For those at Millikin University who are either students of theatre, or just patrons of the performing arts, Pipe Dreams Studio Theatre – Millikin University’s own independent venue for the performing arts – helps students who are studying theatre prepare for the challenges of working in live theatre.

Because the venue is run independently, there is money that has to be raised in order to ensure that the venue stays afloat, which has usually been done by those in charge of Pipe Dreams by hosting some sort of fundraiser. On Wednesday, Oct. 28, Victoria Rossi, theatre administration major and participant in Pipe Dreams Studio Theatre, helped organize a fundraiser at The Winery, a local bar and grill that’s popular amongst Millikin students.

“It’s a fundraiser to raise money for Pipe Dreams Studio Theatre,” said Rossi. “I work as the development director, so I try to bring in extra income. 15 percent of the sales will come back to the theatre, and we’re also doing a raffle.”

The raffle, made to further entice students to attend the event, contained merchandise from Millikin and other local establishments. Reportedly, the raffle basket contained Millikin items, such as clothing, while also containing items that have been produced by Pipe Dreams as well as The Winery. Furthermore, the gift basket used in the raffle also contained complementary Pipe Dreams tickets for the venues shows that will produce during the spring semester.

When asked why the fundraiser was need, Rossi said, “One reason we’re doing this is to market the show that we’re putting on right now, which is called A Nightmare on Backstreet, so people can come here, they can get tickets through us, and we can talk about the show. We like to do fundraising also to get our name out there for community members who might not know what Pipe Dreams is.”

A Nightmare on Backstreet, which had its run for the last two weeks of October, opened with much success and praise for the student performers who put on the show. A Nightmare on Backstreet is a satirical show, which has been described by the student performers themselves as a combination of both the classic horror film from the 1980s A Nightmare on Elm Street with Backstreet Boys songs intermixed. The quirky combination, which featured both elements of horror and humor, was praised by students and faculty members of Millikin.

Furthermore, as Pipe Dreams Studio Theatre is also considered a local performance venue, as well as a Millikin performance venue, there has been a great need and desire to demonstrate to local residents of Decatur the uniqueness and the high quality shows that are produced by the student run venue. As a way to get the word out to residents of Decatur, The Winery was chosen as the best establishment to host the Pipe Dreams Studio Theatre fundraiser, as the bar and grill is as popular with residents of Decatur as it is with students of Millikin. Nevertheless, there were also other reasons why The Winery was chosen.

According to Rossi, “We’ve done events here [The Winery] before. They’re really awesome to work with, people really like to come here, and it’s a great hang out place. They’re fantastic to work with, I can’t stress that enough.”

Make sure to keep an eye out for other shows taking place in Pipe Dreams this semester.