Wheaton Drama's Hairspray -- Cast Members you should know

This Family friendly and extremely upbeat show follows the Exploits of Tracy Turnblad, a Pleasantly Plump teenager with big hair, a big heart, and a dream — to dance her way onto a local tv program: The Cormy Collins Show and in doing so changes her life & the lives of an entire community for the better.

Ellie Schober (Downers Grove) who plays plays our Big Hearted Girl with a Dream, and brings a lifetime of experience to the production (singing & dancing since she was 2 years old), sees many similarities and differences with her character: “Tracy and I are similar because we are both very positive and very enthusiastic”, Schober says, “However, she has so much confidence and isn’t afraid of anything, very different from me.” Schober believes that the audience of Hairspray will be very happy: “They can expect an awesome, high energy show!” Among the many talented actors joining Schober on stage are Kayla Hilliker, and Sandra Cadas.

Sandra (Glen Ellyn) who plays Velma Von Tussle — the villainess of Hairspray and chief obstacle to Tracy’s dreams, is a far cry from her character and sees very little similarities with her: “Like — Loves Stylish clothes” Cadas says, “Dislike — I don’t think I’m a B*^@H !! ” Sandra decided to audition for Hairspray for a specific aspect of performing: “I performed all throughout grammar school, high school, and college…but I wanted to get back into singing.” The production staff and Wheaton Drama are grateful that Sandra has taken time from her favorite Job — being a mother to her 11 year old son, so she could help treat the audience to a night of: “Laughter, Fun, and Enjoyment.”

Kayla (Bensenville) who plays a vital role in the ensemble, has a great deal of affection for Hairspray and for theater: “I Love the show and I knew that it would be a good fit for me”, Hilliker says, “I have been in theater since I was in kindergarten, I took a brake in college while getting my degree and I just got back into doing shows this summer.” The Hairspray production staff and Wheaton Drama are very happy to have such a enthused actress who will treat the audience to, in her own words: “Fun, Fun, Fun ! This show is full of great, fun music and has a wonderful message.”

Hairspray runs through November 20-December13. Shows on Thursday, Friday, Saturday at 8pm; Sunday at 3pm. All performances will take place at Wheaton Drama’s Playhouse 111, located at 111 N. Hale Street in downtown Wheaton. For tickets, call 630-260-1820 or visit www.wheatondrama.org.