AURORA, September 23, 2016 – The sound of music, Broadway-caliber productions, comedy acts and children’s shows will ring even more clearly at Aurora’s historic Paramount Theatre, thanks to a generous grant from the Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley.
Since the inception of the Paramount’s self-produced Broadway musical series in 2011, the theater has been renting state-of-the-art microphones to project music played by live musicians from the orchestra pit into the 1,888-seat house. With the Foundation’s recent donation of $20,000 to support capital improvements at the theater, the Paramount was able to purchase the acoustic equipment it previously had to rent, which will not only assure crystal clear sound quality for audiences, but significant cost-savings for the theater moving forward.
“The Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley has been an ardent supporter of the Paramount Theatre, and our Broadway series in particular, since we began producing our own, large-scale musicals,” said Tim Rater, President and CEO of the Paramount Theatre. “In fact, five years ago, the Foundation stepped up to support our inaugural Broadway production, My Fair Lady, by funding the massive spotlights needed to properly light up that show, and every Paramount Broadway musical since. Now, in addition to helping light our shows, our audiences are being treated to pristine sound as well, due to the continued support of the Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley. We can’t thank them enough.”
About the Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley: The Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley is a non-profit, tax-exempt, philanthropic organization that administers individual charitable funds from which grants and scholarships are distributed to benefit the citizens of the Greater Aurora Area, the TriCities and Kendall County, Illinois. Founded in 1948, the Foundation provides a simple and powerful approach to charitable giving. Individuals, families, businesses and organizations have the opportunity to custom design their own named funds that reflect their charitable goals and interests. Since its inception, the Community Foundation has grown to more than $75 million in assets and has awarded more than $60 million in grants and scholarships. For more information on the Foundation, visit www.CommunityFoundationFRV.org.
The Paramount Theatre, located at 23 E. Galena Blvd. in the heart of downtown Aurora, is the center for performing arts, entertainment and arts education in Aurora. The theater is nationally renowned for the quality and caliber of its presentations, superb acoustics and historic beauty.
Since 2011, the Paramount has self-produced its own four-play Broadway series, attracting thousands of people to downtown Aurora and multiple awards for its Broadway-quality musicals. During the 2014-15 season, Chicago’s Joseph Jefferson Committee honored Paramount with an unprecedented 16 Jeff Award nominations and five awards, including Best Musical for Les Misérables. Just last month, Paramount learned it received 14 Jeff nominations for its 2015-16 season productions, more than any other Chicago theater. The 2015-16 Jeff Awards will be presented on October 16.
Today, more than 31,000 subscribers are enjoying Paramount’s 2016-17, four-play Broadway Musical Series. Now on stage, through October 30, is a critically acclaimed production of Mamma Mia!, the all-ABBA musical. Up next is Disney’s The Little Mermaid (Nov. 23, 2016-Jan. 8, 2017), Sweeney Todd-The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (Feb. 8-Mar. 19, 2017) and Jesus Christ Superstar (Apr. 19-May 28, 2017). In addition to its Broadway series, Paramount presents an eclectic array of comedy, music, dance and family shows, and on most Mondays, screens a classic movie.
To purchase “Buy Two Shows, Get Two Free” Broadway series subscriptions, or single tickets to any performance, visit ParamountAurora.com, call (630) 896-6666 or visit the Paramount Theatre box office, 23 E. Galena Blvd. in downtown Aurora.
The Paramount Theatre continues to expand its artistic and institutional boundaries under the guidance of Tim Rater, President and CEO, Aurora Civic Center Authority; Jim Corti, Artistic Director, Paramount Theatre; a dedicated Board of Trustees and a devoted staff of live theater and music professionals.
Our offices will be closed on November 28 and 29 for Thanksgiving.
As a first-generation college student from a low-income family, I was worried about how I was going to pay for books and supplies. This scholarship will allow me to focus more on my studies instead of worrying about how to afford college. I am working to not only create opportunities for myself but to motivate future generations. Thank you so much for helping me along this journey!
Moises J.
Claude & Alice Allen Memorial Scholarship Recipient
We chose the Community Foundation because of its reputation. It’s well known, established and we can trust them to do the job for us.
Dick Schindel
Richard and Susan Schindel Scholarship Funds
…you can always start small, even $25 can make a difference. Remember we can’t take our money with us. Even if it’s just your gift of time. Volunteer and get involved.
Cris Anderson
Cristina & Thomas S. Anderson Endowment Fund | Tom & Cris Anderson Colonial Advisory Fund
A community foundation is a donor-driven organization that helps donors custom-design funds that reflect their charitable interests. Through the years, grants from these funds have made a significant impact on our local communities.
Sharon Stredde
President Emeritus
Thank you very much for supporting my college education for these four years. I will never be able to repay you for the opportunity that this scholarship has given to me.
Julia H.
[Renewing Scholarship Recipient] Graduate of Hinkley-Big Rock High School
There’s no question in my mind that the scholarship I received opened up possibilities.
Marianne Renner
Past Scholarship Recipient & Current Leadership Coach
