Performing Arts bigdeal PRODUCTIONS Managed by the Buffalo Grove Park District Upcoming Performances Crescendo Show Choir Winter Showcase Join the Crescendo Show Choir for their Winter Showcase. This talented group of middle school and teen performers is excited to present their exciting and eclectic musical showcase. The theme of this year s show is Songs of the Stage and Screen, and features some of the all-time greatest music from Broadway, movies and television. Performance and ticket information will be available at bigdealproductions.org starting on December 1. For more information, please contact Lindsay Grandt at 847.850.2132 or lindsay@bgparks.org. Upcoming Auditions The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee 2018 Winter Young Adult Theater Big Deal Productions is very excited to announce auditions for our Winter Young Adult Theater presentation of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. Auditions are open to all performers in grades 7-12, and will be held on Wednesday, November 29 and Thursday, November 30 from 6-9:30 pm at the Community Arts Center. Callbacks will be held on Saturday, December 2, in late morning/early afternoon. Please prepare 32 bars of a musical theater song and bring an accompaniment CD/iPod with your song selection. Please dress comfortably and wear appropriate footwear for a dance audition. If cast in the show, there is a participation fee of $230, which includes a long-sleeve show shirt. Rehearsals for this production will be held on Monday and Wednesday evenings, and Sunday afternoons. Cast members will be responsible for securing appropriate footwear/tights/undergarments and stage make-up for the show. Performances are scheduled for February 16 thru 25. Audition appointments will be reserved online for this production beginning October 30 at bigdealproductions.org. For more information, please contact Lindsay Grandt at 847.850.2132 or lindsay@bgparks.org. Crescendo Show Choir Big Deal Productions is pleased to announce auditions for the winter/spring session of the Crescendo Show Choir! Auditions are open to all performers in grades 5-12, and will be held on Friday, January 5 from 4-7 pm at the Community Arts Center. Auditions will consist of singing and dancing. Please prepare approximately 1 minute of a musical theatre or pop song, and bring an accompaniment CD or ipod with your song selection. Performers will sing their prepared audition song individually for the production staff, and will then move on to the group dance portion of the audition, where they will be taught a short routine by the Crescendo choreographer. Please bring appropriate attire for a dance audition. If accepted into the group, a registration fee of $175 will be due for the winter session. Participants will also be required to purchase character shoes and their performance costume (costume not to exceed $50), which will be theirs to keep. The group will rehearse on Saturday mornings from 9-10:30 am starting on January 13, and occasional Friday evenings. The winter/spring session will culminate with the spring concert on June 13 and 14. For more information or to schedule your audition, please contact Lindsay Grandt at 847.850.2132 or lindsay@bgparks.org. The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee 2018 Winter Young Adult Theater Big Deal Productions is very excited to announce our Winter Young Adult Theater presentation of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. As the winner of the Tony and the Drama Desk Awards for Best Book, this show has delighted audiences across the country with its effortless wit and humor. Featuring a fast-paced, hilarious and touching story as well as a truly fresh and exciting score, this bee is one unforgettable experience. Performances will be held at Ivy Hall School on February 16, 17, 23 and 24 at 7:30 pm and February 18 and 25 at 2 pm. Tickets will be available for purchase at bigdealproductions.org starting on January 10. All tickets are $12 in advance or $15 at the door Audition Workshop - The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee Join the production staff of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee for a fun an informational workshop prior to auditions. This workshop will give you the opportunity to meet several key members of the production team, and give you the chance to learn a song from the show, as well as the audition dance in advance. We welcome all performers in grades 7-12 to participate, regardless of whether or not they re auditioning for the show. All participants must pre-register for this class. No walk-in registration will be accepted. Please contact Lindsay Grandt at 847.910.3937 or lindsay@bgparks.org for more information. Grade: 7-12 360809-09 Mon Nov 27 6:30-8:30 pm $15/$22 55
» Performing Arts BG Singers Be a part of Buffalo Grove s choral heart and soul! The BG Singers will celebrate their 26th anniversary concert in the fall of 2018, and are looking to fill vacancies for certain voice parts. Auditions will be held in late February (exact dates are TBA). If accepted into the group, the participation fee is $180, which includes a full set of choral music. Rehearsals for the chorus start on April 3, and are held on Tuesday evenings, and occasional Saturday mornings. Chorus members are responsible for the cost of securing all necessary costume items. The season will culminate with the annual concert in September. If you are interested in joining this entertaining and exciting choral group, please contact Lindsay Grandt at 847.850.2132 or lindsay@bgparks.org. Advanced Placement Theatre Company January 8 Big Deal Productions is pleased to announce auditions for our advanced acting and musical theatre classes for grades 6-12. These classes will meet either Tuesday or Thursday, depending on placement. Please prepare a monologue or 32 bars of a musical theater song, and bring an accompaniment CD/iPod with your song selection. You may also be placed in both; so, you can specify on your form at the audition if you would like to be considered for both. The half year (January to June) and a rehearsal schedule will be created after conflicts are considered. If placed in our advanced program, there is a participation fee of $375 based on your class. For more information or to sign up for your audition, please contact Jessi Hersman at 847.850.2152 or jessi@bgparks.org. Tribe: A Playback Theatre Troupe January 8 This group of highly trained young performers specializes in the art of Playback Theatre, an improvisational form of theatre in which audience or group members tell a story from their lives, and watch them enacted on the spot. We tour in the area doing this work for entertainment and therapeutic purposes. We also will work with the community to present improv workshops and more. This is a full-year commitment, available for grades 7-12. You do not need to have experience with this type of theatre to audition. At the audition, you will participate in games and activities to work together as a group as you learn the art form prior to your audition. The half year (January to June) and a rehearsal schedule will be created after conflicts are considered. If placed in our advanced program, there is a participation fee of $375 based on your class. For more information or to sign up for your audition, please contact Jessi Hersman at 847.850.2152 or jessi@ bgparks.org. Private Instruction Voice Lessons Your voice is your instrument. Discover the tools you need to develop it to its maximum potential under the expert guidance of Beryl Bellows. Voice lessons are not just for future Broadway stars and opera singers. Strengthen your vocal mechanism, breathing and confidence in your own voice. Skills learned in voice lessons can be used to offer a song as an original gift, impress your friends on Karaoke night or even improve your diction and projection for public speaking and presentations. Voice lessons are offered at a variety of days and times. Lessons are available for adults and children ages 10 and up. No previous music experience is required. For information on availability and pricing, please call Lindsay Grandt at 847.850.2132. Piano Lessons The Buffalo Grove Park District offers piano lessons at a variety of days and times. Children 6 years and older (or confident readers) and adults with all levels of experience are welcome; and, no prior instruction in piano or music is required. Students may need to purchase their own instruction books and music, typically less than $25. Please call Lindsay Grandt at 847.850.2132 for pricing information or to reserve the next available session. Private Acting Instruction Big Deal Productions is excited to offer private acting instruction for actors on a weekly basis, or in preparation for an upcoming audition. Children and adults with all levels of experience are welcome. This is a wonderful opportunity to learn more acting techniques in a one on one setting. Private Acting Instruction is offered on a variety of different days and times. Lessons are $30 for a half-hour session and $50 for a full hour session. Please call Jessi Hersman at 847.850.2152 for more information or to reserve a time for your individualized acting session. 56
Acting Academy Curtains Up: Audition Preparation Classes Big Deal Productions Academy is pleased to announce a new program that focuses on getting each student ready for their next big audition. Whether fine tuning your skill set, or joining a theatre class for the first time, these classes are a perfect fit. Learn through games and activities appropriate for each participant s age level; and, experience how to have a successful, professional and fun audition process. There will be mock auditions through out the class, or at the end of the session. For more information, please contact Jessi Hersman at 847.850.2152 or jessi@bgparks.org. No class on March 29. Audition 101 Age: 6-9 years 360832-02 Thu Jan 25 - May 3 6-7 pm $126/$157 1 On 1: Audition Training Age: 10-14 years 360832-03 Thu Jan 25 - May 3 7-8 pm $126/$157 Footlights: Improvisation Classes Join us while we learn the hilarious art of improv, through a wide variety of fun games and activities. This series of classes is perfect for students who are ready to get silly and get creative, all while building self confidence and social skills. These classes are great for beginners or professionals in the improv world. The last day of class will be open, for you to see your actor s use their skills. For more information, please contact Jessi Hersman at 847.850.2152 or jessi@bgparks.org. No class on March 31. Footlights: Improv Extravaganza Age: 7-9 years 360821-03 Sat Jan 27 - May 5 10-11 am $126/$157 Footlights: Improv Comedy Club Age: 10-13 years 360821-02 Sat Jan 27 - May 5 11 am - 12 pm $126/$157 Showbiz Kids Club Based off of our highly popular Showbiz Kids summer camp, this is the place to be for kids who are ready to be a part of a real musical performance. Each star will be cast in our musical review to be performed for friends and family the last week of class. Students will also learn about set, costumes and props as they prepare for their big show. This is your child's chance to build self confidence and be a star! There will be a showcase the last week of class. For more information, please contact Jessi Hersman at 847.850.2152 or jessi@bgparks.org. No class on March 27. Age: 5-6 years 360819-01 Tue Jan 23 - May 1 5:30-6:30 pm $126/$157 Musical Theatre Magic Based off the popular Musical Theatre Studio class, this new class is designed to embrace each individual participant as they learn dynamic and expressive acting through song and music. With games, songs and performing, they will feel like superstars, and learn the basics to help them become a triple threat in no time. There will be a showcase the last week of class. For more information, please contact Jessi Hersman at 847.850.2152 or jessi@ bgparks.org. No class on March 27. Age: 7-11 years 360820-01 Tue Jan 23 - May 1 6:30-7:30 pm $126/$157 57
» Performing Arts Acting Enthusiasts Big Deal Academy has created this class to help your budding thespian become an acting pro. Your student will use creative play, games and activities to hone in on their love for performing. Using scenes and their imaginations, they will grow into stronger actors, and have a blast. There will be a showcase the last week of class. For more information, please contact Jessi Hersman at 847.850.2152 or jessi@bgparks.org. No class on March 27. Age: 9-12 years Touring Ensembles Presented by: 360822-01 Tue Jan 23 - May 1 6:45-7:45 pm $126/$157 Adult Acting Techniques Join us, as we jump into some of your favorite scenes from plays, movies and even TV shows. We will also learn a variety of techniques to help you become a more confident actor and person. You will walk away from this class with an understanding of several different ways to connect with a script, and the art of acting. No class on March 27 and 29. (JH) Adult Improv Age: 18 years and up 310826-02 Tue Jan 23 - May 1 7:45-9 pm $189/$236 Adult Scene Study Age: 18 years and up 310826-01 Thu Jan 25 - May 3 8-9:30 pm $189/$236 BG Singers Encore! is a group of talented men and women who travel the Chicagoland area entertaining at corporate parties, benefits, libraries, festivals and retirement homes. They have performed at such events as the Arlington Million and Long Grove s Strawberry Festival, and have sung the National Anthem at both Wrigley Field and the former U.S. Cellular Field. The group has a number of programs in its repertoire, including one that features highlights from this year s BG Singers show, one that features songs from the 50s, and a holiday show during the winter months. For information on how to book this talented group for your next function, go to bgencore.org or call Bruce Bohrer at 847.394.2797. Tribe: A Playback Theatre Troupe This group of highly trained young performers specialize in the art of playback theatre - an improvisational form of theatre in which audience or group members tell a story from their lives, and watch them enacted on the spot. We tour in the area doing this work for entertainment and therapeutic purposes. We also will work with the community to present improv workshops, original scripts, winter break field trips on programming, and perform at events like Cinderella s Royal Ball children s event. This is a full-year commitment, available for students in grades 7-12, with auditions in the winter. For more information, please contact Jessi Hersman at 847.850.2152 or jessi@bgparks.org. Broadway Buddies - High School Musical, Jr. The Buffalo Grove Park District and NWSRA are pleased to offer this program for participants with disabilities that will help enhance creativity through theatre games and activities. The Broadway Buddies Class will work on a production that will be performed in May 2018. The class will meet on Tuesdays from 5:30-6:45 pm until May. To receive an application to be a buddy, please contact Jessi Hersman at jessi@bgparks.org. To register to be an actor, please contact NWSRA at 847.392.2848. 58
Giving is one of the most significant demonstrations of commitment to the community that an individual can make. If you would like to have direct involvement in the cultural enrichment of our community theatre for generations to come, please consider supporting I Heart the Arts. Donations are tax deductible. For more information or to donate, visit bgarts.org. Projects This next phase of projects that will be sponsored by the donations we receive includes renovating the multipurpose room, installing pitched, theater-style seating, a new HVAC system, and remodeling of the lobby. MULTIPURPOSE ROOM The multipurpose room will be completely remodeled to better accommodate the needs of Park District programs, as well as members of the community who rent the facility for parties and events. Improvements to the room will include a retractable divider, technology to accommodate meetings and presentations, and additional bathrooms. There will also be a new building entrance added on the north side. HVAC Due to the age of the system, as well as the lack of functionality after reconfiguring the entire building, much of the HVAC system needs to be replaced. LOBBY & CONCESSIONS The lobby area will be receiving a complete facelift, that includes new flooring and interior design, acoustical improvements, and a new concessions area. THEATER The biggest part of the project is the redesigning of the house portion of the theater. When complete, the theater will have new pitched, stadium-style seating, complete with wide aisles and approximately 350 comfortable foldout seats. We will also be relocating the control room, adding an additional entrance/exit, and upgrading the house lighting system. 59