Our Aurora Community Theatre
This year, (2017-2018) our Aurora Community Theater celebrates their 58th season!
My great grandparents, Betts and Jack Colebrook actually started the Aurora Community Theater. They wanted to improve our community, by creating a place for everyone to gather in appreciation of all life has to offer. What better way to reach all age groups than through the arts.
Their mission statement is, “The Aurora Community Theatre will provide entertainment and encouragement and promote the advancement of theatre art in all aspects. We shall provide opportunities for the cultural, technical, and educational growth of its members through experience in legitimate theatre”.
Their first ACT production was The Tender Trap (which Betts was in) presented in the Spring of 1960. Until 1971, ACT was without a permanent home and presented plays at The Church In Aurora (which Jack helped design) and the Aurora High School. In 1971, ACT was fortunate to find a permanent home in The Performing Arts Center, an addition to the Aurora Memorial Library. This section was originally designed for lectures and small group performances. Over the years, the complex has been altered extensively to support theatre requirements; backstage, wardrobe and two remote areas have been added. ACT’s first new home production was Ten Nights in a Bar Room performed during the 1971-72 season. Jack worked on all the sets. My great grandparents also donated money for an organ, sound system and a general fund for the Colebrook Scholar Fund for seniors each year. My grandmother, Susan, worked on set of Steel Magnolias in her father’s footsteps.
As a child I did ACT every summer I was able to. I remember having fun learning to sing and dance. Having lovely lunches outside with games like mafia, a murder mystery game where players must try to identify the mafia members. Then doing the actual performance was nerve wracking in such a uniquely exciting way. I knew even if I messed up my lines or dance, I would get a nice T-shirts out of it. It was such a wonderful life experience, I feel so blessed to have had that opportunity so close to home. To this day, I interact with the people in my community more thanks to our Aurora Community Theatre. My grandmother, Susan, still takes me to see plays and every time I am amazed by how much the production value has grown along with people’s growing appreciation for the performances.
This season opened up with Annie, an all-time family favorite. This winter ACT proudly presents Fences, winner of the 1987 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, and recipient of the 1987 Tony Award for Best Play.(Showing from Jan 26-Feb 17) The King and I, based on Margaret Landson’s novel, “Anna and the King of Siam”,completes the Main Season’s offerings.(Showing from April 27-May 19) This season’s Benefit Show will be a real treat, for the first time a full work by William Shakespeare graces the ACT stage. The comedy, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, will offer an evening complete with love stories,fairies and fun.(Showing from March 2-10)Their 2018 summer stock choice underscores ACT’s pledge to provide an extraordinary theatrical experience when they present a second Pulitzer Prize winner for Drama, Next to Normal. (Showing from June 29-July 14)
The Aurora Community Theatre also offers a Children’s Summer Workshop and youth classes during school breaks.
“Currently, ACT presents four shows per year, Fall, Winter, Spring, and Summer. Typically, the summer offering is a more youth-oriented production and offers opportunity for a truly inter-generational show”, said the Aurora Community Theatre’s about page.
No matter what age you are, no matter what your interests are, there is a show and a seat waiting for you. They are also searching for Directors for the 59th season! Go support your local theatre and community today!
Visit their website to find tickets here, http://auroracommunitytheatre.com/
