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1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

  
 
2    WHEREAS, The Gift Theatre was conceived by students Michael 
3Patrick Thornton and William Nedved while at The University of 
4Iowa in 1997; and
  
 
5    WHEREAS, The idea for The Gift Theatre was to grow and 
6nurture an ensemble and lay roots in Jefferson Park, an 
7artistically underserved Chicago neighborhood; the mission - 
8to tell great stories on stage with honesty and simplicity with 
9an ensemble composed of actors, directors, writers, and 
10improvisers; and
  
 
11    WHEREAS, For over 10 years, The Gift Theatre has earned a 
12reputation as an institution dedicated to great acting and a 
13home for new plays; it has served as a cultural anchor and 
14economic engine to local businesses; and
  
 
  
15    WHEREAS, Since moving into the storefront on North 
16Milwaukee in 2005, The Gift Theatre has brought tens of 
17thousands of new visitors to Jefferson Park and Chicago's 
18northwest side; and
  
 
19    WHEREAS, Artistic Director Michael Patrick Thornton grew 
20up in and still resides in the Jefferson Park neighborhood; 
21therefore, be it
  
 
 
 
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1    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE 
2NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that 
3we recognize the great asset  The Gift Theatre is to the 
4Jefferson Park neighborhood, and we wish it continued success 
5in the years to come; and be it further
  
 
6    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be 
7presented to The Gift Theatre Artistic Director Michael 
8Thornton as an expression of our esteem and respect.