Community Impact Report
2025-2026
Raise the Curtain on a New Era
Explore the 2025-2026 Report
Click a topic below to jump straight there. Click the blue arrow on the bottom right of your screen to return to the top.
- Renovation By the Numbers
- From the Chancellor
- From the Interim Director
- Ben Lowder: Legacy Through Art
- 2nd Act Campaign
- Local Arts & Arts Education
- Theatre for the Very Young
- Backstage 101
- Classroom Visits
- Arts Start Program
- Lifetime Giving
- The Woman Behind David Milling’s Love for the Arts
- 2nd Act Campaign Donors
- Volunteers
- Administrative Staff
- Dedication
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Previous Annual Reports
Closed for Renovation
From May 2025 through September 2026, the UIS Performing Arts Center’s venues were closed during extensive plumbing renovations in the Public Affairs Center. The closure provided an opportunity to renovate Sangamon Auditorium, with improvements shaped by patron requests. The numbers tell the story of that work.
1,735 seats
replaced in Sangamon Auditorium
More than 450 donors
in support of 2nd Act Campaign
3,390 yards
of carpet installed
Estimated 1,750 hours
of physical labor
320 square feet
of new signage installed
Over 600 feet
of steel pipe railings replaced
made possible by the 2nd Act Campaign
The 2nd Act Campaign was launched to support key improvements to Sangamon Auditorium, including new seating, carpet and aisles on the main floor. Thanks to generous donor support, these improvements are now in place, creating a more comfortable and accessible experience for audiences for decades to come.
While many of our renovations were accomplished, we still have goals to modernize Sangamon Auditorium even more, such as upgrading our lighting to LED technology.
If you’d like to support the continued improvement of Sangamon Auditorium and the UIS Studio Theatre, you can contact Sarah Brewer at (217) 206-8724 to make a long-lasting impact through financial support.
From the Chancellor
The 2025–2026 season was a year of transformation for the UIS Performing Arts Center as we completed a major renovation made possible through the incredible support of our 2nd Act Campaign.
Although our stages were quiet for a year, important work was happening behind the scenes to ensure our venues remain accessible and welcoming for years to come.
The renovation did not stop the UIS Performing Arts Center staff from providing high-quality arts programming and engagement opportunities for our community. The staff expanded the reach of Theatre for the Very Young, launched Backstage 101 and connected with donors and volunteers through meaningful events and shared experiences.
During the year of our closure, it was wonderful to see how much support exists for the UIS Performing Arts Center and how much this facility means to the people who visit it. This renovation required collaboration and a shared commitment to the future of the performing arts at UIS. I hope every donor, volunteer and partner who helped make this project possible feels a sense of pride each time they visit the renovated building.
Thank you for being a part of this next chapter and the many more to come.
— UIS Chancellor Janet L. Gooch
From the Interim Director
While the stages were quiet and our venues were closed for renovation, important work continued.
Our staff found new ways to connect with the community through educational programs, touring performances and other outreach while continuing the many behind-the-scenes projects and day-to-day work that keeps the UIS Performing Arts Center operating.
Our volunteers stayed engaged through social gatherings and by supporting performances in the community. At the same time, countless tradespeople, contractors and other professionals worked to transform Sangamon Auditorium.
As I reflect on this period, I am especially grateful for the people who make the UIS Performing Arts Center what it is. As Director of Development, I’ve had the opportunity to get to know many donors, volunteers and patrons. Now, as Interim Director, I have an even broader appreciation of that dedication.
This report celebrates the people who kept the UIS Performing Arts Center moving forward during a season of transition. Thank you to everyone who contributed your time, talent, generosity and patience. I am excited to be part of what comes next.
— Sarah Brewer, Interim Director
Legacy Through Art
To keep our venue accessible for future audiences, we replaced all seats in Sangamon Auditorium with roomier, more supportive chairs. Those who have visited before our renovation will remember the engraved plaques on the armrests of our previous seats that recognized donors and supporters of the UIS Performing Arts Center.
We saved all the plaques with the goal of preserving that piece of our history. Benjamin Lowder, local artist based out of Otter Lake, generously donated his time and talent to turn the armrests into a massive, eight-foot wall sculpture in our lobby.
“There were over 500 armrests to work with, so it was a math puzzle to figure out how to cut the armrests to get them to fit in this aesthetically pleasing configuration,” Ben says.
Ben has spent his entire life studying and creating art, including his series called “Myth, Math, and Magic” where he reclaims old barn wood, metal signs, and other Midwest architectural elements to transform them into geometric art assemblages.
“This project was really in my lane,” Ben says, “taking something old and remixing it into something that evokes themes of symmetry and sacred geometry.”
Ben donated a month of his time to this art piece. As he worked, he noticed familiar names of both members of the community and long-standing businesses. He felt inspired seeing the amount of support and dedication that went into creating and maintaining the UIS Performing Arts Center for over 40 years.
“I’m really happy with the result of the art piece,” Ben says. “As an alumnus of UIS, it feels monumental to be a part of this. I look forward to these donors and their family members finding their names and seeing that their contribution to this important cultural center is being maintained.”
Thank You to our Donors
We celebrated our reopening in style by hosting our donors and community partners for a party on the Sangamon Auditorium stage!
See the full list of 2nd Act Campaign donors at the end of the report.
Local Arts & Arts Education
Even while closed, our staff’s commitment to providing meaningful local arts and arts education programming for our community continued.
“[All Smiles] was very engaging and demonstrated a broad range of emotions and ways to influence positivity in others.”
“I loved how the children were interacting with the actors and how the actors went with it.”
“Wonderful! Heartwarming and short enough to keep the children engaged till the very end.”
“[The show] was joyful. The children in my classroom liked it and were engaged.”
TVY performances are created specifically for children ages 0–5 and their caregivers, offering engaging, age-appropriate arts experiences designed to spark imagination, curiosity, and connection. Our inaugural production All Smiles was a hit with 13 performances across five off-site locations.
Bringing Backstage 101 to Our Community
This year-long learning collaborative explored the backstage and technical aspects of theater and live performance events. Attendees were given hands-on training led by experts and learned about topics such as sound design basics, set painting techniques, stage management best practices, and more.
We had a strong group for our first year, with 46 attendees ranging from teachers to high school students to community members. Carl Fisher (pictured here), a business teacher at Lanphier High School, discovered our Backstage 101 program at the perfect time—right as he took over the management of his school’s theater operations.
“As somebody who has no formal theater experience, this provided me with a base to continue to build my knowledge on,” Carl says. “It was valuable education that got me thinking about how to adapt the information to meet our needs.”
One of our Backstage 101 goals is to equip students, educators, and volunteers with adaptable, real-world skills that will enhance productions in our community. Carl felt the program succeeded at this, providing resources and ideas that he could bring back to his classroom.
“I have gone from ‘Okay, learn some lines and let’s build some sets,’ to thinking about how we can turn our theater into a full-fledged academic program for our high school students,” Carl explains. “Carly and David have been our most valuable resource in trying to learn the ropes of our new auditorium.”
We hope to continue this program in future years to help educators like Carl grow their theater management confidence in a fun, supportive environment.
Customized Classroom Visits
In spring 2026, we offered fully customizable classroom visits to all schools within a one-hour radius of our facility. These visits were designed to enhance literacy, creativity, and social-emotional learning through theatre arts integration. Our goal was to meet each student where they were at and support teachers’ instructional goals.
Our staff conducted 35 visits at 11 schools in the area. One teacher noted that they appreciated the “thoughtful planning” that was required to ensure the classroom activity fit their classroom needs and schedule.
“[Planning] took a lot of work,” the teacher observed, “and it was incredibly valuable to the students and to me as a less experienced drama instructor.”
Arts Start Program
This season marked our 15th year of Arts Start programming through the PNC Grow Up Great Initiative. Through this funding, we continued to provide arts education programming to students and teachers in the Springfield Urban League Head Start.
We conducted three classroom visits and three on-site performances, including All Smiles, African Folktales, and Chicken Little. To address teacher feedback, we expanded our professional development sessions for Head Start teachers, including one specifically geared to teachers of children aged birth-three.
Donor Engagement
Our donors enjoyed multiple outings during our closure, including a trip to visit Krannert Center for the Performing Arts at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, a private tour of the empty Sangamon Auditorium, and an exclusive donor trip all the way to London!
Lifetime Giving to the UIS Performing Arts Center
Heritage Society (Donors who included UIS Performing Arts Center in their estate plans):
Keith D.* & Shirley H. Baer
John Dale & Ronée Kennedy
Sharron LaFollette
Bryan Rives & Daniel Dozier
Marcus Schnetz in memory of Sherri Schnetz*
Lifetime Giving
$1,000,000+
The Family of Mrs. Elizabeth C. Staley
$250,000+
Helen S. Hamilton*
$100,000+
Clark & Carol Esarey
Steven & Jodie Koch
James Lundquist*
Estate of Alvera Knox*
$50,000+
Gloria Calovini*
Dr. Jeff & Mrs. Sandra Lorber
Margaret “Peggy” Madden*
Mr. David R. Milling
Saul Morse & Anne Morgan
June Novak-Bock & Stephanie Elder
Pam Reyhan*
William Schnirring*
Julius* & Dorothy* Weiss
Melvin D Wing Charitable Trust
$10,000+
Ace Hardware Springfield
In Loving Memory of Keith Baer
Carol Bartholf
Mike & Beth Beasley
Mary Mitchell Beaumont
Steve & Chris Bedford
Kitty Boyce
Dan & Lynn Brown
Hy & Nancy Bunn
Kathleen Corrigan
Loretta Dodwell
Emerson Electric
Sam & Mary Lou Fugate
Janet & Richard Gooch
Jill Halverson Meseke
Steven & Jeannette Hassebrock
Carol Herzog
Isringhausen Imports
Dr. Sharron LaFollette
Rick & Kim Lawrence
The Loken Family
Jim & Sara Lopinski
Dr. Vicki Megginson
Thomas & Denise Nudo
Donald & Brenda Peck
Patricia Rich
Bryan Rives & Daniel Dozier
Diane & Dennis Rumme
Marcus Schnetz
Joyce K. Schroeder
Siciliano
Gina Kovach & Dave Steward
George* & Diane Stone
Teresa Roy Szabo
Evelyn Brandt Thomas
United Community Bancorp
Robert & Dixie Williamson
$5,000+
Anonymous
Judith L. Anderson
Bank of Springfield
Gerry & Mary Ann Beard
Scottie & Diane Bevill
Richard* & Bette Bilinsky
James Bogue
Dave & Michelle Burke
Mr. & Mrs. Ray Capestrain
Larry Christensen
Cassandra Claman
Timothy Crawford
Jeff & Kim Franks
Jerry & Liz Gill
Hanson Professional Services Inc.
Dave & Ruth Ann Hicks
Kevin & Susan Hingle
Hinshaw and Culbertson
Hospital Sisters Health System
Jay & Carol Kitterman
Warren & Deborah Knoles
Larry & Carol Lenzi
Naomi Lynn
Sarah Beuning & John Martin
James & Annette McDermott
James Melville
Joseph & Sudie Mintjal
Ron & Gloria Mizer
Grace & Parashar Nanavati
Robert & Marsha Narmont
Bubba & Donna Nelson
Dennis & Karen Papini
Satch & Rosemary Pecori
Michael & Marla Pick
George & Lynda Preckwinkle
Prime Panels
Carolyn Ringeisen
SBC Foundation
Mark & Mary Selvaggio
Robert & Natalie Silverman
SIU Physicians and Surgeons
Dr. Sue Soler
Tammy Spradlin
Lance & Mary Steahly
Stephen & Lisa Stone
Theodore & Judy Sunder
Judy & Wayne Swigert
Norma Van Valkenburg
Bob & Veda Vaughn
Carol Watts
Harry & Florance Wellons
Vicky & Roger Whitaker
Keith & Lisa Wichterman
Donald Yakel & Sandra Yakel
Benedict* & Grazina Zemaitis
*Deceased
The Woman Behind David Milling’s Love for the Arts
Dave Milling grew up with a mother who filled their home with the lilt of piano music and frequently shuttled the family around town to see as many local musical performances as possible. To Dave, the decision to sponsor a row of seats in the newly refreshed Sangamon Auditorium in honor of his late mother, Dorothy Milling, was a no-brainer.
“My mom passed away in 2021. With her love for music, it seemed to be a nice way to honor her by donating to the beautiful, refreshed venue,” Dave says.
Dorothy inspired her children by sharing her musical talents with them and supported their artistic interests by investing in piano and organ lessons as they grew up. Dave loved taking lessons and continued to seek out music and theatre opportunities throughout his high school years, even playing J. B. Biggley in How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying.
Although Dave’s own piano skills have waned some with time, his love for the performing arts never has. When Dave and his family moved to Springfield as he pursued his career in finance, he was thrilled to discover the UIS Performing Arts Center and the high-quality productions offered to the community.
“Sangamon Auditorium is a wonderful facility,” Dave says. “Even if you’re not familiar with the show, it’s worth your time to go out and spend a few hours. Especially the way it looks now, it really rivals any venue I’ve been to.”
Dave already has his tickets lined up for all this season’s productions. Of the refreshed features of the remodeled Sangamon Auditorium, Dave is most looking forward to the additional aisles on the main floor that will make accessing seats easier.
Whenever Dave attends a show, he thinks of his mom and her legacy of sharing music and joy with everyone around her. He knows she would be proud of the donation made in her memory.
“I think my mom would be really happy to see that I’m continuing to see shows,” Dave says. “The picture I shared of her is my favorite one, because you can feel the love that she had for her children and grandchildren, and what a kind and generous soul she was. People instantly warmed up to her—she was that kind of person. She loved life.”
2nd Act Campaign Donors
We are so grateful for the support of our 2nd Act Campaign donors who made our renovations possible! The list below includes gifts made to the 2nd Act Campaign through June 30, 2026.
Orchestra Row Sponsors ($50,000+)
Steve & Jodie Koch
Dr. Jeff & Mrs. Sandra Lorber
In Memory of Dorothy Milling
Saul J. Morse & Anne B. Morgan
June Novak-Bock & Stephanie Elder
The Family of Mrs. Elizabeth C. Staley
UIS PAC Volunteer Association
Loge Row Sponsor ($25,000-$49,999)
Dr. Sharron LaFollette
Mezzanine Row Sponsor ($10,000-$24,999)
Keith & Shirley Baer
Mary Mitchell Beaumont
Sam & Mary Lou Fugate
Halverson Meseke
Steve & Jeannette Hassebrock
Carol Herzog
Gina Kovach & Dave Steward
Dennis & Diane Rumme
Balcony Row Sponsor ($5,000-$9,999)
Mike & Beth Beasley
Capestrain-Tracy Family Fund
Timothy Crawford
Clark & Carol Esarey
The Loken Family
Jim & Sara Lopinski
Donald & Brenda Peck
Joyce K. Schroeder
Dr. Stephen & Lisa Stone
Ted & Judy Sunder
Teresa Roy Szabo
Keith & Lisa Wichterman
Robert & Dixie Williamson
In memory of Benedict R.,
Vita J., & Darius Zemaitis
Seat Sponsors ($1,000-$4,999)
Jo Ann Alessandrini
Gary & Sue Bacon
In Honor of Linda Ballard
Gerry & Mary Ann Beard
Steve & Chris Bedford
Blaine & Kelly Bedolli
Carolyn & Rich Berning
Scottie & Diane Bevill
Art Bowden & Sue Schaeffer
Dan & Lynn Brown
In honor of C. John Browning &
Shirley Browning
Dave & Michelle Burke
James & Nancy Burton
Brenda & Doug Byers
Wanda-Lee Chapel
Larry Christensen
Robert & April Cline
In honor of Patricia Coon
In honor of Brandon Coonrod
Kathleen Corrigan
Gene & Cathie Crim
In honor of Kevin Dallavis
Diana Dedrick
Mike Dedrick
Barbara Doud
Cory & Anna Dowling
In honor of Daniel Dozier
Gerahd Emery
Stephen & Marian England
Todd & Jenny Fallone
Linda & Dr. Roland Folse
Curtis Fox
The Funderburg Family
Betty Garlisch
Janet & Richard Gooch
Dr. & Mrs. Donald Graham
In honor of George F. Griffiths
Don & Jennifer Hamilton
John & Pat Harms
Robert & Gail Hedges
Diana Hetherington
Dave & Ruth Ann Hicks
Kevin & Susan Hingle
Jim & Dee Hoover
David Joens & Mona Martin
Lori Jones
Julie & Bill Kellner
John Dale & Ronée Kennedy
Jay & Carol Kitterman
Warren & Deborah Knoles
Ted & Pam LeBlang
Larry & Carol Lenzi
Suzie Lewis
Dick & Linda Livingston
Michael & Linda Luepke
Naomi Lynn
Patrick & Laureen McCarthy
Dr. Vicki Megginson
Susan Millard & Deb Kirkland
Christopher & Kathleen Mueller
Steve & Joyce Nardulli
Sally & Daniel Petrone
Michael & Marla Pick
Carroll Richards*
Kimberly Richards
In honor of Bryan Rives
Mike & Terry Rogers
In memory of Olivia Jean Sampson
Edward Santarelli
Gary & Carol Shull
Leigh C. Sickinger
Janet & Emmett Slingsby
Tammy Spradlin
Mia Stoller & Sloane Stoller
Kathleen Stevens
George* & Diane Stone
Sarah Strotheide
Terry & Marcia Supan
In honor of Judy Swierkosz
Judy & Wayne Swigert
Glenda & Gary Terpstra
Friend of UIS
Robert & Veda Vaughn
In honor of Michael C. Vujovich
Marcia Wherry
Joanne Willard
In memory of John R. Yates
In Memory of Dr. Elvin G. Zook
Campaign Support ($125-$999)
Anonymous
Teresita Abaca
Dr. Leslie & Angie Acakpo-Satchivi
Paul & Jane Adami
Deborah & Daniel Adkins
Judith L. Anderson
Kent Argenta
Valerie R. Ausmus
Gail Austin
Mr. & Mrs. Stephen F. Baggerly
Rex & Mary Jo Bangert
Effie K. Barber
William & Nancy Beaty
Dale & Cathy Becker
Susan & Daniel Becker
E. Ann Becker
Evelyn & Gene Beenenga
Sharon & Bill Bell
Sandy Bellatti
Jim & Annette Bellm
Mr. & Mrs. Steven Bender
Gina & Allan Bennett
Steve & Kenna Bertelli
Bob & Tina Biderman
Geri Binkin
Dana Blair
Judith K Bloome
Etta & Paul Boatman
Mitch Boston
Jim & Kathy Brennan
Chris & Sarah Brewer
David & Sharon Briggs
Karen Broquet & Gregory Krutsinger
Tricia & Gregory Broughton
Robert Brouse II
Beverly Brown
Joe Brownfield
Charlotte & John Bryan
Tim & Marilee Burch
Mary Burns
Dr. D. E. Campbell
Delene & John Carey
Terry & Laurel Castleman
Gerry & Sherri Castles
Lisa & Larry Stone in Memory of Donna Catlin
Rachel Chamberlain
Pat & Nancy Chesley
Doug & Vicki Clapp
Jennifer & Joe Clark
Ashley & Kyle Coker
Bernie & Ruth Coleman
Kathy & Jim Comrie
Vickie & Ron Cook
Laura Coultas
Terri Crowder
Larry & Joanne Crowley
George W. Curry
James & Mary Curtis
Kelly Dace
Mike & Jennie Davis
Susan Davsko
Chip Deiss
Norman & Cheryl Diehl
Terry & Kelly Dill
Laura Ann Drennan
Mark Drewes
Phyllis Drury
Tom Morris & Lesley Duncan
Audrey Dunn
Marcy & Wally Dutton
Robert & Carol Dyson
Mr. & Mrs. Kevin Eckhoff
Gayle McRoberts & Lisa Eden
Mr. Frank Kimball Efird, Jr.
Ann Evans
Curt Evoy & Stacie Campbell
Meise Fahsl
Jana Fairow
Terry & Sandy Farmer
Barbara Ferrara
Dan & Peg Ferrari
Kenneth Prather & Maria Ferraro
Karen Fifer
Teri Fink
Kurt & Carole Flaherty
Steven & Mary Lou Flowers
Michael & Angela Foley
Rick & Janet Ford
Cathleen & Kerry Freesen
Nancy Fuchs & Terrence Phelan
Cori Fuchs
Wyatt & Annette Gadberry
Deborah Galligos
Sherrie Gary
John Gee & Cynthia Deitrick
Nancy Gillespie
Kathy Gore
Robert & Nancy Gorman
Brenda & Douglas Gregory
Jason & Michele Gribbins
Katharine Gricevich
Tom & Tammy Guthrie
Amy Hadden
John & Tracy Hagmann
James & Nancy Hall
Max & Cheri Hammer
Jeff Naber & Peggy Harris
Jerry Harrison
Pamela E. Hart
Martha & Terry Harter
Peter & Suzanne Havey
Steve Hayden
Marvin & Mary Hays
Kevin & Laura Hecht
Jeff & Roxy Heck
David Hellwig
Joan & Joe Heyen
Jerry & Jill Hicks
Katherine Hild-Mosley & Robert Mosley
Philip Hill
Ross & Sheila Hodel
Scott Hohimer
Marianne Hoke & Michael Joyce
Michael & Maureen Horstman
Janice Horton
Sue & David Houston
Jim & Lori Huber
Roger & Lora Huebner
Courtney & William Hunt
Deborah & Robert Jemison
Cheryl Mahon Jones
Don Karban
Katherine & Greg Kaufmann
Hank & Linda Keene
Carol & Tom Kerins
Susan & William Kessler
Carol Kirbach
Michael & Joanne Kirchner
Jayme Kirchner
Diane Kirkham
David & Marilyn Koehler
Karl Kohlrus
James & Julie Korte
Sharon & John Kwedar
Carl Riddell & Keith Lael
Mark Lahr & Lori Milosevich-Lahr
Greg & Kendra Langdon
Charles & Irma Laswell
Dennis & Marilyn Lawler
Karen Leinum
David & Valerie Leonatti
Beverly & Kenneth Lipe
Debra Locher
J. Richard & Sharon Lyons
Thomas & Mary Mann
Rabbi Barry Marks & Nancy Sage
Sarah Beuning & John Martin
Carol & David Matheson
Steve & Connie Matrisch
Julie McAllister
Linda McCall
Penny & Bill McCarty
Shirley McConnaughay
Lindsey Merriman
William Metz
Tammy Mittelstaedt
Melissa Mlynski & Don Bollman
Dolores Mobley
David & Mary Moreland
Cindy Moreno
James & Lana Mormino
Tracy Talbert & Jeff Mornar
Mary Morris
Michael & Becky Motor
Craig & Heather Murdock
Sheryl & Joe Murray
Joyce Musselman
Jan & Steve Nation
Debbie & Terry Neathery
Robert & Toi Nicolet
David & Kathryn Nixon
Gray & Lauren Noll
Mary Norman
Dennis O’Brien
Lisa O’Dell
Ray & Janet Ogden
Doug Onuscheck
Patti Pace-Halpin & David Halpin
Dennis & Karen Papini
Joanna & Darrel Parish
Kelly & Beth Phelps
Gary & Deb Philo
Mike & Rene Pickett
Gregory & Janis Piland
Marian & Edward Pruitt
Kara & Bill Putman
Judith Rader
Ginny Richards
John Ringle & Elisa Hill
John & Molly Risse
Henry Rodriguez & Sandra Canchola
Christine Rogers
Aaron & LuAnn Romine
Melissa & Andy Roselle
Wayne & Catherine Rovey
John & Irene Salz
Steward & Jean Sandstrom
Melissa & Michael Schackel
Susan & Willy Scheller
Earl J. Schroeder
Madeline & Jarid Schulte
Joe & Marianne Seiz
Marilyn & Joseph Selvaggio
Joseph & Rebecca Senkus
Michael & Margaret Sgro
Carly Shank
Nancy Noll Shaver
Deborah Shelton
Tiffany Shuma
Janet Klickna Shupe
Robert & Natalie Silverman
Mike & Sheila Sizemore
Stacey & Maxwell Slazinik
Dale & Katherine Smith
Penny Snyder
Charles & Lori Spear
Tom & Tammy Stack
Suzette & Gary Starr
Deb Steele
Jill & Bruce Steiner
Josh & Erin Stern
Pete & Patty Steward
Charla Stone & John Wylder
Bruce Strom
Erin Strotheide
Tony & Susan Suggs
Kevin & Carol Switzer
Kate & Russ Taylor
Dawn Teel
Neil Thompson
Dr. Leonard Bogle & Barbara Thompson
Debbie & Brian Thompson
Steven Turner
Joanne Van Leer
Dr. Stephen Vincent
Richard Virgin
Kathy Vogt
Robert & Kathi Walbert
Kevin & Beth Waldman
John Weir
Pat Weitekamp
Nancy & Kurt Wellbaum
Peter & Grace Wenz
Ellen Wesley
Charles & Diana Weyhenmeyer
Nicole & Blake White
Pamela K. Whitehead
Mary Beth Wickline
Diana Widicus & Mike Davis
Karen Willard
Rita & Michael Williams
Veralee Williams
Dr. Rex & Jennifer Williamson
Penny Wollan Kriel
Holly Woodhall
Douglas & Linda Wuellner
Wykoff Law Office
James & Debra Yeaman
Janet Zimmerman
Nancy & Layne Zimmers
Listed Donors ($5-$124)
Anonymous
Fernando Ares
Denise Arjmand
Gerard & Karen Baulos
Jerome & Catherine Bauman
Dan & Connie Beard
Jen & Chad Bettis
Stephen Biondolino
Vincent Blissett
Shakera Bridgeford
Gene Brimm
Tamara Bristow
Brendan Brown
Joyce & Neil Conklen
Dan & Anne Conrady
Julie & Mario Costa
Pamela Cronister
Lyndall & Marsha Dallas
Theresa Dambacher & Lynden Dambacher
Cynthia Daniels
Karen Devlin
Christy & Mike Devocelle
Douglas Dickey
Mike & Linda Dirksen
Debra Doerfler
Barbara & James Drozdz
Paula & Jonathan Dunn
Lanie & Linda Eagleton
Jantzen Eddington
Kenneth Folkerts
Richard & Sheva Forbes
Jon & Kathleen Fox
Cimeron & Rachel Frost
Jennifer Gallas
Rich Garber
Joyce Gibbons
Rosemary Gilbert
Joe & Sandy Goodner
Lynn Hasenyager
Rebekah & David Hecht
Sarah High
Glenn Homolka
Aaron & Leslie Horath
Andrea Jensen
Zandra Jones
Sandra Jurgens
Roger & Mary Kratochvil
Peter Lacamera
Jim & Sonja McGrath
Tom McMurray
Erica & Jim Michael
Marie E. Murfin
Dan & Anita Nash
Gail & Roger Niehaus
Linda Nixon
Gil & Ann Opferman
Carla Peavy
Claudia & Don Pitchford
Lisa Pulliam
Bill & Kathy Reed
Caila Riggs
Ronald & Rita Rudd
Kris Ruebling
Esteban & Patricia Sanchez
Jackie Sanders
Ed & Terry Schamber
Chris Schmitt
Virginia Schofield
James & Elaine Self
Joan Sestak
Timothy Shrake
Scott Silliman & Carol Coleman
Roz Stein
Chris Terry
Linda Tice
Diane Trueblood
Nicole Truong
Charlene & John Vollmer
Jamie & Jill Voyles
Thomas Ward
Linda Warden-Michl
Mary Welters
Lisa & Rodd Whelpley
Kenneth & Donna Wille
Kitty Wrigley & Larry Muir
*Deceased
Local Arts and Arts Education
George W. Curry
Sam & Mary Lou Fugate
Our Stage / Our Voices
Timothy Crawford
Special Projects Fund
Penny & Bill McCarty
Grants from:
Volunteers
During the 18 months of our closure, the UIS Performing Arts Center Volunteer Association remained engaged through monthly social gatherings, ushering for local Illinois Symphony Orchestra concerts, and returning for training as we prepared to reopen.
Performing Arts Center Volunteer Association (PAVA) Service Years for 2025–2026 Season
Manager +
Advisory Board ^
40+ Years
Evelyn Beenenga
Jan Horton
Earl Schroeder +
30+ Years
Susan Becker +
Joyce Gibbons
Debbie Held +
Jan Hill
La Vonne Noska
Janet Zimmerman
25+ Years
Karen Devlin
Dave Hicks +
20+ Years
Dean Clough
Martha Clough
Bernie Coleman +
Maria Ferraro +
Joan Ladage
Emmett Slingsby +
Janet Slingsby +
Donna Wille
15+ Years
Fernando Ares +
Lillian Beams
Dan Brown
Lynn Brown
Sheva Forbes
Rosemary Gilbert
Nancy Gillespie +
Violet Goodman +
Dee Hoover +
Jim Hoover +
Diane Kirkham
Linda McCall +^
Cindy Moreno
Mary Morris
Judy Rader ^
Joyce Schroeder +
Barb Senalik
Lori Spear
Pat Weitekamp +
Marcia Wherry
10+ Years
Julie Benoit
Art Bowden +^
Jeanne Eilering
Teri Fink ^
Betty Garlisch
Mary Gleason
Carol Hanson
Jerry Hanson
Sue Houston
Sharron LaFollette +
Lorri Lawton
Tom Lawton
Karen Leinum ^
Marie Murfin
Carroll Richards ^
David Rowell
Janet Rowell
Dale Smith
Kathy Smith
Gary Starr
Fewer than 10 Years
Debbie Adkins
Debra Alexander
Julie Alexander
Gail Austin
Colleen Ayars
Gary Bacon
Sue Bacon
Coreen Ball
Marcia Barnard
Debi Barr-Holquist
Tammy Bartolomucci
Brian Bertrand
Sunny Boatman
Paul Boatman
Jana Brennan
Patty Broyles
Jim Burton
Stacie Campbell
Donna Canavan
Mike Canavan
Cindy Candioto
John Carey +
Deede Carey
Ellen Carpenter
Rance Carpenter
Nancy Cawley
Jane Chevalier
Maggie Cluck
Lori Cour
Cathie Crim
Gene Crim
Terri Crowder
Karen Cummins
Mary Curtis
Becky Czmyr
Marsha Dallas
Jim Dallavis
Phyllis Drury
Lisa Duffey
Theresa Duffin
Paula Dunn
Jon Dunn
Karen Eickenberg
Curt Evoy
Lori Flattery
Angie Foley
Mike Foley
John Fox
Gidget Freeberg
Rita Friedewald
Russ Friedewald
Jackie Frost
Debbie Fry
Sherrie Gary
Penny Hall
Cheryl Hall
Stephanie Hall
Peggy Hamlin
Susan Hampton
Diana Hetherington
Dwain Hill
Mary Hofmann
Merle Imler
Lori Iocca
Tina Joerger
Diane Johnston
Carl Jones
Timothy Kearney
Greg Kelso
Lauri Kerns
Susan Kessler
Kyla Kruse +
Terri LeMasters
Suzie Lewis
John Lex
Sandy Lex
Jane Locascio
Deb Locher
Patrick Long
Rhonda Long
Joyce Ludwig
Lori Markey
Floann Martinez
Maggie Mathenia
Carol Matheson
Linda McClain
Kevin McClain
Shirley McGlennon
Margaret Moore
Nancy Moore
Debbie Neathery
Terry Neathery
Craig Neighbors
Rusty Overturf
Tamilia Patton
Mary Ann Paulis
Dan Petrone
Sally Petrone
Greg Piland
Jan Piland
Janet Powell
Patrice Powers
Susan Quinn
Doug Raffa
Lyn Richardson
Carl Riddell
Christine Rogers
Mike Rogers
Terry Rogers
Jane Roth
Catherine Rovey
Rita Rudd
Irene Salz
John Salz
Patricia Sanchez
Melissa Schackel
Mike Schackel +
Bill Schneider
Marilyn Selvaggio
Lori Shafer
Stacey Slazinik
Penny Snyder
Carol Squibb
Erin Strotheide
Sarah Strotheide
Craig Thorpe
Teresa Valencia
Joanne Van Leer
Jamie Voyles
Jill Voyles
Joni Vujovich
Kurt Wellbaum
Nancy Wellbaum
Janet Wise
Tom Wise +
Don Wisniewski
Pat Wisniewski
Holly Woodhall
Administrative Staff
Sarah Brewer
Director of Development
Shannon Brown
Ticket Sales Specialist
Jennie Davis
Assistant Guest Services Manager
Briana Fulton
Business Manager
Sarah Haasis
Ticket Sales Specialist
David Hecht
Production Manager
Justine Moser
Education Programs Coordinator
Betsy O’Brien
Guest Services Manager
Bryan Rives
Director
Carly Shank
Artistic Programs Director
Shannon Smith
Ticket Office Manager
Joe Taylor
Stage Foreman
Jen Tibbs-Berle
Marketing Manager
DEDICATION
The 2025–2026 Community Impact Report is dedicated to Bryan Rives.
From 2017 through his retirement in 2026, Bryan’s leadership helped shape the UIS Performing Arts Center into the organization it is today. He guided the UIS PAC through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, oversaw the renovation of the UIS Studio Theatre, and was the driving force behind the vision for the renovation of Sangamon Auditorium, completed in 2026. His determination and commitment strengthened our facilities, our operations, and the experiences we create for our community. We are grateful for his leadership and for the many ways his vision has contributed to the UIS Performing Arts Center.
