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Health & Fitness

Drama Group Presents 'A Chicago Fairy Tale'

The story of Cinderella with a few twists. A unique and entertaining tale.

Imagine Cinderella and Prince Charming living in the 1920’s, throw in a few gangsters, tell the tale through a live radio broadcast and the audience is assured a very unique and entertaining afternoon. Western DuPage Special Recreation Association’s (WDSRA) drama group, TROOP Drama, invites everyone to their spring performance of A Chicago Fairy Tale. This original script is based on the traditional Cinderella story that we all know with a few twists.

Saturday, March 23rd

2:30-4:30pm

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Wheaton Park District Community Center

1777 S. Blanchard Rd., Wheaton

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Open to the public

Admission is $1 at the door

TROOP is the Theater Recreation Outreach Opportunity Program offered through WDSRA for individuals with special needs since 1990.  The group is led and directed by Illinois Valley Community College instructor Norm Engstrom.

More than twenty years ago, WDSRA was approached with an idea to bring the magic of the full theater experience to the special needs population. The very first production, Rumplestiltskin, was long on narration, short on scenes, and had several prompters feeding lines. Engstrom was one of the founders and the director. The show was a hit and TROOP was on its way to a 20+ year run.

Over the years, things have changed. The narrations have gotten shorter, the scenes have gotten longer, there is only one prompter, and many dedicated volunteers make this production possible. With more than 40 performances, Engstrom is still directing.

The program centers on the participants and not the performance or the audience. Engstrom finds a way to involve everyone who signs up. He makes sure that they are able to contribute in any way they are comfortable.

Volunteers Sue Novicki, Shar Mulcahey, Laura Plemich, Robin Cadena, and Sienna Crosby are steadfast partners working diligently on all aspects of this production including costumes, scenery, props, and working with the actors throughout the season to make this one of WDSRA’s featured events.

WDSRA serves children, teens and adults with special needs through programs, trips, special events, and inclusion services each year. WDSRA is a nationally acclaimed organization and a cooperative extension of nine park districts including Bloomingdale, Carol Stream, Glen Ellyn, Naperville, Roselle, Warrenville, West Chicago, Wheaton, and Winfield.  

For more information on TROOP Drama, contact Kurt Hinterkopf, WDSRA program supervisor, at 630-681-0962 ext 560. For more information about Western DuPage Special Recreation Association, visit www.wdsra.com.

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