Sleeping Beauty Cast Helps Local Children Sleep Beauti-fully

The anticipation and excitement was evident in the Mainstage Theater Lobby at Pheasant Run Resort this past weekend. As everyone anxiously waited for the doors of the auditorium to open, children and adults gathered around the donation bins. Those in attendance knew they were going to see a wonderful performance of Sleeping Beauty, but they also knew that they were a part of something much bigger.

The Noble Fool Theatricals Performing Arts Academy's Sleeping Beauty cast collected donations of sleepwear and stuffed animals in lieu of an admission fee to the show. Some of the youngest "princes" and "princesses" in attendance were the most eager to place their donations of sleepwear and stuffed animals in the donation bins. Watching parents lift their children up to the table so their children could place their donations in the bins was a heartwarming reminder that we can all make a difference if we work together. As the crowd grew, the donations bins overflowed. Everyone's generosity was overwhelming.

Many children in Kane and DuPage counties will be "Sleeping Beauti-fully" this winter because of the generosity of those who donated items toward this cause. In just two performances, the cast of 6 to 9 year olds collected 139 pairs of pajamas, 77 pairs of pajama socks/slippers and 112 stuffed animals. The donations will benefit local children in need served by Humanitarian Service Project based in Carol Stream.

The show was directed by Tracy Whiteside, Education Manager for NFT Performing Arts Academy. Sleeping Beauty cast members include from Aurora: Leah Seng Bartlett: Justine Ferrer Batavia: Caden Bohmer Geneva: Tessa Balc, Emma Conrad, Kayla DeBora and Kaia Ebel North Aurora: Sydney Poss South Elgin: Camille Lamkin St. Charles: Katie Das, Kristen Das, Erika Denker, Keira Denker, Kathryn Dybas, Emily Johns, Bethany Paris, Melina Paris and Eva Saltsman Sugar Grove: Isabella Ford and Maggie Madziarczyk.

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 and teens, ages 3-19. Late Fall Classes begin in November. For more information, visit www.noblefool.org/education or call 630-364-0550.

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