Young actors collect books for Chicago area children
On May 19- 20, the Fox Valley Repertory Academy invited friends, family, and neighbors to enjoy a "tale as old as time!" Filled with singing, dancing, humor, and suspense, "Beauty and the Beast" is a beloved fairy tale of brainy and beautiful Belle, her brutish suitor, Gaston, and the frightening, but tender-hearted Beast. The young actors and actresses enthusiastically portrayed these very different characters who found strength in one another and learned to love.
Samantha Marlowe, 9, of St. Charles remarked during rehearsals, "I like being in the Beauty and the Beast show because it was a favorite movie of mine when I was a kid, and the story and music are wonderful."
Along with preparing for the show, the children collected 700 gently used and new books for children in the Chicago area who share in Belle's love of reading, but do not have books of their own. Cast member, Kaitlyn Crowell, 8, of St. Charles said, "I find a lot of fun and adventure in reading. I think it's great to give books to other kids so they can have fun and adventure, too!" The children's energetic compassion delighted teachers, parents, and a local charity.
The performers donated stacks of books to Bernie's Book Bank, a non-profit organization funded entirely by generous individuals and caring companies. Founded in December of 2009, the charity has collected over 500,000 books and distributed them to more than 35,000 children in its first two years. In 2012, Bernie's Book Bank will collect, process, and redistribute more than 600,000 children's books and expand the number of children served to 50,000. By 2013, they plan to be distributing 1 million books per year in the Chicago area alone, and then to expand to other cities.
Beauty and the Beast cast members include: Kaitlyn Crowell, Katie Das, Kristen Das, Erika Denker, Keira Denker, Jamie Dowat, Heidi Heinz, Amelia Kuhlman, Nicole Luzi, and Samantha Marlowe, all of from St. Charles; Rhea Chandran, Macy Dressel, Kaia Ebel, Maya Hawkins, Rachel Lawrence, Reese Lydon, and Caroline Wenokur, all of Geneva; Christina Calbeck, Carolyn Calbeck, Cameron Conforti, and Taylor Sebesta, all of South Elgin; Jenna Kraus, Morgan Miller, Mary Kate Griffin, all of Elburn; Haley Hughes and Stephanie Skrabacz, all of Bartlett; Ceci Yasell of Elgin; Anna Laurich of Aurora; Madeline Hotham of Batavia; Hayley Troyan of Hanover Park; and Brenna D'Amico of Plainfield.
This program was partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency, and was sponsored in part by Kane County Chronicle.
The Fox Valley Repertory Performing Arts Academy features some of the Chicago area's most respected teachers, directors and musicians. Classes are available for ages 3-18. For more information, visit www.foxvalleyrep.org/education or call 630-364-0550.