Oak Park Students Perform at National Theater Festival

Submitted by Gwendolyn Brooks Middle School.

The nationally noted performing arts program at Gwendolyn Brooks Middle School, BRAVO!, sent 40 students to perform on Saturday, May 9 at a national theater conference in Chicago. The One Theatre World Conference was hosted by Theatre for Young Audiences/USA (TYA/USA), a national organization devoted to promoting professional theater for young people across cultural and international boundaries.

The Oak Park students presented four numbers from “James and the Giant Peach” and “A Christmas Story” on Saturday afternoon, May 9 at the Theater School of DePaul University. BRAVO! was selected to perform alongside Tony-nominated writer Benj Pasek and librettist for “James and the Giant Peach” Tim McDonald. Pasek and McDonald will host a discussion about their writing process and a Q & A session with the audience.

“This cast of students are absolutely dedicated and passionate about musical theater. To be asked to perform alongside Benj Pasek and Tim McDonald is an immense honor for our program and students,” said BRAVO! Director Tina Reynolds explained. In addition to Ms. Reynolds, the BRAVO! team includes musical director Cameron Burgess and costume and hair designer Lisa Morrow.

Students representing School District 97, the Oak Park community and the award-winning, nationally recognized BRAVO! program included: Simon Boyle, Thomas Brandstrader, Armando Carlo, Magnolia Chesney, Claire Cooke, Shalyn Dixon, Joshua Czuba, Collette Donlin, Lily Doody, Maeve Doody, Cait Egan, Montgomery Ellwanger, Tait Ferguson, Carson Flemming, Anna Freivogel, Ethan Gilbert, Noah Goin, Max Halle-Podell, Meenah Harbaugh, Quentin Harlan, Andrew Inksetter, Charlie Inkstetter, Jazmyne Jones, Andrew Krueger, Madeleine Lebovitz, Aidan Lenehan, Liam Loughran, Leah Love, Claire Mack, Olivia Marmer, Gina Montalvo, Paul Obrecht, Lua Powers, Abby Pridmore, Spencer Reisig, Veronica Rooney, Lucia Rodriguez-Nelson, Camille Scibek, William Skubish, Henry Tamondong, Morgan Varnado, and Caroline Wolter.

BRAVO! is open to all students and welcomes children from the entire community to its annual Bravo Summer Performing Arts Academy. Under the artistic direction of Tina Reynolds, over 500 students participate in the eight theater productions produced each year.

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