Plainfield Students Star In Paramount Theatre 'Sound Of Music' Show

PLAINFIELD, IL — Two Plainfield students are entering the limelight, making their professional stage debut at Aurora's Paramount Theatre.

Plainfield East High School freshman Kara Rivera and Ira Jones Middle School sixth grader Charles Long will star as members of the von Trapp family in the theater's production of "The Sound of Music," opening Wednesday.

Rivera was cast to play Louisa, a 13-year-old who likes to play tricks on the family's governesses, while Long will play Kurt, the fourth-oldest of the von Trapp children. To prepare, the students rehearsed for up to four hours a day, six days a week for six weeks, according to Tom Herandez, the district's director of community relations.

"I am excited to be working with such a gifted and experienced cast," Rivera said, per District 202 officials.

Long echoed Rivera's sentiments about the talented cast, saying, "I love being on stage because I get to share joy with other actors and the audience."

Rivera, an alto singer, has performed in several school productions while attending Liberty Elementary School and John F. Kennedy Middle School, according to Herandez. Similarly, Long has had years of experience in the theater world as he has performed in youth and community theater since he was 5 years old.

Choir directors who work with both students had good things to say about the thespians.

Karen Blair, Ira Jones Middle School's choir director, said she is "delighted" to see Long pursue musical theater.

"Charlie is a one-of-a-kind student with an infectious energy and is a leader in our choir," Blair said.

John F. Kennedy Middle School Choir Director Stephanie Palmer, who worked with Rivera on the 2021 school production of "The Lion King" said she is not only "a talented singer and actor, but she is one of the kindest students I have had."

"The Sound of Music" will run through Jan. 15. Tickets for the 2.5-hour-long show, available online, start at $28.