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Nika, You are so correct. Madeline is a friend of my daughter's so we've known about her talent for some time. She's going to be very successful. She's already won several awards/competitions and was named to the all-state theater group, which includes actors/actresses from accross the state. They will perform "Urinetown" in January as a part of Theaterfest. Link here.
Posts: 2251 | Location: Glen Ellyn, IL | Registered: April 04, 2003
glad you enjoyed it, nika...great idea! after the budget debacle 4 years ago (when they cut the academic day to 6 periods, since restored) band and chorus took a real hit. there were 2 classes of chorus at west and south, and the south choir director (who's amazing) taught at both schools...and choir and band enrollment has still not gotten back to previous levels, i believe. so...for all the talk of artificial turf we have to remember that the arts are important too..and usually take the first budget hit. so...guard the arts!!! they matter!!! madeline...sublime. so much talent in one high school...ok, i'll stop now....
FWIW, Boosters supports West theater usually each year. This year over $4500 was donated for lights, last year over $2000 was donated for microphones and amps, and the 07/08 school year had a $6220 donation for an auditorium intercom and equipment. All Booster donations are based upon requests...theater ones come from the theater department.
I attended on Thursday and did not notice any sound problems. Maybe I don't have discerning ears!
it's hard to describe, but i sat stage right about row m and the sound was uneven. behind the divide (ie, rows s,t ) it sounds better. sometimes too loud, sometimes too quiet. of course it can also just be tech problems (i was there opening night)
I believe the theater program at West has always been very strong. My daughter actively participated in sports and theater while at West. I must say, the theater experience was much more positive than the sports. She learned to memorize pages and pages of script, stand up and speak/sing to a large group and work as a team. Theater is a team of many many kids (unlike say, basketball) doing all different tasks to produce a final product.
Now that I am in the real world, I wish something like theater had been more popular...I strongly believe that the life skills that kids learn from the arts and theater are much more valuable than the ones learned from athletics. And, when all is said and done, isn't that what we want from our schools?
Sean Hayes, Amy Carlson, and Joel Jeske were all at West when you were there.
wow nika! you got guts...to say that when Gdub football is on the way to the semi-finals? but i quite concur. i personally got more out of 4 years of forensics and theatre than i can possibly say... forensics, model un, theatre are all very strong at GBW right now...but we have to stay vigilant. if it comes to athletics or these programs i feel very strongly that they would be on the chopping block way faster than athletics.
Just wanted to note casa Dinsdale is another family that wishes our high school theater and music programs got a fraction of the attention and funding that goes to sports.
Definitely remember the recent budget debacle, when (IMO) academics and the arts took far more of a hit than athletics.
I wonder if there exists any type of accounting of funds spent on a particular program per student participating in that program?
This talented Raube girl had her insulin pump stolen from her on opening night. She went on as a professional...no one suspected the stress she was under. After the show, police were called to the scene and she was rushed by ambulance to the hospital for hyperglycemia and other symptoms. The school is remaining "hush-hush" for some reason...?
Um....what should the school be doing...in your opinion? How much should they publicize that an item was stolen from the school? Understood that it is a vital piece of equipment for the student and they would like it back...but when was the last time you heard District 87 shout from the top of the hill that an ipod, gym suit or bicycle was stolen?
In 16 years of living here and following the goings on of my neighbor...I have never heard of an instance where a stolen item was broadcast throughout the neighborhood.
Posts: 9128 | Location: CLEA | Registered: November 04, 2004
Listen, I don't discount the dastardly act. Some punk probably thought it was an ipod or other piece of cool electronics. All I am saying is...other than tending to the health of the student...what should the school do? If the thief is caught (I watch a lot of crime dramas so I would start the questioning with the understudy) he/she should be suspended and prosecuted.
Also, if the young lady was in that much distress...why was she allowed to step on or stay on the stage? At the very least...someone should have run home for some insulin and syringes.
Again...the understudy. That's were Jessica Fletcher would start.
Posts: 9128 | Location: CLEA | Registered: November 04, 2004
Insulin pumps are much more valuable than ipods and not just because they help a diabetic person maintain healthy insulin levels. It's disgusting that someone would steal the pump. My understanding is that she was not wearing the pump during her scenes and that was when it disappeared. She was in the midst of the show and went on...when the show was done, she needed serious medical attention. She did not know how long she would be able to go on but she did until she knew she couldn't...luckily, she was able to make it to the end of the show.
Posts: 2251 | Location: Glen Ellyn, IL | Registered: April 04, 2003
