The League of Chicago Theatres announces Oracle Productions as the winner of the 2014 Broadway In Chicago Emerging Theater Award. This is the eighth year of the award, which provides $5,000, a consultation with Broadway In Chicago staff members and a marketing package that includes advertising support.
The award was created in 2007 to encourage, support and promote young theaters in Chicago that have demonstrated great ability and promise, artistic excellence and fiscal responsibility in business practices. Oracle was selected from a group of finalists by a majority vote of member companies of the League of Chicago Theatres.
“We are humbled by and grateful for this honor,” said Oracle Executive Producer Ben Fuchsen. “Thank you to the other amazing finalists, all the member organizations of the League, Broadway In Chicago, and the League of Chicago Theaters staff and board.”
Oracle Executive Director Brad Jayhan-Little added, “It means a lot to us that the performing arts community supports the mission of Public Access Theatre. We are excited to see how this will help us serve our mission further into the community.”
“Oracle is a diverse cultural organization, one that creates quality work and provides a needed service in our community,” comments Lou Raizin, President of Broadway In Chicago. “It gives us great pleasure to recognize Oracle as we celebrate the extraordinary spirit of mentorship that is unique to our city.”
Deb Clapp, Executive Director of the League of Chicago Theatres adds, “Since 2005, Oracle has been producing quality productions free of charge in Chicago. We are thrilled to honor them with this award and we hope it will make a significant impact on the company.”
Oracle was incorporated as a not-for-profit theatre company in early 2005, when it opened a studio theater in Lakeview. The company has grown to become a diverse cultural service organization committed to giving everyone everywhere the chance to experience the arts. In October 2010, Oracle launched Public Access Theatre, which makes performing arts events free to the public. The cost of admission is offset by support from The Forty 4, a community of individuals who contribute as little as $5 per month.
Since 2010, Oracle has served free cultural experiences to over 18,000 people. The company has collaborated with more than 55 arts organizations in Chicago and internationally, and provided support to over 300 artists seeking to produce their work. More information is available at www.publicaccesstheatre.org.
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