2024 Best of the Best Winner: Metropolis Performing Arts Centre
Every year, as part of the Daily Herald Media Group’s Readers’ Choice program, we ask readers to vote for their favorites in more than 200 categories, including the areas of dining, entertainment, business, shopping, places and people.
This year, readers responded with more than 44,000 votes, which we narrowed down to the top vote-getters in each category, and featured in our Top Picks special section.
Readers voted again for their favorites — 88,000 votes! — to narrow it down to the 2024 Readers’ Choice Best of the Best Winners!
We are proud to showcase some of these winners with more information about who they are and what they offer.
METROPOLIS PERFORMING ARTS CENTRE
2024 Readers’ Choice Best of the Best:
• Best Live Theater
Metropolis Performing Arts Centre inspires and enriches the community through inspirational live entertainment, imaginative arts education and impactful community partnerships, delivering artistic excellence, shared multi-generational connections and inclusive experiences that engage the community. Metropolis aspires to create a space of belonging for the Metropolis broad and diverse community.
What do customers say they like about the way you do business?
Audiences love Metropolis Performing Arts Centre because they know they can expect “downtown quality” entertainment without the hassle of battling traffic and those costly downtown prices. Plus, Metropolis is just steps away from fantastic dining, shopping and free parking!
What have you learned over the years that helps make your business a Readers’ Choice Best of the Best pick?
As a nonprofit organization, Metropolis Performing Arts Centre has many different facets. In addition to our prized productions, concerts and events, Metropolis houses a thriving School of the Performing Arts, which brings exceptional arts education programs to thousands of area students each year.
Why do you think you were voted a Readers’ Choice Best of the Best?
Metropolis’ commitment to bringing top-notch production quality, show-stopping talent, diverse programming and arts accessibility to our community has resonated with Daily Herald readers.
What’s the hottest trend in your industry?
Collaboration! As other organizations look to cut budgets, minimize casts, shrink sets and eliminate live musicians from productions, Metropolis remains committed to bringing the lush sounds of a live orchestra, including our incredibly talented students in collaborative productions, and providing patrons with a full-scale professional theatrical experience.
Does your company donate time or money to any philanthropic causes? If so, what causes?
Metropolis Performing Arts Centre is a nonprofit and works with community partners across the northwest suburbs to make the arts inclusive and accessible to audiences of all backgrounds and ages. One thing we’re offering for our 25th Anniversary season is a “Pay What You Can” performance. Give a lot, give a little or give nothing at all, Metropolis remains committed to ensuring everyone in our community can access the quality productions we feature.
What community involvement does your business participate in?
Metropolis has long standing beloved community engagement programs with both Clearbrook and the Arlington Heights Senior Center. Our Clearbrook on Cue partnership helps artists with disabilities create an original production based on their strengths and interests and our Acting Through Life program unleashes the “actor within” for those 55 and over.
What do you do to make your business a good place to work for your employees?
Metropolis is fortunate to have an incredibly talented and dedicated team of employees. Our team is composed of accomplished musicians, actors, designers and creative visionaries and Metropolis engages and empowers our team to play an integral role in defining Metropolis' vision, strategy and programming.
What is one interesting fact about your company that most people may not know?
Metropolis is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. After 25 years, this still surprises people! Metropolis can't survive on ticket sales alone and depends on grant funding, sponsorships and the generosity of our donors to bring quality programming, classes, and community engagement programs to our community.