Cover story

‘MAGICAL EXPERIENCE’

Children’s Community Theatre to bring ‘Frozen Jr.’ characters to life

By KATRINA J.E. MILTON

kmilton@shawmedia.com

Do you want to build a snowman? Community members will have a chance to see Olaf come to life and Elsa “let it go” during Children’s Community Theatre’s upcoming performances of Disney’s “Frozen Jr.”

CCT will perform Disney’s “Frozen Jr.” April 28 through May 1 at the Egyptian Theatre, 135 N. Second St. in DeKalb. Show times are at 7 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, April 28-30, and 2 p.m. Saturday, April 30, and Sunday, May 1.

Depending on proximity to the stage, tickets cost $15 or $20 for adults and $15 or $10 for children ages 4 to 12. Children age 3 and younger get in free. Tickets can be purchased online at https://egyptiantheatre.org.

The production features a cast of 43 students in first through 12th grades. Preparation for the show began two years ago but was postponed because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Several of the original actors that were cast returned for this year’s show.

“I think the show offers a little bit of normalcy again,” Director Karla Gulke said. “The kids are from all over DeKalb County: Genoa, Somonauk, DeKalb, Sycamore. They weren’t able to see each other because they go to different schools. It’s great to see each other again and have the opportunity to be on stage and perform.”

Gulke said “Frozen Jr.” has the same plot as the Disney movie, but also features additional lines and songs.

“It’s about sisters and their relationship, Anna and Elsa figuring out who they are and the fact that true love conquers all,” Gulke said.

Becca Gulke, the show’s choreographer and Karla Gulke’s daughter, has worked on six other CCT productions. This is the first time she’s worked on a show with her mom.

“The show is little different from the movie and having a real-life cast presents different challenges,” Becca Gulke said. “The Disney movie has animation, and we imitate that with dancing and acting.”

Alivia Cooper, 17, of Kirkland said she loves acting and being on stage.

“I love being somebody else for a moment,” said Cooper, who portrays Pabbie, one of The Hidden Folk. “Being in the show makes my childhood. It’s pretty cool watching it come to life.”

Grace Turk, 17, of Elburn said “Frozen” was one of her favorite movies when she was a young girl. She remembers seeing it three times in the theater.

“I think all of the cast has seen the movie at least once,” said Turk, who portrays Bulda, one of The Hidden Folk. “It’s a dream come true and it’s a lot of fun. You’ve got to come to the show. It’ll thaw your heart.”

Foster Doll of DeKalb, 11, said he enjoys his role as Olaf because it allows him to be silly and goofy all the time.

“It’s great to be acting and performing again after the pandemic,” said Doll, who has performed with CCT for three years. “It’s given me a new appreciation of live performance and of Disney movies.”

“Frozen Jr.” is the second time Levi Kedzie of Stewart, 8, will perform with CCT. Kedzie is one of The Hidden Folk.

“I like that I get to be mysterious and strange and get to wear a costume,” Kedzie said. “I’ve also been able to make a lot of new friends. There’s a lot of singing and dancing, which is fun, too.”

Director Gulke said she has seen children learn and grow through “Frozen Jr.”

“Some kids didn’t want any lines at first and were a little bit shy and quiet,” Gulke said. “Now they have their own solos in songs. ... For some kids, plays and musicals are their sport. This is a chance for them to do what they love. They’ve made friendships, have camaraderie and they encourage and support each other. It’s truly been a wonderful, magical experience.”

Katrina J.E. Milton photos - kmilton@shawmedia.com Cast members rehearse a scene from Disney’s “Frozen Jr.” on April 20. Children’s Community Theatre will perform the musical April 28 through May 1 at the Egyptian Theatre in DeKalb.

Harper Ransom, 11, of DeKalb and Ella Atwell, 10, of Sycamore rehearse a scene from Disney’s “Frozen Jr.” on Wednesday, April 20. Ransom (left) is young Elsa and Atwell is young Anna.

Give DeKalb County offers donation options

Shaw Local News Network

SYCAMORE – Now in its ninth year, Give DeKalb County offers donors multiple ways to support nonprofit organizations. Donors can give online from midnight to midnight on May 5 by visiting GiveDeKalbCounty.org. Between now and May 5, those who prefer to donate by check can print a donation form from the website and give by mail.

Give DeKalb County is coordinated by the DeKalb County Nonprofit Partnership, a program of the DeKalb County Community Foundation. The previous eight giving days combined have raised more than $5.3 million for participating nonprofit organizations.

“A record number of nonprofit organizations have registered this year from communities throughout DeKalb County,” Grants and DCNP Director Ben Bingle said in a news release. “The collective impact of these organizations is incredible and we appreciate all of the donors who plan to support the nonprofit community during Give DeKalb County 2022.”

Donations can be made online by credit card, debit card, ACH transfer, or Mobile Wallet from midnight to midnight on May 5 at GiveDeKalbCounty. org. Donors giving by check can print a donation form from the website, complete the form indicating the organization(s), and donation amount(s), then write a single check for the total amount payable to “DCCF.” Checks can be mailed to the DeKalb County Community Foundation, 475 DeKalb Ave., Sycamore, IL 60178. There is no

Photo provided by DeKalb County Community Foundation Give DeKalb County offers donors multiple ways to support their favorite nonprofit organizations.

in-person donation event planned. Additional giving details are online at GiveDeKalbCounty.org/Info/Ways-toGive.

In 2021, Give DeKalb County attracted 8,353 donations from donors in 44 different states and four countries around the world.

“Donors can visit the website now to learn more about the participating organizations,” Bingle said in the release. “Regardless of if you give online or by mail, your donation is boosted by the Bonus Pool, which means your generosity goes even further during Give DeKalb County.”

Each donation made during Give DeKalb County leverages a percentage of the Bonus Pool, which is made possible by the support of community partners. A full list of community partners and media sponsors is available at GiveDeKalbCounty.org.

The minimum online donation amount is $5 and there is no minimum for mailed donations. For a list of participating organizations or for more information about Give DeKalb County 2022, visit GiveDeKalbCounty. org, or contact Ben Bingle at ben@ dekalbccf.org. Those interested can also follow the giving day on Facebook and Instagram.

nicorgas.com/safety

Smell Gas? Act Fast!

Natural gas is a colorless and odorless fuel. For safety reasons, a chemical odorant called mercaptan is added for easy detection of a suspected natural gas leak. This odorant has a distinctive “rotten egg” type odor. Natural gas odors should be reported immediately.

¿Hay olor a gas? ¡Actué rápido! El gas natural es un combustible incoloro e inodoro. Por razones de seguridad, se le agrega un aromatizante químico llamado mercaptano para que se pueda detectar fácilmente. Este aromatizante tiene un olor característico a “huevo podrido.” Los olores a gas natural deben informarse de inmediato.

If you detect even a small amount of this odor in the air:

Si detecta este olor en el aire, por mínimo que sea:

• Do not try to locate the source of the smell. • Leave the area immediately and alert others. • Avoid using any sources of ignition, such as cell phones, cigarettes, matches, flashlights, electronic devices, motorized vehicles, light switches or landlines. • Call Nicor Gas at 888.Nicor4U (642.6748) or 911 once you are out of the area and in a safe place.

· No intente localizar la fuente del olor. · Abandone el área inmediatamente y alerte a los demás. · Evite usar cualquier fuente de ignición, por ejemplo, teléfonos celulares, cigarrillos, fósforos, linternas, aparatos electrónicos, vehículos a motor, interruptores de luz o teléfonos fijos. · Llame a Nicor Gas at 888.Nicor4U (642.6748) o al 911 una vez que esté fuera del área y en un lugar seguro.

© 2020 Southern Company Gas. All rights reserved. NG-20003

By KATRINA J.E. MILTON

kmilton@shawmedia.com

DeKALB – Community members held signs and chanted while marching downtown April 21 for sexual assault awareness during Take Back the Night.

The event took place at the Egyptian Theatre, 135 N. Second St. in DeKalb. Take Back the Night is held annually in April in conjunction with Sexual Assault Awareness Month. The event featured a march through downtown DeKalb, a performance by Maria Boynton of “Over It” by V from “The Vagina Monologues” and survivors sharing testimony of their experiences.

Take Back the Night is hosted by Safe Passage, DeKalb County’s only domestic violence and sexual assault crisis center. The nonprofit organization provides a wide range of services to survivors and their loved ones including shelter, counseling, advocacy and more.

Hayley Garcia, Safe Passage’s sexual assault program manager, said the event has multiple purposes.

“It’s held to bring awareness to the sexual violence in our community, to promote ally-ship and to provide support for sexual assault survivors,” Garcia said. “Sexual assault is prevalent in our community, all genders, all ages, all sexual orientations. Sexual violence does not discriminate.”

Garcia said she hopes the event will let sexual assault survivors know they are not alone.

“I hope people feel empowered, encouraged and supported,” Garcia said. “They don’t have to suffer in silence. They don’t have to be alone. There are many people, many of them here tonight, that are here to help and support them.”

If you are a victim of dating or domestic violence, sexual abuse or assault, call Safe Passage’s hotline, 815-756-5228, or text 815-393-1995. All services are free and confidential.

For information about Safe Passage, visit safepassagedv.org.

Katrina J.E. Milton - kmilton@shawmedia.com Community members march around downtown DeKalb holding signs and chanting during Take Back the Night, held April 21.