Support the Avalon Regal Theater Documentary: "The Regal"
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HELP TELL THE STORY OF THE AVALON REGAL THEATER
Documenting the Legacy: The Regal
Watch our recent WGN Spotlight Chicago feature:
OUR GOAL IS TO RAISE $25,000 TO BEGIN PRODUCTION OF THE AVALON REGAL DOCUMENTARY: The Regal
For more than a decade, we have been dedicated to preserving the historic Avalon Regal Theater—one of Chicago's most significant architectural and cultural landmarks.
But the story of the Regal is bigger than the building.
It is a story of music, architecture, artists, audiences, employees, families, and generations of Chicago culture.
Scenes from the Avalon Regal Theater
We are beginning production on a documentary that will tell the story of the Avalon Regal Theater through the people who experienced it.
Our first goal is to raise $25,000 to begin professionally filming interviews with people who worked at the Regal, performed there, attended shows, and remember what it was like when the building was at the center of Chicago's cultural life.
We also want to find the photographs, videos, flyers, posters, tickets, programs, merchandise, recordings, and other artifacts that tell the story.
WE WANT YOUR REGAL HISTORY
Did you work at the Regal?
Did you perform on stage?
Did you attend a legendary show?
Did your parents or grandparents work at the building?
Were you a promoter, musician, employee, usher, concession worker, security guard, photographer, vendor, or regular member of the audience?
We want to hear from you.
We're looking for stories, memories, photographs, videos, concert flyers, posters, tickets, programs, Regal merchandise, recordings, newspaper articles, and personal memorabilia.
Your story could become part of the documentary. If selected, you could also be featured on film and television.
Submit your Regal history today via our contact form on www.avalonregal.com.
What happened at the Regal?
Who did you see?
What do you remember?
What did you keep?
WHERE YOUR DONATION GOES
The first $25,000 will fund the initial documentary production phase:
Producer / project development: $4,000
Director & interview development: $3,000
Cinematography & sound crew: $6,000
Interview locations, lighting & production: $2,000
Archival collection & digitization: $3,000
Editing & interview assembly: $3,500
Travel, insurance & production expenses: $1,500
Production contingency: $2,000
TOTAL: $25,000
This first phase will allow us to begin recording interviews, documenting artifacts, collecting archival material, and building the foundation of the documentary.
WHAT WE'RE DOCUMENTING
The documentary will explore:
The architecture and history of the Avalon Regal Theater
The people who worked there
The artists who performed there
The audiences who filled it
The promoters and entrepreneurs behind the shows
The music and entertainment history created there
The role of the Regal in America's and Chicago's Black cultural history
The stories that have never been recorded
The future of the Regal legacy
The building is the setting. The people are the story.
A STAGE BUILT FOR CULTURE
The history of the Regal is measured not only in architecture, but in artists.
Over the decades, the Regal name has been connected to the brightest artists and cultural figures including Michael Jackson and the Jackson 5, Gladys Knight, Bernie Mac, Stevie Wonder, Ye, and Tyler Perry, among many others.
EXPERIENCE THE REGAL
Johnny Gill at the Avalon Regal
Gladys Knight at the Avalon Regal
Tyler Perry's Madea & the Avalon Regal
MICHAEL JACKSON & THE JACKSON 5
In 1968, the Jackson 5 performed at the legendary Regal Theater in Bronzeville in a performance remembered as a breakthrough moment on their path toward Motown and international fame.
The moment is recreated in the opening of the 2026 film Michael, connecting the Regal to the story of the rise of the King of Pop.
Could this be the very show where they got their big break?
CREATING CULTURE
The Jackson 5 were just one chapter in the Regal's extraordinary history.
From a young Michael Jackson and the Jackson 5 to a 1994 hip-hop lineup featuring Tupac, Notorious B.I.G., Digital Underground, Junior M.A.F.I.A., Common, Twista, Da Brat, Crucial Conflict, Psychodrama, and "new 17-year-old local", Kanye West, the Regal has been connected to artists and moments that helped shape American culture.
Watch the Keeping Up with the Kardashians clip.
BRING A PIECE OF THE STORY HOME
We have T-shirts and hoodies available through our website.
Go to https://www.avalonregal.com and click Shop to browse and purchase.
LEGACY PROGRAMS
BRICK BY BRICK — $100
Own a piece of the building's history: a 100-year-old piece of original Vitrolite celebrating your connection to the restoration, plus a private tour with ownership.
NAME YOUR SEAT — $1,000
Name an Avalon Regal Theater auditorium seat for yourself, your family, someone special, or an organization, plus a private tour with ownership.
Become an early supporter of the documentary and receive special recognition and invitations to documentary-related experiences.
Visit www.avalonregal.com/support for details.
Merchandise and legacy programs are separate from GoFundMe donations. GoFundMe contributions directly support the documentary.
A LANDMARK THAT STILL INSPIRES
The Avalon Regal Theater isn't only part of Chicago's past.
Its architecture, history, and cultural legacy continue to inspire artists, filmmakers, designers, architects, and storytellers.
HAUTE WHEELS
More than 50 Chicago artists, filmmakers, designers and creative professionals came together on a volunteer basis to produce Haute Wheels, a three-minute fashion short.
CHICAGO ARCHITECTURE CENTER
The Chicago Architecture Center documents the Avalon Regal's architectural history and significance through its Buildings of Chicago collection.
The ART Foundation Inc. is a registered charity with the IRS, and contributions are tax deductible to the extent permitted by law.