University News

Local Youth to Perform Original Theatre Production Aug. 4-5

August 1, 2017

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MACOMB, IL – Performances by area youth, who are part of the inaugural Rising Stars summer youth theatre program, will be held at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 4 and at 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 5 at Western Illinois University's Hainline Theatre.

Twenty-seven area youth, ages 6-13, have been working on creating the stage production through the West Central Illinois Arts Center (WCIAC), since July 17. The program allows young people to experience all aspects of creating an original stage production, including script and set development, costumes and music.

Through the workshop, participants have developed and rehearsed a play called "Untitled," which is a blend of four adventures that take place in four books purchased from the Evil Shopping Network. The play includes original music, costumes, sets and characters, ranging from talking food to zombies from the old west. Sponsor commercials created by the group will also be seen at the performance.

The youth have worked together four hours a day, five days a week. This week, rehearsals will begin on the Hainline Theatre stage in WIU's Browne Hall.

Performance tickets are $10 for adults and $7 for senior citizens and students. Children under age 5 will be admitted free. Tickets are available at the door, but reservations can be made by emailing risingstars@wciarts.org or calling (309) 836-2782.

This project is a collaboration between the WCIAC, the Rising Stars program, the WIU College of Fine Arts and Communication and the Department of Theatre and Dance. Financial support for the program was provided by the Gazebo Art Festival in Macomb.

Staff of the Rising Stars program includes Heidi Clemmens, associate professor, WIU Department of Theatre and Dance; Kitty Karn, associate professor of voice, WIU School of Music; Kimberlyn Massey, a junior WIU musical theatre major from Carbondale, IL; Whitney Willard, a junior WIU musical theatre major from Macomb; Ryan Phillips, a senior theatre major from Plymouth, IL; Nan Crossman, WCIAC executive director and founder of WCIAC summer youth camps and programs, and area high school students Macyn Seaver, Leah Jorgensen, Carlie Kennedy and Audrey Fletcher.






 

Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
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