Libertyville High staffers to sing, dance for charity

Libertyville High School teachers will trade their textbooks and lesson plans for songbooks and comedy routines this weekend - and they'll do it for charity.

More than 30 faculty members and other staffers will perform in a talent show called "Faculty Follies." The event, scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 21, will benefit Gardens for the Gambia, a charity providing water for wells near rural schools in the Republic of the Gambia in Africa.

Staffers will sing, dance, play musical instruments, juggle and do comedy routines. A rock band, a rhythmic dance routine and a take on "Celebrity Jeopardy" are among the scheduled acts.

"It's always nice to get a group of faculty members together to share their talents and have some fun," Co-Principal Mike Stevens said. "It's a nice morale-builder in that respect."

Among the scheduled performers is world history teacher Matt Thompson, who's part of a six-member comedy group.

"I have actually never performed on stage for anything," Thompson said. "I imagine I will be pretty nervous, but it should be more fun than anything."

Students will serve as the evening's emcees.

The school became aware of Gardens for the Gambia last year when its founder, author Philippa Gregory, came to campus. Gregory, author of "The Other Boleyn Girl" and other historical novels, came to campus and spoke about her writing and the charity.

The talent show is an example of Libertyville High's history of helping others, Stevens said. The school has run food drives, raised money to build a school in Africa and held other charity events in recent years.

The show will be held in the school auditorium, 708 W. Park Ave., Libertyville. Tickets are $6 for students and $8 for adults.

Tickets can be purchased in advance at school during lunch hours or at the door the night of the performance.

For more information about the charity, visit philippagregory.com/gardens-for-the-gambia/index.php.