Resource Bank, GTE Foundation and Nichols Aluminum provide grant to NIU School of Theatre and Dance Area schoolchildren will continue to experience live theater and dance programs, thanks to a successful private grant challenge that has yielded $30,000 for the NIU School of Theatre and Dance Community Outreach Program over the next two years.   Resource Bank of DeKalb initiated private support for the school's outreach program back in 1995. Last year, bank president Richard Katz challenged the school to find matching funds, and two companies came forward to enrich the program.   Resource Bank's two-year, $10,000 pledge has been matched by the GTE Foundation, which will also donate $10,000 over two years. A third company, Nichols Aluminum of Davenport, Iowa, will also match the pledges of Resource Bank and GTE Foundation.   "We've always had a very good relationship with these companies because we know that as corporations they are concerned about the community, and they are strong supporters of education and the visual and performing arts in particular," said Alexander Adducci, chair of the School of Theatre and Dance.   "Giving back to the communities in which we live and work is so important. I believe the visual and performing arts should continue to have a place in schools today," said Katz, a graduate of NIU.   The grant will be used to present touring versions of NIU's mainstage productions to area public schools. The program was created in hopes of creating interest and awareness in the fields of music, theatre and dance among students ages 13-18, said Adducci.   "Giving children the chance to experience live theatre can continue and expand with the help of private donations," said Katz. "We're proud to be a part of bringing quality theatre productions to children who otherwise may never receive that opportunity."   "Until this funding, our community outreach program has only operated on a very `as available' basis because we didn't have a specific budget to count on," Adducci added. "Now it will be more in-depth, and NIU students assisting with the program will have the opportunity to work with teachers to prepare classroom materials appropriate to these contexts."   All three companies have specific focuses on literature, arts, theatre and education in general, and base their donations on those themes.   "The GTE Foundation focuses their funds on educational organizations with an emphasis on literacy," said GTE Public Affairs Manager Tracy Scholle.   "Obviously, many of the plays presented from NIU are in written form first. The children can read the story or play, then see and experience the transformation from the written word to the stage. All of this can help capture a child's imagination and enthusiasm for reading," she added.   "My family members have a strong tie to dance, and I have always enjoyed the performances of the NIU dance and theatre groups," said Terry Schroeder, president of Nichols Aluminum.   "I know the arts have funding difficulties, therefore I feel that it should be a priority of private individuals and business to fund worthy organizations to carry on the education of future and current performers," he said.   This year's touring presentation will be related to the "Twilight: Los Angeles" production by Anna Deveare Smith. Smith's plays deliver important messages of racial issues that are socially and artistically compelling. Scenes from "Verses in Diversity" will also be presented.   "It is certainly gratifying to work with three corporate partners in moving the community outreach program to a new level," said Harold Kafer, dean of the College of Visual and Performing Arts. "The evidence that the arts make a critical difference in student learning in the public school context continues to grow. Our corporate partners are committed to enriching the learning experience not only for public school students but for the theatre and dance students who will deliver the program."   GTE previously partnered with Northern's School of Theatre and Dance in 1994 when they helped underwrite the production of "The Mystery of Edwin Drood," said Adducci. Nichols Aluminum has ties to NIU through Schroeder _ who sponsored the School's SummerNITE productions when he was president of Borg Warner Automotive in Dixon, Illinois. He is currently assisting in making public school connections for the outreach program in the Quad Cities area.   More news...