SR0216 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0216 LRB103 32055 LAW 60980 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate wish to congratulate the Morris Theatre Guild, Inc. on the occasion of its 50th anniversary; and

WHEREAS, The Morris Theatre Guild is a not-for-profit community theater formed in 1973 and organized by volunteers with an interest in the production of live theater in all of its aspects, both onstage and backstage; and

WHEREAS, The Morris Theatre Guild's first production was the play January Thaw, which was presented in the auditorium of the Morris Community High School; and

WHEREAS, After performing at various venues in Morris and the surrounding areas for many years, the Morris Theatre Guild purchased the site of the old Free Methodist Church at 507 Liberty Street in Morris in 1987; and

WHEREAS, The Morris Theatre Guild, after extensive building renovations, presented the play Footlight Frenzy as its first performance in its new location in 1989; and

WHEREAS, The Morris Theatre Guild's ongoing renovations, completed either by volunteers or financed by donations, continued up to October 3, 2006, when the building was tragically destroyed by fire; and

WHEREAS, The Morris Theatre Guild purchased a condo unit in the newly renovated Coleman building at the west end of Illinois Avenue in Morris in February 2010, which is now known as the Canalport Community Center; the guild's first show in its new location was the play Hay Fever, which was presented in March 2010; and

WHEREAS, Despite two shows being cancelled due to COVID-19 in the spring and fall of 2020, the Morris Theatre Guild was able to pay off its building loan during the pandemic; and

WHEREAS, The Morris Theatre Guild returned with a winter show in 2021, performing Momologues 2: Off to School, which was offered for viewing both virtually and in person; and

WHEREAS, The Morris Theatre Guild continues to plan for the future and to upgrade its current facility; and

WHEREAS, For the past 50 years, the Morris Theatre Guild has made the performing arts available to the Morris community while proving the old adage, the show must go on; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate the Morris Theatre Guild, Inc. on its 50th anniversary, and we commend the organization's perseverance and commitment to the performing arts; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we encourage the Morris Theatre Guild to continue enriching the lives of its community and the State with its dedication to the beauty and wonder that is the theater; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Morris Theatre Guild as an expression of our esteem and respect.