Auditorium Theatre 2018-19 Issue 1 The Nightmare Before Christmas

24 | AUDITORIUM THEATRE 2018-19 | September 26 - November 16, 2018 The Auditorium Theatre is fortunate to have benefited from the commitment of many wonderful friends in our 129- year history, but few are as generous, or as dedicated, as our former Chairman of the Board, Mel Katten. After an illustrious academic career that included receiving his bachelor’s degree from the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana and his Juris Doctor from John Marshall Law School, Mel helped found Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP, a national law firm specializing in trust planning, corporate mergers and acquisitions, and real estate and business ventures, as well as federal tax controversies and criminal investigations. For many years, Mel enjoyed considerable personal and professional success, and he went on to use his professional accomplishments to help build a better world through philanthropy. As Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Auditorium Theatre from 2002-2015, Mel directed a group of dedicated individuals who remain at the front of Chicago's artistic and cultural community. Under Mel's continued guidance as Chair Emeritus, the Board has grown to include some of Chicago's most esteemed and altruistic citizens, all of whom collaborate to govern and guide this iconic landmark in all of its endeavors. Highlights of Mel’s tenure as Chairman include the co- production of the epic opera Margaret Garner , the creation of theone-of-a-kindMilesDavis Festival, and the star-studded 125 th Anniversary Celebration Season. The theatre's staff also expanded its community outreach programming and launched its signature summer camp for young people who have experienced the death of a parent, Hearts to Art, under Mel's leadership. With Mel at the helm of the Board of Directors, the theatre also installed its first elevator, constructed new accessible restrooms, and addedmore box seats. A new rehearsal room was also built, named in honor of Mel's daughter, Pamela, who passed away in 2002 due to complications from leukemia. Shortly after Pam’s death, Mel helped found The Pamela B. Katten Memorial Leukemia ResearchFoundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising money for cancer research. His incomparable work to help advance the fields of the arts, architecture, social outreach, and cancer research has helped thousands of individuals and families across the city. Mel has a long and notable commitment to charitable work. He is former chair of the Anti-Defamation League’s Chicago Regional Board and past president of the Better Government Association. In addition to serving on the Auditorium’s Board of Directors, he also serves on the Board of Trustees of Roosevelt University and is a member of the Board of Directors of the Chicago Loop Alliance and LUMA8. Thank you, Mel, for the difference you have made in our lives, and for the profound impact you have had on the bright future of the Auditorium Theatre! Thank You, Mel Katten… “If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more, and become more, you are a leader.” — John Quincy Adams The Auditorium Theatre honors Mel Katten with the presentation of the Adler and Sullivan Award at the Annual Fall Gala on November 3, preceding the performance of Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons. For tables or tickets, please call 312.341.2364 or email ksaroff@auditoriumtheatre.org. ROBERT CARL PHOTOGRAPHY Mel Katten and his wife, Renee Katten