Glencoe Junior High Project's FOOTLOOSE play

GLENCOE JUNIOR HIGH PROJECT

PRESENTS “FOOTLOOSE”

FEBRUARY 3 through FEBRUARY 6, 2011

January 11, GLENCOE, IL -- Nearly 100 Central School sixth- through eighth-grade students will sing, dance and help behind the scenes of “Footloose,” the 35th annual play produced by the Glencoe Junior High Project (GJHP). Two casts will present four shows in Central School’s Misner Auditorium from Thursday, Feb. 3, to Sunday, Feb. 6.

Students, who auditioned for the play last fall, rehearse at least three days a week after school. The play, directed by a professional director and organized by parent volunteers, offers Central School students the chance to develop positive social skills by learning more about cooperation, dealing positively with success and disappointment, and how individual contributions affect a group project, among other lessons.

"Providing students with this kind of life-enriching experience is key to the mission of the Glencoe Junior High Project," says Valerie Trabaris, GJHP co-president.  "We are proud of the commitment of our students and excited to showcase their hard work to the community in 'Footloose,' which celebrates the wisdom of listening to young people and guiding them with a warm heart and open mind."

“Footloose”  remains a perennial favorite, with plans for a motion picture version of the musical set to hit theaters October 14, 2011. “Footloose”  opened on Broadway in 1998 and was based on the 1984 movie of the same name.  The play was chosen by GJHP because it features a large ensemble cast and permits all student cast and crew members to have a meaningful part in the production.  The play's themes of kindness, acceptance, self-esteem, faithfulness, team work and navigating the process of growing up are simple enough to be understood by children, yet universal enough to touch the hearts of adults with two left feet!  The musical offers an appealing combination of various musical styles and catchy melodies with lyrics that speak to children and adults alike, punctuated with dynamic choreography and costuming. 

Tickets go on sale at Central School on Wednesday, Jan. 20 through Wednesday, Feb. 2, from 11:00 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. Limited seating will be available an hour before each show.  Tickets go quickly!

Flowers will also be available for sale before and during each show; proceeds go to GJHP.

The mission of the GJHP is to enrich the social and emotional development of all Glencoe middle school students by providing opportunities for them to improve the communities in which they live, create positive connections with others and develop into self-confident, socially conscious individuals.  GJHP, a non-profit social service organization based at Glencoe’s Central School, aims to build an inclusive community that fosters self-confidence and positive social behavior through the play, as well as meaningful social service projects and supervised social activities.  For more information, contact GJHP co-presidents Valerie Trabaris or Pat Sharkey at (847) 835-7623 or visit http://www.gjhp.org.