Jacobs students to put on '24 Hour Musical' to benefit Turning Point
Talented students from Jacobs High School will be performing a "24 Hour Musical" to benefit Turning Point at 7 p.m. Saturday, March 11.
The inspiration came to student director Stephanie Fiorentino 10 years after she had a lemonade and golf ball stand for the same organization.
"My mom and dad were leading a fundraiser through Light of Christ Church to help Turning Point open their new facility to house women and children," Stephanie said. "I was 8 years old and I wanted to help so my grandpa, dad and I built a stand. I sold lemonade to the golfers as they passed by at the fundraiser."
"I warmly recall Stephanie and other youth from Light of Christ helping at this important golf outing fundraiser over 10 years ago. It helped us open our new facility," states Jane Farmer, executive director of Turning Point.
This is the second annual "24 Hour Musical" at Jacobs, which was started by Nicole Frantik in 2016. The concept is a "lock in" of nearly 100 students, many with non-music theater backgrounds. The cast learns the show after first receiving their scripts at 7 p.m. Friday. The students and staff work all night learning their lines, songs and dances. "They all come together to learn the show and then perform to the community in just one short day. It is a fantastic way of bringing students with very diverse talents together," says director Jacob Stouffer.
"The audience is in for some great entertainment and we plan to make a real difference for an important organization, Turning Point," Stephanie said. She has been hard at work on this project since the fourth week of school. "I wanted to challenge myself the second semester of my senior year. It has been such an amazing experience to direct this event. I truly believe that the '24 Hour Musical' is a fundraiser that helps bring the entire student body and the community together for a cause."
Directed by Jacob Stouffer and student director Stephanie Fiorentino, the creative team includes, Jennifer Wiczer as music director and Alexander Sitko as choreographer.
"I really appreciate all the hard work, time and talent that Stephanie has given leading. As well as all the cast, the teachers and staff of Jacobs have given to make this show a success," Farmer says. "On behalf of the 1,643 women, children and men who utilized Turning Point services to get out of a violent relationship, thank you!"
This production will be performed one time only, at 7 p.m. Saturday, March 11, in the school auditorium, 2601 Bunker Hill Drive in Algonquin. There will be a raffle at intermission.
Tickets are $5 or $3 for students. All proceeds will go to Turning Point. Tickets and donations can be purchased at the door prior to the event and will need to be in the form of check or cash.