CenterStage in Lake Forest

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CenterStage in Lake Forest

CenterStage brings people together for the love of theatre. WELCOME TO THE FAMILY! What these people have in common is a love of theater.

We offer quality entertainment to our audiences; great opportunities to perform for our actors; and a variety of opportunities for anyone to wants to practice or learn the art of stagecraft. In the Beginning ...
CenterStage in Lake Forest was created in 1971 under the name “The Group For…” The original name was a shortened version of “The Group for the Performing Arts.”

The Group For… was founded

by a small but highly dedicated and talented set of friends who were trying to find a solution to a growing problem: the lack of family-oriented activities in our community. At that time, especially during the summer when school was not in session, there were very few structured activities where both parents and children could work and play together. There were also few opportunities for people to perform in public or learn the art of stagecraft and performance. The Group For… became a community vehicle for acting, singing, dancing, music, and learning backstage craftsmanship (free of charge!). CenterStage Today
Today CenterStage enthusiastically carries on that unique tradition of giving families and friends an opportunity to participate together throughout the year. Now in its 50th season, CenterStage has staged well over 200 productions, and has expanded beyond its original base to include artists from all parts of Chicagoland CenterStage brings together individuals of all ages and from all walks of life. They combine their diverse talents to produce high-quality comedies, musicals, and drama for the enjoyment of the community. CenterStage’s mission is to bring quality theatrical entertainment to the community and to provide opportunities to local performers and those with technical theater expertise or interest. CenterStage offers myriad volunteer activities for members of the community. There are very few community volunteer opportunities that are more fun and rewarding than being part of a theatrical production and the CenterStage family. Being a not-for-profit organization, CenterStage works hard at holding ticket prices at a level that makes it affordable for everyone to come and enjoy the shows. Discounts are offered for groups and students. Ticket sales alone do not cover the growing costs of staging a production, and all donations “in kind” and “in cash” are deeply appreciated and welcomed! All donations are tax-deductible. Some CenterStage Trivia
Back when The Group For… had an active Children’s Theatre, one of the young performers was Vince Vaughn, who graduated from Lake Forest High School in 1988 and went on to perform in motion pictures such as “Swingers”, “Psycho,” “Jurassic Park: The Lost World,” “Domestic Disturbance,” “Mr. & Mrs. Smith,” “Wedding Crashers,” and “The Break-Up,” just to name a few. Kathryn Joosten directed “Arsenic and Old Lace” in 1988 and “The Nerd” in 1990 for CenterStage but is best known for her portrayal of Mrs. Laningham, secretary to the President (Martin Sheen), on the critically acclaimed NBC drama “The West Wing.” She won an Emmy for her guest appearances in “Desperate Housewives.” She has also appeared on “Dharma and Greg,” “Becker,” “Scrubs,” “Ally McBeal,” and more than 20 other prime-time shows as well as having a successful career in commercials.

08/01/2025

CENTERSTAGE IN LAKE FOREST

Regrets to announce that our 2025 Summer Shakespeare in the Parks tour has been cancelled.

But fear not – William Shakespeare will return in 2026.

Please watch for the announcement of our 2025-2026 season!

07/03/2025

We need a few good men....

CenterStage in Lake Forest, is just starting rehearsals for our annual Shakespeare in the Parks tour. 2025's production is TWELFTH NIGHT: THE GULLING OF MALVOLIO, OR WHAT YOU WILL. But we've got a small problem: we are short three men.

The first is Sir Andrew Aguecheek, the comically goofy sidekick of Sir Toby Belch. TWELFTH NIGHT is an interesting play, in that so many of Shakespeare's iconic characters are here - and such a character is Sir Andrew: the classic sidekick: wealthy, silly, and dim-witted; the quintessential “natural fool” who (sometimes) knows it; he thinks he’s graceful, but he’s not; is cowardly, but pretends to be brave; boastful; a terrific comic part: it requires bravado, good comic timing, lots of physicality, and the ability to have fun!

Next we have Orsino, the Duke of Illyria. He is good-looking and regal; commanding and powerful of presence; romantically infatuated with the Lady Olivia; and noble of character. Inspiring respect and devotion; he reflects the balance between sensitivity and strength that makes Viola fall in love with him. We can't help but root for him to recognize his love for Viola in the end. The quintessential leading man.

Finally, we have Feste, the wise-cracking Jester to the Lady Olivia. He is the voice of reason hidden under a frivolous exterior; the eternal commentator on the obsessions and follies of others. He is brilliantly clever and effortlessly amusing: an artist with words and song.

We're looking for folks who play twenties to sixties. We're looking for quick studies and versatile actors. We're looking for guys who can have fun. We're probably looking for you.

Here are the basic logistics:

We do five weeks of rehearsal and six weeks of runs.

Rehearsals begin on Sunday, June 29th. We rehearse 4-5 times a week, including weekends. Not all actors are called for all rehearsals.

Performances begin Saturday, August 2nd and end Sunday, September 7th.

We only perform on Saturday and Sunday afternoons with a 3:00 call and a 4:00 curtain in various parks along the North Shore, including Lake Forest, Lake Bluff, Glenview, Northbrook, and Winnetka.

We pay a $150 stipend plus a percentage of our profits.

It's a bit urgent, given that rehearsals are about to begin.

We have a great cast so far, and we just need three more men to make it brilliant. And as we mentioned above, if you can't join us, please help us by spreading word about this show to any friends you think might be interested - and we hope you'll come and see it!

Barb Anderson
Director, TWELFTH NIGHT

Edward Kuffert
Producer, TWELFTH NIGHT

06/21/2025

DESCRIPTION:
CenterStage in Lake Forest has an immediate need for one actor for our early August through mid- September 2025 production of William Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night: the Gulling of Malvolio, or What You Will.
A masterpiece of superb wit and brilliant comedy, William Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night is a classic tale of shipwreck, meddlesome servants, and love in its infinite variety. It also showcases many of Shakespeare’s iconic characters in their purest form, honed to comic perfection.
SEEKING:
Such a character is Sir Andrew Aguecheek: the classic sidekick: wealthy, silly, and dim-witted; the quintessential “natural fool” who (sometimes) knows it; he thinks he’s graceful, but he’s not; is cowardly, but pretends to be brave; boastful; a terrific comic part if you are willing to be ridiculous. It requires bravado, superb comic timing, terrific physicality, and the ability to "let it all hang out."
REHEARSALS & PERFORMANCES:
Rehearsals on Zoom and in Lake Forest begin mid to late June.
Performances: Saturdays & Sundays, August 2nd through September 8th in parks along the North Shore.
MATERIALS TO PREPARE:
A Shakespearean monologue no more than two minutes in length. If you are interested in Feste, include sixteen bars of a song that shows your range. If you play an instrument, let us know!
Please send current headshot, resume, and video submission to [email protected] with the subject line titled "Virtual Shakespeare Casting Call". Indicate roles in which you are interested.
Callbacks will be held in person in Lake Forest.
PAY:
$150 Stipend plus profit-sharing bonus
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Reply To Email: [email protected]
Website:

08/18/2024

Grey skies got you down? We have the cure. Come shake off the gloom with the original rom-com: William Shakespeare's MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING.

CenterStage in Lake Forest brings our 90-minute adaptation to parks around the North Shore; and this weekend we're in Lake Forest's beautiful West Park!

Performances are at 4:00 PM and are FREE - though tax deductible donations are gladly accepted. So, bring your lawn chair or blanket, and revel in the non-stop shenanigans.

For more info, go to www.centerstagelakeforest.org.

Free Shakespeare under a beautiful summer sky. What could be better?

06/27/2024

CENTERSTAGE IN LAKE FOREST is looking for immediate replacements for two actors for our early August through mid-September 2024 production of William Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing.

Perhaps William Shakespeare’s most brilliant comedy, Much Ado About Nothing is the prototypical rom-com. The show abounds in warmth, wit, and wackiness, with some of Shakespeare’s most quotable observations on love and affairs of the heart. It has been adapted to the silver screen many times in many forms, including Kenneth Branagh’s 1993 classic and the recent “Anyone But You,” starring Sydney Sweeney.

SEEKING 2 actors of all body types, ethnicities, genders, etc. for the following roles:

LEONATO: kindly, amiable Governor of Messina; former military commander and good friends with the Prince of Aragon; likes to play matchmaker (age 30's-60's).

ANTONIO: Devoted, supportive sibling to Leonato, the governor of Messina (30's-60's).

REHEARSALS & PERFORMANCES:
Rehearsals on Zoom and in Lake Forest beginning immediately.
Performances: Saturdays & Sundays, August 3rd through September 8th in parks along the North Shore.

MATERIALS TO PREPARE:
A Shakespearean monologue no more than two minutes in length. If you play an instrument, let us know! Please send current headshot, resume, and video submission to [email protected] with the subject line titled "Virtual Shakespeare Casting Call." Indicate roles in which you are interested.

PAY:
$100 Stipend, plus a profit-sharing bonus.

CONTACT INFORMATION:
Reply To Email: [email protected]
Website: www.centerstageinlakeforest.org

04/29/2024

CENTERSTAGE IN LAKE FOREST is now accepting video auditions for our early August through mid-September 2024 production of William Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing.
Perhaps William Shakespeare’s most brilliant comedy, Much Ado About Nothing is the prototypical rom-com. The show abounds in warmth, wit, and wackiness, with some of Shakespeare’s most quotable observations on love and affairs of the heart. It has been adapted to the silver screen many times in many forms, including Kenneth Branagh’s 1993 classic and the recent “Anyone But You,” starring Sydney Sweeney.

SEEKING 12 actors of all body types, ethnicities, genders, etc. to audition for the following roles:

DON PEDRO: kindly Prince of Aragon; a successful military commander; likes to play matchmaker (age 30's-50's).
DON JOHN: Don Pedro’s silent, surly, saturnine, envious, malicious, and melancholic bastard (both base-born and evil!) younger brother; resents being in Don Pedro’s “shadow”; “a plain-dealing villain” (20's-40's).
BENEDICK: a confident, mirthful, witty lord of Padua; “of a noble strain, of approved valor and confirmed honesty,” but an unsentimental misogynist (woman-hater); foil to Claudio. “He hath twice or thrice cut Cupid’s bowstring, and the little hangman dare not shoot at him” (30's-50).
CLAUDIO: a gallant, impulsive young lord and “proper squire” of Florence; a somewhat conventional ”Monsieur Love”; possessed of the “May of youth and lustihood”; is enamored of Hero (20's).
BORACHIO: villainous follower of Don John; has won the favor of Hero’s gentlewoman Margaret and uses this relationship in plotting with Don John to ruin Hero’s reputation and upset wedding plans with Claudio (20's-40's).
FRIAR FRANCIS: a sensible, helpful priest who suggests the plan for re-establishing Hero’s wounded reputation; the local voice of reason (40's-60's).
BEATRICE: unconventional niece of Leonato/a; “dear Lady Disdain”; “a pleasant-spirited,” witty “Lady Tongue,” but one who on occasion “speaks poniards and every word stabs”; strong minded and passionate in her beliefs, she says she scorns all men ans will not marry until God makes men “of some other metal than earth” (30's-40's).
HERO: “Leonato[a]’s short daughter”; sweet, mild, loving; but still fun, with a sense of humor; foil to the “wise-cracking” Beatrice (20's).
URSULA: gentlewoman attending on Hero; like Hero, she is milder of temper, but also fun-loving (20's).
CONSTANCE: gentlewoman attending on Hero; ambitious social climber; secret mistress to Don John (late 20's-early 30's).
LEONATO or LEONATA: impulsive, caring Governor of Messina; may be played by a male or female (30's-50's).
ANTONIO or ANTONIA: Leonato/a’s devoted, supportive brother or sister; may be played as a male or female (30's-50's).

REHEARSALS & PERFORMANCES:
Rehearsals on Zoom and in Lake Forest begin mid to late June.
Performances: Saturdays & Sundays, August 12th through September 17th in parks along the North Shore.

MATERIALS TO PREPARE:
A Shakespearean monologue no more than two minutes in length. If you play an instrument, let us know!
Please send current headshot, resume, and video submission to [email protected] with the subject line titled "Virtual Shakespeare Casting Call." Indicate roles in which you are interested.
VIDEO SUBMISSIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED THROUGH MONDAY, MAY 6TH.
Callbacks will be held in person at the Gorton Community Center in Lake Forest, 400 E. Illinois Rd.

PAY:
$100 Stipend, plus a profit-sharing bonus.

CONTACT INFORMATION:
Reply To Email: [email protected]
Website: www.centerstageinlakeforest.org

04/19/2024

DESCRIPTION:
CenterStage in Lake Forest is now accepting video auditions for our early August through mid-September 2024 production of William Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing.
Perhaps William Shakespeare’s most brilliant comedy, Much Ado About Nothing abounds in warmth, wit, and wackiness, and has been adapted to the silver screen several times, from Kenneth Branagh’s 1993 classic, to the recent “Anyone But You.”

SEEKING:
Seeking twelve actors of all body types, ethnicities, genders, etc. 20s and older.
DON PEDRO: mature, kindly Prince of Aragon; a successful military commander; likes to play matchmaker.
DON JOHN: Don Pedro’s silent, surly, saturnine, envious, malicious, and melancholic bastard (both base-born and evil!) younger brother; resents being in Don Pedro’s “shadow”; “a plain-dealing villain.”
BENEDICK: a confident, witty lord of Padua; “of a noble strain, of approved valor and confirmed honesty,” but an unsentimental misogynist; foil to Claudio. “He hath twice or thrice cut Cupid’s bowstring, and the little hangman dare not shoot at him.”
CLAUDIO: a gallant, impulsive young lord and “proper squire” of Florence; a somewhat conventional ”Monsieur Love”; possessed of the “May of youth and lustihood”; is enamored of Hero.
BORACHIO: villainous follower of Don John; has won the favor of Hero’s gentlewoman Margaret and uses this relationship in plotting with Don John to ruin Hero’s reputation and upset wedding plans with Claudio.
FRIAR FRANCIS: sensible, helpful priest who suggests the plan for re-establishing Hero’s wounded reputation. The local voice of reason.
BEATRICE: unconventional niece of Leonato/a; “dear Lady Disdain”; “a pleasant-spirited,” witty “Lady Tongue,” but one who on occasion “speaks poniards and every word stabs”; strong-minded and passionate in her beliefs, she says she scorns all men and will not marry until God makes men “of some other metal than earth.”
HERO: “Leonato[a]’s short daughter”; sweet, mild, loving; but still fun with a sense of humor; foil to the “wise cracking” Beatrice.
URSULA: gentlewoman attending on Hero; like Hero, she is milder of temper, but also fun-loving.
CONSTANCE: gentlewoman attending on Hero; ambitious social climber, she is the secret mistress of Don John.
LEONATO or LEONATA: impulsive, caring Governor of Messina; may be played by a male or female.
ANTONIO or ANTONIA: Leonato/a’s devoted brother or sister; may be played by a male or female.

REHEARSALS & PERFORMANCES:
Rehearsals will be held via Zoom and in-person in Lake Forest; and will begin in early-mid June and usually run 3-4 times a week until late July, when the number of rehearsals will increase to 4-5 per week, as needed. The rehearsal schedule will be constructed around actor conflicts so far as possible.

Performances: 4:00 PM Saturday & Sunday afternoons, August 3rd through September 8th in parks along the North Shore.

MATERIALS TO PREPARE:
A Shakespearean monologue no more than two minutes in length. If you sing or play an instrument, let us know!
Please send current headshot, resume, and video submission to [email protected] with the subject line titled "Virtual Shakespeare Casting Call". Indicate roles in which you are interested.
VIDEO SUBMISSIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED THROUGH WEDNESDAY, April 24th.
Callbacks will be held in person at the Gorton Community Center in Lake Forest, Thursday, April 25th 6:30-10 and Saturday, April 27th 1-4.

PAY:
$100 Stipend plus profit-sharing bonus

CONTACT INFORMATION:
Reply To Email: [email protected]
Website: www.centerstageinlakeforest.org

Address

400 E Illinois Road
Lake Forest, IL
60045

Telephone

+18472346062

Website

http://www.centerstagelakeforest.org/

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