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The Michael Wexler Theater will be dedicated this June as part of "The Science of Film: Then and Now" taking place during Homewood’s Art Week. The theater will enable us to project images, videos and movies on a large screen using state of the art projection and sound.
The theater is a fitting tribute to Michael Wexler, a stage and film actor with a kind, tender soul. Michael grew up in Homewood with his four siblings; Ron, David, Evie and Bobbi and attended Homewood-Flossmoor High School where he was active in theater. Michael loved life and especially loved the arts.
Thank you to the Wexler family and friends for creating the Michael Wexler Theater, which will provide endless opportunities for our community to connect with the arts.
About Michael Wexler
A stage and film actor with a lasting legacy
Michael Wexler was a stage and film actor with a kind, tender soul. Michael grew up in Homewood with his four siblings; Ron, David, Evie and Bobbi and attended Homewood-Flossmoor High School where he was active in theater.
Michael studied at Columbia College Chicago and engaged as a SAG/AFTRA actor. He also made a name for himself in the Chicago theatre scene. Michael loved life and especially loved the arts.
Thank you to the Wexler family and friends for creating the Michael Wexler Theater, which will provide endless opportunities for our community to connect with the arts.
More about Michael
Michael Wexler grew up here in Homewood. He was known for his creative spirit and his dedication to family and friends. Summers in Homewood were magical with Michael around. Block parties, student led stage productions, clubs, forts, music and dancing – Michael brought all this and more to his many friends and neighbors that were lucky enough to grow up with him. He was a true representative of our community. Always entertaining, Michael brought a smile to everyone he met.
Michael was born to be on stage, and participated in many productions throughout his lifetime including the leading roles in Oklahoma! at James Hart and George M. at H.F. Michael was an artist, and went on to explore many opportunities in the arts including interior design of restaurants, glass creations for gardens, choreographing and writing shows, and of course acting in movies, commercials, and industrial films. As an entrepreneur, Michael had a series of fun ideas he tried out. One of his most successful was a business called Scooters Buy the Hour a rental business with a fleet of scooters for rent on Rush Street in the 80’s. All along the exciting years of Michael’s life he demonstrated a commitment to family, friendships, helping those around him, making life fun, and giving selflessly of his time and efforts.
You can learn more about Michael in his own words by reading about his many adventures on his blog, which lives on and shares his energetic take on a life well lived.
The making of the Theater
The timeline and efforts behind the Michael Wexler Theater
Computer renderings of the Michael Wexler Theater by Danyel Ilg
Homewood Science Center is grateful for the generous gift of the Michael Wexler Theater. What a beautiful tribute to remember and honor Michael Wexler, a stage and screen actor and Homewood native. The Wexler family and friends truly worked together on this endeavor and we are thankful for their tireless efforts.
It all started when Ron Wexler, Michael's brother, became a catalyst in making the Michael Wexler Theater a reality. The Wexler family began fundraising in December 2016, and within 2 months, quickly secured $15,000 in donations from family and friends.
For a full list of donors, click here.
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In January 2017, David & Evie Wexler, owners of The Little Guys Home Technology, developed a tech plan for the Michael Wexler Theater. David approached vendors for donations, discounts, and in-kind support in securing the equipment needed for the Michael Wexler Theater. Along with The Little Guys Home Technology, SVS Sound played a leading role with in-kind donations for the theater. Businesses including Epson, Integra, Liberty AV Solutions, and Snap AV offered special pricing on theater equipment. High quality theater equipment was installed in March 2017.
The estimated retail value of the equipment is over $35,000.
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In addition to installing theater equipment, the room itself needed esthetic updates. Starting in January 2017, Michael's niece and interior designer, Danyel Ilg, began consulting on the Michael Wexler Theater. Danyel produced a rendering of an updated theater space. Danyel's design for the theater is simple and beautiful, brining in features of the Homewood Science Center branding. Danyel has also approached vendors for donations and discounts so that we can bring her renderings into fruition.
In-kind esthetic updates include:
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a stage built by Rich Dehn of Rich Dehn Custom Woodworking in March 2017
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painting by Ron Hofkamp in April & May 2017
Computer renderings of the Michael Wexler Theater tech plan by The Little Guys Home Technology
A Cocktail Soiree
And dedication of the Michael Wexler Theater
Tuesday June 6th, 2017
6pm-8pm
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Celebration of Film:
David Wexler of Little Guys Home Technology presented HSC Executive Director, Edie Dobrez, with a commemorative plaque.
Aimee Matthys, Homewood Science Center Board of Directors President, and Nan Wexler, Michael's mother cut a ribbon to reveal the new signs adorning the Michael Wexler Theater. As the curtains fell, our guests let out a gasp of emotion! What a beautiful celebration!
An evening of celebration!
On Tuesday June 6th 2017, Homewood Science Center hosted a dedication of the Michael Wexler Theater. Nearly 170 people were in attendance, including family and friends of the Wexlers.
The dedication of the theater honored the late Michael Wexler, a Homewood native stage and screen actor. Much gratitude was expressed, thanking those who made in-kind or monetary donor contributions.
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The Little Guys Home Technology explained the design and showed off the state-of-the-art equipment of they installed in the Michael Wexler Theater.
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Guest speaker, Allison Grant from Museum of Contemporary Photography, shared her thoughts on realism in art and many guests purchased images from our community photography gallery.
Everyone enjoyed a spread of cocktails, beers, and bites from Lassen's Tap, La Voute, One Trick Pony, and Redbird Cafe.
Donor Contributions
Thank you to all who donated to the Michael Wexler Theater!
Homewood Science Center wants to extend a special thank you to the Wexler family and friends for the generosity and passion you have brought to the Michael Wexler Theater.
Thank you
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Danyel Ilg
David & Evie Wexler
Ron Wexler
Leading Roles
Thank you for your leading role with in-kind support:
Ron Hofkamp
The Little Guys Home Technology
Ed Schoeffel | Jason Donahue
John Donahue | Ken Burns | Tom Gunderson
SVS Sound
Gary Yacoubian | Ken Kadis
Thank you for your leading role by making a $500+ donation:
Barbara Beach
Bobbi and Rob Macdonald
Doris Carlin
Jay Heiferman
Jim & Janice Gislason
Maria Bauer
Plofsky Family Foundation