Bengt Sjostrom Theatre

The Bengt Sjostrom Theatre (usually referred to as Starlight Theatre by local residents) is an outdoor community theater located on the Rock Valley College campus in Rockford, Illinois. It houses the Rock Valley College Starlight Theatre, one of two theatres operated by the college (the other being the indoor Rock Valley College Studio Theatre). The Bengt Sjostrom Theatre was constructed in 1983 and is dedicated to the memory of Bengt Sjostrom, builder and civic leader, who was the general contractor when the college buildings were constructed, from 1967 to 1971. Mr. Sjostrom was president and chairman of the board of Sjostrom & Sons, Inc., the construction firm started by his father in 1914. Construction began on the facility, previously named the Community Arts Center, in 1974, when a group of citizens met to discuss building a permanent structure to house Starlight Theatre, a summer theater program in Rockford. By 1976, a stage, orchestra pit and rough graded seating area were built, supported entirely with private monies. It was not until former Rock Valley College Foundation Director Charles Blake committed himself to the completion of the current phase that construction began. Through his initiative, Sjostrom & Sons, Inc. built the facility entirely as a donation in memory of Bengt Sjostrom, for whom this theater is now named. Rock Valley College began remodeling the B

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