Homewood Woman Dreams Of A Summer Musical For Community Kids

HOMEWOOD, IL — A Homewood woman is wanting to bring community musical theater to her hometown, with a dream of seeing local residents take the stage in a large musical production next summer.

Carrie Bonanotte's passion for music and the arts is evident at her nonprofit Spotlight Performance Academy, which she hopes will inspire people to support her newest brainchild: a community musical. Bonanotte is looking to organize a summer musical that can bring together the creative minds of Homewood-Flossmoor.

Bonanotte—whose academy currently offers a variety of music and acting classes to about 100 students—was supporting her students' performances in a summer musical in Oak Lawn this summer, when she realized it was something that had been missing from her own community for years.

"I went to see their show and saw that two of the leads as well as several cast members were from Homewood-Flossmoor," she told Patch. "In that moment I realized that our community has not organized a summer musical in decades. Our very talented community is traveling to other towns to experience this art form.

"I decided then and there that we need to bring this right here to HF. Musicals have a way of bringing the whole community together. From children who want to be on stage to those who are more comfortable in the roles of lighting/sound technicians or stage managers, there is something for every child."

Bonanotte envisions running the musical like a summer camp, with spots for roughly 60 participants who will attend every day for four weeks, and the musical being the culmination of their hard work. Her goal is to raise enough funds for the concept that it will be tuition-free for all attendees, she said.

"This is a lofty goal as musicals are very expensive to produce well," she said. "That is why we are calling on our community to support this goal, and in turn, support the children of HF."

She has set an initial goal of $35,000, and is starting early to allow plenty of time for support to grow. She has a specific show in mind, but is keeping it confidential until she's more certain that this can come to fruition. So much of that will depend on support from the community.

"We are seeking donations from community members and local businesses to help us reach our goal," she said. "Businesses will receive major marketing opportunities on social media, in our programs, and on each cast member's T-shirt. Everyone donating will be recognized in our programs."

Bonanotte wants to give the artistic and musically driven children of Homewood-Flossmoor a place to nurture their unique passions. Classes and rehearsals are held at the Homewood Science Center, 18022 Dixie Hwy.

"Every kid needs something different," she said. "Some kids have the need to put a ball through a hoop, and some kids have the need to dance on stage in front of people.

"No mater what their desire for expression is, they should have that. They should have that opportunity. All people thrive when they have that niche. It’s my goal to provide that for performing arts kids."

Anyone interested in donating can visit the Spotlight Performance Academy website and click on Donate/Tuition Assistance.