PROGRESS THROUGH THOUGHTFUL PLANNING

The Schaumburg Prairie Center for the Arts has entered its second theatrical season on an upbeat note after receiving two grants from the Illinois Arts Council and the applause of theater patrons who increased total subscriber sales 37 percent over last year's figures.

"The Illinois Arts Council awarded the Village of Schaumburg $4,100 for the presentations of the Chicago Chamber Brass, Child's Play Touring Theater and Chicago Repertory Dance Ensemble," says Betsy Armistead, Prairie Center manager. "The notification, in response to our application for an Artstour grant, arrived on the heels of word from the Arts Council regarding our program grant award of $5,635 in support of the 1987-88 series of programs at the Prairie Center. Therefore, a total of $9,735 in awards has been made."

Artstour is a fee-support grants program sponsored by the Illinois Arts Council which encourages presenters to book Illinois touring performing artists by offering grant money to be used for expenses related to these specific performers. The larger award was made by the Arts Council in recognition of the Prairie Center's artistic achievement, the merit of the grant proposal and Schaumburg's contribution to Illinois' cultural environment, according to Adrienne N. Hirsch, executive director of the Arts Council.

The Prairie Center's second season includes such presentations as The Lettermen, "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat," Comedy Night, "Living a Ragtime Life," "The 1940's Radio Hour," "The Marriage of Figaro," "Man of La Mancha," and "An Evening with Gershwin." Concerts will focus on classical, Spanish, Bach and Broadway music.

"In addition to the subscriber series' orders, over 500 tickets have been sold for individual performances included in the series," says Armistead. "We urge anyone interested in attending one or more performances to purchase their tickets as soon as possible."

For further information, interested persons should call the Schaumburg Prairie Center for the Arts between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. at 894-3600. •

Page 20 / Illinois Municipal Review / October 1987