Wheaton Drama

Dear Members and Friends of Wheaton Drama,

It’s been an incredibly tough few months for so many individuals and businesses. Wheaton Drama has not been immune to economic impact, but thankfully has been safe during the pandemic. We hope you and your families are safe and well, too. I wanted to let you know what our theatre is planning, as restrictions on gatherings begin to lift. We have no formal answers; no one does. But we are committed to our mission, more than ever.

Wheaton Drama exists to create a more engaged community and lasting friendships by sharing our passion for quality theatre.

There’s not been a more important time in our recent history to put our mission into practice. The camaraderie and community created through the shared experience of live theatre, is why we exist, and we’re aggressively planning on how we can bring that to you in the weeks and months ahead.

The Current Season – Our final two productions, Hauptmann and Peter and the Starcatcher have been postponed, but it is our priority to bring them to life in some form, as quickly as possible. Current ticket holders may request a refund by emailing tickets@wheatondrama.org, but if you can hold on until we announce solutions, we’d appreciate your patience. Indeed, some patrons let us know to consider their purchase a donation, should we not be able to stage the productions. We are incredibly grateful.

What will the Future Look Like? We have a team of volunteer members thinking about creative solutions to live theater in the coming months. Ideas from streaming recorded and live video of shows, to short-form productions for audiences of 50 or less, to outdoor performances and more are being considered. I’m grateful for the can-do attitude and innovation this team will bring to our theatre. It is unlikely we will have full audiences returning to our intimate theatre soon, but when we can, know that safety will be concern #1. From cleanliness of the theatre to social distancing, when we return, it will only be when it is safe for all.

How is the Theatre Financially? So many patrons and members have expressed this concern. I’m grateful for the foresight of previous theatre leadership and the generosity of our patrons. Because of them, our not-for-profit theatre has reserves to be able to withstand the havoc of recent months, and, if needed, for months to come. In short, we are okay, enabling our focus to be on how we can again create great theatre to entertain patrons and come together as a community. If you are able to help us on our mission through a tax-free donation, we thank you. Donations can be made online through this link, or via check mailed to: Wheaton Drama Inc., 111 N Hale, Wheaton, IL 60187.

There’s so much we don’t know – and can’t plan for. But please know, we can’t wait to see you back, enjoying quality theatre, to laugh, cry, and play together again as one community.

Until then, may you be safe and happy.

Julie Kanturek,

President, Board of Governors

Wheaton Drama, Inc.

Dear Parents, Members, and Patrons of WDI Summer Children’s Workshop, 

It is with deep regret that the Wheaton Drama Summer Workshop Leadership team has made the decision to cancel the 2020 WDI Children’s Summer Workshop. There are just too many unknowns, and we did not feel that we could guarantee the safety and well-being of our youngest patrons (our children) during these uncertain times.

With that being said, please know that you are not forgotten. The Education Team is hard at work already for the 2021 WDI Children’s Summer Workshop and have some great ideas on how to improve our program for all participants. 

When it is deemed safe once again, Wheaton Drama will reopen its doors, and we will offer our usual set of After School classes. These classes are in the process of being revamped to appeal to more children. We hope that you will consider joining us for these classes when the opportunity arises. In addition, we hope that you plan to return for the Summer of 2021 for our new and improved WDI Children’s Summer Workshop.

In the meantime, if you have any questions or concerns please do not hesitate to reach out. Together, we will get through this.

Sincerely, 

Elyse Willis

Education Governor

Wheaton Drama

wdieducation@gmail.com

March, 16, 2020

Dear Members & Friends of Wheaton Drama,

The health and wellbeing of our Wheaton Drama members and patrons is of paramount importance to us. Therefore, with an abundance of caution and respect for the necessity of social distancing, the Wheaton Drama Board of Governors has decided that Wheaton Drama will suspend all activities including classes, meetings, and performances until further notice.

As the pandemic crisis evolves, the Board of Governors has many decisions to make about how to proceed in the days, weeks, and months ahead.  We will share those decisions with you as quickly as possible.  Until then, we ask for your patience and understanding.

We are temporarily suspending the sale of tickets for our shows.  If you have purchased tickets for Hauptmann and/or Peter and the Starcatcher, we ask you to hold on to them for now.  When we determine when performances will be able to resume, rest assured that we will honor all previously purchased tickets.  Please refrain from calling the ticket line at this time.  Our ticket team members will contact you when we know when we will be able to resume performances.  If exchanges need to be made, we will take care of those for you at that time.

We are suspending all education programs until further notice.  If you are currently enrolled in a sign language class or have a child enrolled in the after school classes, our Education Governor will keep you informed about the status of classes.  Again, your enrollment fees will be honored when classes are able to resume.

We will continue to monitor the situation and follow the advice of local, state, and national authorities.  We will reassess our plans on an ongoing basis and try to keep you well informed.  Please check our website, Facebook page, and your email for the latest updates.

Rest assured that your friends at Wheaton Drama will always proceed with your health and safety as our top priority. Hopefully, we will find a way to safely complete our 19-20 season and get back to bringing you the quality performances that you have come to expect as soon as possible. Your continued support as we wait for that time is most greatly appreciated. 

With best wishes for a happy and healthy future for us all,

Julie Kanturek, President

Wheaton Drama, Inc.

Auditions for Wheaton Drama’s upcoming production of Peter and the Starcatcher, directed by Sean Ogren & Suzanne Ogren, are set for Sunday, March 29th and Monday, March 30th from 7:00pm to 10:00pm, with callbacks Tuesday, March 31st @ 7:00pm at:

Wheaton Drama, Inc.
111 N. Hale St.
Wheaton, IL 60187

Please note that this show is non-equity and there is no pay.
Performances for Peter and the Starcatcher will take place from Friday, May 22nd thru Sunday June 14th:
● Thursday, Fridays & Saturdays at 7:30 p.m.
● Sundays at 3:00 p.m.
Actors are required to be there for all performances.

Rehearsals will begin on Sunday, April 5th and are held four nights a week, Sunday thru Wednesday evenings. Due to the collaborative nature of the play, all cast members will be required at most, if not all, rehearsals.
Auditions will consist of a 90-minute block from either 7:00-8:30 or 8:30-10:00. A short song will be taught, as well as a dance and basic fight choreography. Sides will be sent out prior to auditions. Callbacks will consist of further scenes from the play. To sign up for auditions, please send an e-mail request titled “Peter and the Starcatcher Audition” to ewmusic37@gmail.com and list your preference for date and time. Limited space may mean that we cannot honor your preference but we will do our best.

The following roles are available for color-blind casting.

Some roles are available for gender-blind casting as noted.

The imaginative theme of the play allows for wide age ranges for actors, however, please note that you must be at least 16 to audition.
Also, due to the physical nature of the play, all actors must be in good physical condition.

THE ORPHANS
PETER (male – 16-35) An astute boy. Nameless, homeless, and friendless, but a survivor. More than anything, he wants a home and family. If he could grow up, he’d fall for Molly in a big way.
PRENTISS (male – 16-35) Ambitions, hyperarticulate, logical; yearns to be a leader, even as he knows in his heart that he never shall be one. A bit of a blowhard with just the teeny-tiniest touch of cowardice.
TED (male – 16-35) Obsessed with food. A natural actor, an easy wit, perhaps a future poet.

THE BRITISH SUBJECTS

LORD LEONARD ASTER (male – 25-60) The very model of a Victorian gentleman, loyal subject to the Queen, devoted father, faithful friend. Also – a Starcatcher; thus dedicated to protecting the Earth and all who dwell thereon from the awesome power of starstuff.
MOLLY ASTER (female – 16-35) A true leader at a time when girls are mostly followers. Will risk everything for the sake of Doing Right. Curious, intelligent, beginning to feel things she doesn’t yet understand – romantic longings that revert to childish tantrums under pressure – because, after all, she’s a thirteen-year-old kid. She’ll be a great woman one day.
MRS. BUMBRAKE / TEACHER (male – 20-60) BUMBRAKE is Molly’s nanny. British to the bone. Still has enough of her girlish charm to turn a sailor’s head and leaven his dreams. Stiff in the lip, loose in the hip, fun on a ship. / Teacher is formerly a salmon, now an ancient, knowledgeable mermaid.
CAPTAIN ROBERT FALCON SCOTT (male/female – 20-60) Captain of Britain’s fastest frigate, the Wasp.

THE SEAFARERS
THE BLACK STACHE (male – 20-55) Long after everyone else got out of the pirate business, The Black Stache continues to terrorize the seven seas in search of a hero worthy of his villainy. Famous for his face foliage, he started shaving at age ten, had a bushy handlebar by eleven, and the blood of twenty crews on his hands by twelve. Heartless and hirsute, suspiciously well read, partial to the poetical and theatrical, and given to a ferocity from which no good shall every spring.
ALF (male – 20-60) An old see dog. Something about him appeals to the feminine sensibility – might be his bow legs, his saucy gait, or his kind heart.
BILL SLANK / HAWKING CLAM (male/female – 20-65) BILL SLANK is the Neverland’s vicious captain, without the skill or quality to lead anyone but himself, and always into disaster. A greedy bastard who’d sell his own mother for a ship to command and send boys to their doom for the favor of those who would use starstuff for personal gain, global domination, or worse. An orphan, too. / HAWKING CLAM Son of Fighting Prawn and Sweet ’n’ Sour Shrimp. One day, he will ascend the Clam throne as head of the Royal Clam Clan.
GREMPKIN / MACK / SANCHEZ (male/female – 20-65) GREMPKIN is the mean and malodorous schoolmaster of St. Norbert’s Orphanage for Lost Boys. / MACK is a very bad sailor who wants to be anywhere but under the thumb of Bill Slank. / SANCHEZ is a hard-working Spanish pirate with an identity crisis.
SMEE (male/female – 20-65) First mate to Black Stache. Single-mindedly dedicated to his captain’s every whim. His motto: “Tis good to be busy.”

Wheaton Drama is pleased to announce the cast for it upcoming production of Hauptmann by John Logan.

Hauptmann Cast

Hauptmann was written by John Logan (playwright of the Tony Award winning Red, and screenplay writer of Gladiator, The Aviator, Skyfall, and others), and is a gripping drama about the 1932 kidnapping and death of Charles Lindbergh, Jr. and the man tried, convicted and executed for that crime, Bruno Richard Hauptmann, whose “Trial of the Century,” according to H. L. Mencken, was “the biggest story since the Resurrection.” Hauptmann tells the story from Hauptmann’s own perspective just prior to being sent to his fate in the New Jersey electric chair in 1936.  He enlists the assistance of six guards in recounting his tale who play multiple roles in the process.

Hauptmann will be performed March 20 – April 5, 2020, at Wheaton Drama’s Playhouse 111. Show times are Thursdays-Saturdays at 7:30p, Sundays at 3:00p. Tickets and more information can be found at www.wheatondrama.org.