Village Theatre Guild offers summer youth workshops

The Village Theatre Guild of Glen Ellyn is offering its Kids on Stage theater workshops for young people this summer.

Children entering first through sixth grades may take part in Creative Dramatics, an eight-week session on Saturday mornings that runs June 8 through July 27. Kids in sixth through 12th grades may sign up for Taking Your Acting to the Next Level, a seven-week session running on Wednesday evenings, June 5 through July 24.

Creative Dramatics will be taught by Judy Laughlin, who holds a bachelor’s degree in theater from Rockford College. Laughlin has acted on many stages in the Chicago area as well as directing children’s productions of “Robin Hood,” “Treasure Island” and “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.”

Taking Your Acting to the Next Level will be taught by Jeni Dees, a graduate of Southern Illinois University. She is also a graduate of Second City Conservatory, having been a student of Mick Napier, Norm Holly, the late Don DiPollo, and Martin DeMaat. She has performed professionally throughout the Midwest.

“We’re very excited about our new teachers and the prospect of working with some of Glen Ellyn’s most talented kids,” said organizer Debbie Roberts. “These classes will add a wonderfully creative spin to your kid’s summer experience.”

The workshops are free to children who have good attendance (missing less than two classes); otherwise, participants relinquish a $20 refundable registration fee. Registration forms may be downloaded from villagetheatreguild.org by clicking “special stuff” then “Kids on Stage.” A registration and orientation begins at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 1, at Village Theatre Guild, at the northwest corner of Park Boulevard and Butterfield Road, Glen Ellyn.

For information, call Debbie Roberts at (815) 838-2097. Registration forms can be sent to Debbie Roberts, 17150 W. 145th St., Lockport, 60441.