Advance Musical Theatre
Mainstage Productions
A recent graduate of Millikin University, Jenny, was last seen as Rita La-Porta in Stage 48’s production of “Lucky Stiff.” On her way to perusing a professional career in acting, Jenny found The Wishing Star Theatre and hasn’t left since. Jenny teaches Advanced Musical Theatre and a handful of other classes.
Hand Drumming
Helen Bond is a performer, percussionist, educator and storyteller. She is the founder and owner of Medusa's Musical Mysteries (www.medusadrums.com), and co-founder of the Performance Ensemble Diamana Diya and the charitable Benkadi Project. Helen has traveled to Guinea, West Africa over the past five years where she lives among the Malinke people. While there, she studies under world-renowned musician Famoudou Konate, grand master of the djembe drum and its orchestra (bass drums-dununs). Helen spends her time learning traditional music, dance, songs and the local culture of Guinea.
Acting, Improv, Summer Camp
Michael holds his B.S. in Elementary Ed. from Illinois State University, and in 1997 was the recipient of the Walmart Teacher of the Year award. Michael holds an MA in teacher leadership from North Park University and has been teaching Drama and Communications at Mead Junior High School in Schaumburg for the past seven years, where he currently advises the drama and improvisation clubs. Michael has been trained in improvisation from the Second City training facility in Arlington Heights.
Summer Camp
Christi holds a BA in Theatre Arts from Barat College in Lake Forest. Currently she is the Theatre Arts teacher at DeerPath Middle School in Lake Forest where she produces and directs all the main stage shows in addition to all of her classes. Christi’s wide experience in theatre has taken her on and off stage in many performance roles form Little Shop of Horrors to Harvey! She has worked with theatre in the area such as Bowen Park, and Stage Two. Christi is an actor, director, costumer and set designer and in her “spare” time a mother to her three children.
Preschool, Studio Theatre
Dee has been performing since she was a small child, with an extensive dance and choral background. She began her studies with a Musical Theatre major at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville , but due to a logical mind and a interest not to starve, ended up graduating with a degree in Communications. Dee has performed in many shows with some well known artists who have gone on to Broadway and originated roles in shows like “The Full Monty”.
Mainstage Productions
Musical Theatre
Linda has been performing, directing and teaching theatre for over 20 years. She began her undergraduate training in Communications and Performing Arts at Marquette University and has continued formal training in Improv, Voice, Stage Combat, dance & choreography. As owner of The Wishing Star Theatre, Linda believes that every student, whether 5 or 50, deserves the opportunity to freely express themselves in a safe and comfortable environment. Linda lives in Libertyville with her husband Scotty and 4 children, Charlie, Logan, Christian and Wesley.
Private Acting Coach
Kymberly holds an MFA in performance from DePaul University and a BFA in Musical/Dance/Theatre from Brigham Young University. She is currently working in the Chicagoland are as a professional actor. Kym is a recipient of the Joseph Jefferson Award for Best Actress, an After Dark Award, and a Sun Times Chicagoan of the year in 2003. Kymberly teaches at The Theatre School at DePaul University and has worked on the stages of Steppenwolf Theatre, Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, Court Theatre , Writers Theatre and Ravinia. She has also performed in numerous independent films, commercials and voice-overs.
Music Director
Voice Lessons-Coaching
Kristin is a graduate of the University of Illinois. She is the choral director at Round Lake High School where she has been the vocal director/ accompanist for such shows as “Annie Get Your Gun” and “The Me Nobody Knows.” She has also accompanied and Musical Directed “Lucky Stiff” and “Sleepy Hollow” for Stage 48. Some of her onstage productions include; “Jesus Christ Superstar,” “Children of Eden,” and “The Music Man.”
Broadway Dance, Studio Theatre
Musical Theatre
Erin has been teaching, directing, and choreographing for children's theatre as long as she can remember. Even longer than that is her performing history! Some of her favorite roles include Maria in the “Sound of Music” and “Lucy in You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown”. Last October Erin won the Chicago "Be Wicked Singing Contest," which allowed her to perform with Broadway in Chicago this past summer. Erin was last seen as Katrina in Stage 48’s “Sleepy Hollow”.
Musical Theatre
Mainstage Productions
Tim is excited to be returning for his fourth year of working with Linda and the Wishing Star Theatre. Most recently Tim directed the student production of Once on This Island Jr. at the Wishing Star Theatre. Some of the favorite shows he’s done include Lucky Stiff (Stage 48), Into the Woods (LHS), Ragtime (Illinois All-State Theatre) and Side Show Baldwin- Wallace College). Tim is currently a Sophomore, receiving his BM in Music Theatre at the Baldwin-Wallace Conservatory of Music in Cleveland, Ohio.