Artistic Repertory Theatre has great plans for its future. With the help from ART's Supporters and Financial Contributors, Artistic Repertory Theatre (ART) will contimue to grow and flourish - bringing a quality Cultural Experience to all who join us.

Meet Artistic Repertory Theatre's Board....

Kathleen Margevich (Artistic Director) - Kathleen has over 30 years of experience in the field of performing arts. She has studied dance, drama, and performance arts with the Amundson Arts Academy and Columbia College in Chicago. She has taught dance at DACC Columbia College, and Mo Ming Dance and Arts Center (Both in Chicago), and was employed by the Chicago Park District as a drama, voice, and dance instructor. She is a member of Dance Masters of America. Kathleen has performed, directed, and choreographed countless plays and musicals throughout east central Illinois and the Chicago land Area. Kathleen judges various competitions and choreographs for both the Hoopeston Area Drama Department and the National Sweetheart Pageant. Kathleen is the owner of The Academy for the Performing Arts in Hoopeston. "Theatre has always been a part of my everyday life. I find great joy in the creative process. My goal is to help others achieve the same creative, personal satisfaction and growth through their work in the arts."

Denise Ried (Musical Director) - I first met Kathleen Margevich when her daughter, Emily, was in my kindergarten classroom. That spring, Kathleen invited me to audition for a musical she was directing- The Sound of Music. I auditioned and played the role of Mother Abbess that summer. I was bitten by the theatre "bug" that year. Since then, Kathleen and I have worked together as director and musical director for two other productions - Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and The Music Man. I consider it a great privilege to work with this talented lady. I believe that Kathleen's strongest talent is her ability to create a family feeling among the members of the cast and crew of any production that she works with.

Together, we began to mull over the idea of starting a theatre in the Hoopeston and surrounding community. My thoughts from the beginning of this adventure have come from a line in the movie, Field of Dreams. The line is referring to building a baseball diamond, but I've applied it to our theater - "build it and they will come." With much support from our families, friends, and former cast members, we jumped in with both feet and decided to do Fiddler on the Roof as our first production. Artistic Repertory Theatre was born and I have been overwhelmed at the enthusiastic response we have received!

We have a fantastic group of board members. They have been so helpful and extremely encouraging in this adventure. They are helping us to realize our dream of a wonderful theatre in this community.

Many, many thanks to our dedicated and talented cast, crew and pit members. You have worked tirelessly this summer to make this production of Fiddlers a memorable experience. I look forward to working with all of you in future productions!

Gail Lober - Gail Lober lives in Cissna Park with her husband (Vincent) and her two children (Adrianna and Conner). She is a Spanish/Social Studies teacher in Cissna Park. Gail first became involved in the performing arts because of her daughter's love of dancing and musicals. Gail is now an active board member of Artistic Repertory Theatre, and she is also performing for the first time on stage in Fiddler on the Roof. She is very excited about the starting of a theatre group in Hoopeston, and has great expectations for the group to continue growing in the future.

Carol Kloska - I am honored to be a founding member of Artistic Repertory Theatre. I have been active in musical theatre all my life. The success of Artistic Repertory Theatre will also be a success for Hoopeston and our neighboring communities, adding cultural benefits, and bringing communities together to work and play, building strong relationships among young and old alike, while increasing pride in our community. A huge thank you to all who are helping us achieve this goal.

Chris Weber - Chris resides on the state line with her husband, Randy, and son, Karl, Chris is involved in their farming operation and she enjoys gardening and showing miniature horses. She is also active with the PTO and other community activities. Chris loves to sing and continues voice lessons at The Academy for the Performing Arts. Her wonderful experience at the Academy impressed her to become involved with the theatre.

Paige Brown -I am honored to be on the founding board of ART. I am so excited that my family; Toby, Jenna, Katie, Joshua, and Megan, are all involved. When I am not doing theatre stuff, I am a home school, dance, drama, piano, soccer mom. I want to thank everyone in the community for all the words of encouragement and support, both moral and financial, that you have given to ART.

Donna Judy - Welcome to the show! I am honored and excited to be a part of the founding Board of ART. I am thankful my daughter and son "talked" me into it. My husband, Newt, and I have been married 48 years and have lived in Prairie Green Township most of that time. Newt is a retired farmer and chauffeur of grandchildren, while I enjoy working at the Hoopeston Public Library. We were blessed with five children and seven grandchildren. I hope you enjoy our first production and look forward to a great season in 2005. Thank you for your great support.

Ashley Lithgow - Ashley is looking forward to someday directing her own show for Artistic Repertory Theatre! Ashley would like to thank Kathleen for giving her the Opportunity to be on the Board of Directors and would also like to thank her parents, Matt, Kevin, and her fellow Board members.

Michael Caparula - Mike was born and raised in the Quad Cities, received his bachelors degree from Western Illinois and is currently a math teacher, student council advisor, and drama director at Hoopeston Area High School. He has been teaching in Hoopeston for 11 years.

Community theatre was first introduced to Mike at the age of 8 as one of Mr. Snow's children in Carousel at the Quad City Music Guild. Since then, he has performed in over 20 shows in junior and senior high school, and community theatre with the Hoopeston Playcrafters and the Country Theatre Workshop. He has also directed over 25 shows at Hoopeston High School as well. Mike is proud to be involved with Artistic Repertory Theatre and hopes he can be an asset to the group.