Music Box. The lunch and dinner menus feature homemade soups, sandwiches and traditional Irish dishes.
FOOTLIGHTS
Footlights performing arts program is a 4-color, digest-size, professionally produced publication that is distributed to audiences who attend performing arts events such as musicals, plays, and concerts. Footlights.com is your online source for performing arts and events including theater, music, opera, dance, and musicals in Milwaukee, Chicago, Madison and outlying areas.
JAM THEATRICALS
Jam Theatricals is a Chicago-based entertainment company that presents and produces Broadway engagements throughout North America. Founded in 1997 by Arny Granat, Jerry Mickelson and Steve Traxler, Jam Theatricals manages subscription seasons in more than 30 cities.
LEAGUE OF CHICAGO THEATRES
The League of Chicago Theatres (LCT) is an alliance of theaters which leverages its collective strength to promote, support and advocate for Chicago's theater industry locally, nationally and internationally. The League of Chicago Theatres Foundation (LCTF) is dedicated to enhancing the art of theater in the Chicago area through audience development and support services for theaters and theater professionals.
NORTH SHORE COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL
North Shore Country Day School is a JK-12 community rooted in tradition that challenges each member to develop a passion for active, life-long learning and respect for others. Committed to academic excellence, the partnership of students, faculty, parents and alumni fosters intellectually curious, independent and critical thinkers. They embrace diversity, knowing they are enriched by different backgrounds, voices and talents. The full participation of each student in academics, athletics, arts and activities is a core value. They develop self-confident, ethical citizens of the world who embody our motto, "Live and Serve."
SIMPLY IT RESTAURANT
"Tuan Nguyen is a partner in this reasonably priced Vietnamese spot. Nguyen, who has spent considerable time researching dishes in Vietnam in addition to his 20 plus years in the restaurant biz, hopes to expose more folks to his native cuisine - he says there are only about 40 Vietnamese spots in the state." - Metromix Chicago
SIT MEANS SIT
The mission of Sit Means Sit is to provide dog training programs that result in a happy, confident, and obedient dog, as well as a happy, confident and satisfied owner. With this mission in-mind, they customize their training approach to meet with their customer's personality as well as what will result in the best possible training experience for both dog and owner.
SUTTON STUDIOS
David Sutton's portraits of people and their pets have been featured extensively in national media including the Today Show and Animal Planet, as well as in the Chicago Tribune, Denver Post, Ft. Worth Star-Telegram, Chicago Sun-Times and Crain's Chicago Business. He has also exhibited his work in numerous venues including Hermés of Paris and Takishimaya New York.
SUZANNE PLUNKETT
A longtime, generous supporter of SOC, Suzanne Plunkett graduated from Northwestern University's theatre department, and founded Lifeline Theatre. After working for two of Chicago's top headshot photographers (Tom Fezzey and Helmut Lipschis), she opened her very successful studio in 1988.
THREE CAT PRODUCTIONS
Three Cat Media was founded in 2006 to provide affordable web and graphic design services to the artistic and creative communities. It was bourne of the desire of founders, Jason Paul Smith and Rob Dorn, to combine their collective 30 years in the marketing and design industries with their passion for the artist.
TIMNJON PRODUCTIONS
Tim McPherson and Jon Dean are partners in TIMNJON productions, where they design and create ceramic art. They also design teaching experiences that allows them to share this passion with others. They teach in the greater Chicagoland area as well as across the United States and internationally.
VOA
Founded in 1969, VOA Associates Incorporated, provides remarkable client service and award-winning design for the built environment. They listen, understand client needs, integrate their expertise and deliver effective and efficient solutions. The result is working, living, learning and healing environments that stand the test of time.
WEAR IT DAILY
Founded by longtime community advocate, Eric McCool, "Wear It Daily" offers a full line of fun and fashionable items to remind everyone that AIDS awareness shouldn't be limited to a few months a year. 50% of profits go directly to SOC!
WINTER WONDERLAND WORKSHOP
The Winter Wonderland Workshop is the largest regional stage combat workshop in the country. Sanctioned by the Society of American Fight Directors, students from all over the world can come to learn from some of the best in the business. WWW's goal is to share information about creating and performing violence in theatre, film and television.
ACCESS COMMUNITY HEALTH NETWORK (ACCESS)
Access Community Health Network (ACCESS) is Chicagoland's largest private primary health care provider to the underserved and the nation's largest community health center organization.
ACCESS operates 50 community health center locations and one oral health center in underserved, low-income neighborhoods throughout the Chicago region, providing close to 600,000 primary care visits to 200,000 individuals.
SOC IS PROUD TO HAVE DONATED $2,000 TO ACCESS IN 2008
BEHIV
Better Existence with HIV (BEHIV) is one of only a few comprehensive AIDS service organizations in the Chicago area and the only comprehensive provider for the North Shore. Founded in 1989 by community volunteers and based in Evanston and Chicago, BEHIV provides case management services in the Chicago neighborhoods with the 1st, 2nd and 6th highest rates of AIDS in Illinois.
SOC IS PROUD TO HAVE CONTRIBUTED $3,200 TO BEHIV IN 2008
CHICAGO HOUSE
Chicago House serves families and individuals who never had homes, jobs, or the support of their families, even before being diagnosed with AIDS. While new treatments allow people with HIV to live longer and healthier lives, Chicago House still relies upon the compassion and concern of the community to bring stability and hope to the people they serve. "For almost two decades, we have been fighting for Chicagoans who are marginalized by HIV and AIDS. We will be here until we have won."
SOC IS PROUD TO HAVE DONATED $3,400 TO CHICAGO HOUSE IN 2008
THE CHILDRENS PLACE ASSOCIATION
The Children's Place Association is the Midwest's first residential facility dedicated to the care of HIV/AIDS-affected children, offering around-the-clock nursing care and other specialized treatment for children who have been separated from their families. They include children who are themselves HIV infected or AIDS diagnosed, those whose parents are ill from HIV/AIDS-related conditions, as well as children with other life-threatening or serious illnesses, such as cancer.
SOC IS PROUD TO HAVE DONATED $2,400 TO THE CHILDREN'S PLACE ASSOCIATION IN 2008
NEW PHOENIX ASSISTANCE CENTER
New Phoenix Assistance Center focuses on three major programs: Transitional Housing for Homeless Women, infected with HIV or diagnosed with AIDS and their children; Transitional Housing for Pregnant and/or parenting teens and Department of Children and Family Services (D.C.F.S.) wards of State; and Transitional Housing for anyone that is homeless, or in immediate danger of becoming homeless.
SOC IS PROUD TO HAVE DONATED $1,050 TO NEW PHOENIX ASSISTANC CNETER IN 2005
RAFAEL CENTER
The Rafael Center is a network of six Heartland Alliance programs that provide health, hope, and opportunity to individuals living with HIV/AIDS. By providing comprehensive, personalized services in case management, housing, mental health, substance abuse, and adult day health programming, Rafael Center offers program participants the tools to lead healthier lives. In an open environment, Rafael Center program participants can comfortably talk about HIV/AIDS with others and obtain the support and information needed to better their lives.
SOC IS PROUD TO HAVE DONATED $1,540 TO RAFAEL CENTER IN 2005
ATWOOD CAFE
The Atwood Cafe is an intimate restaurant located in the heart of Chicago's Central Business District and the State Street retail and theater district. Enjoy colorful dining in our vibrant dining room featuring contemporary American comfort food.
"Atwood Cafe participates with many worthy organizations through out the year. For 2006 we are excited to be sharing a special affiliation with "Season of Concern."
- EXECUTIVE CHEF, Heather Terhune
CHICAGO ACTOR'S LOUNGE
The city's newest actors resource, The Chicago Actor's Lounge is a unique support center providing workshops, seminars, counseling services, study and rehearsals space, and a resource library.
FRIENDS OF THE ARTS
Established in 1988 and located in the Cornelia Arts Building, Friends Of The Arts is a not-for-profit arts support group, specializing in emerging art & artists.
HYDRATE
Stylish 20-somethings fill this energetic three-room club, a popular late-night dance destination for the Halsted Street set. The space has undergone an extreme makeover since its dark, windowless days as Manhole: Walls are now splashy shades of aquamarine (in the front bar) and fire-engine red (in the more open middle bar area), and front and side garage-door windows open to the street on warm days. Club music thumps, and dance videos give posing patrons something to look at. The crowd is mixed early, but after midnight it's boys, boys, boys. Hydrate has something going on every night of the week, from dollar drinks to drag shows, exotic dancers and a "gay lotto" with money giveaways. The main attraction is on the dance floor, though, where mist machines keep weekend revelers cool while stand-out DJs like Ralphi Rosario, Teri Bristol and Grammy-winner Frankie Knuckles spin tunes into the wee hours.
