HR1362 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1362 LRB096 22712 GRL 42045 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are pleased to congratulate the members of the Grove Players of Downers Grove on the occasion of the organization's 75th anniversary; and

WHEREAS, The Grove Players of Downers Grove was founded on February 17, 1936 under the moniker of Grove Players Guild as a dramatic arts society with the goal of producing one-act plays, with payment made to directors at 25 cents per cast member; and

WHEREAS, In 1938, the Grove Players Guild became the Downers Grove Little Theatre; throughout the 1940s, the Grove Players Guild performed at various clubs, churches, and the Masonic Temple; and

WHEREAS, In 1943, due to World War II and the lack of eligible young men to cast, the Downers Grove Little Theatre discontinued operations until its reorganization in 1945-46, with the group's new optimism and prosperity reflected in the $100 now paid to the organization's directors with plays sponsored by the Lions and Moose Fraternal organizations of Downers Grove; and

WHEREAS, Following the filing of Articles of Incorporation in 1952, the Downers Grove Little Theatre became the Downers Grove Civic Theatre; and

WHEREAS, One of the group's most beloved traditions, the awarding of a scholarship to a deserving high school student excelling in the theatre arts at the Downers Grove North and South campuses, was begun during the 1961-62 season; the scholarship was later named the Lamb/Budach Award for Carter Lamb and Chuck Budach and is still awarded today; and

WHEREAS, In 1966, the group's first musical, Pajama Game, was staged; in 1968, the musical Oliver! was staged with an innovation of two turntables for scenery changes and was lauded by audience applause; and

WHEREAS, In 1979, the Downers Grove Civic Theater name gave birth to Grove Players; in the 1987-88 season, a great relationship with the Downers Grove Park District was forged when the Lincoln Center became the Grove Players performance space and has remained such to this day; and

WHEREAS, The 2000 production of The Wizard of Oz staged at the Tivoli Theatre in conjunction with the Village of Downers Grove Ice Festival played to packed houses with "Grove Players Presents" proudly displayed on the theater marquee; and

WHEREAS, The Grove Players has survived, thrived, and entertained thousands of people over 7 decades with the sole intent of providing good quality, inexpensive entertainment for a wide audience demographic, staying afloat in many uncertain economic times; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate the members of the Grove Players of Downers Grove on the occasion of the organization's 75th anniversary and wish them continued success and happiness in the future; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the Grove Players of Downers Grove as a symbol of our esteem and respect.