November 3, 2025
Bi-Monthly Newsletter: VOL 1
Welcome Robin Borgione, Our New Development Director!
Please join me in welcoming Robin Borgione [BOR-jee-OH-nee] as the Egyptian Theatre’s Development Director! This is a brand new and vital role for the theatre, and Robin’s extensive experience will be instrumental in enhancing our fundraising program that sustains our beloved nonprofit-owned and operated historic venue.
Robin joined our staff back in March, bringing 15 years of dynamic fundraising experience and a proven track record in various nonprofit settings, including higher education and community organizations. She is tasked with leading our efforts to strengthen relationships with patrons, members, donors, and community partners of our theatre from across the region.
Robin holds an A.A. from Carl Sandburg College and a B.A. in Communication Arts from Benedictine University. When she’s not at the theatre, Robin enjoys spending time with her family, including her husband and three children. In her free time, you might find her pursuing creative hobbies like sewing, trying out new food with her family, or enjoying a quiet evening in to watch a movie. She is also a member of the 2025-2026 DeKalb Chamber Leadership Academy.
Please join us in welcoming Robin to the Egyptian Theatre community! Stop by and say hello if you happen to see her at a show. You can also reach her at robin@egyptiantheatre.org or (815) 758-1215, ext. 8.
A Night at the Ballet: Dimensions Dance Students Attend The Great Gatsby
Thanks to the spark of an idea and the generosity of an incredible anonymous donor, 40 students from Dimensions Dance Academy in DeKalb embarked on a truly unforgettable educational experience. These students, ranging from ages five to fifteen, recently had the privilege of attending the World Ballet Company’s stunning performance of The Great Gatsby Ballet on the Egyptian Theatre’s stage.
When the donor reached out to the theatre with their inquiry about underwriting the cost of tickets for local dance students, we were so moved by the gesture. Their outreach spurred further partnership with the Dimensions Dance Academy. With their efforts graciously combined, they ensured a significant barrier of attendance was removed and allowed even more dedicated young dancers to witness this world-class artistry firsthand.
This opportunity, however, went beyond simply watching the performance. Before the show, students got a sneak peek into the professional world of ballet by attending a portion of the company’s dress rehearsal. It was a chance to see the intense focus, precision, and dedication required to bring a production of this magnitude to life. Following the performance, students were invited onstage to take pictures with and get autographs from the World Ballet Company’s lead dancers.
“…I think the fact that they got a chance to watch the dancers warming up beforehand was the best and most educational part for them. It was really cool to watch the professionals doing a lot of the same exercises that our dancers do every day. The performance was so inspirational, and we were grateful that the Egyptian brought in this performance, and for the generous donor who invited our aspiring ballerinas.”
– Miranda Cordes; Dimensions Dance Academy, Owner/Artistic Director
This kind of immersive experience can undoubtedly be a powerful tool for learning and motivation. By witnessing the dedication of professional artists, we hope these students will have gained a deeper understanding of the possibilities within the world of dance and what it truly takes to succeed at the highest level.
We extend our deepest gratitude to this anonymous donor whose commitment to the community and, more specifically, arts education made this incredible partnership with Dimensions Dance Academy possible. Their support did not just cover the cost of attendance; it was an investment made directly into the artistic development and inspiration of local dance students. We are immensely grateful for their ongoing support of our mission of enriching our community through the arts. We hope to provide more opportunities for creative partnerships like this in the future.
Volunteer Shout-Out
With a relatively small staff to support the high volume, scale and variety of performances at the Egyptian Theatre, our work simply would not be possible without our volunteers. Their commitment allows us to welcome over 55,000 patrons annually, while also creating a powerful economic ripple effect for local businesses. We appreciate the time our volunteers dedicate to every event. Moving forward, we want to better acknowledge and demonstrate the value of this meaningful service, which is vital in making the theatre such a special place to visit.
Year to Date, the Egyptian Theatre has 55 active volunteers, ranging from 19 to 75 years of age. This group has lent a hand in hosting over 40 of our events, to date and collectively boasts an impressive contribution of 1,356 hours!
Next time you are at a show, we encourage you to join us in thanking a volunteer: they can be easily identified by their volunteer lanyard and a helpful smile.
DeKalb’s Time-Honored Treasure: The Egyptian Theatre Approaches its 96th Anniversary
This December, the DeKalb community will celebrate a monumental milestone as the beloved Egyptian Theatre rings in its 96th birthday. This historic venue, a jewel of art deco style, architecture, and culture, first opened its doors nearly ninety-six years ago on December 10, 1929.
Opening just weeks after the start of the Great Depression, the Egyptian Theatre was a testament to this community’s enduring spirit and a stunning example of the “Egyptomania” that swept the nation following the 1922 discovery of King Tutankhamun’s tomb. Designed by architect Elmer F. Behrns, the theatre’s impressive facade and elaborate interior, themed after Ramses II, transported audiences far from small-town Illinois.
Originally conceived as a combination movie house and vaudeville theatre, the Egyptian quickly became the area’s premier destination for entertainment. It survived decades of change, hosting not only “talkies” and movies but also live performances and even speeches by future U.S. Presidents like John F. Kennedy and Ronald Reagan.
By the 1970s, the theatre faced an uncertain future and closure. Fortunately, a dedicated group of citizens rallied to save the landmark, forming the nonprofit organization that still owns and operates it today: Preservation of Egyptian Theatre, Inc. (PET). Their efforts led to the theatre being listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1978 and helped secure its future as a community treasure.
As the Egyptian Theatre prepares to celebrate its 96th Anniversary on December 10, 2025, it remains a vibrant hub for the arts, hosting a diverse range of live events, films, and community gatherings year-round. As one of the few remaining Egyptian-themed theatres in the United States, and the only one of its kind east of the Rocky Mountains, its long history is a remarkable story of community, preservation, and cultural continuity.
We hope you will join us in celebrating this extraordinary landmark as it approaches its 96th year—a beacon of history and entertainment for generations past, present, and future.
Preserving History, Illuminating the Future
Preservation of Egyptian Theatre, Inc. (PET), is thrilled to announce it has been awarded a significant grant that will allow us to move forward with a special project: the professional archiving and display of documents and artifacts, which will serve to chronicle the unique history of the Egyptian Theatre. The Illinois Arts Council (IAC), a long-time supporter of the theatre, awarded $12,000 from State Funds through the Creative Projects 2026 budget.
This grant recognizes the value of our one-of-a-kind Egyptian Revival venue, which has stood as a cultural cornerstone in DeKalb since 1929. The funds will support a comprehensive effort to catalog, preserve, and ultimately share the theatre’s history with the public through a new exhibit.
The feasibility of this project is strong, thanks to both internal expertise and external community partnerships. The process will be managed by key PET staff, ensuring the work aligns with our mission to protect the theatre’s historical integrity.
We’ve established vital partnerships with local history experts who will lend their experience to the archiving effort. These collaborations underscore our commitment to a high-quality, professional, and historically accurate outcome:
– DeKalb County History Center: Their guidance will be utilized throughout the project to ensure best practices in historical preservation.
– DeKalb Public Library: The individual in charge of archives at the library will contribute their expertise to the project.
A core component of the project’s budget is the continuation of our long-standing, successful internship program. We plan to dedicate funds to provide meaningful and successful stipends to interns, likely in partnership with Northern Illinois University. This not only supports the project but also invests in the next generation of historians and preservationists.
The funds will also support the creation of a public exhibit that brings the archives to life. We will leverage established relationships with trusted local DeKalb-area vendors to produce the display, namely Michaels, Banner Up Signs, and KS Displays. Our long history of working with these vendors on signage and display projects, coupled with their generous non-profit discounts, provides us with a clear and cost-effective path to completion.
This grant is more than just financial support. It affirms the importance of the Egyptian Theatre’s story and demonstrates our commitment to being good stewards of this type of investment. By archiving our documents, we are ensuring that the story of this landmark—from its 1929 opening to its community-led rescue in the 1970s and ongoing restoration—is preserved for all to learn from and enjoy.
We look forward to sharing this rich history with our patrons through the new exhibition.
