When you think “theater,” the first things that might come to mind are likely movies, musicals, and concerts—whether you’re thinking about your favorite Broadway show or anticipating an upcoming movie premiere. But no matter which type of cultural content is your favorite, part of the reason going to a theater is so magical is because of the immersive environment it creates, where captivated audiences can enjoy a production without any distractions. However, these engaging experiences don’t have to be limited to leisurely pursuits. Planners might capitalize on the feelings and ambience that theaters evoke by hosting their corporate and nonprofit events in them as well.
Of course, conferences and meetings are a natural fit for a theater or an auditorium, as are corporate awards ceremonies where employees can be spotlighted as they walk across the stage to receive their accolade. These few events only scratch the surface of possibilities when it comes to staging theaters for corporate and nonprofit functions, though. Think seated galas and fundraising dinners on a theater’s stage that overlooks hundreds of velvet seats, or perhaps envision something smaller, such as a private cocktail hour during the intermission of a play.
If planners get a little creative with how they’re using these spaces for their functions, their gatherings can be just as memorable as the best musicals, comedy shows, and concerts. Illinois Meetings + Events spoke with several theater professionals and meeting and event planners across the state to discover all the different ways that corporate and nonprofit events can be executed at these theatrical venues.
Along the same lines as graduation ceremonies—which regularly happen at venues with stages—are awards ceremonies, which can be easily leveled up by hosting them at a theater. Kandiss Hernandez, owner of Center Stage Theater in Naperville, has had planners book these types of events at her intimate venue and thinks employers who want their employees to feel extra appreciated should make the simple switch. “You can get an award
anywhere,” says Hernandez. “You can get it at the office, but presenting at your office maybe doesn’t have that special feeling. Instead of just, ‘I got an award,’ you are presented with it. You walk on stage, and you definitely feel like it was an elevated gift.”
At Center Stage Theater, that feeling of receiving is even further amplified thanks to some of the design choices throughout the space. Stars on the lobby floor are reminiscent of the Walk of Fame in Hollywood, which will make attendees of such ceremonies here feel like celebrities long before they take their seat in one of the 156 seats in the theater proper.
Galas are another type of event that often need a stage of some sort, whether it’s for a live auction or for the emcee throughout the night. While a theater would surely provide that necessary stage, the fixed seats in the audience could be a dealbreaker for several reasons: There wouldn’t be space for tables for a seated dinner or a silent auction, plus, it wouldn’t be easy for attendees to get up and mingle as there is often only time to chat before programming begins. However, if a planner stays open-minded—and the stage is big enough—gala attendees can be seated directly on the stage overlooking the theater’s fixed seats, with the programming presented facing the attendees on the stage.
Venues like the Auditorium Theatre in Chicago have hosted galas with attendees seated on the stage, overlooking the venue’s 3,875 seats. Booking and Events Manager Lionell Moore says that hosting events on the stage gives attendees a chance to feel like performers who regularly steal the spotlight. “It gives everybody an opportunity to feel that part of themselves that maybe they didn’t think they would ever get a chance to,” says Moore. “Especially when people are on stage, because they can take pictures outward, looking into the seats. So, it gives you the experience of what our performers on stage feel.”
The Auditorium Theatre is not the only historic venue in Illinois with a big enough stage to host seated dinners and programming. At the Coronado Theatre in Rockford, galas held on the stage not only look out to the 2,300 fixed seats in the house but also a ceiling that has lights meant to emulate the night sky. “History says it was set to the way the sky looked that opening night, the actual placement of the stars, the constellations. It’s quite amazing,” says Bethany Bohn, director of marketing and private event sales at the Coronado. “It’s meant to look like it’s kind of frozen in 1927, but that is really what makes it beautiful and magical.”
Of course, many theaters put on their own shows, musicals, plays, dance recitals, and more, which means planners might have to work around existing schedules. However, planners should know they don’t always have to rule out show days—at least when gathering at Chicago Shakespeare Theater. In the past, corporate and nonprofit planners have booked pre- and post-show dinners here to impress clients or show appreciation to sponsors and the like. Since there are two stages at Chicago Shakespeare Theater, planners might book the lobby of the theater that’s not in use for the evening, and then walk over to the operating theater come showtime. Groups can even book a private space like the Skyline Room for intermission cocktails, an unexpected, yet fun addition to an already entertaining evening.
When it comes to conferences and meetings, planners almost always need at least a screen for slides, videos, and presentations. A stage, plus theater-style seating, can make these types of meetings much more memorable for attendees. “With a lot of these programs, you’re in a big ballroom where people are spread out at a table, away from each other,” says Todd Felker, event and sponsorship specialist for Mainstreet Organization of Realtors headquartered in Downers Grove. “In a theater, it really gets people in there more intimately; they’re closer together. It’s more of an experience. It’s almost like you’re going to a movie theater.”
Felker has hosted Mainstreet’s “Propel: Innovations in Technology” event in a theater for two of the past three years. More specifically, he has returned to the Maggie Atcher Theatre at the Al Larson Prairie Center for the Arts in Schaumburg, where up to 442 people can be seated in the house. “I think a lot of these things have been done at banquet halls and other larger banquet or ballroom spaces,” says Felker. “But the ability to do it there really provided a much more intimate setting and a fuller, robust programming effort because you have all the audiovisual equipment. All the services were there already.”
Historic theaters can also provide breathtaking and unique views for receptions and cocktail hours. At the Auditorium Theatre in Chicago, planners might book the decorative Dress Circle on the second floor overlooking the theater and the stage for groups of up to 200 standing or 150 seated. Moore says, “You still feel like you’re in the theater, but you’re not in the seats.”
At the Coronado Theatre in Rockford, planners might book the third-floor lobby, which is adjacent to a balcony that looks out to not only the seating and the stage but also the twinkling “night sky” on the ceiling—as well as the marquee sign out the window for dazzling views from every angle.
When planners get creative and book theaters for their corporate and nonprofit meetings and events, they can certainly take a bow when it’s time for curtain call at the end of the evening. They’re sure to earn standing ovations from event attendees.
auditoriumtheatre.org
centerstage-theater.com
chicagoshakes.com
coronado.asmrockford.com
prairiecenter.org
