2012RaueProgram_WinSpr(15) - Raue Center for the Arts

Williams Street repertory – The B Sides
from The founding artistic director
cLoSing LeTTer
Bill Dwyer and I first talked about the possibilities of starting a repertory company in the
car after my first interview. As the car winded through the streets of Crystal Lake, I was
struck by Bill’s passion and eloquence. When we arrived at Susen and Jim Berg’s house
for yet another round of interviews (there were a lot of ineterviews), I was greeted
with, “So, did he talk to you about the theater company idea?” I was hooked. Almost
immediately, Bob Blazier chimed in, “Don’t forget Jazz!” The best part of the Raue’s
programming is that it is varied and a theatre company would compliment the other art
forms tremendously. It was wonderful to hear founding board members encouraging
this opportunity.
When Bill passed away on June 8, 2011 the community felt a loss and moreover the
sense of loss at the Raue was unbearable. Fortunately we had wonderful leaders like
Paula Dorion Gray and Matthew Turk who picked up the mantle of the institution and
ran with it.
I am continuously impressed with the board’s passion for building Raue Center into
an institution that will serve generations to come. Truly. It is rare—this kind of passion.
Not since my time with Lloyd Richards and Jim Houghton, founders at the O’Neill and
at Signature Theater respectively, had I met such energized people. It’s true. Great
institutions need great energy, money – but most importantly—PASSION.
Our little main street theater company is doing something that most established theater
companies are not: we are growing hand in hand with our community. This growth
has inspired a wonderful partnership with the City of Crystal Lake and we consider
ourselves lucky.
We are working hard. We are building an institution. We are proud to be your theater.
We encourage you to come and join us for a night of challenging theater. To participate.
But most importantly, to expand your horizons through the arts. Please join us on this
journey and get involved with this great regional theatre company.
If you want to get to know more about us drop me a line: Rkuranda@rauecenter.org, or
e-mail T Paul Lowry, our Producing Director: tlowry@rauecenter.org.
If you would like to audition general auditions will be held April 15 and 16 from 4
to 7 pm.
Thank you,
Richard Kuranda
WS Rep Founding Artistic Director
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