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Aurora’s Paramount Suspends Bold Series and Lays Off Staff Over Funding Dispute

Concerns over a proposed drop in municipal support have derailed budget talks despite past emergency aid, prompting civic leaders to rally for restored funding.

Austin (Jack Ball), Saul Kimmer (Joshua L. Green) and Lee (Ben Page) in Sam Shepard's play "True West" in the Paramount's Copley Theatre in Aurora. (Brett Beiner)
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Overview

  • Paramount’s letter to subscribers confirmed that after the final “True West” performance on Aug. 31, the 165-seat Copley Theatre will suspend the remainder of its fourth Bold season, canceling planned productions.
  • The Aurora Civic Center Authority laid off 17 full-time employees—20% of its 82-person staff—as negotiations stalled over a city proposal to cut its 2026 grant from $7 million to about $2.5 million.
  • ACCA warned municipal support could be slashed by up to 65%, a claim Mayor John Laesch called false while highlighting $33.8 million in one-time aid from ARPA, the Save Our Stages Act and council-approved assistance.
  • A 2024 audit shows ACCA ran a $13.1 million operating deficit on $21.1 million in revenue despite over $33 million in emergency funding, underscoring the Bold series’ dependence on city backing.
  • Local arts patrons, civic leaders and elected officials are organizing grassroots campaigns—dubbed “Friends of the Paramount”—to urge the mayor and council to restore full funding.