Auditorium Theatre facts for kids
Auditorium Theatre, 1890
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| Address | 50 East Ida B. Wells Drive |
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| Location | Chicago, Illinois, United States |
| Coordinates | 41°52′34″N 87°37′31″W / 41.8760639°N 87.6251856°W |
| Owner | Roosevelt University |
| Capacity | 3,875 |
| Construction | |
| Opened | December 9, 1889 |
| Renovated | 1967 |
| Architect | Dankmar Adler and Louis Sullivan |
| Tenants | |
| Joffrey Ballet | |
The Auditorium Theatre is a famous place for music and shows in Chicago, Illinois. It's inside the Auditorium Building at 50 E. Ida B. Wells Drive. Two amazing architects, Dankmar Adler and Louis Sullivan, designed it. They finished building it in 1889.
For many years, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra played here. The Chicago Grand Opera Company also performed until 1929. The Joffrey Ballet called the theatre home from 1998 to 2020. Today, the Auditorium Theatre hosts all kinds of concerts, musicals, and special events. Roosevelt University has owned it since the 1940s. A non-profit group has helped manage and restore it since the 1960s.
Contents
History of the Auditorium Theatre
How the Theatre Began
In 1885, a Chicago businessman named Ferdinand Wythe Peck had a big idea. He wanted to build a special place for performances. Chicago was still recovering from the 1871 Great Chicago Fire. There were also many worker issues at the time.
Peck wanted to create a modern theatre for everyone. He hoped it would make Chicago look good again. To help pay for shows, he had a clever plan. The building would also have a fancy hotel and offices. Money from the hotel and offices would help keep ticket prices low.
The architects Adler and Sullivan were chosen for the job. They designed the building at Michigan Avenue and Congress Street. It became one of their most famous projects.
Grand Opening Night
The theatre opened with a huge party on December 9, 1889. Many important people came, like President Benjamin Harrison. The Vice President, Levi Morton, and the Illinois Governor were also there. Chicago's Mayor and the theatre's supporters joined them.
Crowds lined the streets to see the famous guests. President Harrison was very impressed by the building. A famous opera singer, Madame Adelina Patti, sang "Home Sweet Home." It was a truly memorable night.
A World's Fair Connection
The Auditorium Theatre helped Chicago get chosen for the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition. This was a huge world's fair. Other cities like St. Louis and New York also wanted to host it.
The amazing opening of the Auditorium showed Congress that Chicago was ready. It proved the city had the vision and money for a big event. This helped Chicago win the chance to host the fair.
Early Famous Visitors
In its early years, many stars performed at the Auditorium. These included John Philip Sousa and Sarah Bernhardt. The Ziegfeld Follies and Anna Pavlova also graced its stage.
Important political figures visited too. Theodore Roosevelt and Franklin D. Roosevelt spoke there. Booker T. Washington also gave speeches. In 1912, Teddy Roosevelt famously said he felt "as strong as a bull moose" during his campaign. The theatre also hosted indoor baseball games!
Theatre Closes Down
Mr. Peck's idea to use hotel and office money didn't work forever. Newer hotels with private bathrooms became popular. The Chicago Symphony Orchestra moved in 1904. The Grand Opera moved in 1929.
In the 1930s, people thought about tearing the building down. But it would cost too much money. After a musical show called "Hellzapoppin'," the theatre closed in 1941.
World War II Use
In 1942, the City of Chicago took over the Auditorium. It became a center for soldiers during World War II. The stage and front seats were turned into a bowling alley. Many beautiful decorations were covered up. Over 2.2 million soldiers stayed, ate, and were entertained there.
The Theatre's Comeback
Roosevelt University bought the building in 1946. This saved it from being torn down. But they didn't have money to fix the theatre. So, it stayed empty for 20 years.
In 1963, Mrs. Beatrice Spachner started a group. They worked to restore and reopen the theatre. They raised almost $3 million for the repairs. Architect Harry Weese led the renovation. On October 31, 1967, the Auditorium Theatre reopened. The New York City Ballet performed "A Midsummer Night's Dream."
Music, Dance, and Shows
Since the 1960s, many famous rock and pop stars have played here. These include Diana Ross & the Supremes and Jimi Hendrix. The Who, Janis Joplin, and David Bowie also performed. Other big names were Bruce Springsteen, Elton John, and Aretha Franklin.
Many dance groups have also performed. These include Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and Bolshoi Ballet. Popular Broadway musicals have had long runs here. Some examples are The Phantom of the Opera and Les Misérables.
In 1970, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young recorded part of a live album here. The band Genesis played several concerts in the 1970s. One of their shows in 1977 was even broadcast live on the radio.
The Auditorium Today
Today, the Auditorium Theatre continues to care for its historic building. They have added a public elevator for visitors. They also have a new studio space. Each year, over 200 shows and events take place. More than 250,000 people visit the theatre.
The theatre offers many dance and music programs. One special program is "Hearts to Art." It's a summer camp for kids who have lost a parent. The camp uses music, theatre, and dance to help them heal. It helps kids gain confidence and express themselves.
In 2014, the 2015 NFL Draft was held at the Auditorium Theatre. This was the first time in 50 years it wasn't in New York City. The NFL Draft came back to the theatre in 2016 too.
The Joffrey Ballet performed at the Auditorium from 1998 to 2019. They moved to the Civic Opera House in 2021.
Amazing Architecture
The Auditorium Theatre was very advanced for its time. It had 3,500 light bulbs, which were new in 1879. The sound quality was excellent. It even had air conditioning, using 15 tons of ice daily!
The stage had 26 hydraulic lifts. These could easily raise and lower parts of the stage. A huge 95-foot space above the stage allowed for scenery to be moved.
Architect Louis Sullivan wanted the theatre to be fair for everyone. The best seats were not just for the richest people. Box seats were moved to the sides. The main floor and balconies gave great views to everyone.
The decorations showed natural elements like flowers and vines. There were also beautiful murals. The theatre uses a design trick called "compression and expansion." You enter through a small, dark hallway. Then, you step into the huge, six-story auditorium. This makes the grand arches and glittering ceiling seem even more amazing!
