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The Legacy TheatreThe Legacy Theatre’s production of Grease runs June 27–29, July 9–13, July 16–20, and July 23–27. The musical, with music, lyrics, and book by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey, follows the summer romance of Danny Zuko and Sandy Dumbrowski as they unexpectedly reunite at Rydell High. Alongside their friends, they navigate teenage love, peer pressure, and identity in 1950s America. The story takes place at the fictional Rydell High School in northwest Chicago. Director Scott Richardson and Colum Goebelbecker, who portrays Kenickie, spoke with Community Voices about the show’s iconic characters, timeless music, and how the production addresses some of the criticism the musical has faced in modern times. Find tickets and details here. -
IWIL Facebook pageCo-host Vanessa Ferguson welcomed back Heather Burton from Illinois Women in Leadership (IWIL) to spotlight the 2025 Athena Award nominees. With the nomination period closed, IWIL has selected ten women who exemplify the award’s core values of leadership, community service and professional excellence. Burton shared each nominee’s inspiring contributions. The recipient will be announced at Erin's Pavilion on July 17. For information about attending the event visit: https://www.iwil.biz/athena-award
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Mike Griffin and Bob Cox are members of the Capital Area Woodworkers Guild, an organization that provides camaraderie and tricks of the trade for local woodworkers. They spoke to Community Voices about the organization, which recently began a new project of building urns for the cremains of unclaimed veterans at Camp Butler National Cemetery.For more information visit: www.cawspi.org -
The Springfield Muni’s production of The Hunchback of Notre Dame runs June 20–22 and June 25–28. The musical features music by Alan Menken and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz. It is adapted from Walt Disney Animation Studios’ 1996 film, which was itself based on Victor Hugo’s 1831 novel. The story follows Quasimodo, the deformed bell-ringer of Notre Dame, as he struggles for acceptance and love while protecting the kind-hearted Romani woman Esmeralda from the cruelty of Judge Claude Frollo. Director Kevin Kulavic and Liyah Orielle, who plays Esmeralda, spoke to Community Voices about why the show was chosen, its characters, and the relatable themes it explores. Find tickets and details here. -
Curtis Sanders is a children’s book author and the new Financial Literacy Program Coordinator at the UIS Career Center. He spoke with Community Voices about his passion for teaching financial literacy and how he’s helping students at UIS navigate budgeting, debt, and saving. Curtis also writes children’s books based on his family. His latest, Spring City Stories: Oliver’s Emotional Odyssey, helps kids understand and express their feelings through colorful illustrations and storytelling. -
Mark Reinhart is an author, musician, and film historian from Columbus, Ohio. He spoke with Community Voices about his lifelong interest in Abraham Lincoln and how Lincoln has been portrayed in over 250 film and television productions. -
At Illinois Public Media’s WILL, which serves east central Illinois, public broadcasting cuts would mean a sharp reduction in local programming for one of the last locally owned and controlled media operations in the area. -
Charlotte Alvarez is the executive director of The Immigration Project. With offices in Bloomington-Normal, Champaign-Urbana, and now Springfield, this nonprofit provides legal and social services to immigrants across 86 counties in Illinois. Alvarez discussed the realities behind the phrase “come the right way,” the challenges immigrants face in Central Illinois and how her team works to provide dignity to those navigating a complex immigration system. -
Nate Widelitz is a singer, conductor, and educator. He is also the Founding Director of the Five Cities Baroque Foundation & Festival. He spoke with Community Voices about his music career, passion for teaching, and shares the story behind the foundation, which brings access to high-quality Baroque music to Central Illinois. Nate also previews what audiences can expect from the upcoming concerts, including featured pieces and performances. Learn more about the festival, including dates and locations here. -
Mark Sorensen has lived in Decatur, Illinois, since 1969 and has spent his career preserving history and promoting the arts. He continues this work today as the Macon County Historian. He also serves as president of the Symphony Orchestra Guild of Decatur, which supports music education through scholarships, youth orchestras, and an instrument lending library. Sorensen spoke to Community Voices about his work in archives, local history, and the mission of the Symphony Orchestra Guild of Decatur. Learn more about the Guild here. -
This summer Theatre in the Park (TIP) in New Salem near Petersburg will offer an eclectic season for audiences who enjoy outdoor theatre. TIP board member Heather Southwell spoke to Community Voices about the season’s offerings which range from children’s programming to Shakespeare to musical comedy. -
During the April 2025 Lunch and Learn Series, Dr. Janet L. Gooch, Chancellor of the University of Illinois Springfield, delivered a presentation on speech-language pathology. Her talk covered the components of language, cleft lip and palate, and phonological language disorders.
