Rising Stars History
The Rising Stars Theatre Company was founded by the late Ann Dunn in 1979 as an Explorer post, a co-educational division of the Boy Scouts of America. It encompassed the ages of 14-21 and its special interest was musical theatre. It began as an ensemble of students who had been in Ann's chorus at Portage Park School. The students wanted to continue performing after graduation, hence the formation of the Explorer post.
As the years progressed, the Company branched out to include more and more high school and later college-age students. The major emphasis of the group was performances at hospitals, nursing homes, churches, and civic organizations looking for entertainment. Some of the young people who performed with the Company went on to professional careers in the arts.Some performers also remained active in the Company after reaching adulthood, serving in advisory capacities as well as performing with the younger members. One year, the Company performed over 50 traveling shows!
In 1987, the Company produced its first full-length musical: My Fair Lady. The cast was a mixture of high school students and young adults. The production was a success and set the direction for the future of the Company.
Later, the group officially became The Rising Stars Theatre Company with an all-adult Board of Directors and production staff. It was headed by Ann Dunn until her death on February 2, 2005. The company is now run by a 13 member all volunteer Board of Directors who also serve as leaders of most of the production crews for all shows.
As the years progressed, the Company branched out to include more and more high school and later college-age students. The major emphasis of the group was performances at hospitals, nursing homes, churches, and civic organizations looking for entertainment. Some of the young people who performed with the Company went on to professional careers in the arts.Some performers also remained active in the Company after reaching adulthood, serving in advisory capacities as well as performing with the younger members. One year, the Company performed over 50 traveling shows!
In 1987, the Company produced its first full-length musical: My Fair Lady. The cast was a mixture of high school students and young adults. The production was a success and set the direction for the future of the Company.
Later, the group officially became The Rising Stars Theatre Company with an all-adult Board of Directors and production staff. It was headed by Ann Dunn until her death on February 2, 2005. The company is now run by a 13 member all volunteer Board of Directors who also serve as leaders of most of the production crews for all shows.
Shows - Click to see photos!2023 Hello, Dolly!
2023 Curtains 2022 Something Rotten 2022 Sister Act 2021 Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat 2019 Anything Goes 2019 Mamma Mia! 2018 Annie 2018 42nd Street 2017 Addams Family 2017 Guys and Dolls 2016 Nuncrackers 2016 Fiddler on the Roof 2015 A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum 2015 Mary Poppins 2014 Seven Brides for Seven Brothers 2014 Legally Blonde 2013 White Christmas 2013 The Wizard of Oz 2012 Carols and Cocoa 2 2012 Damn Yankees 2012 Nunsense 2011 Carols and Cocoa 2011 Chicago 2011 Crazy For You 2010 Hairspray 2010 Oliver! 2009 The Music Man 2009 Joseph & The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat 2009 The Wedding Singer 2008 Grease 2008 The King and I 2007 The Pajama Game 2007 State Fair 2006 Singin’ in the Rain 2006 Meet Me in St. Louis 2005 Beauty and the Beast 2005 The Sound of Music 2004 Nunsense 2004 Anything Goes |
Curtains, June 2023
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Costumes, Props and Set Rentals
We have a large selection of costumes, props and set pieces for rental from our many shows over the years. We probably have what you're looking for. For more information call 773-736-2490 or fill out the contact form below.
2003 Mame
2003 Guys & Dolls
2002 South Pacific
2002 My Fair Lady
2001 Fiddler on the Roof
2001 Cinderella
2000 Oklahoma!
2000 Joseph & The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
1999 Annie Get Your Gun
1999 Annie
1998 Carousel
1998 Hello, Dolly!
1997 The Music Man
1996 Nunsense
1996 Into the Woods
1995 The Sound of Music
1995 Sunset Boulevard (Revue)
1994 Little Shop of Horrors
1994 Puttin’ on the Ritz (Revue)
1993 The King and I
1992 Fiddler on the Roof
1991 Once Upon a Mattress
1990 Patent Leather Shoes
1989 Godspell
1988 Bye Bye Birdie
1987 My Fair Lady
Videos
Nunsense -- On The Town With Nuns
Singin' In the Rain - Silent Movie
Grease - Freddy My Love
The Wedding Singer - It's Your Wedding Day (rehearsal)
The Wedding Singer - Casualty of Love (rehearsal)
Singin' In the Rain - Silent Movie
Grease - Freddy My Love
The Wedding Singer - It's Your Wedding Day (rehearsal)
The Wedding Singer - Casualty of Love (rehearsal)
Support Us
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Become a Sponsor
Our Sponsors program allows local businesses and individuals to show their support for the arts in an extraordinary way. A Sponsor has 3 levels of contributions to choose from and in exchange receives the following benefits:
Our Sponsors program allows local businesses and individuals to show their support for the arts in an extraordinary way. A Sponsor has 3 levels of contributions to choose from and in exchange receives the following benefits:
- Special Announcement as part of the pre-program announcements at every performance of the sponsored show.
- Complimentary tickets for the sponsored show.
- Listing in the Sponsor’s section of the program and in the lobby.
- Opportunity to distribute your promotional materials on our sponsor table in the lobby
- Knowing you have helped support the arts in the Chicagoland community!
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Three levels of sponsorship to choose from:
Level Amount Number of tickets
Silver Sponsor $100.00-$199.99 3 Complimentary tickets
Gold Sponsor $200.00-$299.99 6 Complimentary tickets
Platinum Sponsor $300.00 and up 8 Complimentary tickets
If you are interested in being a Sponsor for our current production, please print the Sponsorship form found here: Sponsorship
Fill out the form and send it in along with your check. The Sponsorship deadline is given on the form. Call The Rising Stars Theatre Company hotline or e-mail us for more information.
Recent Sponsors include:
Fill out the form and send it in along with your check. The Sponsorship deadline is given on the form. Call The Rising Stars Theatre Company hotline or e-mail us for more information.
Recent Sponsors include:
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Exciting News!
The Rising Stars is part of the West Suburban Theatre Connection
WSTC is a consortium of community theatre groups located in the western suburbs of Chicago. We support each other through production discussions/sharing, building community awareness and the promotion of live theater performances and auditions.
Visit www.westsuburbantheatre.com to learn more and join the email list for notifications about shows and auditions from the entire consortium.
The Rising Stars is part of the West Suburban Theatre Connection
WSTC is a consortium of community theatre groups located in the western suburbs of Chicago. We support each other through production discussions/sharing, building community awareness and the promotion of live theater performances and auditions.
Visit www.westsuburbantheatre.com to learn more and join the email list for notifications about shows and auditions from the entire consortium.
