Performance Opening: Pritzker Students to Perform Peter Pan this Weekend

Pritzker Students to Showcase Performing Arts Talents in
J. M. Barrie’s Peter Pan, March 31, April 1 & 2

Live Orchestra to Accompany Show; Tickets $5.00

CHICAGO, March 25, 2011 – Students from A.N. Pritzker School, a fine and performing arts magnet cluster school and regional gifted center in Wicker Park, will perform Peter Pan in the school’s auditorium. The public is invited to attend.

Performances will be held on Thursday, March 31, and Friday, April 1, at 7 p.m., and on Saturday, April 2 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Tickets are $5 in advance and at the door. Pritzker is located at 2009 W. Schiller Street.

Peter Pan, a musical with songs and lyrics by Piers Chater-Robinson, is based on the novel by J. M. Barrie, who wrote about “The Boy Who Wouldn’t Grow Up”, a fairy play about an ageless boy and an girl named Wendy who has magical adventures in the fantasy setting of Neverland. Peter Pan is Pritzker’s fourth annual all-school musical production.

“Each year, our students are more and more excited about these performances, and our audiences have grown larger and larger,” said Dr. Joenile S. Albert-Reese, principal of Pritzker. “The show will include a live orchestra, many are Pritzker students. It promises to be another great opportunity for friends, family and the surrounding community to see our students at their finest.”

During the last three years, Pritzker students performed The WIZ, Willy Wonka Jr. and Annie Jr. to sold-out crowds. A fourth show has been added to accommodate ticket demand.

A Leading Fine Arts School

The cast includes more than 90 students from kindergarten through eighth grade who have been rehearsing since autumn. A live orchestra conducted by Pritzker’s Music Director, Jenai Jenkins, will accompany the production. The 10-piece ensemble will consist of violins, saxophone, clarinet, trumpet and flute, and will be accompanied by Kai Alexander, a local Wicker Park resident and composer, performer, pianist of 32 years. Students also have provided inspiration for the set through their artwork. Students got hands on experience designing and fashioning props, collaborating on the designs for the scenic backdrops and working with Pritzker’s Art Director, Mindy Schwartz, to paint and construct the set.

“We continue to be thrilled by the developing talent we’re seeing in our students, and we’re confident this performance will be a treat for everyone who attends,” said Mrs. Jenkins.

Pritzker warmly welcomes Nathaniel Swift as drama teacher and Director of this year’s production. An Artistic Director of Eclipse Theater Company and Non-Equity Jeff Award Winner for Directing and Acting, Nathaniel Swift, added, “It’s exciting to be working with students – from Kindergarten to 8th Grade. They bring enormous talent, passion and focus to this production of Peter Pan. From the first day of rehearsals, it’s been a pleasure to work with the actors, singers, dancers and backstage crew as we explore this fun, exciting play!”

Dozens of parents and teachers have enthusiastically volunteered countless hours for rehearsals, costume design and other behind-the-scenes support. And local business owners have become Fine Arts partners by purchasing advertising in the playbill.

“We are grateful for the high level of community involvement we’ve had with this production including our new dance company, Danz Theater and Choreographer Lauren Parets. The support provided by our parents, teachers and the local community extends this performance to include a cast of thousands,” said Dr. Reese.

Get tickets at debroseen@comcast.net

Tickets for Peter Pan may be purchased in advance or at the door for $5 for general admission. Tickets may be requested by sending an e-mail to debroseen@comcast.net

About A.N. Pritzker School

A.N. Pritzker School is unique in that it is one of few schools within Chicago Public Schools that is both a Fine Arts Magnet Cluster School and a Regional Gifted Center. We currently have more than 600 students in pre-K through 8th grades. We offer a full-day kindergarten program as well as a half-day pre-school program.

We’d enjoy the opportunity to let you see Pritzker for yourself. For more information, please visit our Web site at www.pritzkerschool.org.

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Press Release for Wicker Park Fest Kid's Events

For Immediate Release – July 17, 2009

CONTACT:
Julie Dickinson
Friends of Pritzker Volunteer
julia.dickinson@sbcglobal.net


WICKER PARK FEST KIDS, A WEEKEND OF FAMILY FUN, Presented by Wicker Park Bucktown SSA #33, July 25 and 26

Chicago, IL – Wicker Park Fest, an established neighborhood festival that attracted over 50,000 people in 2008, has partnered with Friends of Pritzker School to create Wicker Park Fest Kids. Wicker Park Fest Kids, July 25-26, 2009, will add a special family flavor to the Wicker Park Fest weekend. Joining the music, food and art vendors will be activities for the kids.
Just added to the fun, kids will have a chance to let their hair down and rock out with Psychobaby in the Rock 'n Roll Kids Tent at Wicker Park Fest Kids. July 25th and 26th from 12 - 6, the Psychobaby R 'n R Kids Tent will feature complimentary: Punk Rock Hair Styles! Create Your Own Band Tees! Custom Photo Shoots!
Plus boogie on down at the Beat Kitchen Kids’ Stage. The lineup has just been finalized with the addition of Little Miss Ann, Laura Doherty and Karen 4 Kids.

Kids can also enjoy face painting and temporary tattoos by Shorty’s Children’s Boutique and Metamorph Tattoo Studios, the Kid City Toddler Zone, a bounce house and petting zoo while the parents have fun with the city official dunk tank. Participating officials include Alderman Manny Flores, Alderman Scott Waguespack and State Representative Fritchey.

Proceeds from Wicker Park Fest Kids go to Friends of Pritzker School to improve A.N. Pritzker Elementary School, a public school in the heart of Wicker Park.

Wicker Park Fest is held on Milwaukee Avenue between North Avenue and Wood Street. This year, the festival will be expanded South down Evergreen to host Wicker Park Fest Kids. The event is easily accessible by the Blue Line and just minutes from downtown Chicago. Hours for children’s programming are noon – 6:00 p.m. Saturday and Sunday and the gate donation of $5 gets you into Wicker Park Fest Kids. For more info, go to www.wickerparkbucktown.com or call the Chamber at 773.384.2672.

Friends of Pritzker School is a not-for-profit organization established by parents and community members to help the A.N. Pritzker School in improving enrollment, facilities and teaching and educational opportunities at the school. For more information about A.N. Priztker School, the Friends of Pritzker School organization, and donation and grant opportunities, please see, www.FriendsOfPritzker.org.

Beat Kitchen Kid’s Stage
Saturday, July 25th
12:00 Mary Macaroni
1:00 Lindsay Weinberg
2:00 Beazley Phillips
3:00 Jeremy Babcock of the Dream Tree Shakers
4:00 Bucktown Music School
5:00 Little Miss Ann

Sunday, July 26th
12:00 Mary Macaroni
1:00 Kids’ Yoga with Soulistic
2:00 Chang’s Martial Arts
3:00 Mad Science of Chicago
4:00 Laura Doherty
5:00 Karen 4 Kids

City Official Dunk Tank
Saturday, July 25th
12:00-2:00 Alderman Manny Flores
2:00-3:00 Representative John Fritchey
3:00-4:00 Pritzker Principal Dr. Reese
5:00-6:00 Dunk a ‘Friend’

Sunday, July 26th
1:00-2:00 Wicker Park/Bucktown Chamber director Paula Barrington
2:00-4:00 Alderman Scott Waguespack
5:00-6:00 Dunk a ‘Friend’