The NORTH SHORE CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS IN SKOKIE is a dynamic two-theater complex operating as part of the Village of Skokie plan to provide cultural, literary and educational programs to benefit Chicago’s North Shore. The facility features an 867-seat mainstage theater and a convertible 318-seat theater. The North Shore Center presents a Feature Series of entertainment spanning numerous genres and styles, and an educational performing arts program, Youtheatre. The Center is home to Northlight Theatre, Music Theater Works, Music of the Baroque and numerous other cultural organizations and special rental events each year.
HISTORY
North Shore Center was designed by architect Graham Gund and opened in November 1996. In 1998, the North Shore Center was presented with the National Commercial Builder’s Award of Excellence Merit Award. The facility is owned by the Village of Skokie.
Village of Skokie
Mayor George Van Dusen
Acting Clerk Sylvia Luke
Trustee James H. Johnson
Trustee Khem Khoeun
Trustee Ralph Klein
Trustee Alison Pure Slovin
Trustee Keith A. Robinson
Trustee Edie Sue Sutker
Manager John T. Lockerby
Counsel Michael M. Lorge
Performing Arts Center Board
Chair Terrence Guolee
Member Ronnie Berk
Member Janis Fine
Member Rhiannon Gurley
Member Barry Layfer
Member René Roy
Member Andrea Siegel
Liaison Alex Franz
FACILITY
North Shore Center is 69,000 square feet on two acres containing two state-of-the-art ADA compliant and handicapped accessible performing arts theater spaces, dressing rooms, backstage artist amenities, a 6,000 square foot atrium-style grand lobby ideal for parties and receptions, Rice Rehearsal Hall and two conference rooms. There are 1,500 free parking spaces including adjacent parking garage and hotel lot. Center Theatre contains 867 total seats, 527 on the main floor, 300 in the balcony and forty seats in side boxes. The adjustable lift orchestra pit creates a stage extension when at stage level. The Center Theatre is regarded as a warm intimate space with perfect acoustics for any-sized performance. The furthest seat is only 80 feet away from the stage. The more intimate North Theatre is a three-quarter thrust stage with 318 seats, and with only ten rows, no seat is more than 30 feet from the stage.
EVENTS
Approximately 200,000 people annually attend events at the North Shore Center. The Feature Series provides a variety of world-class entertainment to the community by presenting approximately 40 performances each season. Thirty Youtheatre performances provide critical supplemental arts education to more than 18,000 Chicago area school children annually. The Center also hosts private events such as weddings, conferences and trade shows. The North Shore Center has hosted performances by Lewis Black, The Capitol Steps, Béla Fleck and the Flecktones, Al Franken, Kathy Griffin, Marvin Hamlisch, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, Chris Isaak, Joffrey Ballet, Queen Latifah, Bill Maher, Rita Moreno, Bob Newhart, Paula Poundstone, Joan Rivers, Neil Sedaka, Mavis Staples, Lilly Tomlin, Twyla Tharp Dance Company, George Wendt, and more. Reflecting the true diversity of the surrounding North Shore communities, events representing numerous nationalities are held at the Center each year—many performed in their respective languages. These include Korean, Polish, Indian, Israeli, Russian, Filipino, Japanese, Romanian, and Ukrainian events.
