October 19, 2018, was proclaimed “Columbia College Chicago Theatre Day in Chicago” by Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel on the occasion of the first-ever Columbia College Theatre Reunion Weekend on October 19 and 20, 2018. The event, organized by the Columbia College Chicago Theatre Department and the college’s office of Development and Alumni Relations, drew alumni and supporters of Columbia College‘s Theatre program to celebrate the reopening of the beautifully renovated Getz Theater Center of Columbia College, located at 72 E. 11th St. in Chicago’s South Loop. The weekend kicked off with a gala October 19 performance of The Penelopiad, the first production in the Getz Theater Center’s splendid new Courtyard Theater, at which Mark Kelly HDR ’17, Chicago’s Commissioner of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, presented Columbia College President Kwang-Wu Kim with Mayor Emanuel’s proclamation “in recognition of the indelible contributions that Columbia College’s Theatre Department has made to theatre in the City of Chicago, across the United States, and around the world.”
The Theatre Reunion weekend continued on Saturday, October 20, with a day of panel discussions featuring alumni, faculty, and students, along with performances, networking, reminiscing about the past, and planning for the future. The day was highlighted by welcoming comments from Columbia College alumna and Honorary Doctorate Recipient Anna D. Shapiro ’90, HDR ’15, artistic director of Chicago’s celebrated Steppenwolf Theatre. Also on hand for the weekend was Jim Jacobs HDR ’14, coauthor of the hit musical Grease and benefactor of the Jim Jacobs Musical Theatre Scholarship at Columbia College, and members of the family of the late philanthropist Emma Getz, whose generous donation to Columbia College supported the establishment of what is now the college’s Getz Theater Center.
Here is a selection of photos from the weekend; to see more pictures on the Alumni Relations office’s Facebook album from the event, click here.
Chicago’s Commissioner of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, Mark Kelly (left), presents Columbia College Chicago President Kwang-Wu Kim with the official Mayoral Proclamation honoring “Columbia College Chicago Theatre Day in Chicago.” (Photo: Jordan Fuller ’12)
Columbia College Musical Theatre student Ariel Triunfo (left), recipient of the 2018-19 Jim Jacobs Musical Theatre Scholarship, with Jim Jacobs. (Photo: Jonathan Mathias ’10)
Columbia College Musical Theatre student Quinn Rigg (right), recipient of the 2018-19 Jim Jacobs Musical Theatre Scholarship, with Jim Jacobs. (Photo: Jonathan Mathias ’10)
Theatre Department faculty who were part of the Theatre Reunion Planning Committee included (L-R) Theatre Associate Chair Jacqueline Penrod, Albert Williams ’73, and Dawn Renee Jones. They are joined by Peter Carpenter (right), interim Allen and Lynn Turner chair of Theatre and Dance associate professor. (Photo: Jordan Fuller ’12)
L-R: Former Columbia College Theatre Department faculty member and Goodman Theatre resident director Chuck Smith greets faculty member Barbara Robertson and alumnus/faculty member Jason Buyer ’95. (Photo: Jordan Fuller ’12)
Members of the Getz family — supporters of the Theatre program at Columbia College Chicago — flank the bronze busts of Oscar and Emma Getz in the lobby of the newly renovated Getz Theater Center at Columbia College. (L-R) Michelle Goodrich, Marilyn Getz, Rick Getz, Julie Getz, Pam Getz, Morgan Getz, Florence Romano, Kim Getz, Randy Getz, and Michael Getz. (Photo: Jordan Fuller ’12)
Tony Award-winning director, Steppenwolf artistic Director, and Columbia College alum Anna D. Shapiro ’90, HDR ’15, and Columbia College Chicago President Kwang-Wu Kim at the Columbia College Theatre Reunion Oct. 20 at the Getz Theater Center. (Photo: Jonathan Mathias ’10)
