Elmhurst approves building of performing arts center

After three years since its initial proposal, the city of Elmhurst unveiled plans for the Elmhurst Center for Performing Arts (ECPA).

The center is proposed to be $25 million, according to the Daily Herald, and will house two theaters, one holding 550 people and a blackbox theater holding 130 people.

The treasurer for the Board of Directors of ECPA, Laura Michaud, believes that having the center will help bring the city together in terms of what it is missing.

“Elmhurst has lots of sports facilities, phenomenal schools, a great downtown district, a wide variety of housing,” said Michaud, “a performing arts center is the one piece that has been missing.”

The ECPA has secured land on 1st street because of the proximity it has to downtown and the Metra station, with hopes of attracting more revenue to local businesses that are close to the performance center.

Once the center is built, Elmhurst College will also enjoy the amenities and programs of the center.

Amy Lyn McDonald, head of the dance program at EC, thinks that the center will be an opportunity to close the gap between EC and the town.

“Having the chance to connect with other artists in the area and having a space to perform would be a great benefit to our department,” said McDonald.

Alan Weigner, the department chair for theatre and dance, agreed.

“We in the Elmhurst College theatre are always open to possible collaborations,” said Weigner. “Considering the possibility of staging one of our productions in a different venue is exciting.”