Proud sponsors of 2006-2007
Heartland Theatre Company Productions
We would like to thank our generous sponsors that make these shows possible.
"I love Heartland because of its high quality of plays, directing, acting and production values, not to mention the fact that every now and then they let me act in one, which has nothing to do with why I support it financially ... Really ... No, I'm not kidding ... Really. And I'm pretty sure Mary Anne agrees with me."
- James Keeran and Mary Ann Schierman
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"Heartland Theatre
is refreshing and unique.
We appreciate the opportunity to help support such a
wonderful cultural addition
to our community.
We have chosen to help sponsor the 10-Minute Plays the past four years because these slices of creativity around a central theme spotlight an array of emerging and eclectic talent."
-- Deanna Frautschi & Alan Bedell
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"It seems like yesterday that Heartland Theatre Company came to our community.
During the past twenty years
we
have been entertained by professional actors in plays
that one might find performed
in Chicago, New York,
or Los Angeles.
Here we are in Bloomington-Normal with a theatrical treasure which time seems to enhance. The selections
of the plays are brilliant. The casting of the actors is wonderfully matched to the demands of the roles.
We are honored to sponsor The Drawer Boy by Canadian playwright Michael Healey and we congratulate the
Heartland Theatre Company
on their 20th Anniversary. Way to go! "
-- Judy & Ed Hines
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Learn more on how to become a sponsor
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"What a gift to our whole area Heartland Theatre is!We've been driving in from Pontiac for years to enjoy the intimate atmosphere and thoughtful performances.
The experience is so rich that after each one we talk and talk, sometimes for days, about all aspects of the production.
It's great that Heartland is willing to jump in and take a chance on newer and challenging plays and then carry them off with such grace.
We feel privileged to join the adventure."
-- Linda & Bruce Unterman
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"I am pleased to help bring The Trestle at Popelick Creek to Heartland Theatre. Against a backdrop of The Great Depression, this play brings to our senses the timeless conflict between hope and despair. It gives Heartland Theatre another opportunity to do what it does best: transforming a script into a live experience that leaves the audience challenged and changed."
-- Kathryn Gillespie
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"Heartland Theatre performs on a professional level. They offer a variety of subjects
that dare to explore your emotions and touch your heart. We are pleased to have discovered
this piece of art."
-- Pam & Jim Raymond
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Learn more on how to become a sponsor
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"We appreciate this wonderful opportunity to support both the good work of Heartland Theater
and our special friend Sharmon Hilfinger. Sharmon, a former student of Darlene's, has found the
perfect venue for her play in Heartland Theater Company. Sharmon's Bootstrap Foundation in the
Bay Area of California and Heartland Theatre Company here in Illinois have much in common in
their passion to produce thought-provoking theater for audiences and meaningful experience for
artists."
-- Darlene & Marc Miller
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"We enjoy theater that pushes the boundaries. Heartland continually performs this role in our theater community."
-- Judie Bey & Gary Hoover
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"We have been supporters of Heartland Theatre ever since Phil Shaw announced some twenty years ago
that a new theatre was being created in Bloomington-Normal. The first offering of that fledgling
theatre was an original play developed in the Playwright's Cooperative, an outgrowth of John's
playwriting class at ISU. Held at the McLean County Arts Center, this initial production drew a
small crowd of playgoers, happy to support a new endeavor in the arts.
Since that time we've watched Heartland Theatre blossom into a bustling enterprise, well-served
by a staff whose professionalism and devotion consistently attract enthusiastic participants and
audiences to a rich and varied theatre season. We wish Heartland Theatre continued success and growth."
-- Peg & John Kirk
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"We believe that grass-roots artistic expression should be encouraged
and supported. Locally, Heartland Theatre provides a community resource
through which actors, directors, and production crews can develop their
skills, and audiences can experience original, enjoyable,
thought-provoking drama. We are impressed at Heartland Theatre's
encouragement of new playwriting talent, and willingness to take risks
by presenting unusual, experimental, challenging, and perhaps
controversial work.
We are happy, through our support, to be part of this effort. "
-- Robert & Marilyn Sutherland
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Learn more on how to become a sponsor
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"We first became aware of what is now Heartland Theatre Company when
Paul, as Mayor of Normal, met with Rita Kohn and Carol Reitan to discuss the
formation of a theatre group to present staged readings of new plays.
Since that time, through the Town of Normal Harmon Arts Grants, Sandra’s
many years of service on the board of directors, attendance at plays, and
personal financial support, we have remained boosters of this unique theatre
within our community. Heartland makes professional caliber theatre available
to Central Illinois. For this we are most appreciative."
-- Sandra & Paul Harmon
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"In 1985 when we helped Phil Shaw, Rita Kohn, and Carol Reitan incorporate Heartland
Prouctions, Inc, we shared their desire to 'encourage the development and nurturing
of emerging playwrights'.
"For twenty years, Heartland Theatre has met and exceeded that goal. It nurtures
and encourages not only playwrights, but actors, directors, designers and most
importantly, audiences. It does hard plays - it does them well.
"As a reslult, we are pleased to continue to help Heartland Theatre 'nurture
and encourage' the arts in our community."
-- Gigi & Frank Miles
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"Heartland Theatre is a precious jewel in our community. It is unique, splendid
and priceless. We support Heartland Theatre because we have watched it grow from
a barebones operation into a small but powerful contributor to the artistic growth
of McLean County. It provides a desirable venue for actors, directors, designers,
costumers and producers in our area. The quality of Heartland Theatre's work speaks for itself."
-- Jean & Kyle Sessions
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"Heartland Theatre Company fills a special niche in Bloomington-Normal,
where local talent can practice their crafts and where audiences can participate
in exceptional drama. We enjoy the serious theatre that we would not see
on other community stages, as well as the comedies, and new plays
never before seen on any stage. We are proud to support Heartland
in its goal of bringing theatre to the community that both entertains
and makes us think."
-- Dianne & Doug Delong
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George and Carol Churukian
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"Surviving has been the main focus of Armenians for centuries.
Once a large territory, the Armenian nation, first to embrace
Christianity, was reduced to a small geographical area due to
the hostility of peoples who wanted the land for their own purposes.

Peter Churukian
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Atrocities committed in the late 19th century and into the first
quarter of the twentieth century by Ottoman Turks, have never been
acknowledged by the Turkish Government. The Genocide of over one and
a half million Armenians by starvation, forced marches into the desert,
or by outright killing, is not commonly known. But we know these
tragedies did occur. George and Peter's great grandfather was left
to die in the desert during a forced march; one grandmother met the
same fate. Carol's grandmother, fearing that invasion was imminent,
sent her teenaged son to Egypt to avoid being conscripted into the
Turkish Army or killed. Her maternal grandparents escaped under
the cover of darkness to Bulgaria where they established a school
and church for 50 orphans and 12 adults who had previously lost family members.
Richard Kalinoski, in his play Beast on the Moon deals
with the issue of survival by describing one man's determination to
continue the Armenian bloodline. He marries a young picture bride, an orphan, who had experienced starvation in her earlier years.
She demonstrates her desire to
assimilate into American life quickly, and shows compassion for others.
We are pleased to sponsor this production because it awakens
awareness that the Genocide did occur, that Armenians have survived
and have become productive members of societies throughout the world."
-- George and Carol Churukian
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Vladimir-Canterbury Sister City Association of Bloomington-Normal
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"We are continually impressed by the uniqueness
of the Heartland Theatre plays selected and the quality of the acting
represented on the small, intimate Heartland stage. It's like finding
a rare stone in the cultural geography of our rich agricultural area."
-- Deanna Frautschi and Alan Bedell
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"Chicago's not the only place
where great theater is happening in the Midwest. I've been lucky
enough to see several productions from Normal's Heartland Theater
and have always been impressed--with their selections, their execution,
and some remarkable performances."
--Kathy O’Malley from WGN’s Kathy & Judy Morning Show
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"We are pleased to share this evening of live drama with new
friends and long-time patrons of Heartland Theatre. We have found
Heartland productions to be among the finest in Illinois."
-- Paul and Sharon Baker
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"The Advocacy Council for Human Rights is proud to collaborate
with Heartland Theatre Company to bring "Stop Kiss" to Bloomington/Normal
theatergoers.
The play tells a powerful story of the love between two women
and the hate that can divide humankind.
We hope it will raise awareness and encourage further discussion
of diversity in our community. We thank the board of Heartland Theatre
Company for bringing this and other thought-provoking productions to
Central Illinois.
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Dixie Mills and Pat Grogg are longtime friends who have enjoyed
many performances at Heartland Theatre. They have found these theatre
evenings stimulating, thought provoking, and just simply wonderful theatre.
They are delighted to be sharing this find with friends in the community.
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"What a remarkable pool of dramatic talent is available in our
community! We especially cherish the mix when high-quality
entertainment engages significant social issues. This is one of
the valued traditions at Heartland’s intimate theatre."
--Dr. William L. and Ann Bastian White
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Heartland Theatre Show Sponsors
To sponsor a show at Heartland, sponsors
pay a minimum of $600 to offset royalty costs for the show and invite
friends who have not experienced Heartland before to a special reception
held following the show on the opening weekend of the play. The show
sponsorship program is designed primarily to meet Heartland's needs in
the development of new audiences and fundraising. The sponsorship is
announced on publicity materials and programs, and the theatre lobby is
graced with their photo and something they would like to say about
Heartland Theatre Company.
Heartland expresses its gratitude for these generous sponsors and
invites any one, any group or organization to sponsor a show of their
choice. If you would like more information, or would like to join these
sponsors on this page, please call Heartland at 309 452 8709 or email
boxoffice@heartlandtheatre.org.
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