CHICAGO — Journalists are invited to get a close-up look of the newly constructed 165,000-square-foot artistic home to The Theatre School at DePaul University in Lincoln Park. Special press tours are available from 2:30-3:30 p.m. on Sept. 12 prior to a dedication and ribbon cutting at 4 p.m., and also from 4-5 p.m. on Sept. 16, prior to a community open house at 5 p.m.

In-person interview opportunities are available Sept. 12 with architect Cesar Pelli, theatre planning consultant Robert Shook and Theatre School dean John Culbert.

More information including fact sheets and photos are in the online Press Room at https://theatre.depaul.edu/news-and-events/Pages/Press-Room.aspx

WHERE

The Theatre School at DePaul University

2350 N. Racine Ave. (southwest corner of Fullerton and Racine)

Chicago IL 60614

WHEN

Sept. 12/Thursday

Press Tours | 2:30-3:30 p.m.

Dedication/ribbon cutting | 4-5:15 p.m.

Sept. 16/Monday

Press Tours | 3:30-5 p.m.

Community Open House | 5-7 p.m. |http://theatre.depaul.edu/about/facilities

WHAT

Debut of the new Theatre School at DePaul University. The custom-designed five-story building includes two theatre spaces — the 250-seat thrust Fullerton Stage and the 100-seat black box Sondra & Denis Healy Theatre — in addition to classrooms, acting labs, scene shop, costume shop, makeup, paint, lighting laboratories and new media workshops. The openness and transparency of the building’s design intentionally puts the excitement of theatre education and performance on clear view for the Lincoln Park neighborhood and theatergoers. More at https://theatre.depaul.edu/news-and-events/Pages/Press-Room.aspx.

WHO | Design Team

Architect: Pelli Clarke Pelli Architects/Cannon Design (Cesar Pelli, Fred Clarke, Mitchell Hirsch, Gina Narracci, Katy Harp)

Theatre Planning Consultant: Schuler Shook (Robert Shook, Joshua Grossman, Lisa Bernacchi)

Acoustics Consultant: Kirkegaard Associates

WHO | DePaul University

President: The Rev. Dennis H. Holtschneider, C.M.

Dean: John Culbert

Assistant Dean, Director of Administration: John Bridges

QUOTES

“It is a great privilege to have an artistic home of such high caliber that was designed and built specifically for the making of theatre, and for fostering a sense of community,” said John Culbert, dean of The Theatre School at DePaul University. “We are very excited for the DePaul community to tour our new spaces and to engage with us throughout the year.”

“It’s really transformative to have all of the school’s faculty and staff in one facility,” said John Bridges, assistant dean and director of administration of The Theatre School at DePaul University. “Our new space brings The Theatre School into a true leadership position among theatre training programs.”

ABOUT The Theatre School at DePaul University

The Theatre School at DePaul University educates, trains and inspires students of theatre in a conservatory setting that is rigorous, disciplined, culturally diverse, and that strives for the highest level of professional skill and artistry. A commitment to diversity and equality in education is central to our mission. As an integral part of the training, The Theatre School produces public programs and performances from a wide repertoire of classic, contemporary, and original plays that challenge, entertain, and stimulate the imagination. We seek to enhance the intellectual and cultural life of our university community, our city, and the profession. More at http://depaulne.ws/TTShistory.