DES PLAINES, IL — Oakton College is inviting the community back for a fall season packed with theater, live music, student performances and special events at its Des Plaines and Skokie campuses.
The schedule begins in September and runs through December, with events ranging from a staged reading marking the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks to a two-day guitar festival, student playwriting showcase, jazz concert and improv performance.
"From stories that move us to music that brings us together, there's something special about experiencing the performing arts in-person," said Bob Gynn, chair and distinguished professor of Oakton's Speech, Theater and Performing Arts Center.
The season begins with "Tribute 9/11: Ordinary People, Remarkable Stories," a staged reading written by Donna Kaz and directed by Mary Ringstad-Gagliano.
Performances are scheduled for 12:30 p.m. Sept. 10, 6 p.m. Sept. 11 and Sept. 12, and 2 p.m. Sept. 13.
The production brings together the firsthand experiences of 10 people affected by the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, including family members who lost loved ones, survivors of both towers, a retired New York City firefighter and people who assisted in rescue and recovery efforts.
Admission is free. Performances are planned for the courtyard at Oakton's Des Plaines campus, 1600 E. Golf Road, with Studio One Theater serving as the rain location.
Oakton's seventh annual Guitar Festival is scheduled for Oct. 9-10 and will feature Randy Roos, Sheryl Bailey, Joe Lo Piccolo and Richard Gilewitz.
Free workshops will be held before evening concerts both days, and participants are invited to bring their own guitars.
Concert admission is $12 for general admission and $10 for students and seniors. Workshop attendees can attend the concerts for free.
Oakton will also host "Chiune: Visas for Life," a traditional Japanese Noh production based on the true story of Sugihara Chiune, a diplomat who helped thousands of Jews escape Europe during World War II by issuing transit visas.
A free lecture and demonstration is scheduled from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Oct. 22, followed by performances at 7 p.m. Oct. 23 and 2 p.m. Oct. 24 at the Footlik Theater on the Des Plaines campus.
General admission for the performances is $15, with student and senior tickets priced at $10.
The 17th annual Play On Student Playwriting Festival is scheduled for Nov. 20-22 and will feature works by community college students from Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin.
Performances are set for 7:30 p.m. Nov. 20-21 and 2 p.m. Nov. 22 at Studio One Theater. Proceeds benefit Oakton performing arts students.
Another staged reading, "Dear Rhoda," will be presented at 7 p.m. Nov. 10, at Oakton's Ray Hartstein Campus in Skokie.
The production, presented by The Shakespeare Project of Chicago, is based on a collection of letters chronicling a long-distance relationship in 1920s Chicago amid political persecution, bigotry and the city's bohemian culture.
Admission is free.
Oakton will close out the semester with a series of concerts and student performances.
The Oakton Choir will present "The Forces of Nature" at 8 p.m. Dec. 3, followed by the Oakton Jazz Ensemble's "Jazz Invasion" at 8 p.m. Dec. 4.
OMG Improv, Oakton's student improvisational comedy group, performs at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 5.
The Oakton String Ensemble will present "Winter Dreams" at 8 p.m. Dec. 7, featuring works by Mozart, Tchaikovsky, Bartok and Barber along with holiday music.
The Speaker Showcase follows at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 8, featuring selected student presentations from public speaking courses.
The Oakton Guitar Ensemble closes the announced schedule at 8 p.m. Dec. 9, with a program spanning classical music, jazz, rock and international styles.
Tickets and additional information are available through Oakton's box office or by calling 847-635-1900.
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