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The Chicago Community Trust Renews Grant for Chicago-based Artist Series at Governors State University Center for Performing Arts


University Park, IL –(ENEWSPF)—October 20, 2014. For the fourth straight year, The Chicago Community Trust is supporting the work of Governors State University’s Center for Performing Arts. The grant awarded this season for $25,000 will be used towards GSU Center’s “Made in Chicago” series, which brings the best in Chicago-area live performance to local audiences in the Southland region.

Under the terms of the grant, the Center for Performing Arts will introduce its audiences to Chicago-based theatre, dance, and musical ensemble companies and develop new audiences through collaboration with diverse arts organizations. The series is designed to increase attendance from underserved communities, increase theater participation by minority populations, and increase the number of first-time attendees.

“We are pleased that The Chicago Community Trust has once again recognized the work that GSU is doing to bring productions from the lively Chicago arts scene to the south suburbs,” said Governors State President Elaine P. Maimon. “Our goal is to develop new audiences for Chicago performing arts organizations. The Trust is supporting a true win/win arrangement.”

“Made in Chicago” fulfills the GSU Center mission, which is to present the finest in world-class performing arts entertainment and education to area citizens at affordable prices. All performances are $25, with discounts available for seniors, students and groups of ten or more.

This series’ upcoming presentations include:

Songs of a Dream: From Broadway to Gospel to Opera on Friday, November 14, 2014 at 8 p.m. which showcases Rodrick Dixon and Alfreda Burke (stars of the Auditorium Theatre’s “Too Hot to Handel: The Jazz-Gospel Messiah”) singing a diverse lineup of songs including Broadway favorites, spiritual gems and operatic treasures, accompanied by the New Faith Baptist Church International Mass Choir and New Faith Baptist Church International Kids for Christ Children’s Choir.

Cotton Mouth Club by Chicago Dance Crash on Friday, March 27 at 8 p.m. tackles the ongoing issue of

street violence and is also part of a National Endowment for the Arts-funded project called ArtRising: Combatting Violence. Featuring the music of OutKast and Michael Jackson, the show is set in prohibition-era Chicago and the 1980s, converting the stage into a full-blown speakeasy. Using hip-hop, ballet, jazz, swing, acrobatics, breakdance and contemporary dance styles, this is a timeless tale of street violence and personal redemption.

Congo Square Theatre’s Twisted Melodies on Saturday, April 11 at 8 p.m.addresses the issue of mental illness and specifically schizophrenia. Kevin Roston Jr. portrays the life of renowned jazz, blues, and soul singer and composer Donny Hathaway. The Center will be hosting a Donny Hathaway ‘listening party’ and pre-show soul food experience, featuring cuisine from the celebrated Flavor Restaurant.    

The “Made in Chicago” Series kicked off with a sold-out blues performance on September 20th of Chicago Women in the Blues, featuring Shirley King (daughter of BB King), Hall-of-Fame legend HolleThee Maxwell, Keshia Dixon-Nelson (grand-daughter of Willie Dixon), Tracee Adams and more.

For 99 years, The Chicago Community Trust, our region’s community foundation, has connected the generosity of donors with community needs by making grants to organizations working to improve metropolitan Chicago. In 2013, The Trust, together with its donors, granted more than $160 million to nonprofit organizations. From strengthening schools to assisting local art programs, from building health centers to protecting the safety net for those hardest hit by the recession, The Trust continues to enhance our region. To learn more, please visit The Trust online at www.cct.org.

GSU Center for Performing Arts is located on the campus of Governors State University, 1 University Parkway, University Park, Illinois. For further information, contact the box office at (708) 235-2222 or www.CenterTickets.net.

Source: govst.edu


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