(Aurora’s Paramount Theater – Photo courtesy of the Theatre Historical Society of America)

Lovers of historic theaters and great architecture will convene in Chicago when the Theatre Historical Society of America (THS) presents its 2016 Conclave June 27 – July 1. Attendees to the 47th annual event will visit a treasure trove of Chicago’s magnificent venues, including the Civic Opera House, the Auditorium and Broadway in Chicago’s three theaters, as well as several other city and suburban venues. Attendees also will have access to shuttered spaces including the Uptown and Avalon. The Palmer House Hilton will be the host hotel for the Conclave.

“Chicago is home to one of the nation’s most impressive collection of theaters, including the work of Daniel Burnham, Adler and Sullivan, Rapp and Rapp and many others,” said Richard Fosbrink, executive director of THS. “Many of Chicago’s historic theaters have been carefully and lovingly restored to their original glory. Our 2016 Conclave will surely dazzle attendees with a vast array of spectacular theater architecture, from grand palaces to smaller, neighborhood jewel boxes.”

The schedule of tours is as follows:
· Tuesday, June 28: Civic Opera House, Cadillac Palace, Goodman Theatre, Ford Center/Oriental Theatre, Merle Reskin Theatre, Avalon Theatre
· Wednesday, June 29: Aragon Ballroom, Metro, Music Box Theatre, The Mercury Theatre, The Athenaeum Theatre, The Vic
· Thursday, June 30: The Egyptian Theatre, Hotel Baker, The Arcada Theatre, The Paramount Theatre, The Tivoli Theatre
· Friday, July 1: Private Bank Theatre, Chicago Theatre, Orchestra Hall, The Studebaker Theater, Ganz Hall and the Auditorium Building, The Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University
· Saturday, July 2 (Afterglow): Uptown Theatre, Green Mill, Chicago Architecture Foundation Riverboat Cruise

The Conclave will also include transportation to each venue, a guided tour highlighting the significance of each space, an opening night and closing night reception, and educational panels each morning. The Saturday Afterglow is available for a separate fee, and guests can also include a tour of the Palmer House Hilton led by hotel historian Ken Price.

Tickets for the Theatre Historical Society’s 2016 Conclave are priced at $565 for THS members and $650 for non-members. (Early bird discounts are available through April 15.) The cost for the Saturday, July 2 Afterglow is $175. Conclave guests receive discounted rates at the Palmer House Hilton. To register or for more information, visit historictheatres.org.

About Theatre Historical Society of America

Founded in 1969 by writer and theater historian Ben M. Hall, author of the first book celebrating America’s movie palaces, “The Best Remaining Seats,” the Theatre Historical Society of America (THS) celebrates, documents, and promotes the architectural, cultural and social relevance of America’s historic theatres. Through preservation of the collections in the American Theatre Architecture Archive, its signature publication Marquee™ and Conclave Theatre Tour, THS increases awareness, appreciation and scholarly study of America’s theatres.