Kids’ show to support local wildlife

Daily Herald report

A group of 6- to 9-year-old performers decided to use their time in the spotlight to help local wildlife in the Fox Valley area.

The cast of Fox Valley Repertory Performing Arts Academy’s spring musical will be an hourlong adaptation of the classic tale “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” on the Pheasant Run Resort’s Mainstage. Along with preparing for the show, the kids are collecting donations of household items needed to provide care to orphaned and injured wildlife at the Fox Valley Wildlife Center in Elburn.

“I love animals, just like Snow White, so I am so happy we are going to help animals in our area,” said cast member Kristen Das of St. Charles.

Fellow cast member Emma Tallitsch shares her motivation for choosing FVWC, “I think Snow White would be happy!”

Since January 2009, the FVWC has provided care to more than 1,530 animals. The FVWC is a state and federally licensed, private, nonprofit organization, and is the only wildlife rehabilitation center in Kane County. They provide hospital care for wild animals that have been negatively impacted by people in some way. The goal is to release the animals back into the wild after rehabilitation.

“One time, Fox Valley Wildlife Center helped us with a baby bird we found,” said cast member Katie Das, 8, of St. Charles. “I am excited to be able to help them take care of more baby animals this spring.”

Admission to the performance is free, but the cast will be accepting donations of paper towels, unsalted nuts, shelled or unshelled, unflavored Pedialyte, unscented detergent or bleach, and facial tissues. Donations will be collected at the shows and delivered to the center by members of the cast and their families. Additionally, as a nonprofit organization, the academy accepts cash donations in lieu of admission to provide scholarships to local children who would not otherwise be able to participate in their programs.

“Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” will be presented at 6:30 p.m. Monday, March 7, 5:30 p.m. Saturday, March 12 and 11 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Sunday, March 13, on the Pheasant Run Resort Mainstage, 4051 E. Main St., St. Charles.

Snow White cast members include: Katie Das, Kristen Das, Keira Denker, Gianna DePaul, Kathryn Dybas, Allison Haab, Rachel Haab, Emily Johns, Bethany Paris, Melina Paris, Eva Saltsman and Emma Tallitsch, all of St. Charles; Caitlin Cook, Kaia Ebel, Erin Hurley, Ella Kobylecky and Jessica Lamplough, all of Geneva; Rece Komorn and Sydney Poss, both of North Aurora; Robert Keldani and Camille Lamkin, both of South Elgin; Caden Bohmer of Batavia; Dylan Lainez of Bartlett; Krystine Swanson of Elgin; and Hayley Troyan of Hanover Park.

Classes are available for youth ages 3-19. For more information, visit foxvalleyrep.org/education or call (630) 364-0550.