Theatre Department Staff

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

Instructors

Wendy Avon
Kate Black
Chris Kostuchowski

Announcements:

The 2019-2020 Wilmette Children's Theatre Season has been announced! Find more information on the season and auditions on Children's Theatre tab below.

  • 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.

    Kate Black is a freelance stage manager living in Chicago Illinois. She stage manages for Wilmette Children's Theater and co-teaches the Technical Theater class. She holds a BFA in Stage Management from Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University. Before moving to Chicago, Kate lived in and worked in New York City.

    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.

    Becca Jeffords is a lighting designer for theatre, dance, concerts and other live events. She is based out of Chicago, but works nationally. Some credits include designs at Cherry Lane Theatre (NYC), The New York Fringe Festival, Chicago Children's Theatre, Raven Theatre, About Face Theatre, Porchlight Music Theatre, Redmoon and Steppenwolf. In addition to designing Becca has taught at universities across the country, including Northwestern University, Wheaton College, Grinnell College, and Georgia State University. For more information on her work please visit www.beccajeffords.com.

    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.

  • Children's Theater

    Announcing the 2019-2020 WCT Season...A season of well-intended mischief!

    Fall 2019 Children's Production: ELF THE MUSICAL Jr
    First rehearsal and Parent Meeting: 9/17/19
    Show dates are 11/8/19 - 11/17/19 (8 shows total)
    Tickets for ELF THE MUSICAL Jr will go on sale 10/11/19

    Winter 2020 Mini Children's Production: HOW I BECAME A PIRATE Younger@Part
    Audition appointments requests will be accepted starting 9/15/19 via email
    General Auditions: 9/29/19
    Parent Meeting: 11/9/19
    First Rehearsal: 11/9/19
    Show dates are 1/31/20 - 2/9/20 (6 shows total)

    Spring 2020 Children's Production: FREAKY FRIDAY One Act Edition
    Audition appointments requests will be accepted starting via email 12/2/19
    General Auditions: 12/16 and 12/17
    Callbacks: 12/18
    Parent Meeting: 1/7/20
    First Rehearsal: 1/7/20
    Show dates are 3/6/20 - 3/15/20(8 shows total)

    Spring 2020 Mini Children's Production: MISS NELSON IS MISSING Younger@Part
    Audition appointments requests will be accepted starting 1/11/20 via email
    General Auditions: 1/25/20
    Parent Meeting: 3/2/20
    First Rehearsal: 3/2/20
    Show dates are 4/24/20 - 5/3/20 (6 shows total)

    ELF JR and FREAKY FRIDAY One Act edition are presented through special arrangements with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.MTIShows.com HOW I BECAME A PIRATE Younger@Part and MISS NELSON IS MISSING! Younger@Part are presented through special arrangements with and all authorized production materials are supplied by Theatrical Rights Worldwide, 1180 Avenue of the Americas, Suite 640, New York, NY 10036. www.theatricalrights.com

  • 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. For questions or concerns, contact Director Wendy Avon at wavon@wilpark.org.

    Auditions for the 2019-2020 season will be held October 14. For more information, contact Wendy Avon at wavon@wilpark.org.