theatre

Jaden Saunders is a local tap dancer who’s been making a name for himself through his many performances in Springfield. His mother, Tiffani Saunders, is a sociologist and former professor at the University of Illinois Springfield. In this Community Voices interview we learn how Tiffani enrolled Jaden in tap at a young age as an outlet for his rambunctious energy. We also hear Jaden’s plans for the future, and we discuss the roots of tap dancing and the barriers to entry for young people.

The Springfield Muni's production of Shrek the Musical runs August 1–3 and August 6–9. With music by Jeanine Tesori and book and lyrics by David Lindsay-Abaire, the musical is based on the 2001 DreamWorks Animation film Shrek, incorporating elements from its sequels. The story follows the ogre Shrek on a quest to rescue Princess Fiona for Lord Farquaad, in hopes of reclaiming his swamp from invading fairytale characters. Along the way, Shrek befriends Donkey and learns valuable lessons about love, friendship, and self-acceptance.

Lauren Williams is a policy analyst, baker, and she recently appeared as Maria in Springfield Theatre Centre’s production of “The Sound of Music.” She spoke to Community Voices about her passion for public service, and her adventures singing with the Springfield Choral Society, including a memorable Sound of Music tour in Austria.

Springfield Theatre Centre's production of RENT runs 12/6/24-12/8/24 and 12/13/24-12/15/24. RENT is a rock musical loosely based on Puccini’s opera La bohème. The musical tells the story of a group of starving artist bohemian friends living on Avenue A in NYC under the shadow of HIV/AIDS epidemic in the late 1980's. LaDonna Wilson is the director of this production and Jasmine French portrays one of the main characters Maureen Johnson. They spoke to Community Voices about their experience with theater in the Springfield community, the serious themes in RENT, and what people can expect from the production. They also discussed partnering with The Phoenix Center and IDPH to do a coat drive and have testing available during the run of the show. Find tickets and details here.

“Hurricane Diane” is the latest play presented by the UIS Theatre program. It follows the Greek god Dionysus who visits Earth as a permaculture gardener named “Diane” in hopes of fighting climate change with the help of four suburban News Jersey women. Director of the show Missy Thibodeaux-Thompson and Professor of Biology Dr. Amy McEuen spoke to Community Voices about the play, the cast and the hope they want audiences to have leaving the theatre.

Hoogland Center for the Arts production of Sweeney Todd is coming up just in time for the Halloween season. The musical tells the story of Sweeney Todd, an unjustly exiled barber who returns to London seeking vengeance against the judge who framed him and ravaged his young wife. The road to revenge leads Sweeney to Mrs. Lovett, the crafty owner of a failing pie shop above which he opens a new barber practice. Local vocal teacher Stephanie Myre is portraying Mrs. Lovett in this production. She spoke to Community Voices about being a performer in Chicago and about the message behind Sweeney Todd. Find tickets and dates for the show here.

From stage combat to dialect coaching, Kenny Kendall spoke to Community Voices about how he brings his theatre experience to the Springfield area.

The much loved musical “Hello Dolly” is playing at The Legacy Theatre July 12-14, 17-21 and 24-28. Director Ed MacMurdo and star of the show Cynda Wrightsman, who portrays Dolly Levi, spoke to Community Voices about what makes this show so special.For more information about Hello Dolly visit: https://www.atthelegacy.com/

Hannah Levin is playing Cinderella in the Springfield Muni’s upcoming production of "Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella." She spoke to Community Voices about the show as well as her experiences in the Springfield area theatre community.

John and Nicole Sivak are directing Springfield Theatre Centre's production of The Bridges of Madison County. The show set in 1960s Iowa, follows the forbidden love and the unfolding events surrounding an Italian-American housewife and a National Geographic photographer. Nicole and John spoke to Community Voices about their journeys with community theater, the various couples involved in the production, and the synopsis of the musical. They also discuss how audiences may leave the theater with conflicted thoughts surrounding the plot of the show. The show runs May 10-12 and 17-19 at The Hoogland Center for the Arts. Tickets are available here.