Chicago Dramatists And Harrington College Of Design Announce Design Competition Winner February 3, 2011

Chicago Dramatists, 1105 W. Chicago Avenue, together with the Harrington College of Design Alumni Association, is thrilled to announce Matthew McGrane, a Harrington student, and Harrington alumna Sarah Kuchar, as the winners of its competition to refurbish its theatre lobby and entry. The first place team is honored with a cash prize of $750 and a plaque in the theatre lobby, along with the construction of their winning design. This opportunity was made possible through a grant from Chicago Community Trust, as a part of the Arts Engagement Exchange.

The estimated date of the interior construction will be complete by the next Chicago Dramatists’ premiere production, BORDELLO, on February 4, 2011, and the second phase of renovating the exterior, should wrap up in time for the opening of the final 2010-2011 production of HICKORYDICKORY in May. The construction budget for both interior and exterior improvements is approximately $13,500.

The final three designs were honored at a recognition ceremony on Wednesday, December 1, 2010, and will be displayed in the Chicago Dramatists lobby for the run of the 2011 world premiere productions. A panel of professionals made up by members of Chicago Dramatists, Harrington and others, selected McGrane’s and Kuchar’s design based on a variety of factors, from budget to brand identity. Runners up, Kristin Over, Arthur Garcia-Clemente, and Sheryl Schulze, received a $250 cash prize.
The historical building where Chicago Dramatists currently resides was originally erected as Baer’s Hall in 1886 and designed by architect Fredrick W. Aschlager. Today, Chicago Dramatists’ facilities include a 77-seat theatre, a 1,000 square foot lobby and box office, two dressing rooms, two classroom/rehearsal halls, a reception area and lounge for the playwrights, and administrative offices. Each season, 11,000 people visit the theatre and more than 500 writers participate in weekly programs. Chicago Dramatists’ goal is that these tangible improvements will enhance and contribute to its patrons’ experiences and impressions of the theatre. Chicago Dramatists also hopes that the transformation will create a more visible and identifiable exterior façade with an improved awning and signage, a lighted poster box, benches, planters, and street furniture. On the interior, the theatre’s brand identity and donor relations are aimed to be strengthened through lobby displays and an upgraded concession area.

About Harrington College of Design

Established in 1931, Harrington College of Design seeks to foster an environment that maximizes students’ intellectual and artistic potential. Offering a master of interior design, Master of Arts in interior design, bachelor of fine arts in interior design, communication design, and commercial photography and an associate of applied sciences in interior design and digital photography, Harrington is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

Harrington is recognized as a private college by the Illinois Board of Higher Education (IBHE) and is authorized by the IBHE to confer associate, baccalaureate and master’s degrees. The Interior Design Program leading to the bachelor of fine arts degree is accredited by the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (formerly FIDER). Harrington College of Design recently received re-accreditation from the Council for Interior Design Accreditation. Harrington is part of the Career Education Corporation network of schools (NASDAQ: CECO).

The Harrington Alumni Association is active in mentoring current students, providing continuing education opportunities for graduates, and planning social and networking events for its members. The Alumni Association publishes a quarterly newsletter and recognizes a leader in the professional community annually with its Distinguished Alumni Award. For more information on Harrington College of Design, call 312.939.4975 or visit www.harringtoncollege.com

About The Chicago Community Trust:

For 94 years, The Chicago Community Trust, our regions' community foundation has connected the generosity of donors with the needs of the community by making grants to organizations working t5o improve metropolitan Chicago. In 2008 the Trust made over $100 million in grants. From strengthening community schools to assisting local art programs, from building heath centers to helping lives affected by violence, the Trust works to enhance our region. Learn more at www.cct.org

About Chicago Dramatists

In the fall of 1979, four playwrights came together to hear their work read aloud and to hone their craft. Today, Chicago Dramatists’ amazing record of achievement has landed them an invaluable place in the artistic community as a vital source of inspiration to 40 resident playwrights, 160 associate playwrights, 60 associate artists, and thousands of audience members. Over the past three decades, Chicago Dramatists has worked with over a thousand playwrights, produced and developed thousands of plays, and stayed true to its mission to nurture compelling, challenging and diverse plays that move on to productions, earn awards, and define the American theatre.

Each season Chicago Dramatists presents three world premiere productions and the signature Saturday Series, weekly staged readings of plays in progress. The theatre also conducts educational outreach to at-risk students at Chicago Public Schools, awakening the possibility of self-expression by writing for the theatre. Through passionate dedication, personal nurture and careful exposure, Chicago Dramatists advances its mission of developing new plays and playwrights for the next generation of theatre.

Chicago Dramatists is located just minutes from the Loop at 1105 W. Chicago Avenue, at the 24-hour Chicago Avenue stop of the Blue Line subway, and is just off the Ogden and Augusta exits of the Kennedy Expressway. There is street parking available. For more information visit www.chicagodramatists.org.