The landmark Paramount Arts Centre in downtown Aurora has new leadership for its Endowment Board.  Photo by News Bulletin staff.

The Paramount Arts Centre Endowment board last week announced it had unanimously chosen Richard (Dick) and Arlene Hawks to lead the organization into the future.

“Dick and Arlene were the natural choice to lead PACE into a new era,” current Board Chair Barbara Kattermann said.  “Arlene has spent nearly four decades instilling a love of theater into Aurora children and Dick has served on the Paramount Board for more than two decades.”
With the Hawks as co-chairs, the Board hopes to reassert PACE as the primary supporter of the Paramount. 
Aurora Mayor Tom Weisner praised the choice.
“There are no greater supporters of theater in this community than the Hawks,” he said. “They have dedicated their lives to making sure that both kids and adults across Aurora can participate in and enjoy quality theater in this community.”
PACE provides funds annually to support programs of the Paramount Theatre in Aurora.  This year, the Board more than tripled its contribution to the Paramount to support its new, highly successful Broadway Series. 
Dick Hawks has served on the Board of the Aurora Civic Center Authority (ACCA), which has overseen the Paramount Theatre since 1987.  During his tenure as chairman of the board, he was instrumental in steering the theatre into a new era and launching the Broadway Series. 
Under Dick Hawks' leadership, the Paramount raised more than $6 million to build its 12,000 square foot Grand Gallery, which opened in 2006. 
He served as interim executive director not once, but twice, during his service on the Paramount board.  Both times, he donated his time to ensure continuity and guidance while the board of directors launched a search for a new executive director. He stepped down from his position on the ACCA Board to lead PACE.
It is quite humbling to receive such praise for those accomplishments, which were the collective work of many,” Dick Hawks said.
“Yes, our wonderful lobby was built during my tenure but it was the vision and dream of our former ACCA chair, Bud Meyer, and from there the community followed with their generosity to complete the project.”
Arlene Hawks retired as Drama Director at East Aurora High School in 2005 after three decades of teaching.  She currently serves as Director of the Fox Valley Park District’s Summer Stage program annually working with both children and adults. 
She also coordinates the City of Aurora’s Summer Drama Camp program.  Commonly known around Aurora as “Drama Mama,” Arlene has been instrumental in introducing tens of thousands of Aurora children to the joy of theater.
“There is no greater joy than to watch a performer, of any age, accomplish their dreams and receive the gift of believing in themselves," Arlene Hawks said. "Once their talents take flight they shine on a stage, which becomes a loving home where they are embraced by all.  May we as a community embrace the dreams of all artists throughout the decades.”
Over the years, the Hawks have philanthropically supported the Paramount Theatre donating to various capital campaigns and special projects. 
Upon entering the theatre’s main doors, patrons will notice the box office is named for Dick and Arlene Hawks in recognition of their generosity during the Grand Gallery addition.
“Both Dick and Arlene have contributed countless hours of time and matched that time with dollars to help shape the future of the Paramount," said Tim Rater, Paramount Theater executive director.
The Hawks will take over as co-Chairs of the PACE Board effective immediately.
Kattermann, who served that position since 2005, will continue to serve on the PACE Board as she has done for 25 years.
The Paramount Theatre is a center for performing arts, entertainment and arts education in Aurora, the second largest city in Illinois. 
Named “One of Chicago’s Top 10 Attended Theatres” by the League of Chicago Theatres, the 1,888-seat Paramount Theatre, located in the heart of downtown Aurora at 23 E. Galena Boulevard, attracts an annual audience of more than 150,000 and is nationally renowned for the quality and caliber of its presentations, superb acoustics and historic beauty.
The Paramount Theatre continues to expand its artistic and institutional boundaries under the guidance of Rater, Artistic Director Jim Corti, a dedicated Board of Trustees and a devoted staff of theater professionals.