Buffalo Grove Park District | 847.850.2100 | bgparks.org

Performing Arts

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Upcoming Performances Crescendo Show Choir Winter Showcase December 2 Join the Crescendo Show Choir for their first ever performance at the Community Arts Center. This brand new group of talented middle school performers is excited to present their exciting and eclectic musical showcase, Shine!, on December 2 at 7:30 pm. Tickets are on sale for $5 at bigdealproductions.org. For more information, please contact Lindsay Grandt at 847.850.2132 or lindsay@ bgparks.org.

BG Singers’ Encore! Presents Holiday Harmonies December 3 BG Singers’ Encore!, the travelling performance group of the Buffalo Grove Park District, is excited to present the first-ever holiday concert, Holiday Harmonies, at the Community Arts Center on Saturday, December 3 at 3 pm. This fun and interactive concert will feature some of your favorite holiday classics, along with some brand new and festive tunes. Join the group for a family holiday sing-along after the performance. Tickets are now on sale at bigdealproductions.org. All tickets are $5 in advance or $8 at the door. Bring a canned item to donate, and receive a cup of hot cocoa after the show. For more information, please contact Lindsay Grandt at 847.850.2132 or [email protected].

Winnie The Pooh KIDS! Big Deal Academy Performance December 9 & 10 Big Deal Productions is excited to present the first-ever Big Deal Academy performance of Winnie the Pooh KIDS! Featuring a cast of talented performers in grades 1 - 5, this delightful show is sure to impress. Disney's Winnie the Pooh KIDS is a delightful show based on the beloved characters of A.A. Milne and the 2011 Disney animated feature film.

Upcoming Auditions Les Miserables: School Edition 2017 Winter Young Adult Theater Directed by Jessi Hersman Music Direction by Ken Preuss Choreography by Maddie Plewacki Big Deal Productions is very excited to announce auditions for our winter Young Adult Theater presentation of Les Miserables: School Edition. Auditions are open to all performers in grades 7 - 12, and will be held on Monday, December 12 and Tuesday, December 13 from 6 - 9:30 pm at the Community Arts Center. Callbacks will be held on Thursday, December 15 in the evening. Please prepare 32 bars of a musical theater song, and bring an accompaniment CD/iPod with your song selection. Please dress comfortably and wear appropriate footwear for a dance audition. If cast in the show, there is a participation fee of $230, which includes a longsleeve show shirt. Cast members will be responsible for securing appropriate footwear/tights/undergarments and stage make-up for the show. Performances are scheduled for March 10 - 18. Audition appointments will be reserved online for this production. Please visit us online at bigdealproductions.org and click on the link that says Audition Appointments to reserve your audition time starting on November 1. For more information, please contact Lindsay Grandt at 847.850.2132 or [email protected].

Crescendo Show Choir Directed by Kara Spector Choreography by Karen Shuman Big Deal Productions is pleased to announce auditions for the winter/spring session of the new Crescendo Show Choir! Auditions are open to all performers in grades 5 - 8, and will be held on Saturday, January 7 at the Community Arts Center. Audition registration will be posted in December on our website at bigdealproductions.org. Auditions will consist of singing and dancing. Please prepare approximately 1 minute of a musical theatre or pop song, and bring an accompaniment CD or iPod with your song selection. Performers will sing their prepared audition song individually for the director, and will then move on to the group dance portion of the audition, where they will be taught a short routine by the Crescendo choreographer. Please bring appropriate attire for a dance audition. If accepted into the group, there is a registration fee of $175. New participants will also be required to purchase character shoes and their performance costume (costume not to exceed $50) which will be theirs to keep. The group will rehearse on Saturday mornings starting on January 14, and ending in May. A workshop performance will be performed for family and friends at the end of the session. For more information, please contact Lindsay Grandt at 847.850.2132 or [email protected]. (LG)

Performances will be held at the Community Arts Center on December 9 at 7 pm and December 10 at 11 am. Tickets for the production are $5 for all tickets, and will be available for purchase starting on November 4. 55

» Performing Arts

Honk, Jr. 2017 Children's Theater Directed by Debra Goldman Music Direction by Dede Ginsberg & Cathy Glickman Choreography by Kara Spector Big Deal Productions is thrilled to announce auditions for our Spring Children’s Theater presentation of Honk, Jr. Auditions are open to all performers in grades 2 - 6, and will be held on Monday, February 6 and Tuesday, February 7 from 6 - 8:30 pm at the Community Arts Center. Callbacks will be held on Thursday, February 9 in the evening. Please prepare 32 bars of a musical theater song, and bring an accompaniment CD/iPod with your song selection. Please dress comfortably and wear appropriate footwear for a dance audition. If cast in the show, there is a participation fee of $230, which includes a commemorative cast photo and a show shirt. Rehearsals for this production will be held on Monday and Wednesday evenings, and Sunday afternoons. Cast members will be responsible for securing appropriate footwear/tights/ undergarments and stage make-up for the show. Performances are scheduled for April 20 - 23. Audition appointments will be reserved online for this production. Please visit us online at bigdealproductions.org and click on the link that says Audition Appointments to reserve your audition time starting on January 6. For more information, please contact Lindsay Grandt at 847.850.2132 or lindsay@ bgparks.org.

BG Singers Be a part of Buffalo Grove’s choral heart and soul! The BG Singers will celebrate their 25th anniversary concert in the fall of 2017, and are looking to fill vacancies for certain voice parts. Auditions will be held in mid-March (exact dates are TBA). If accepted into the group, the participation fee is $175, which includes a full set of choral music. Rehearsals for the chorus will start in April, and are held on Tuesday evenings, and occasional Saturday mornings. Chorus members are responsible for the cost of securing all necessary costume items. The season will culminate with the annual concert over the weekend of September 15 -17, 2017. If you are interested in joining this entertaining and exciting choral group, please contact Lindsay Grandt at 847.850.2132 or [email protected].

Advanced Placement Theatre Classes January 9 Big Deal Productions is pleased to announce auditions for our advanced acting and musical theatre classes for students in grades 6 - 12. These classes (formerly Musical Theatre Intensive and Advanced Theatre Company) will meet either on Tuesday or Thursday, depending on placement. Please prepare a monologue or 32 bars of a musical theater song (bring an accompaniment CD/iPod with your song selection). At the audition, you will let us know if you would like to be considered for both musical theatre and acting classes, or just one. You may also be placed in both; so, you can specify on your form at the audition if you would like to be considered for both. If placed in our advanced program, there is a participation fee of $150 - $250, based on your class. Students who are accepted into these groups do not have to re-audition for the winter session, but will have to re-register. For more information, or to sign up for your audition, please contact Jessi Hersman at 847.850.2152 or [email protected].

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Les Miserables - Audition Workshop Join us for a fun and informational workshop with the production staff of Les Miserables: School Edition prior to your audition. This workshop will give you the opportunity to meet the producer, director, music director and choreographer; and, it will give you a chance to learn a song from the show, and the audition dance in advance. We welcome all performers to participate, regardless of whether or not they're auditioning for the show. For more information, please contact Lindsay Grandt at 847.850.2132 or [email protected]. (LG) Age: 12 - 18 Code

Day Date

Time

R/NR Fee

306809-06 Wed Nov 30

7 - 9 pm

$15/$22

Instructor: Production Staff

Location: Community Arts Center

Touring Ensembles Presented by:

BG Singers Encore! is a group of talented men and women who travel the Chicagoland area entertaining at corporate parties, benefits, libraries, festivals and retirement homes. They have performed at such events as the Arlington Million and Long Grove’s Strawberry Festival, and have sung the National Anthem at both Wrigley Field and U.S. Cellular Field. The group has a number of programs in its repertoire, including one that features highlights from this year’s BG Singers show, one that features songs from the 50s, and a holiday show during the winter months.

For information on how to book this talented group for your next function, go to bgencore.org or call Bruce Bohrer at 847.394.2797.

Tribe: A Playback Theatre Troupe This group of highly trained young performers specialize in the art of playback theatre - an improvisational form of theatre in which audience or group members tell a story from their lives, and watch them enacted on the spot. We tour in the area doing this work for entertainment and therapeutic purposes. We also will work with the community to present improv workshops, original scripts, winter break field trips on programming, and perform at events like Cinderella’s Royal Ball children’s event. This is a full-year commitment, available for students in grades 7 - 12, with auditions in the fall. For more information, please contact Jessi Hersman at 847.850.2152 or [email protected].

Buffalo Grove Park District | 847.850.2100 | bgparks.org

Big Deal Academy Drama Dress Up Calling all drama queens and kings and their drama mama or papa (grandparents are welcome too)! This class is designed to help your little performer sing, dance and dress up, all while experiencing what it is like to be in a class. Together, you will create and perform, while we focus on self expression and creative play. Your little star will walk away with fun memories and crafts. For more information, please contact Jessi Hersman at 847.850.2152 or [email protected]. Age: 3 - 5 years Code

Day Date

360838-01 Sat

Jan 21 - April 29

Instructor: Canon

Time

R/NR Fee

9:30 - 10:30 am

$108/$135

Location: Community Arts Center

Showbiz Kids Club

Private Instruction Voice Lessons Your voice is your instrument. Discover the tools you need to develop it to its maximum potential under the expert guidance of Beryl Bellows. Voice lessons are not just for future Broadway stars and opera singers. Strengthen your vocal mechanism, breathing and confidence in your own voice. Skills learned in voice lessons can be used to offer a song as an original gift, impress your friends on Karaoke night or even improve your diction and projection for public speaking and presentations. Voice lessons are offered at a variety of days and times. Lessons are available for adults and children ages 10 and up. No previous music experience is required. For information on availability and pricing, please call Lindsay Grandt at 847.850.2132.

Piano Lessons The Buffalo Grove Park District offers piano lessons at a variety of days and times. Children 5 years and older (or confident readers) and adults with all levels of experience are welcome; and, no prior instruction in piano or music is required. Students may need to purchase their own instruction books and music, typically less than $25. Please call Lindsay Grandt at 847.850.2132 for pricing information or to reserve the next available session.

Based off of our highly popular Showbiz Kids summer camp, this is the place to be for kids who are ready to be a part of a real musical performance. Each star will be cast in our musical review to be performed for friends and family the last week of class. Students will also learn about set, costumes and props as they prepare for their big show. This is your child's chance to build self confidence and be a star! There will be a showcase the last week of class. For more information, please contact Jessi Hersman at 847.850.2152 or jessi@ bgparks.org. Age: 4 - 6 years Code

Day Date

360819-01 Tue

Jan 17 - Apr 25

Instructor: Canon

Time

R/NR Fee

5:30 - 6:45 pm

$157/$196

Location: Community Arts Center

Musical Theatre Magic Based off the popular Musical Theatre Studio class, this new class is designed to embrace each individual participant as they learn dynamic and expressive acting through song and music. With games, songs and performing, they will feel like superstars, and learn the basics to help them become a triple threat in no time. There will be a showcase the last week of class. For more information, please contact Jessi Hersman at 847.850.2152 or [email protected]. Age: 8 - 11 years Code

Day Date

Time

R/NR Fee

360820-01 Wed Jan 18 - Apr 26

4:45 - 5:45 pm

$126/$157

Instructor: Katz-Mariani

Location: Community Arts Center

Private Acting Instruction Big Deal Productions is excited to offer private acting instruction for actors on a weekly basis, or in preparation for an upcoming audition. Children and adults with all levels of experience are welcome. This is a wonderful opportunity to learn more acting techniques in a one on one setting. Private Acting Instruction is offered on a variety of different days and times. Lessons are $30 for a half-hour session and $50 for a full hour session. Please call Jessi Hersman at 847.850.2152 for more information or to reserve a time for your individualized acting session.

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» Performing Arts

Acting Enthusiasts

Footlights: Improvisation Classes

Big Deal Academy has created this class to help your budding thespian become an acting pro. Your student will use creative play, games and activities to hone in on their love for performing. Using scenes and their imaginations, they will grow into stronger actors, and have a blast. There will be a showcase the last week of class. For more information, please contact Jessi Hersman at 847.850.2152 or [email protected].

Join us while we learn the hilarious art of improve, through a wide variety of fun games and activities. This series of classes is perfect for students who are ready to get silly and get creative, all while building self confidence and social skills. These classes are great for beginners or professionals in the improv world. The last day of class will be open, for you to see your actor’s use their skills. For more information, please contact Jessi Hersman at 847.850.2152 or jessi@ bgparks.org.

Age: 7 - 9 years Code

Day Date

360822-01 Tue

Jan 17 - April 25

Instructor: Katz-Mariani

Time

R/NR Fee

Playing & Creating

6:15 - 7:15 pm

$108/$135

Age: 4 - 6 years

Location: Community Arts Center

Code

Day Date

360821-01 Mon

Curtains Up: Audition Preparation Classes

Jan 16 - Apr 24

Instructor: Staff

Big Deal Productions Academy is pleased to announce a new program that focuses on getting each student ready for their next big audition. Whether fine tuning your skill set, or joining a theatre class for the first time, these classes are a perfect fit. Learn through games and activities appropriate for each participant’s age level; and, experience how to have a successful, professional and fun audition process. There will be mock auditions through out the class, or at the end of the session. For more information, please contact Jessi Hersman at 847.850.2152 or [email protected].

Footlights: Improv Extravaganza Age: 7 - 9 years Code

Day Date

360821-03 Sat

Jan 21 - Apr 29

Instructor: Katz-Mariani

Footlights: Improv Comedy Club

Age: 6 - 8 years

Age: 10 - 13 years

Day Date

360832-01 Thu

Jan 19 - Apr 27

Instructor: Ginsberg

Time

R/NR Fee

Code

6 - 7 pm

$126/$157

360821-02 Sat

Location: Community Arts Center

Audition 101 Day Date

360832-02 Thu

Day Date

Jan 19 - Apr 27

Instructor: Ginsberg

Time

R/NR Fee

7 - 8 pm

$126/$157

Location: Community Arts Center

Location: Community Arts Center

Time

R/NR Fee

11 am - 12 pm

$126/$157

Location: Community Arts Center

Age: 18 years and up Code

Age: 11 - 15 years

310826-01 Thu

Day Date

360832-03 Thu

R/NR Fee $126/$157

Join us, as we jump into some of your favorite scenes from plays, movie and even TV shows. We will also learn a variety of techniques to help you become a more confident actor or person. You will walk away from this class with an understanding of many different ways to connect with your scripts. (JH)

1 on 1: Audition Training Code

Jan 21 - Apr 29

Instructor: Katz-Mariani

Time 10 - 11 am

Adult Acting Techniques

Age: 9 - 10 years Code

R/NR Fee $126/$157

Location: Community Arts Center

Audition Prep & Perfect Code

Time 4:45 - 5:45 pm

Jan 19 - Apr 27

Instructor: Ginsberg

Time

R/NR Fee

8 - 9 pm

$126/$157

Day Date Jan 19 - Apr 27

Instructor: Martin/Hersman

Time

R/NR Fee

8 - 9:30 pm

$189/$236

Location: Community Arts Center

Location: Community Arts Center

Broadway Buddies - Grease, A Review The Buffalo Grove Park District and NWSRA are pleased to offer this program for participants with disabilities that will help enhance creativity through theatre games and activities. The Broadway Buddies Class will work on a production that will be performed in May 2017. The class will meet on Tuesdays from 5:30 - 6:45 pm until May. To receive an application to be a buddy, please contact Jessi Hersman at [email protected]. To register to be an actor, please contact NWSRA at 847.392.2848.

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Buffalo Grove Park District | 847.850.2100 | bgparks.org

Giving is one of the most significant demonstrations of commitment to the community that an individual can make. If you would like to have direct involvement in the cultural enrichment of our community theatre for generations to come, please consider supporting I Heart the Arts. Donations are tax deductible.

Projects VESTIBULE One of the projects that will be sponsored by the donations we receive is reconstruction of the building's main entrance. By reconfiguring the location of the entrance, as well as building a vestibule, we will be able to provide everyone who visits the Community Arts Center with a more enjoyable experience. In addition to providing more curb appeal, the new entranceway will increase safety by creating an improved waiting area for pickup and drop-off, as well as better egress to the parking lot. Other benefits of the redesigned entrance with a vestibule are that it will be accessible according to the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act, and it will make the building significantly more energy efficient. This revised floorplan was developed through the collaboration of Buffalo Grove Park District staff and the Board of Commissioners. The plan is based on current uses, while taking future needs into consideration.

THEATER SEATING A portion of the donations we receive will go toward redesigned audience seating in our theater. Currently, the seating is on a level floor, making it more difficult to see the further back one is in the theater. This project will implement raised seating that will pitch down as the rows get closer to the front of the theater, resulting in improved sight lines and a better overall audio and visual experience for audience members.

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