The Kirk Players celebrate 60 years of entertainment and service

In the summer of 1966, Mundelein resident John W. Lynn founded the The Kirk Players out of the Kirk of the Lakes Presbyterian Church, formerly located on Hawley Avenue, just west of Mundelein High School. The first show, “Night of January 16,” was directed by Lynn and included members of the church and some of Lynn’s children. The event was aimed at raising money for Vietnamese children afflicted with cleft palates.

The success of the show formed the blueprint for The Kirk Players’ mission to give back to the community through theater. That mission has been the guiding force for 60 years, as The Kirk Players continues to donate funds from shows to charities, and local schools in the way of grants and scholarships. Over its lifetime, the troupe has donated nearly $200,000 to groups and schools throughout the Lake County area.

“My father had performed and directed in New York, and when we moved to the Chicago area, he became a working actor, employed by Allstate. In his new surroundings he had a chance to renew his life through the fledgling organization he started. As a 13 year old, I found a home with the Kirk Players, too. In time, it became the fabric of our family lives,” reflected Jon L. Lynn, eldest child of John W. and Helen Lynn, and present artistic director of The Kirk Players.

Through the early years the organization grew, established a constitution, created committees and began offering the community three to four mainstage live theater productions every year. In addition to its live theater productions, the group offered free Children’s and Adults Summer Theatre Workshops. It formed lasting relationships with many different groups in Mundelein and Lake County. To this day, it prizes its partnerships with Mundelein High School, Carmel Catholic High School, St. Andrew Lutheran Church, Mundelein Parks and Recreation, GLMV Chamber of Commerce and Mundelein Community Connections. New collaborations with Mundelein Arts Commission, Del Webb Grand Dominion, Tighthead Brewing Company and local merchants has kept its presence in the community fresh and entertaining.

The group has been blessed with passionate and dedicated members whose mission has been to serve the community through the arts. Local resident, business owner and president of The Kirk Players Randy Rice said, “Over the past 22 years, I have been privileged to appear in many shows, serve on many committees and various boards for Kirk Players. The Kirk Players is an inclusive group that truly focuses on the cause as well as the craft.”

“From the beginning, the Kirk Players has been all-volunteer, no membership fees, just come in and share your talent and help support the cause,” Longtime member and Libertyville resident, Patrick Blake said. “When I started we had just launched the annual children’s show and the free children’s summer workshops. We now have Kirk Players adult members that started as students in our workshops and young performers in our children’s shows. Still seeing the magic in their eyes!”

“The Kirk Players aren’t just a theater group,” Membership Director and former student of Jon L. Lynn, Marilee C.C. Rusiniak said. “They’re a community that supports local causes, nurtures young performers and brings people together through the arts. I’m grateful for every rehearsal, every board meeting, every set piece I’ve helped build, every new skill learned and every moment of support from my theater family!”

Coincidentally, Rusiniak is joined by five other former students of Jon L Lynn’s time as English teacher and theater director at Mundelein High School — Jenny Tomlin, Natalie La Voie, James and Ken Torbeck and Terri Wiersma — in the final Kirk Players show of their 60th season, “All In The Timing.”

“All In The Timing” opens Saturday, June 20, at West Oak Middle School.

The Kirk Players are always welcoming new members. Learn more at kirkplayers.org, join their mailing list to receive information about auditions and shows or come to a meeting, usually the second Friday night of the month at 7 p.m. at St. Andrew Lutheran Church in Mundelein.