Wheaton Drama

For students in first through eighth grade, a fun experience for all!

Young performers will learn basic stage and acting techniques while they develop their imagination and creativity. All children will have a blast as they explore acting through a series of theater and improvisational games. This ensemble-building class will foster each student’s self-esteem and help them become independent thinkers both on and off the stage.

Anne Marie Irey, the program instructor, has been involved in theater for over 20 years. She minored in Theater at Saint Mary’s College and earned her Master’s of Education at DePaul University. Anne Marie is an alumna of The Second City and spent several years performing improv in Chicago. Recently, she taught fourth grade at Sacred Heart, where she founded an after-school drama program.

Two six-week sessions will be offered this winter and spring at Wheaton Drama Theater. (There’s a discount if you register for both classes.)

Grades 1-4 4-5 PM
Session A: Tuesday, Jan. 6 thru Tuesday, Feb. 10
(Snow date: Feb. 17, if needed)
Session B: Tuesday, March 3 thru Tuesday, April 14
(No class March 31 for spring break)

Grades 5-8 5-6 PM
Session A: Tuesday, Jan. 6 thru Tuesday, Feb. 10
(Snow date: Feb. 17, if needed)
Session B: Tuesday, March 3 thru Tuesday, April 14
(No class March 31 for spring break)

Note: Classes are subject to change based on enrollment.

$100 per session per child; $180 per child for both sessions
(Must register for both sessions together/at same time to receive discount)

Contact Amy Brockman for more information at workshop@wheatondrama.org or call 630.260.1820 and leave a message.

Wheaton Drama, Inc. | 111 N. Hale Street | Wheaton | IL | 60187

Whether your child is a seasoned performer or a “newbie”, Wheaton Drama’s summer theater workshop is designed for all kids. Enroll now and enjoy watching him or her develop skills that could be life changing. Lauren Blane will be choreographing week one students. Her training began at the Faubourg Ballet Academy under Watmora Casey. She has been featured in the Marriott Theater’s productions of “SHOUT!” and “Now and Forever and Mary Poppins”.

Cyndi Bringer will be teaching one section of 6-8 grade in week two. Cyndi has taught drama at Westfield Middle School for the past ten years and has her MA in directing from Roosevelt University. She is on the Board of Directors of the Illinois Theatre Association as the “Theatre for Young Audiences” representative.

Amy Brockman will be teaching music during week one and has been musical director for WDI summer workshop for the past five years. She has a degree in vocal performance and music education from Coe College. Amy is this year’s workshop coordinator.

Kelly Buesse will be teaching vocal music in the week two session. She has performed off Broadway, in national tours and regional theaters. Kelly has a degree in music from Westminster Choir College and a master’s degree in voice from NIU.

Becky DeDecker will be teaching week one for third through fifth graders and week two as choreographer. She currently teaches drama classes at Waubonsie Valley H.S. and was the choreographer for the 2013 Illinois All-State production of “Memphis”.

Vicky Giannini will be teaching week one for the first and second graders. She has worked as a teaching artist at Goodman Theatre and with the General Theater Program. She also has extensive stage experience.

Lisa Schmela will be teaching week two high school students. Lisa is a professional actor and holds membership in SAG and AFTRA. She was classically trained by Nicholas Pennell from Stratford and Gillian Eaton of the Royal Shakespeare Company.

Week One: July 7 – 11: Destination: Adventure! Grades 1 – 5 (two sessions offered, only sign up for one) Morning session 8.30 – 12.00, Performance July 12 at 10.30 am Afternoon session 1.00 – 4.30, Performance July 12 at 2.00 pm $100 per student

Week Two: July 14 – 18 Life Upon The Wicked Stage Middle School and High School 9.00 am – 4.30 pm, (Note: Bring a sack lunch) Performance July 19 at 10.00 am $200 per student For more information: call 630-260-1820 or go to www.wheatondrama.org/classes

WDI’s Summer Children’s Workshop is an outstanding week of theatre for student grades 1 -12. Our teachers are all highly trained individuals and have worked on national tours, soap operas, local professional theaters (like Marriott Lincolnshire and the Goodman) and are generally just exceptional instructors. I can’t even begin to tell you the amount of fun you will have at this workshop!

Sign up today!

Grades 1-5 are July 7-11, either morning (8.30-12) or afternoon (1-4.30) with a performance on Saturday July 12 for the ridiculously low price of $100.
Grades 7-12 are July 14-18 ALL DAY (9-4.30) with a performance on Saturday July 19 for only $200!

The deadline for director’s applications for Wheaton Drama’s 2014-15 season is this Saturday, February 15. Applications are available on the WDI website and should be emailed to Artistic Committee Chair Mike Boyna at: likkrish@sbcglobal.net

Questions can go directly to Mike at 630.470.1086

On Saturday, July 27, the 16th annual Colby Awards ceremony was held, honoring the people who work behind the scenes for Wheaton Drama:

Hansel and Gretel 

BERNI RAYMOND – Playwright

GEORGIA HAMILTON – Music Director

DON DUMPER – Set Design/Construction

MELISSA HEISCHBERG – Costumes

DOUG BUETHE – Guardian Angel

The Heiress 

KEITH DEBOLT – Set Construction

KATY SMITH – Set Decoration

LISA BAGGOTT-MILLER – Props

DANIEL BAGGOTT-MILLER – Props

SUSAN HAJNY – Costumes

TRACY ADAMS – Hair

JIM QUAN – Sound

JACKIE HAISER – Stage Manager

The Sound of Music

CARMEN FABRIE – Props

SHEILA ZINKE – Props

DEBBIE TRUEBLOOD – Stage Manager

BRUCE EBNER – Stage Manager

R.J. OGREN – Set Design, Scenic Artist

TOM FRENCH – Sound

DIANA DIGNAN – Costumes

SUSAN HAJNY – Costumes

CAROLE HIBLE – Costumes

JOHN MURRAY – Set Construction

DON DUMPER – Set Construction

SUSAN CARR – Assistant Director

Sherlock Holmes: The Final Adventure 

MARCIA STEINBRECHER – Costumes

JIM VAN DE VELDE – Lights

BRIAN BOYLAN – Sound

BEN AYLESWORTH – Special Effects

PAT DALY – Set Construction

BILL DONALDSON – Set Decoration

ALICE BLOUNT – Props

Full Circle 

R.J. OGREN – Set Design, Scenic Artist

BEN AYLESWORTH – Set Construction

ELYSE WILLIS – Stage Manager

SUZANNE OGREN – Assistant Director

PETER LEMONGELLI – Sound

LARS TIMPA – Dialect Coach

Into the Woods

R.J. OGREN – Set Design, Scenic Artist

AMY JOHNSON – Props

BRUCE EBNER – Stage Manager

DEBBIE TRUEBLOOD – Stage Manager

JIM VAN DE VELDE – Lights

MIKE LANNERS – Special Makeup Effects

JOHN MURRAY – Set Construction

DON DUMPER – Set Construction

BEN VARGAS – Costumes

CARL ZEITLER – Costumes

Romeo & Juliet 

SUSAN HAJNY – Costumes

TRACY L. ADAMS – Costumes

ANDREA PIERRI – Lights

TOM FRENCH – Sound

KATHERYN PUCILLO – Fight Choreographer

KATIE LAWRENCE – Fight Choreographer

BEN AYLESWORTH – Set Construction

ISH RIOS – Set Construction

Special Awards 

CINDY BOLDS, ALAN BOLDS – K.I.D.S.  (Keeping Inspiration and Dedication in Service) – (Children’s Workshop)

DENNY JAMIESON, DOLLY JAMIESON – Show Me the Money (Box Office)

KATY SMITH – Get With the Programme (Programmes)

MICHELLE ROLLINS – Lovely Local Liaison (Community Liaison)

AMY JOHNSON  – Bill Hamilton Award

ZACHARY GIBSON – Candlelight Award

SHAHNI BARSTATIS – Rookie of the Year

TRACY ADAMS – Alice Burnham Award

Many thanks to the Colby Committee, the community sponsors, and all of the people who made the Season successful.