Cast Members of Noble Fool's CINDERELLA Reach Out To Kids

"If one shoe changed Cinderella's life, imagine what a pair of shoes could do!" The slogan on the flyers handed out to family and friends, hints at how a group of local 6 to 9 year-old kids are turning their time in the spotlight into an opportunity to help other kids.

The cast of NFT Performing Arts Academy's Spring Musical will be performing an hour-long adaptation of the Rodgers and Hammerstein's classic musical Cinderella on the Pheasant Run Resort's Mainstage. Along with preparing for the show, the kids are busy collecting shoes, socks and shoelaces for the 10th annual Shoes for Orphan Souls shoe drive. "At the end of our play, Cinderella tries on a shoe, and her whole life changes," says NFT student Allison Haab, 8, of St. Charles. "By collecting shoes for kids who don't have any, we can change their life!"

Since 1999, the Shoes for Orphan Souls shoe drive has sent more than 1.9 million pairs of new shoes to at-risk children in the United States and in more than 68 other countries around the globe."We have seen the smiles that a new pair of shoes brings to children in the orphanages we visit, and we want to extend that same joy to others like them," said Rachel Garton, director of Shoes for Orphan Souls. "Because of the NFT Academy students' participation in this program, we can continue to increase the number of kids who will benefit."

"Millions of children reside in orphanages throughout our world," Garton said, "and those orphanages are not receiving enough money to care for the children's most basic needs, like shoes and socks."

Three local businesses are partnering with the kids to serve as drop-off locations for donations of new shoes, socks and shoelaces. "If someone can't come to the performance, they can still help by bringing shoes to one of the stores with the drop box," said NFT student Rachel Haab, 8, of St. Charles. Drop boxes are available at Learning Express, 3865 E. Main Street, St. Charles and 610 Commons Drive in Geneva, Wool & Company, 23 S. 3rd Street in Geneva and It's a Girl Thing, 618 W. State Street in Geneva. Drop boxes will be available during their normal business hours now through Sunday, May 16. All types of NEW shoes are accepted; however, the greatest need is tennis/athletic type shoes because they last longer and protect the child's feet, which betters the health of the child.

Cinderella cast members include from Aurora: Leah Seng Geneva: Emma Conrad and Kaia Ebel South Elgin: Camille Lamkin St. Charles: Katie Das, Kristen Das, Kathryn Dybas, Allison Haab, Rachel Haab, Amelia Kuhlman and Bethany Paris Sugar Grove: Isabella Ford and Maggie Madziarczyk. Director is Tracy Whiteside of St. Charles.

Admission to the Cinderella performance is free, but the cast will be accepting donations of new shoes, socks or shoelaces at the door. Additionally, as a non-profit organization, the NFT Performing Arts Academy accepts cash donations in lieu of admission to provide scholarships to local children who would not otherwise be able to participate in their programs.

The Noble Fool Theatricals Performing Arts Academy features some of the Chicago area's most respected teachers, directors, actors and musicians. Classes are available for children, teens and adults. For more information, visit www.noblefool.org/education or call 630-364-0550.

Cinderella will be presented Sunday, May 16 and Monday May 17 at 6:30 pm on the Pheasant Run Resort Mainstage. Admission is free.

Ample free parking and valet services are available at Pheasant Run Resort, located at 4051 E. Main St., St. Charles, IL.

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