BOLINGBROOK PROGRAM SUPPORTS PERFORMING ARTISTS
Since I was a kid, I was a theatre geek. Whatever show was available for me to audition for, I did. I was on stage in school, college and well into my 20’s and 30’s. It seems that my kids might have tapped into that same passion for creating characters and honing their talents. I have to say, it gives me so much joy to see them shine on stage and know they are loving what they are doing. They are lucky to have so many more options to perform in the schools and communities than I ever did. One of their favorite programs is Broadway After School, a children’s off-shoot of the 501c3 not-for-profit organization, Theatre-on-the-Hill in Bolingbrook.
Since 2001, Theatre-on-the-Hill, a full-time community theatre, has been producing the finest musicals, comedies, dramas and theatre education year-round at the Bolingbrook Performing Arts Center. Broadway After School, the concurrent junior program exclusively for grades 3-9, produces four musicals annually engaging many children and their families. All registrants for auditions in these programs are cast, often with four shows and double casts to give more children the opportunity to have a larger role. The organization is committed to diversity and inclusion and encourage performers of all ethnicities, gender identities, abilities and ages to audition. “Our mission is Teaching Life Skills Through the Arts,” says Michael Fudala, President and Artistic Director for both Theatre-on-the-Hill and Broadway After School. “Life skills like communication, cooperation, compassion, confidence, team building and many more flourish in a creative, non-competitive setting.”
These two programs are exclusively run by volunteers, so if theatre is something that interests you, there are plenty of opportunities to assist onstage, backstage, with props and costumes, or just supporting and attending the performances. Fundraising for this 501c3 not-for-profit is mainly through program advertisements, ticket sales and direct donations. If you would like more information you can visit them at www.theatreonthehill.org or www.broadwayafterschool.org .
They hope to continue to grow their theatre family for many years to come.
Mindy’s September Giving Inspiration: Have a clean-up party at a beach or a park.
ABOUT THE WRITER Mindy Kyle is the owner of Be Inspired Studios and is passionate about helping people discover what brings them joy and to live a full, healthy and happy life. She has her Masters in Fine Arts degree in creative writing from DePaul University and lives in Naperville with her husband, three children and the cutest dog in the land.
