Naperville, IL

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Same Programming, New Name! Academy of the Arts is now Illinois Conservatory for the Arts

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IMAGINE: An Evening of Inspiration

Thursday, November 14, 2024

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IMPACT: Musical Theatre

Winter | January 2-5, 2025

Children of Eden in Chicago – a Heavenly Experience

As little boys Rogan Jackson and Joshua Sanchez sat in the audience dreaming that one day they’d be on stage themselves. Proving that sometimes those dreams come true quicker than you could ever hope, last month they found themselves part of a 150 strong ensemble performing concert performances of Stephen Schwartz’s Children of Eden at the Cadillac Palace Theater, Chicago.

The show is a 1991 two-act musical based on the Book of Genesis. Although it never gave Schwartz the accolades he received from his more popular works (Godspell, Pippin and Wicked), it is still regularly produced in regional theaters across the country.

Schwartz attended rehearsals and even gave notes to Rogan, a student at Still Middle School, Naperville.

“He was super nice,” said Rogan, who played Young Abel. “Being picked to be in the show was a little intimidating at first but everyone was nice and supportive. After a day I felt really comfortable. I could see the audience a little bit during the performance. I could see their heads and could feel they were enjoying it. The sound of the applause was amazing.”

Both boys were required to sing solos, speak a few lines and dance, as well as appearing with the ensemble. The show starred former Destiny’s Child singer, Michelle Williams.

“I’ve wanted to be an actor for many years,” said 12-year-old Rogan. “I’ve been swimming since I was three but stopped last year because I wanted to focus more on my acting and I really feel it’s coming together. The Academy is great, I’ve had some absolutely amazing experiences. I feel so lucky.”

Joshua, 13, a student at Kennedy Junior High, Naperville said initially he was shocked because he hadn’t realized the two-performance production would be part of Broadway in Chicago. He not only played the part of Young Seth but was also a standby for Young Cain and Young Abel.

“I was a little nervous but we rehearsed a lot, so I felt prepared,” Joshua said. “During rehearsals we could see into the auditorium and it was really amazing.

“I learned that I’d never been a swing before; I don’t normally have to practice different parts so this was different. It was a great learning experience. It was like a dream come true and I would definitely like to do this again. It was just amazing.”

Rogan’s mom Tracey said seeing her son become so passionate about musical theater has been a wonderful journey.

“We are so proud to see his efforts come to life on stage.  But more important than any performance is that he has found a path he wants to pursue that makes him happy and fulfilled,” she said.

Christina Sanchez says the classes Joshua has taken with the Academy have helped build his confidence, along with giving him the right tools to succeed.

“I’m at a loss for words after seeing the stellar performance Joshua was in at the Cadillac Palace Theater,” she said. “Watching him do what he was born to do is truly remarkable. His passion is truly seen and felt when he is performing. You can see and feel his raw emotions in everything that he says or does.”

JANUARY 2–5, 2025

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Chaz Wolcott / Dance

Chaz Wolcott is an actor, director and choreographer based in New York City, and is a proud member of Actor’s Equity Association. He earned his BFA in Dance from Oklahoma City University.

As a performer, Chaz has been seen as Buttons on the First National Tour of Disney’s Newsies. You can also catch Chaz’s performance in Disney’s Newsies: The Broadway Musical, available for digital download on iTunes and Amazon. Chaz also starred in the 30th Anniversary Tour of Cats as the Magical Mr. Mistoffelees. Chaz was featured on FOX’s So You Think You Can Dance. Favorite regional credits include: 42nd Street (Andy Lee), Mary Poppins, Gypsy, Legally Blonde and productions at Music Theatre of Wichita, Merry-Go-Round Playhouse, The Gateway, Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma, Fulton Theatre, The Fireside, Casa Mañana, Westchester Broadway Theatre, Gretna Theatre and more.

Emily Kristen Morris / Voice

Emily Kristen Morris is an NYC-based actor, singer, dancer, certified vocal instructor, and popular online content creator (1.7 Million followers on TikTok). Emily has performed across the nation and internationally, and was most recently the Elphaba standby on the Broadway national tour of WICKED. Currently, Emily is starring as Elsa in Paramount Theatre’s production of Frozen. Her past theatre credits include: Bea in the national tour of Something Rotten, White Plains Performing Arts Center (Daisy in Side Show), The Rev (Sophie in Mamma Mia), Cape Playhouse, the Norwalk Symphony Orchestra (Nellie in South Pacific in concert), Gateway Playhouse, Weston Playhouse, and New York Musical Theatre Festival. Emily has also performed as a solo vocalist with symphony orchestras, including the Guangzhou Symphony Orchestra in China, and the Norwalk Symphony. Her voice is also featured on Joey Contreras’ new album “In Pieces.” On social media Emily is popular for her voice-teaching videos, her singing covers, and her vocal-coach-reacts videos. When she’s not performing, Emily runs her highly sought-after voice studio, EKM Vocal Studio, where she teaches lessons, masterclasses and workshops to passionate singers both virtually and in-person in NYC. Emily is certified through the Institute For Vocal Advancement (IVA), and received her BFA in musical theatre from the University of Cincinnati; College-Conservatory of Music (CCM).

Salisha Thomas / Acting

SALISHA Thomas is a Broadway performer, author, former Miss California, a commercial and voiceover artist, a producer and director, vlogger, blogger, and media personality. She performed in the 1st National Touring and Broadway companies of Beautiful the Carole King Musical, and the Britney Spears Musical: Once Upon a One More Time. She’s the host of Black Hair in the Big Leagues and The Salisha Show podcasts and the red carpet correspondent for The Broadway Podcast Network. @theSalishashow www.thesalishashow.com

Patrick Maravilla / Casting

Born and raised in California, Patrick started as a performer but quickly fell in love with casting. As a Pisces with a Taurus moon, he aims to bring joy and light to the table while cultivating an inclusive and equitable space. Some of his favorite casting credits include Chicago, A Wonderful World, Peter Pan (National Tour), Gatsby, Life of Pi, Destiny of Desire, and Come Fall in Love!

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