Glenbard West receives $10,000 theater grant

Glenbard West is one of only 50 high schools nationwide to receive a $10,000 RISE America grant from NBC-TV.

The program, inspired by the network's new drama "Rise" about a high school theater department and its effects on a small town, is awarding $500,000 to high school theater programs across the country.

Through RISE (Recognizing and Inspiring Student Expression) America, NBC has given each of the 50 winning schools a $10,000 grant that will cover the critical needs of their theater programs. NBC is facilitating the program in partnership with the Educational Theatre Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to shaping lives through theater education.

Glenbard West theater teacher Mike Fox said the school plans to use the grant to purchase several personal mics that will benefit all productions and other events in the auditorium. It also will use the money to help cover some of the production expenses for shows, including costumes, lumber, royalties, publicity and more.

Glenbard West also will offer master classes for students by inviting theater specialists to campus.

"I'm very grateful to NBC and the Educational Theatre Foundation for making this grant a reality," Fox said. "We will be sure to put the grant money to great use by furthering Glenbard West Theatre's philosophy of full inclusion with no fees for participation in our shows."

Glenbard West entered the grant competition by submitting a video celebrating its theater program, an essay explaining why the school should be awarded the grant and how it would use the $10,000, and a letter of recommendation from Principal Peter Monaghan.