Check out some of the latest Opening Night Arts Group appearances in the news!  [ Email this page to a friend ]
Theater auditions for Opening Night Melissa R. Riske/Triblocal.com staff reporter 12/17/08 10:42 AM Palos Heights Triblocal Opening Night Arts Group (ONAG) will hold auditions for their summer youth theatre production ANNIE JUNIOR on January 13 at the Ozinga Chapel Building on the campus of Trinity Christian College in Palos Heights, IL. The show will be performed on campus at Trinity August 3-7 and the program is open by audition to students entering grades 5 through 9 this summer. Based on the popular comic strip, “Little Orphan Annie,” ANNIE JUNIOR tells of a spunky Depression/era orphan determined to find her parents, who abandoned her years ago on the doorstep of a New York City Orphanage run by the cruel Miss Hannigan. In adventure after fun-filled adventure, Annie foils Miss Hannigan’s evil machinations, befriends President Franklin Roosevelt and finds a new family in billionaire Oliver Warbucks, his personal secretary Grace Farrell and a lovable mutt named Sandy. The ONAG summer youth theatre program is designed with the enthusiastic performing student in mind. In contrast to other local groups, the program requires a prepared audition before students are registered and the top area performers are chosen for the program based on their audition. Teachers, parents, school administrators and friends have witnessed students changed permanently and positively by learning life and behavioral skills – ranging from communication, collaboration and time management to creativity, imagination and confidence – from the experience of participating in a musical theatre production. Opening Night Arts Group produces many theatre, musical, dance, visual art and social events throughout the year as a way to raise money for various charities. A portion of the proceeds from ANNIE JUNIOR will be donated to St. Jude’s Hospital. To register for auditions or find out more information about the group or auditions, please visit www.openingnightartsgroup.org.
The new group makes splash on performing arts scene Kelli Murray/Triblocal.com staff reporter 08/15/08 01:39 PM 152 hits Orland Park Triblocal A new performing arts group is making its mark on the performing arts in the South and Southwest suburbs.  OPENING NIGHT ARTS GROUP presents theatrical, musical, dance, social and visual arts events throughout the year as a vehicle for fundraising on behalf of various causes. On August 27th, Opening Night Arts Group will present a special sing-along showing of the film “Grease” with a special live performance before the movie by Take a Bow Broadway Revue Ensemble, a group of 11 top teen performers from the South and West Suburban area.  The performers were hand-picked for this ensemble based on performances in local area productions by the program’s executive producer Anna Avalos, who scouted hundreds of teens to find her line-up for the group. Tickets for the 7:00 event are $10 and the event will take place at Marcus Theatres in Orland Park .  Proceeds will benefit the Ovarian Cancer Society and can be reserved on the group’s website or purchased at the door. “We hope the Opening Night Arts Group provides high quality performance and artistic opportunities to performers and audience members in the community”, stated Jennifer Miller, president of the organization.  Plans for the upcoming year include an American Idol Karaoke Night, a masquerade ball, an art show, a summer youth theatre program will be performing “Annie” in summer 2009, and Opening Night’s adult community group will be holding auditions for “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” in spring 2009.  These projects will help support the Ovarian Cancer Society, Autism Speaks, St. Jude’s Hospital, and will establish a collegiate scholarship fund for local area high school students. A membership information meeting will be held at 7:00 p.m., August 21 at Fifth Third Bank, 10759 159th St, Orland Park .  Vice president Karen Grant states, “Membership to the group not only supports many great causes but also carries benefits such as scholarship eligibility, special event notices and invitations and discounts on classes offered through our group. We welcome anyone from performers and artists to audience members to people who just want to give back to their community.” For more information, contact Opening Night Arts Group at (708) 570-1630 or through their website at www.openingnightartsgroup.org.