Young Cast Members Collect Donations for Mooseheart

The classic tale of Annie brings to mind images of young children and their hope for a brighter future. Who can forget Annie's song about tomorrow and the joy and cheer it has brought to countless people young and old alike? The young cast of FVR Performing Arts Academy (ages 6-11) will be performing a the musical Annie on the Pheasant Run Resort Mainstage. These young performers have decided to use their time in the spotlight to help local children living at Mooseheart, a residential childcare facility located near Batavia.

Admission to the performance of Annie is free, but the cast will be accepting donations for Mooseheart. Donations of new toiletries would be greatly appreciated including the following items: toothbrushes, toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, shaving cream, laundry detergent and dryer sheets.Donations will be collected at the shows. Additionally, as a non-profit organization, the FVR 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.

MOOSEHEART CHILD CITY & SCHOOL is a community and school for children and teens in need, located on a 1,000-acre campus near Batavia. Over its 97-year history, Mooseheart has been home to nearly 12,000 young people, ranging in age from infancy through high school. For more information about Mooseheart you can visit their website at Mooseheart.org.

Cast member Sydney Poss of North Aurora, who plays Miss Hannigan, says "I think it is great that people can come to see us perform and donate supplies to Mooseheart at the same time. This is my third musical with Fox Valley Repertory and I have the best time performing and meeting other kids interested in theater."

Education Manager, Tracy Whiteside of St. Charles, has been teaching and directing kids at FVR since 2006. "Our program has been growing so quickly we have double-cast the leads and added 2 more performances. Annie is a universal favorite, so we are all excited to be presenting it to the community free of charge! Watch our website for upcoming auditions forAlice in Wonderland and All Shook Up."

Cast member and Geneva resident, Kaia Ebel, is thrilled to be part of another Fox Valley Repertory production. "When I found out I was Annie, I screamed and jumped for joy", says Kaia. "We are so lucky to have such a great children's theater program in the Fox Valley area," says Letty Ebel of Geneva, Kaia's mother.

North Aurora resident Rece Komorn, who plays Daddy Warbucks adds, "Performing and acting is one of my favorite things to do because I get to meet new friends, play different roles and learn choreography. Plus I get to entertain the audience!"

Annie cast members include: Bartlett: Willow Apponi, Amanda King, Madelynn Calbeck, Alexa Garcia, Madeline Hotham, Anna Laurich, Elburn: Colette Methling, Morgan Miller, Elmhurst: Katharine Bartosz, Geneva: Alyson Carter-Tang, Nathan Castagna, Kaia Ebel, Erin Hurley, Jessica Lamplough, Sophie Nunez, Hanover Park: Hayley Troyan, North Aurora: Rece Komorn, Sydney Poss, Plainfield: Brenna D'Amico, South Elgin: Carolyn Calbeck, Christina Calbeck, Robert Keldani, St Charles: Madigan Boborci, Kaitlyn Crowell, Samantha Marlowe, Catherine Woelffer, Elgin: Ceci Yasell, West Chicago: Paige Cannata, Woodridge: Sarah Rogoz.

Annie will be presented on Tuesday, August 2nd at 7pm, Wednesday, August 3rd at 7pm and on Saturday, August 6th at 11am and 1pm 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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