Darlene has been a part of Spotlight since 1998, and loves seeing the impact Spotlight has made in the lives of so many children both spiritually and emotionally. She appreciates being part of an organization that NEVER allows finances to prohibit a child from participating and knowing that Spotlight is a place where all children/families are accepted and welcomed. Darlene attended University of Illinois and spent over eighteen years in advertising/marketing as Media Director & Account Executive working on numerous national, award-winning accounts. Darlene is married to her best friend, Bill and has wonderful daughters Vanessa and Sarah, an awesome son-in-law Max, and two beautiful granddaughters Lexi & Tori. She enjoys spending time with family, especially her grandchildren, reading and loves eating super spicy food.

Sarah graduated from  Ohio Northern University with a BA in Theater and a music minor. During college Sarah performed, stage managed, and directed as well as studied at Queen Maragret University College in Scotland. Since then, she has worked in Children's Ministry, Company Management for La Jolla Playhouse, as well as Christian Youth Theater in San Diego.  Sarah has been on staff since 2008 where she has worn many hats from Director of Spotlight@school, to vocal directing and teaching.  As the Director of Education, she is passionate about providing the highest standard of education possible for the students and welcoming in trained professionals whose guidance and faith help to create a safe learning environment. Sarah loves the Lord and tries to be the hands and feet of His work in any way she can, from church missions to Spotlight.  As a true Ohioan and Buckeye, Sarah loves college football! She also enjoys taking road trips home to family in Ohio and to visit friends in Nashville.

Justin is a Christian Youth Theater, San Diego alumnus who co-founded this organization in 1997.  He has directed over 40 productions, helped start theater locations in Kansas City and Houston.   His top passion in Spotlight is to see students find their God given talents and see adults rediscover their gifts.  He has been married to his beautiful wife, Rachel for over 10 years and they have five kids Jillian, Micah, Liberty, Jackson and Saylor.  Justin is a graduate of Point Loma Nazarene with a BA in Religion and loves the NFL/Chargers, movies, modern day treasure hunting, and making up silly songs with his kids.

Miriam graduated from The Chicago College of Performing Arts with a BFA in Acting. Since graduating she has become an ensemble member of GreenRoom Theater, wrote and performed her own narrative performance art piece, and taught a theater camp for The Sage Studio at the Raue Center for Performing Arts. Miriam started teaching/ directing for GreenRoom and Spotlight in 2011. Directing credits include The Sound of Music, Aladdin, Hercules, and Urinetown the Musical. Her past stage credits include, Bare: A Pop Opera (Rory), Clue the Musical (The Detective), A Flea in her Ear (Antoinette Plucheux), Seussical the Musical (Cat in the Hat), and Les Miserables (Madame Tenardier). Film credits include, A Shallow Grave (Emma). Miriam feels truly blessed to be working for a company that allows/encourages her to share her God given talent and passion with students.

biography coming




 

Ben is a Judson University alum with a background in youth ministry and music.  He was a massive band, orchestra, and choir geek in high school and college and still loves performing in musical ensembles.  He also loves performing improv and comedic sketches with friends and family when he has time.  While at Judson, he was asked to consider vocal directing a show. This small opportunity turned into a passion for Spotlight and Ben has now been on eleven directing teams and has head directed twice.  He also loves teaching various drama classes and summer camp counseling for Spotlight.  Spotlight bridges together his love for youth ministry and performing, and he is thrilled to join the amazing office staff and hopes to contribute to the growth of Spotlight as a program reaching thousands of families.  Ben is married to Kayla, a teacher in South Elgin, and loves the Cubs, Bears, Bulls, coffee, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Disney World, and attending concerts, plays, musicals, Second City, and improv shows

Rachel has been involved since its first full fledged musical production in 1999. Following her time as a student actor, she proceeded to teach, direct, stage manage, build set and camp counsel for numerous musicals. During this period, she also cultivated a deep appreciation for costuming due to the supportive guidance of several costume committee members. Rachel then continued on to obtain a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Northern Illinois University. Following a long stint working in the custom millwork industry, Rachel was pleased to return to Spotlight to greet a new generation of families who are continuing in the pursuit of excellence in children’s theater. On the weekends, she leads the elementary school children’s department at her church and tries to keep up with the antics of her nine siblings. Rachel is incredibly grateful for the patient support and encouragement of her husband, Tim, who is also an alumni.

Maryann has been involved with Spotlight since moving from Pennsylvania in 1999, starting as a parent volunteer, head costumer, Area Coordinator for Kane County, and then working full-time at the Spotlight office.  Maryann is one of nine children, is married to husband Dave and all three of her kids are alumni.  Her oldest daughter Melissa now directs for Spotlight.  Her other two Erik (in Canada) and Grace (in Switzerland) are pursuing college degrees.  Since moving to the Chicagoland area, she feels that this organization became her new family.  Maryann enjoys making the Spotlight website as customer-friendly and functional as possible.  Outside of work, she loves the outdoors, bike riding and gardening.

Kristen has worked in customer service since 2001, first working at American Hawaii Cruises, then for Kohl’s, and now for Spotlight. She loves working for an organization that has such an impact in the lives of children and getting the chance to interact with parents on a daily basis. Kristen attended McHenry County College, and has a Travel/Tourism degree. Kristen lives in McHenry with her wonderful husband Al and her twin sons Nick and Justin. She loves reading, hanging out with her family and managing her boys soccer team.

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Elle attended Belmont University in Nashville, TN as a musical theater major with a dance minor.  She spent several years working in the Country and Christian Music Industry in Nashville as a voice over artist and session singer.  She also was a featured soloist with the Nashville Symphony Orchestra.  In 2006, she moved back to Chicago to be closer to family and began dancing and competing professionally with Fred Astaire Dance Studio.   Since then, Elle has been traveling the country choreographing and performing with Ballroom and Latin dance professionals.  Elle began teaching for Spotlight Youth Theater in Fall of 2011 with Project Dance in Lake County and quickly fell in love with everything that Spotlight has to offer.  In her free time Elle enjoys being a part of the worship team at Trinity Community Church and spending time with her one eyed Shih Tzu, Andante.

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Bob has been involved with Spotlight since 2006 when he worked on his first set committee. Since that time, he has built sets for Spotlight, H. D. Jacobs High School and Greenroom Productions totaling over 30 different productions. He is married to Patti, an avid Spotlight costumer, and has one son, Kevin, who is a recent Spotlight Graduate.  Bob’s other interests include golf, watching football and Tae Kwon Do.

 

Rick has been in leadership since 2005 when his daughter auditioned for her first show.  Since then he has been involved in the lighting and sound aspects of over 20  productions.  He joined the staff in February 2012 as Technical Director and his goal is to continually improve the technical quality of Spotlight productions and enhance the experience of those parent volunteers who work on Tech.  Rick’s wife Marge is currently AC of Oak Park, son Alex is attending Wheaton College, and daughter Gabrielle is in her final year of High School.  Rick is delighted to have experienced how God, through Spotlight, has positively impacted kids and families.  He holds a BS in Business Management from Nazareth College of Rochester.  When Rick is not involved in a productions, he loves working on big outdoor projects.

Bio Coming