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  • 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.