Fox Valley Rep Teens Showcase their Backstage Antics In NOISES OFF

Fox Valley Repertory Performing Arts Academy's teen students are putting on a hilarious yet charming glimpse into the drama behind the dramas. Noises Off is filled with an energetic group of comical young actors portraying an eclectic "cast of characters" making up this quick witted show.

Admission to the showcase is free, but cash donations are requested for our 'Voices On' partnership with VSA, the International Organization on Arts and Disability. This organization celebrates the power the arts have made in the lives of individuals with disabilities. Patrons' contributions will benefit the 'Voices On' campaign as well as the FVR Student Scholarship Campaign, helping young people further their knowledge and experience in the arts right here in the Fox Valley.

The show includes 9 up and coming teen actors who have been working for the last 5 weeks perfecting this clever behind-the-scenes look at the rehearsals leading up to a show. The acts involved in this "play within a play" farce include slapstick comedy, characters that often forget their lines, cues that are missed - all while managing to keep themselves composed. Audiences will enjoy a good hardy laugh.

Delaney Carani, 15, of St. Charles plays BeLinda Blair, a good-hearted busybody who is always positive, and positively knows all the gossip of the company. Carani states, "I have learned so much from being part of this unique cast; most notably, to continue to act even though I just finished my line." Carani adds, "the cast is great, and we all got along right from the start."

St. Charles resident Kayleigh Aleck, portrays Laura Dallas, the passionate director who is extremely harried and at times hot-tempered. She is stressed and concerned because her show is about to open, and it is not going well. Kayleigh tells us that "the show is a lot of fun, it is a really great cast, and even though the cast is small, we all get along really well. I'm learning how to improve my comedic timing and how to make it sharper. I find it so beneficial to be involved in this performance, I love theatre and being on stage is where I feel I belong."

Another actor, Katie Jackovin, 13, of Bartlett, plays Sheila Mowbray - the cheerful and forgetful member of the cast. This character is forgetting lines, missing entrances and essentially requires the help of the entire group to get it together. Katie says, "I am having fun because Director Tracy Whiteside is so nice and so is the cast. I am learning a lot about stage direction - props and how to take care of the costumes. Being a part of this experience is beneficial to me because the show has a variety of stage directions and what I am learning here, I can take with me and use in other shows."

Noises Off cast members include: Bartlett: Katie Jackovin, Geneva: Ally Carrino, Batavia: Kelsey Skomer, Drake Swift, Jim Tracy, Bloomingdale: Faith Weitzner, Wheaton: Haylee Sippel, St. Charles: Kayleigh Aleck, Delaney Carani, and Intern Carolyn Knol of Geneva. Director is Tracy Whiteside of St. Charles.

Noises Off will be presented on Thursday, August 4 at 8pm and Saturday, August 6 at 3pm on the Pheasant Run Resort Mainstage. Admission is free.

The Fox Valley Repertory Performing Arts Academy features some of the Chicago area's most respected teachers, directors, actors and musicians. Classes are available for ages 3-19. For more information, visit www.foxvalleyrep.org/education or call 630-364-0550.

This program is partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency, and is sponsored in part by Kane County Chronicle.

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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