Rent the Center

Host your next performance, event, or gathering at the Center with flexible spaces and professional support.

Located 30 miles south of the Chicago Loop, the Center for Performing Arts serves as the area’s premiere venue – voted Southland’s “Best Live Entertainment Venue” for five years in a row. Our state-of-the-art, 1,165-seat venue is designed to accommodate large-scale productions such as full-scale theatrical plays, concerts, ballet, opera, lectures, graduations, recitals, dance competitions, and more.

The benefits of hosting your next event or seminar at the Center include:

Discounted rates for educational and non-profit organizations
Over 1,100 seats
Flexible on-stage meeting or banquet set-up for approximately 150
State-of-the-art technical equipment
ADA accessibility
Convenient dock for load in
Private dressing rooms
Elegant lobby for receptions and meetings
Free Parking
Auxiliary rooms
Professional staff of technicians, front-of-house and box office managers

Whether you are planning a multi-day seminar or hosting a one-day event, we look forward to discussing and supporting your needs. For more information about renting, view our rental rates below.

Questions? Contact Tracey Williams, the Theater Manager.
Ideas for a partnership with The Center? Contact Scott Sowinski, Executive Director.

Rental Rates

Rental Rates (as of July 1, 2024)

	Mon-Thurs	Friday-Sunday
Commercial Rates	$4,000	$5,200
Not for Profit 501(c)3 Rates	$3,000	$3,900
Dance Competition Rates	N/A	$6,000
Rehearsal/Load-in	$2,000	N/A

This rental cost includes use of the stage and lobbies, seating areas, dressing rooms, backstage and green room areas only. Extra facilities scheduling is dependent on availability and cannot be guaranteed in advance. Additional setup fees may apply as required.

Restoration Surcharge

An additional 10% Venue Restoration Surcharge Fee applies to all Renters of the Center for Performing Arts (CPA). It is a facility charge that will be applied to any infrastructure upgrades due to normal wear and tear of the theater.

Auxiliary Space

Spaces beyond the CPA may be available at an additional fee of $500 each, per day.

Labor Rates

USHERS/HOUSE MANAGER

House Manager required for the show: $40 per hour x 6-hour call=$240
Minimum of five CPA Ushers required $20 per hour per usher x hour call=$400
Reserved Seating minimum of one house manager and seven ushers required: $800 per performance
General Admission minimum of one house manager and five ushers required: $640 per performance
Fifteen ushers are required if more than 800 are in the audience. You may provide some volunteer ushers.

SECURITY

GovState’s Department of Public Safety requires a minimum of ONE officer on duty for all audience-attended events;
- full houses require two. Dance competitions require additional staff.
- $260 per performance – less than 500 members
- $520 per performance – over 500 members
- Four-hour minimum shift; additional hourly rate of $65/officer.

CLEANING LABOR

$504 per performance
$1,008 per dance competition
MINIMUM ONE REQUIRED for all rehearsals and shows; MINIMUM TWO REQUIRED for all dance recitals and FOUR REQUIRED for dance competitions.
Six-hour minimum shift; additional hourly rate of $42/ custodial.

PRODUCTION/TECH LABOR

Position	Minimum Call	Straight Time/hr	Overtime (x 1.5)
Technical Director	7.5	$55	$82.50
Assistant Technical Director	7.5	$47	$70.50
Stagehands	7.5	$40	$60
Outsourced Labor	7.5	Market Rate

Box Office Services (only applies to ticketed events)

Box Office Labor (includes advance sales & staffing on day of event)
- $1,400 per performance
- $570 for each additional performance
SPEKTRIX Ticketing System:
- Set-up Fee: $400 per performance
- Online Sales Fee: $1.75 per ticket
Credit Card Fee: 4% of Gross Credit Card Ticket Sales
D. CPA STAFF COSTS (only applies to ticketed events)
- BOX MANAGER: $250 - Five-hour minimum shift; additional hourly rate of $50 per hour
- TICKET CLERK: $320 - five-hour minimal call; $32 per hour x (2) individuals.
- Rates above apply to show dates only, no charge for regular box office hours

MARKETING Package Cost

A. Inclusive Marketing Package-$10,000 (Website, E-blast, The Center's Season Brochure)

Inclusion in Season Brochure (mailed to over 20,000 Center for Performing Arts patrons and GovState alumni within 35 miles of Governor State University-Printing & Postage)
- Request for inclusion must be submitted before April of target year.
Target Mailing Postcards-Print & Postage ($1 per addresses)
Targeted eblast to Center patrons within 35 miles of our venue
Website Listing
Listing on all events by Date page
Dedicated Show page with link to ticket purchase URL and promo video
Promo video on YouTube channel (featured content week of show)
Organic posts on our Facebook page (8k + followers with 70% residing within 25 miles of our venue)
Targeted Facebook Ads

Customized Marketing Packages are available based on your goals. Contact Jane Cox, Cultural Marketing Director for more information.

Equipment Rental

House repertory plot and house sound equipment are included in your base rental costs.
If the CPA arranges outside equipment rental, the renter pays a 10% handling fee.

CPA equipment that is available to rent for an additional cost:

Equipment Cost /Duration
Christie HD14K-M projector and screen $650 for up to 3 event days

Harlequin Marley dance floor
(Includes gaffers’ tape) $550 for up to 3 event days
9' Baldwin Grand Piano – (rental includes one tuning; each additional tuning is $150) $200 for up to 3 event days

Rates are subject to change without notice.
For Rental Inquiries, Contact Theater Manager Tracey Williams Phone: 708.235.2237