2008-09 Season

Chicago Writers Series
Kevin Coval
Join hip-hop poet Kevin Coval to celebrate the release of his latest book, Everyday People (EM Press). Coval’s Slingshots (a hip-hop poetica) was named a Book of the Year finalist by the American Library Association, and he is known for his work as a performer and artistic consultant on HBO’s Def Poetry Jam. Coval has performed at hundreds of venues on four continents and is the founder of Louder Than A Bomb: The Chicago Teen Poetry Festival, the largest youth poetry festival in the world.

Child’s Play Touring Theatre presents
Kids for President
The literary efforts of young authors nationwide are showcased in this high-energy and politically-conscious show. Kids for President explores how these creative youths would solve society’s toughest challenges-if only they were in charge! Recommended for all ages. This program is partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency.

Guantanamo: Honor Bound to Defend Freedom
A Staged Reading
By Victoria Brittain and Gillian Slovo
Directed by Arif Choudhury
Weaving together personal stories, court testimony, and political debate, Guantanamo probes the controversial detention of hundreds of so-called legal combatants at the U.S. naval base on Cuba’s coastline. The reality-based production also questions the damage being done to Western democratic values due to America’s “war on terror.” A brief discussion follows each performance.

The Crucible
By Arthur Miller
Directed by Patti Interrante
Different era-same paranoia. The parallels to 1950s McCarthyism and abuses of power sanctioned by the Patriot Act make this classic, award-winning play about 17th century witch hunts both relevant and riveting. A brief discussion follows each performance.

Oakton Sounds
Jazz Lounge
Sit back, relax, and enjoy an entertaining evening featuring the talented musicians of Oakton’s Jazz Band, under the direction of Carey Polacek.

Chicago Writers Series
Aleksandar Hemon
Born in Sarajevo, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Aleksandar Hemon has lived and worked in Chicago since being granted political asylum in 1992. His collection of short stories, The Question of Bruno, was published in 2000, and was followed two years later by his first novel, Nowhere Man. His most recent novel, The Lazarus Project (Riverhead Books), was released to critical acclaim in 2008. Hemon is the recipient of both a MacArthur Fellowship (2004) and Guggenheim Fellowship (2003), and he is a two-time winner of the Illinois Literary Award.

Cupid & Psyche
By Joseph Fisher
Directed by Anthony Churchill
Based on a Greek myth recorded 2,000 years ago by the philosopher Apuleius, this tale of love found, then lost, is the archetype for countless stories, legends, and fairy tales throughout history. Aphrodite’s jealousy of the world’s most beautiful woman prompts her to send her son Cupid to settle the score. The arrow misses its mark, however, when Cupid devises a plan to find true love-and his own humanity. A brief discussion follows each performance.

Oakton Sounds
What Is This Thing Called Love?
Musical Brunch
Enjoy a delectable brunch buffet as vocalist Eileen Berman, accompanied by John Cina and special guests, presents contemporary loves songs and memorable selections from Broadway, opera, and the American Songbook.

Oakton Follies
Call it “amateur hour” if you dare, but the enthusiasm is purely professional when talented Oakton faculty, staff and administrators take the stage for this biennial variety show. Proceeds benefit the PAC Foundation Scholarship Fund.

Oakton Sounds
Choral Recital
Celebrate the end of the semester with the Oakton Community College Choir, directed by Eileen Berman. This student group will perform musical theater, classical and contemporary works.

Oakton Sounds
Jazz Invasion
Warm up to sizzlin’ jazz standards with the award-winnin Oakton Jazz Band, directed by Carey Polacek. The “art of cool” is further explored by student combos and special guests

Christmas with Rudolf
What better way to spend the holidays than with popular family entertainer Dave Rudolf? Whether elves have placed your name on Santa’s “naughty” or “nice” list, Rudolf’s interactive show offers something for everyone, from jolly parodies including “Candy Cane Twist” and “Frosty the Slow Man,” to traditional songs of the season. Recommended for all ages. This program is partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency.

Chicago Bar Association’s 85th Annual Christmas Spirits Revue
Satire is on the docket of this annual variety show, written and performed by dozens of the Chicago area’s finest legal minds. A dessert reception follows the performance, which benefits student scholarships awarded by the Oakton Educational Foundation.

Child’s Play Touring Theatre presents
Animal Tales and Dinosaur Scales
Written by kids for kids, this unique collection of stories offers the little ones a chance to sing along with the performers on stage. Stories include a cautionary fable about a lion and a cloud, the adventure of a rabbit in pursuit of carrots, and the pros and cons of owning a pet dinosaur.

Oakton Sounds
Jazzin’ Around
Accomplished members of the Oakton Community College music faculty collaborate with the Niles West High School Jazz Band on a concert of jazz favorites, plus sectional clinics for students.

A Bicycle Country
By Nilo Cruz
A Staged Reading
Directed by Kate Tillotson
Freedom, hope, and survival are the themes of this stirring drama that follows three Cuban exiles on a harrowing journey across the Caribbean Sea.

Play On Writing Festival
Enjoy an evening of one-act plays penned by Oakton students. Proceeds support the Oakton Performing Arts Scholarship Fund.

Count Dracula
By Ted Tiller
Directed by John Frisco
Sarcasm becomes Count Dracula, the charismatic Transylvanian aristocrat who chases eternal life while sinking his teeth into the young and innocent. This witty version of the enduring vampire legend is rife with magic, suspense, and a classic goth character who commands the powers of fire, hypnotism, and transfiguration.

Oakton Sounds
Six-Piano Ensemble
Conducted by Glenna Sprague, this internationally acclaimed group astounds with keyboard precision and dazzling technique. In 2008, the Six Piano Ensemble performed at the Music Teachers National Association annual conference in Atlanta. They also traveled to prestigious music conferences at the University of Oklahoma, and Shenandoah University in Winchester, Virginia.

Chicago Writers Series
Louder Than A Bomb
More than 400 high school students annually participate in “Louder Than A Bomb,” the largest U.S. youth poetry competition. This spring, the Chicago Writers Series showcases winners of the 2009 competition, hosted by competition founder Kevin Coval and Robbie Q. Telfer of Chicago Young Authors. CYA’s free creative workshops help urban youth “promote tolerance and remove barriers to transform their lives and society.”

Tartuffe
By Molière (English Translation by Richard Wilbur)
Directed by Mary Ringstad
This classic French comedy, also known as Tartuffe, ou l’Imposteur (The Hypocrite), examines the evil acts men commit in the name of religious devotion. False virtue is on parade in this controversial 17th century work, which foreshadows the foibles of Oral Roberts, Jimmy Swaggart, and other contemporary evangelicals.

Oakton Sounds
Spring Finale
Jazz takes flight in this annual musical celebration. Join Carey Polacek, director of the Oakton Jazz Band, and student performers for an evening of swinging standards.

Oakton Sounds
Choral Recital
Celebrate the arrival of spring with the Oakton Community College Choir, performing selections by Felix Mendelssohn, Cole Porter, Rodgers and Hammerstein, Aaron Copland, and Pete Seeger. Directed by Eileen Berman.

Emerald City Theater Company presents
Dr. Doolittle
Learn to talk with the animals! Join nine-year-old Tommy Stubbins on an adventure to the bottom of the sea with everyone’s favorite animal doctor. This is the story of a young hero who sets goals to achieve his dreams-and becomes a role model for all.

Oakton Sounds
Clearly Classical
Directed by Tom Clippert, the Oakton Guitar Ensemble presents an afternoon of guitar favorites from the Renaissance to modern music-with a touch of jazz!