Wheaton Student to Perform as 'Professor Porter' in Disney's Tarzan Musical

Written by Shawn Eident

Peyton Ebel, an 18 year-old senior from Wheaton will be performing in his graduating role with Spotlight Aurora this weekend. Peyton takes on the role of Professor Porter in Spotlight Aurora’s production of “Tarzan”. Professor Porter has always had an interest in gorillas and his passion for them is one he shares with Jane- his daughter. As they find themselves in undiscovered territory, they come upon a tribe of gorillas in the jungle. They are both ecstatic over the discovery and try to make contact with the gorillas. The story unfolds from there as their lives become entwined with Tarzan’s.

Peyton is just an all around great guy. He is very personable and easy to talk with. When asking how he became involved with Spotlight he said that there was this one director... Rachel Waterman. Rachel had told him about a show going on called School House Rock. He went to see the show, liked what he saw, and tried out for the next production which was Narnia. Payton was cast as one of the lead roles- Edmund, and he’s been involved with Spotlight ever since that time. When asked what his favorite show was, he said there were a few. Narnia because it was his first show. Next, Beauty and The Beast in which he played the very fun role of Lefue, which was also his most favorite role to play because he could just be goofy. And last,

Godspell, in which he played John The Baptist. Peyton says that Godspell was the show that had the greatest impact on him. It was God centered, powerful, and he loved the clear message of Christ that was delivered on stage.
By being involved with Spotlight, Peyton has gained many things: an open heart for God, confidence, an increased ability to perform on stage, and a wonderful community of friends. When asked who has made the greatest impact on his life, he shared with me that it was Ryan Drendel. A very good friend of his that he first became friends with in the show of Narnia. And it’s funny, because for a very long time, I would see these guys perform on stage, along with another good friend of theirs- Brian Barker, and I could never figure out who was who. They all kind of looked and acted the same to me! Well, now that I know each of them a little bit better, I can figure out who is who, but they all have many of the same qualities. A love for theater, a great personality, a willingness to help whenever needed, and a love for the Lord.

Please join us as Spotlight Youth Theater present, Disney’s Tarzan, based on the epic animated adventure of Edgar Rice Burrough’s novel, Tarzan of the Apes. A shipwreck leaves an infant orphaned on the West African shore. The helpless baby is taken under the protection of a gorilla tribe and becomes part of their family. When he eventually encounters his first human – Jane Porter, a curious young explorer – both their worlds are transformed forever. Disney’s Tarzan is full of high-flying excitement and heart-pumping music that will be an unforgettable experience for the whole family!

WHEN: May 15th – May 17th

• Friday, May 15th – 7:00pm
• Saturday, May 16th – 2:00pm
• Saturday, May 16th – 6:00pm
• Sunday, May 17th – 3:00pm

WHERE: Batavia Fine Arts Centre, 1201 Main Street (entrance off of Wilson), Batavia, IL

TICKETS: 847-516-2298 or visit www.spotlight.org $9-$12 presale, + $2 at the door
Group, child, and senior prices available

WHO: Spotlight Youth Theater is a non-profit, educational theater arts program for students 5-18 in the Aurora, Cook, DuPage, Kane, Kenosha, Lake, McHenry, Milwaukee, Oak Park, Orland Park, Rockford Metro, and Shorewood areas and has approximately 6,000 students per year. Each area offers summer camps and after-school classes in dance, voice, drama and theatrical specialties, and performs three fully staged musical productions per year. Spotlight is non- discriminatory and welcomes all children.