Education & Community Outreach
FRIENDS OF THE CORONADO
Free Admission – Reservations Required!
SAVE THE DATE: "REACH FOR THE STARS" FREE FIELD TRIP!
Stay tuned for the announcement of our 2027 Reach for the Stars Act
February 2027
"Reach for the Stars" brings Rockford school students to the Coronado Theatre for a world-class touring cultural arts performance each year."
After re-opening the meticulously restored and modernized Coronado Theatre in 2001, the Friends of the Coronado established the "REACH for the Stars" project. The annual "REACH" project is our commitment that the Coronado Theatre will always be here to enrich the lives of children.
Each school year, the Friends of the Coronado's "REACH for the Stars" project presents a fully staged world-class touring cultural arts performance at the Coronado Theatre for over 4,000 students to experience.
To ensure participation regardless of the ability to pay, the "REACH for Stars" performances are free-of-charge to students and schools.
The "REACH for the Stars" project is made possible by special funding to benefit Rockford students. All Rockford 4th-Grade students are invited to this FREE performance. Reservations are limited on a first come, first served basis.
We are so grateful to expose our students to these types of opportunities. While the Coronado Theatre is a historic gem in this community, many residents spend their entire life here and never get to see the majestic theatre. Our students truly enjoyed and were in awe of the Alvin Ailey Dance performance as well as the Nutcracker! … It’s becoming apparent that our students are developing better creative and social skills from these cultural experiences. We cannot thank The Friends of the Coronado enough for inviting and making these life-enhancing opportunities available to our students. Kudos!”
–Rockford Public School Education Staff
Over 40,000 students have attended REACH performances!
REGISTER YOUR STUDENTS FOR OUR “CORONADO CLASSROOM” PROJECT
The “Coronado Classroom” enriches the lives of students, educators, and lifelong learners by providing opportunities for extraordinary experiences at the Coronado Theatre.
The Coronado Classroom presents vibrant programs in an interactive format to small groups of no more than 50 students each. These inspiring programs showcase a broad spectrum of disciplines. Each session lasts 1.5 hours and begins in the Coronado Classroom with a presentation that is thoughtfully developed to create student engagement with a multidisciplinary approach. Their experience continues as they explore the stunning spaces and stage of the Coronado Theatre.
Through our photo archives, artifacts, and walking through the very spaces that made history at the Coronado, it is a unique approach to bring history to life.
- The roaring 20's when the Coronado was constructed
- The Great Depression when Rockfordians left their hardships for a short time in the magical theater seeing low cost movies and leaving their troubles behind.
- WWII, how the Coronado inspired our community to raise a national record of $175,000 in war bonds in a single evening at a variety talent show by Camp Grant personnel. The event was documented in Life Magazine.
- 1960 the streets and every seat when presidential candidate John F. Kennedy came to Coronado Theatre.
- Civic pride, when the community came together in 1997 to save the Coronado Theatre, winning national awards for the project
The “Coronado Classroom” Program is made possible by special funding to benefit Rockford students.
All Rockford schools are invited to make your reservation for FREE student field trips to experience the “Coronado Classroom” Program. Reservations are limited on a first come, first served basis. Cost = $0 FREE
REGISTER to visit the Coronado Education Center!
The Coronado is in a rare class of theaters with an extensive collection of historical archives.
Come experience the history of the Coronado Theatre. Historical photos, newspaper clippings, and stories have been meticulously collected by Land of Lincoln Theatre Organ Society. The Coronado Theatre's historical archives and artifacts are on display for public viewing in the Coronado Education Center. It's truly an exceptional display of living history.
Our mission is to champion the historic Coronado Theatre, a time-honored symbol of civic pride, as a performing arts center and community asset for all to use and share. Friends of the Coronado is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
LOCATION
324 N. Main Street
Rockford, IL 61101
MAILING ADDRESS
Friends of the Coronado Foundation
P.O. Box 1976
Rockford, IL 61110
CONTACT
Photo Copyright Restrictions - Unauthorized use of photos on this website is prohibited. Please contact the Friends of the Coronado for further information.
©2026 Friends of the Coronado. All rights reserved.