Lizzie Roehrs

After 10 other Seeking Solutions forums across the state, NPR Illinois and AARP are bringing the final forum to the Union League Club in Chicago, IL. Panelists will discuss the major issues of the 2018 gubernatorial election such as the struggles faced by higher education, a loss of population in the state, and the changing needs of the Illinois workforce. 

NPR Illinois News Director Sean Crawford moderated and the panel was: 

Economic growth, a changing workforce, and new innovations were discussed at the forum in Urbana. 

Friday, September 7, Capital City Improv pits teammate against teammate in their Comedy Royale show at the Hoogland Center for the Arts. 

Carly Stroud, one of the founders of the group, says members of Capital City Improv will face off in different games. The winners will be decided by the audience. 

The show starts at 8pm and you can find tickets and more information here.

What is the lasting impact of the budget impasse on higher education? 

Susie Hultquist, the CEO and Founder of Spokin, left her job to develop and app that would help not only her own daughter, but people all over the world who live with food allergies. 

The app, Spokin, is a platform for users to share their experiences with food products, restaurants, and other businesses to make the world a more safe and navagable place for those who who have or care for someone who has food allergies. 

Are Illinois residents able to readily and fairly access healthcare and education? Is there equal opportunity for economic growth?

Explore these topics and more with NPR Illinois at the Election 2018: Seeking Solutions Forum in Carbondale, Illinois at The Varsity Center. The forum is August 30th with light refreshments being served at 5:30 PM and the discussion beginning at 6.

The panelists will be answering questions from the moderator and from the audience during the one-hour question and answer forum. 

Panelists in Rockford discuss the challenges faced by small businesses - including economic growth and workforce needs. 

Panelists in Alton, Illinois discussed why Illinois residents may be looking to move to bordering states. 

Questions from the audience ranged from recreational cannabis to property taxes. 

NPR Illinois news director Sean Crawford moderated a panel including:

The Springfield Muni Opera holds special auditions for children every year to fill a handful of roles in their summer lineup of shows. 

The auditions bring out hundreds of kids, but former Muni president and current board member Mac Warren says the auditions always end with the "especially gut-wrenching" process of choosing who will and will not be cast. 

Last year, the "Muni Trolls" program, named after the popular movie, opened the door for young thespians to explore the world of theater even if they hadn't been cast in one of the four main shows.

Bringing a message of hope, happiness, and family to the stage, 'Annie' is set to make its fourth run at the Springfield Muni Opera starting August 3rd. 

Panelists in Moline joined NPR Illinois for the Seeking Solutions forum exploring the issue of residents leaving the state to move elsewhere.

Panelists:

The Chicago theater community is working to provide options to disabled theater-goers, according to the Director of Audience Experience, Evan Hatfield at the Steppenwolf Theatre Company. 

In addition to captioned performances and pre-show tours, Steppenwolf and other theater companies are adding sensory-friendly performances to their shows to be more inclusive of those who may be sensitive to certain sensory experiences such as bright lights or loud noises. 

Panelists at the Peoria forum discussed Education issues in Illinois. 

Panelists: 

• Pastor Marvin Hightower
• Beth Crider
• Professor Dean Cantu
• Dr. Sharon Desmoulin-Kherat

Written by Ken Bradbury and Robert Crowe, 'Distant Thunder' is the story of New Salem during Abraham Lincoln's days in the village; however, the show isn't just another Lincoln story. 

"Nothing against our 16th President, but in New Salem in those days, he wasn't the most interesting man in town!" Said writer Ken Bradbury, "Distant Thunder is a fun explanation of how Lincoln became Lincoln while he was in New Salem." 

This Summer, the Springfield Muni celebrates what Legally Blonde star Zoey Zara calls the "Summer of women" sporting a lineup of shows all with female leads. 

Mamma Mia the story of a young girl who decides to invite her three potential fathers to her wedding in Greece. The setting of a beautiful Greek island is perfectly accented by an ABBA sountrack that's sure to have you singing along. 

For the last 25 years, the Rock Springs Ground Squirrels baseball team has been keeping traditional "base ball" alive. The team's founder, Lee Slider, explains the team's origins stem from an invitation from the Ohio Village Muffins in 1993 to pull a team together to play a game by the 1858 rules. 

Directed by Andrew Maynerich and Morgan Kaplan, Sister Act is coming to the Muni's stage for the first time.