Upload your fond memories of Mundelein
Several months ago, Mundelein created a blog on its Web site asking residents to share their fondest memories in Mundelein to celebrate its centennial next year.
Paddy Lynn and the Kirk Players decided to take things one step farther.
The village, Kirk Players and students at Mundelein High School are working together on a project called Voices of Mundelein. Individuals are invited to submit audio and video stories recording fond memories in Mundelein. The Kirk Players then hope to choose a group of stories and create monologues that will be performed next summer.
"They came up with the idea that it would be nice to have these stories woven into a play modeled after Spoon River Anthology," assistant village administrator Mike Flynn said.
Flynn said this project is attractive because it accomplishes one of the centennial committee's goals.
"The committee wanted to get as many groups as we can in the community to contribute to the centennial celebration using their specific skills," he said.
Lynn, the president of Kirk Players, said involvement grew as she needed individuals to conduct interviews and record those who want to share a story but may not be able to audio or videotape one. Megan Hendricks, a student at Mundelein High School who had performed with Kirk Players, was able to recruit students to do the task, including Molly Whitaker.
"I thought it was a cool idea. It shows people a different perspective of Mundelein," she said.
In addition to making it easier to compile the interviews, Flynn said recording the interviews adds an artistic quality to the monologues. The actors then can pick up a person's mannerisms to use on stage.
"The actors will not just read a story but will act out a story and create a personality to go with each of the stories," he said.
The task now is to spread the word. Lynn said the project is open to anyone who wants to share their voice about Mundelein.
"It may be of historical nature, family related or something that makes them proud of their community," she said. "It's so wide open. It may be so overwhelming because it is so open-minded."
The hope is to receive all interviews by the end of January. The Kirk Players hope to perform the monologues next summer at Mundelein High School.
Flynn said the Voices project should serve as a long-lasting legacy for Mundelein.
"It is something we will leave behind," he said.
To participate
Individuals who wish to submit an audio or video story or would like to arrange to be interviewed to share a story can contact Paddy Lynn of the Kirk Players at (847) 566-6391 or Mike Flynn at the Mundelein village hall at (847) 949-3200.
Individuals also may still submit written stories at Mundelein's Web site blog at mundelein.org.