About Us>

We are privileged to have such a talented, dedicated, and experienced  production team who love working with young people to help them reach inspired results!  Many on this team are continuing their work producing shows over the last 14 years with hundreds of children and young adults in the Fox Valley area.  Our recent productions include: Music Man, Grease, Seussical the Musical, Beauty and the Beast, Wizard of OZ, Oklahoma, Peter Pan, and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.   

Our wonderful cast parents help out in various ways including ushering, backstage, set construction, costume sewing/alterations and much more.  The production team is also comprised of volunteers from the community.  Its is truly a team effort with everyone pitching in to help in ways they enjoy to benefit our young stars.

FOUNDERS:

Jeanne O'Donnell

Ellyn McGrath

ARTISTIC DIRECTOR::

Jeanne O'Donnell

RST BOARD OF DIRECTORS:

BOARD MEMBERS:

Kent Alcott (Ticketing)
Vicki Danklefsen (Publicity/Audience Development)
Sue Mihalec (Volunteer Coordination)

Susan Heronemus (Fundraising)

ADMINISTRATIVE / PRODUCTION STAFF

Producer Recording Secretary Production Coordinator Webmaster

Tom Jassoy Rose Jassoy Ellyn McGrath Jim VanPetten

What people are saying about RisingStar:

I just want to express my appreciation to you.  Keeping this theater group going takes an extraordinary amount of effort and dedication.  I am sure it gets tough at times, but it makes a big difference for these kids.  I feel like my daughter learned more about herself doing this show than in any other.  She was afraid to audition and then afraid to take the part.  She was intimidated coming in because so many people had done shows with you before.  Now she feels very close to the cast.  She already knew 4 or 5 great kids coming in and now she has met many more good friends.  Plus, her confidence on stage has improved tremendously.  I always knew that you put on quality shows.  I didn't know that it would be such a positive influence on my daughter.  Thank you and thank all of the others who helped with the show.  I know you can't do it alone! ...Annie Jr. Cast Parent winter 2010

I came to see Annie Friday night and was blown away by the talent.  The kids were awesome, engaged, and talented.  The costumes were fabulous and the set was great.  What a refreshing quality production.  Congratulations!  I've been telling everyone I've seen about it!

Kris Visher, Magical Starlight Theatre - Naperville  ...Annie Jr. winter 2010

Volunteering with RST is fun for me because I get to know the kids and become so proud of every single one of them. You are providing a wonderful community service in so many ways.” -- Becky Colbert, after Mulan 2008

“Out of all the various activities available to my daughter; including sports, reading, music lessons, even spending time with friends, her favorite pastime without a doubt is participating in RST shows. Thank you for making this opportunity available to us.” -- Lilly Barrett, January 2008

“I did not enjoy the Broadway version any more than I enjoyed your performance of Seussical the Musical!” -- Anonymous, 2007

“Again this year, Hannah has had a wonderful experience with the show and it has been a terrific production. Rising Star is head and shoulders above any theatre group she has been associated with, in every way. You joke in your emails about your attention to detail, but that level of dedication and discipline from all of the adults involved is what makes the shows so good and makes for a true learning experience for the kids.” Joann Able, after Oliver 2006

“Thank you to all you wonderful people associated with "Oliver!" We were so incredibly pleased and impressed with Rising Star. We found everyone here so delightful to deal with and the communication with us families was great. We look forward to "Wizard of Oz" auditions. Again, thank you for all you did to give our kids such a quality theater experience with such wonderful cast members.” – S. Heronemus