Today we are very proud to announce exciting news and a new direction for our organization. Noble Fool Theatricals will become Fox Valley Repertory in 2011; the largest professional, award-winning theater in the Fox Valley area.

This decision took nearly 2 years to make, plan, and finally execute – and I couldn’t be happier to be finally announcing it to you now.

What will change? I assure you that you can still count on outstanding productions, because we are not a new organization. Our staff is the same, dedicated team. However, after several years of growth, we have expanded our mission and vision, and we simply wanted our name to represent you, and our community.

Being a part of St. Charles and the Fox Valley is truly a privilege. Each show is a chance for us to create a shared moment with you. In that moment, we hope to connect to our human experience. We try to evoke laughter and love on the stage; we sometimes deal with difficult problems and sensitive issues as well. All of this creates the fabric of a vital, local arts organization, one that serves as a reminder and a celebration of our common humanity. A community with a strong emphasis on the arts will be a healthy community, one that is constantly moving forward and sharing stories that build bridges between generations.

As Fox Valley Repertory, we will continue to create memorable moments for you and provide significant opportunities for the youth of our area to explore the power of theater and use that power to improve their lives and prepare them to be successful, contributing members of the community.

As for the 2011 Season, let me tell you about it now!

2011 begins with heartfelt laughs and nostalgic memories with Leaving Iowa, a hilarious comedy about those dreaded family vacations. Then get ready for the sweetest musical this side of heaven with Always Patsy Cline, an uplifting tribute to the late country singer. The summer brings us the adventure comedy Around the World in 80 Days, based on Jules Verne’s classic novel. Your subscription will conclude with the Hit Broadway Comedy Musical, They’re Playing Our Song, Neil Simon’s memorable romantic comedy.

Now is the time to become a 2011 Subscriber!

Something completely new is our inaugural season pricing, where every subscription package is either $65 (for preview weeks) or $80. Four shows. Just $65-$80. I’m not sure you can find a deal like this anywhere else in the area. Really, where else can you go to see professional theater for just$16.25 per ticket? This is our treat to the community. And please tell all your friends about this special pricing for 2011 only!

I hope you’re just as excited about these changes as we are. And please visit www.noblefool.org or www.foxvalleyrep.org to watch our special video clip or read more about the season line-up.

Welcome to Fox Valley Repertory!

Sincerely,

John Gawlik

Artistic Director

Noble Fool Theatricals, soon-to-be Fox Valley Repertory

RED HERRING is set in 1952- Joe McCarthy is at his ultimate power in the Senate hunting down communist, the first hydrogen bomb is about to be tested in the South Pacific and General Dwight Eisenhower is bout to win the Presidency. It was quite a year. And surprisingly funny, at least a portrayed by playwright Michael Hollinger.

Against this backdrop, our play is really about falling and staying in love. Three couples, along with a supporting cast (16 characters played by six actors) try to make it to the altar while hunting down a killer, a spy and secret plans hidden in a block of Velveeta cheese.

We have just finished our first run-through after only six days of rehearsal. A run-through is the first time you perform the show from beginning to end without stopping. The cast did a wonderful job with a very complex script. We are having a great time in rehearsal, alternating laughing and working. It’s such a pleasure to come into work each day when you have such talented people around you. We are excited to get to rehearse on our set in the next few days which is a large dock unit against a 20 foot wide screen where we will project black and white images and vide to create a film noir like world. Can’t wait for you to see it!

PS. For those of you who are Fox Valley area residents, I think you’ll really enjoy the opening flm sequence we created – I’m pretty sure you’ll recognize some historial landmarks from the area. Check out my short preview video clip about it!

After joining the organization in February, I have recently reflected on the first six months and all the exciting developments with the organization.

First, the biggest success thus far was the overwhelming support of local business sponsors for the Youth Ensemble production of The Wizard of Oz. I would like to recognize the following organizations for their support: Learning Express Toys; Trademan Photography; Sylvan Learning Center; St. Charles Dental; Go West Young Mom; Town House Books & Cafe; St. Charles Park District; Tutor Doctor; Fox Valley Women & Children’s Health Partners; Peters & Associates; Fox Valley Mom; Geneva Family Dental; Tukaiz LLC; & MCC Technology ($250+ “Wizard” sponsors in bold). We raised over $2,000 from 14 local sponsors. More importantly, the show was a resounding success and 42 students’ lives were forever influenced by this arts experience!

Secondly, we are looking to expand our donor base from patrons like you. We have been fortunate to have many parents and friends of the Academy donate in the past. As people like you continue to donate and support the Academy, we ask that you write your contact information and donation amount on our new donation envelopes so that we can properly recognize and thank you.

Finally, we are planning our inaugural fundraiser for our organization! Very exciting. We are counting on our parents, relatives of the students, and our subscribers to attend this important event. This event will be held on Friday, October 22 in the New Orleans Room at the Pheasant Run Resort. Click here for more information and to purchase tickets. Thanks to our parents who have donated their time and talents to help organize this event!

On August 8, 2010, Dorothy and Toto found their way back to Kansas after a fun adventure over the rainbow to Oz in the Noble Fool Theatricals Youth Ensemble’s summer production of Wizard of Oz. One of the most well-attended youth ensemble productions we have staged yet, the Wizard of Oz cast was also very proud to raise money for our academy in the lobby during their performances.

For just $1, Wizard of Oz patrons were asked to purchase a “yellow brick” message card in which they could offer the cast & crew congratulatory messages to be displayed in the lobby. This mini-fundraiser was an attempt to raise additional funds to support the Performing Arts Academy by letting students participate in the donation process. We raised a total of $246 thanks to a matching gift by Sylvan Learning Center. We really hope the fundraiser has brought awareness to the education program and the need for community support!

We wanted to share some of the great “yellow brick” message we received through the community…and afar!

“Dear Cast- I am Camille from Laguna Niguel, CA. I am 10 years old and this is my first live theater show. All of you are great!! Love, Camille”

“Loved the show! You are ALL awesome. Keep up the good work. -The Madziarczyk Family”

“Always follow the yellow brick road using your brain, your courage, and your heart…and your dreams will come true!!!”

“We were amazed and awestruck by the super performance, singing, and dancing. Good job! -The Excells”

Wizard of Oz cast members include from Bartlett: Katie Jackovin, Payton Pinsky, Carol Stream: Katie Brazier, Lily Defino, Kyle Schwichtenberg, Kara Witkowski, Elburn: Colette Methling, Rachael Romba, Elgin: Arianna Nutile, Geneva: Natalie Carberry, Ally Carrino, Krystina DiCristofano, Haley Glover, Alana Goodrich, Carolyn Knol, Luke Knol, Ava Schumock, Cassie Steffey, Natalie White, Ashley Worline, Sidney Worline, Lombard: Nathan Dittemore, Palatine: Kevin Krejci, Saint Charles: Katie Das, Kristen Das, Erika Denker, Keira Denker, Michael Fairbanks, Allison Haab, Rachel Haab, Molly Knight, Amelia Kuhlman, Eva Saltsman, Brad Shurts, Schaumburg: Melissa Wickland, South Elgin: Colton Vine, Kayla Vine, Sugar Grove: Connor Madziarczyk, Maggie Madziarczyk, Wayne: Julia Murphy, West Chicago: Maegan Daniels, Woodstock: Joey Javan.???????½ Director is Lisle resident Helen Buck and Musical Director is Winfield resident Vickie Wagner.

Hey everyone! My name is Carolyn Knol, I’m 16 and go to Geneva High School and I am playing Nicole in this year’s NFT Academy’s summer play of FAME. But this isn’t my first show with NFT; I have also been in The Audition and the youth ensemble’s Wizard of Oz. So far everyone has been great – the cast has really gotten to know each other really well and we will all be leaving this show with a ton of new friends. The rehearsals are long but really fun, even though it has been a long process I know this show is going to pull together and be great. I really enjoy doing the plays at NFT because they are something different and give those who don’t sing a chance to be on stage and perform. I hope you guys all come out and see FAME either Friday, August 20th at 7pm or Saturday, August 21st at 2pm on the Pheasant Run Mainstage.

For more information on FAME or the NFT Performing Arts Academy, go to www.noblefool.org/education.

Each month, NFT Performing Arts Academy selects an outstanding student to be featured in the Student Spotlight of the Month. The selected student is featured in the NFT Playbill and on the blog. Our current Student Spotlight recipient is Katie Brazier!

Katie Brazier is a 15 year old resident of Carol Stream, and is a sophomore at Bartlett High School. She has been involved with Noble Fool Theatricals since 2008 when she participated in the Performing Arts Academy’s Wicked Singing Technique Class. She also participated in the very first Musical Theater dance class and Show Choir that NFT offered.

“Because of Noble Fool, I gained the confidence I needed to audition for other shows besides my school productions,” says Katie. “NFT is definitely part of the reason why I’m so confident now.”

The first youth ensemble show she ever auditioned for at Noble Fool was Godspell, in which she was cast as a Prep. Godspell holds her favorite NFT memory so far because everyone “became a family throughout the run of the show.” She then came back for the next production, Cinderella, and was cast as Vera and as well as Cinderella’s understudy. Then High School Musical 2 rolled around, and she was cast as everyone’s favorite mean girl, Sharpay Evans, in which Education Manager Tracy Whiteside deemed her performance as “nothing short of brilliant.” And just this summer, she was cast as the Wicked Witch in Wizard of Oz.

“Katie is always striving to be a better performer so it’s no wonder that Noble Fool is highlighting her in their Student Spotlight,” says NFT Music Director and local VOcal Teaching Artist Ken Jones. “In the three years I have known her, she has always progressed at an exponential rate, and her performance quality is far above that of her age group. Understanding lyrics and music, she exudes a certain realness and depth to the music she is singing.”

Being in Noble Fool’s productions has really sparked Katie’s interest in the acting and singing world, but being a directing intern for this summer’s production of Fame has also interested her. As for the future, she knows that she will always somehow be involved with theater, whether it being onstage or backstage.

“Katie has maturity and true talent,” says NFT Education Manager Tracy Whiteside. “I know she will succeed no matter what she chooses to do in the future.”

Meet Erin Gautille – a 15-year-old sophomore at St. Charles East High School. Being cast as Marie Garcy in NFT Performing Arts Academy’s summer play FAME is her debut with Noble Fool, although she has worked with many other theater companies. Acting isn’t her only talent – she sings in the choir, plays in the band and is very talented in the art of karate. Erin has taken the time to take note of the rehearsal process and share it with you. Enjoy!

July 8th: Today I am not attending rehearsal because I am in South Caroline for Karate Nationals!

July 15th: This was my FIRST rehearsal because of being going last week. I was worried that I would be behind in getting to know the cast members an that I would have missed some of the blocking. Luckily, that was not the cast. Everyone was very nice and I did not feel like the odd one out.

Jully 22nd: I have been very excited to work with Tracy Whiteside because I have heard great things about her and I am finding them to be true! It is always a very cool experience to get the opportunity to work with different directors becayse you learn different things and you get to have a new perspective on ways to do things.

July 28th: After doing this role for a few weeks I am really starting to enjoy it a lot. This has been a fun challenge for me because I have never played ‘the comedian’ before. It has been very nice to have the encouragement of both Tracy and our Assistant Director, Katie, telling me that I am doing a wonderful job portraying the character.

August 5th: Today the entire cast was supposed to do two things: be off book (lines memorized) and bring a possible costume. Tracy didn’t expect for Allie and I to be off book because of the amount of lines that we have. I was very proud of myself because I didn’t need my script and I didn’t need that much help. I think that finding costumes for a show is a lot of fun and that it helps you understand your character a lot more. I have been learning a lot about character appropriate stage business. It is helping take my character from good to awesome!

August 12th: This week no one was on top of their game so we didn’t have the best rehearsal we are capable of. I am sure it will be a lot better next week for the dress rehearsal!

Come and see Fame’s free showcase on the Pheasant Run Mainstage on Friday, August 20th at 7pm or Saturday, August 21 at 2pm. Visit www.noblefool.org/education for more information!

Erin Gautille is pictured above with fellow Fame cast members in the 3rd row, second from the right.

Fame cast members include: Aurora: Michelle Nagy, Bartlett: Natalie Hilvert, Jesse Kennelly, Batavia : Aidan Descourouez, Megan Warren, Carol Stream: Dena Buttacavoli, Ashley Mortensen, Elgin: Jessi Lewandowski, Geneva: Kendall Becker, Melanie Burkhardt, Ally Carrino, Carolyn Knol, Melanie Kohout, Michelle Rodriguez, Sara Schennum, Jenna Velisek, Glen Ellyn: Sarah Schulte, North Aurora: Ashlyn Stanton Palatine: Kyle Krejci Plano: Stirling Joyner St. Charles: Kayleigh Aleck, Lauren Farrow, Erin Gautille, Dylan O’Driscoll, Samantha Ruehle, Carissa Ward Sleepy Hollow : Tori Tellschow South Elgin : Lindsay Kostner Wayne: Justine Izewski West Chicago: Bailey Chavez, Amanda Jackson and Winfield: Megan Tennis

I just wanted to take a moment to thank the wonderful Spring academy Cinderella cast, parents, and supporters for all of their help with the Shoes for Orphan Souls shoe drive. In lieu of purchasing tickets, patrons were asked to bring shoe donations to the show, and local businesses like Wool & Company in Geneva, Learning Express in Geneva, and It’s A Girl Thing in St. Charles all served as drop-off centers as well.

It took a team to collect all of these shoes & socks! The official grand total of collections was 131 pairs of shoes, 195 pairs of socks and 4 pairs of show laces!!

As I shared with the girls last night at the Shoe Packing Party, when I went on a mission trip to Honduras a few years ago I was surprised to see many children walking around on the dirt roads without any shoes on their feet! Many children around the world have never owned a pair of shoes. It is hard for us to fathom that here in the United States, but it is true. I think we all will go to bed tonight feeling very grateful to know each other and to know that our daughters played a big role in bringing happiness to a child…all through the gift of a pair of shoes and/or socks!

Beth Conrad, Cinderella mom

Each month, NFT Performing Arts Academy selects an outstanding student to be featured in the Student Spotlight of the Month. The selected student is featured in the NFT Playbill and on the blog. Our current Student Spotlight recipients are sisters Rachel & Allison Haab and Emma Tallitsch!

Twins Rachel and Allison Haab, age 8, made their debut at age 5 in NFT Academy’s Fiddler on the Roof, while their sister Emma Tallitsch, age 7, waited eagerly for her debut later that year in The Lion King. These enthusiastic performers have been involved in the NFT program since 2008.

Some of the highlights from the 8 classes Rachel has taken include Scar in The Lion King, Mrs. Beauregard in Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, and Chip in Beauty and the Beast. She is thrilled to be involved in her first NFT Youth Ensemble production as a Munchkin in The Wizard of Oz later this summer. When asked what she likes best about performing she said, “I like playing harder roles, like being a boy, because I have to act more.” Rachel is a member of 3rd Street Dance and Theater Academy’s Junior Performing Company and in addition to performing arts, Rachel enjoys playing soccer, softball and reading.

Her twin sister Allison says, “The best part about acting is that you get to act different than who you really are.” Some of her favorite roles include the Stepmother in Cinderella, Simba in The Lion King and Liesl in The Sound of Music – and she’s sure that her upcoming role as a Munchkin in The Wizard of Oz will be the best one so far. Allison is also a member of 3rd Street Dance and Theater Academy’s Junior Performing Company and loves horseback riding, swimming and soccer.

“It’s really been nice to see them progress as they’ve taken the NFT classes. They’ve gone from performing in the 15 minute showcases to a full length youth ensemble production this summer,” said their mother, Kelly Haab-Tallitsch.

Younger sister Emma is just as enthusiastic about her performances. Her favorite role was Penny in Hairspray and when asked what she likes best about the NFT classes and showcases she said, “The dancing!” She also played Rafiki in The Lion King, Willy Wonka in Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory and a narrator in Beauty and the Beast. Her other interests include soccer, swimming and softball.

A blog by new Development Manager Scott Piner

Scott Piner (left) talks with Mayor's wife Diane DeWitte (right) and Board member's wife Kathy Hayman (center).

I laughed the most I’ve laughed in a long time this past Saturday night at the opening of Spelling Bee. What a riot! Thiswas my first opening night celebration with Noble Fool Theatricals since joining the team in mid February. In addition to the hilarious show, we had a well attended pre-show Community Leaders and Arts Advocates Meet & Greet. This was a first attempt at introducing our staff and board of directors to community leaders and professionals who Artistic Director John Gawlik and I have recently met. We could not have been more pleased with the turnout as we were honored to have Mayor Donald DeWitte, Lori Hewitt of the St. Charles Chamber of Commerce, Amy Egolf of the Convention and Visitors Bureau, arts advocate and director Ron Koeppl, Park District Commissioner Bob Thomson, and several others. The post show reception was also exceptionally prepared and sponsored by the Pheasant Run Resort.

My first few months at Noble Fool Theatricals have been exciting and challenging, but also encouraging because of the great support in the community. St. Charles is a beautiful town with great people, exceptional food & entertainment, and the most picturesque riverfront!

The leadership at Noble Fool Theatricals encourages me daily too; I am happy to have found a home with such a dedicated organization. I hope we can continue our profess to serve the Fox Valley area with outstanding programs and services that benefit the community.

Photos by Mike Smith, Photographic Services International

Mayor Donald DeWitte (right) and family (Patrick, left and Diane) with Spelling Bee actor and St. Charles resident Ian Paul Custer after the show.

NFT Artistic Director John Gawlik with the Spelling Bee cast at the post-show party hosted by Pheasant Run Resort.