Kirk Players wins The American Association of Community Theatre Special Recognition Award
The local theater troupe Kirk Players recently received The American Association of Community Theatre Special Recognition Award, given in recognition of the group's unique mission to provide community service through live theater and the arts.
"We are honored and humbled to receive such a prestigious national award, especially on the threshold of celebrating our 50th anniversary," said Sheila Bourque, president of the all-volunteer organization.
"And our legacy will be just this, that we have simply given grant funds back to the community each and every year of our existence since John W. Lynn founded us in 1966. This year we have given over $7,800."
The Mundelein organization has established a unique practice to return all the proceeds of its theatrical productions to other local institutions that support the arts and arts programming.
During the years, Kirk Players has given more than $100,000 in the form of local high school scholarships at Mundelein High School and Carmel Catholic High School, monetary gifts to local school districts' arts programs, artists' prizes at local art festivals, park and recreation gifts for arts programming, as well as other organizations in Lake County, the organization said in a news release.
In addition, it has provided free summer theater workshops for children and adults since its beginning, as well as a no-cost policy for children involved in its annual main stage children's show.
"We're fundamentally different from other community theater groups," Bourque said. "We don't have a building to sink our money into; in a way, we're virtual. So every year, we give all of our previous year's earnings to our brothers and sisters in the education and arts community.
"And we trust that our excellent live theater productions will continue to attract the thousands of patrons we have collected over the years. Every ticket we sell means more money we can give away. And we deliver really good theater. Of course, I'm biased."
The group of nearly 50 volunteer members meets monthly in the basement of St. Andrew's Lutheran Church in Mundelein. A board of directors also meets monthly focusing on the business of theater production.
Currently, the group is at work rehearsing "Sherlock Holmes and the Jersey Lily" by Katie Forgette, a high-spirited comedy joining the wit of the master detective with the charm of Oscar Wilde. A cast and crew of nearly 25 volunteer performers and technicians will stage the full-length production March 27-29.
Kirk Players will close out its 49th season with the popular children's show "Charlotte's Web" in June.
The group regularly rehearses at St. Andrew's Lutheran Church and performs at Mundelein High School. Through the years, it has performed at other venues in Lake County, including Cuneo Museum and Gardens in Vernon Hills.
"This national award gives us the affirmation that what we're doing is meaningful and confirms our belief that even a small organization of ragtag theater folk can enrich and improve the community. Fifty years is a pretty remarkable accomplishment, and we're pretty bullish about the next 50, too," Bourque said.
More information about Kirk Players is available by visiting www.kirkplayers.org. Call (847) 521-6192 for ticket information about Kirk Players shows.