The Theater Department offers acting classes for children and adults along with community theater performance experiences for adults and children. A summer musical is performed outdoors as part of the Starlight Theatre series in the Wallace Bowl at Gillson Park.

All production-related questions should be directed to Alison Dornheggen. Questions regarding theater classes should be directed to Julie Nichols at 847-920-3927.

Artistic Director of Theater
Alison Dornheggen
p: 847-256-9694
Email: adornheggen@wilpark.org

Announcements:

Nutcracker Featured Dancer and Actor Auditions on September 24. For more information, email Wendy Avon at wavon@wilpark.org

  • Theater Department Staff

    Wendy Avon has been teaching performing arts to children for more than 15 years. She is a graduate of Columbia College, where she studied theater and dance. She has acted in Chicago theatrical productions, professional films and commercials.

    Alison Dornheggen has been working in the Chicago theatre community as an actor, director, fight choreographer and administrator for the past 15 years. She is a graduate of Columbia College Chicago, where she majored in Acting and Directing. In 2008, she took a hiatus from Chicago to become the Graduate Theatre Fellow for the Arts Management program at American University in Washington, DC. She has worked with the Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, Oak Park Festival Theater, Caffeine Theatre, Steep Theatre Company, Buffalo Theatre Ensemble, Women's Theatre Alliance, 20% Theatre Company, The Factory Theater and greasy joan & co. She currently is an ensemble member, as well as marketing and development coordinator, for Babes With Blades Theatre Company, a female based theatre company which specializes in the art of stage combat.

    Christine Kostuchowski received her bachelor's degree in Speech and Performing Arts from Northeastern Illinois University. She has appeared in local community theater productions and has an extensive background in technical theater as a director, costumer, stage manager, and make-up consultant.

    Kate Black

    Becca Jeffords

  • Children's Theater

    Children's Theater is designed to provide a live theater experience for participants and the audience.

    • The Fall and Spring productions are open to Regular WCT - children in Grades 4-10
    • The Winter production is open to WCT Minis - children in Grades 1-3

    Auditions

    The auditions for the WCT's production of THE ADDAMS FAMILY young@part have concluded and the show has been cast.

    The auditions for BIG The Musical TYA have concluded, but there will be additional auditions held for the role of YOUNG JOSH only. Please see the description below.

    Young Josh Baskin: Teenager; Lacking confidence and self-esteem, he yearns to become older. Gender: Male identified; Vocal range: F3 - F5. Must be in 8th grade or older to audition. Specific audition date, TBD. For additional information about the audition, please email auditions@wilpark.org:

    Upcoming Auditions:

    ACTOR auditions for THE NUTCRACKER will be held on Sunday, September 24th. These auditions are for actors ages 7 and older. (Children ages 4-6 are eligible to participate in the production via classes called NUTCRACKER ACTING PROGRAM)

    The Minis Division of the WCT will be producing TWO shows this season, SEUSSICAL KIDS (February 2018) and THE ARISTOCAT KIDS (April 2018). Please note these productions are open to children in grades 1st - 3rd ONLY. Auditions for BOTH productions of the 2017-2018 season on Sunday, October 22nd. Auditions are by appointment only, and appointments can be made by emailing auditions@wilpark.org starting October 9th. Times of the audition are currently TBD, but additional information and instructions, including what an actor will need to prepare, will be included in the audition confirmation email.

    The WCT will hold auditions for the spring production of LEGALLY BLONDE Jr. on December 16th, times TBD. Auditions are by appointment only, and appointments can be made by emailing auditions@wilpark.org starting November 27th. Additional information and instructions, including what an actor will need to prepare, will be included in the audition confirmation email.

    All auditions are by appointments, please email the following information to auditions@wilpark.org

    • Your child's name
    • Grade he or she will be entering this school year
    • Preference of morning or afternoon time slot
    • If your child has previous audition experience or not. (it isn't a problem if he or she does not!)

  • Adult Community Theater

    Adult Theatre Programming is now open to teens entering freshman year in high school and older.

    Auditions for Big (TYA) have concluded and we look forward to seeing you at the show! To purchase tickets for the November 3-12 performance, click here!

    For more information, contact Artistic Director of Theatre, Alison Dornheggen at adornheggen@wilpark.org or 847-256-9694

  • Wilmette Improv Troupes

    The Wilmette Improv Troupes are designed for students ages 9 and up, and are directed by acclaimed Wilmette Children's Theater Director, Wendy Avon. Students will master the craft of improvisation and show off their skills with a variety of performing opportunities both in house and in the community. Troupe members will have the pleasure of performing improv games designed to build self-confidence, as well as improve their audition and acting skills. Ten performances are scheduled for the season.

    Auditions for the Wilmette Improv Troupes will be held on October 9th. Students are asked to perform a one-minute contemporary monologue to audition - original monologues welcome. To schedule an audition time on October 9th, please email Wendy Avon, Director, at wavon@wilpark.org.