Oak Partk-River Forest Chamber of Commerce issued the following announcement on Jan. 18
Ovation Academy for the Performing Arts in Oak Park, IL is excited to announce its programming for the Winter 2022 Session. With three outstanding productions and over a dozen musical theatre classes for kids, teens, and adults, Ovation has something for everyone!
Ovation Academy’s first 2022 production will be Disney’s THE JUNGLE BOOK, KIDS. This adaptation of the beloved animated film tells the story of the “man cub” Mowgli as he makes his way through the jungle, discovering what it means to be human. Performed by 5 to 12 year-olds, this jazzy musical opens Friday, February 25th at Madison Street Theater in Oak Park, with the 33 person cast kicking off rehearsals January 15th. Tickets are $5 for kids 12 and under, and $10 for adults.
Next up in Ovation’s stellar lineup is the story of a 6th grade whiz kid who discovers time travel, MILEY CHASE THE SCIENCE ACE. This world premiere is an exciting honor for Ovation and is already packed with 3rd-8th graders. Ovation is ecstatic to be the first theatre to introduce Miley to the world… before she accidentally gets transported to prehistoric times. Performances April 8-10, 2022.
Ovation rounds out the season with a monumental bang as it brings to the stage the eight-time Tony Award winning musical, SPRING AWAKENING. Not only did this production win Best Musical, but with 11 nominations, it dominated the 2007 Tony’s. As such, Ovation Academy could not be more excited to bring this legendary story of teenage angst and maturation to the Madison Street Theater stage.
SPRING AWAKENING will be performed May 6-8 by Encore, Ovation’s program designed for teen performers. Spring Awakening is also the inaugural production that will be student directed, choreographed and costumed. We’re thrilled to give this professional level opportunity to the talented young people in our community. Within the Encore program, Ovation Academy is proud to provide opportunities for a diverse population of young adults to discover new passions and immerse themselves within the world of musical theater. As a non-competitive program, Encore allows its participants to foster a love of art and performance, all while honing their skills and developing new talents.
These three productions will allow students to experience the thrill of performing on stage as well as celebrating and appreciating live theater at a time when much of life has migrated to screens.
Ovation’s Winter 2022 roster of classes are another way to get involved with live theater. For the past 7 years, Ovation Academy has boasted a packed schedule of programming, from performing arts training classes and summer camps, to private lessons and fully produced productions. Kids aged 5 and up, as well as adults, participate in its robust programs. Additionally, there are more classes for 14 to 18 year-olds now than ever before.
Not only do Ovation’s classes help improve student’s technical skills such as singing, dancing, and acting, but they also prepare students for life in the industry by instructing them on auditioning and industry representation. Ovation Academy endeavors to provide a fun educational environment for every student, no matter their age or experience level.
As the situation surrounding coronavirus continues to change and develop, Ovation Academy has implemented new safety protocols in accordance with the Oak Park Department of Public Health. All staff and students aged 5+ must show proof of being fully vaccinated against covid-19. Those unable or unwilling to show proof of vaccination must show weekly negative covid-19 tests. Ovation continues to practice social distancing, frequent hand-washing/sanitizing, and strict mask enforcement. Students who test positive may return to Madison Street Theater following a minimum of 5 days of isolation, a complete disappearance of symptoms, and a negative covid-19 test.
Covid has taken a harsh toll on the theater, which worked hard to adapt its programs to virtual settings in 2020. When the theater’s HVAC system broke down in November 2020 and an emergency GoFundMe campaign was launched to replace it, the community stepped up with over $60,000 in support. Now fully up and running in person, the academy struggles to keep up with strong community demand for its programs.
“With all of the pivoting we've managed, it is humbling to know that Ovation Academy has made a real difference in the lives of kids and families in our community” says Tina Reynolds, Ovation Founder and Executive Director. “We are grateful that our community puts high value on the arts, knowing how it impacts, inspires and provides hope and joy in the lives of their children.”
In addition to its variety of classes, Ovation also offers private lessons in voice, dance, acting, or musical instruments for a more intimate experience. Register today for Winter 2022 Classes at www.ovationacademy.org/training-classes/.
Registration for MILEY CHASE THE SCIENCE ACE and SPRING AWAKENING can be found on Ovation’s website at https://ovationacademy.org/broadway-academy and https://ovationacademy.org/encore, respectively.
Original source can be found here.
Alerts Sign-up