Glenbard West Theatre receives $10,000 grant

Glenbard West High School is one of only 50 high schools nationwide to receive a $10,000 R.I.S.E. America grant from NBC. The program is inspired by the network's upcoming drama "Rise" about a high school theatre department and its effects on a small town.

Through R.I.S.E. (Recognizing and Inspiring Student Expression) America, NBC has awarded each of the 50 winning schools with a $10,000 grant that will cover the critical needs of their theatre 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 theatre teacher Mike Fox said Glenbard West plans to use the grant to purchase several personal mics that will benefit all productions and other events in the auditorium. They also will use the funds 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 theatre specialists to campus.

Fox said, "I'm very grateful to NBC and the Educational Theatre Foundation for making this grant a reality! 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 theatre program, an essay explaining why their school should be awarded the grant and how they would use the $10,000 and a letter of recommendation from Principal Peter Monaghan.