Blog Archives

A DEEPER DIVE: COVID19 IMPACT ON COMPASS

3/26/2020

Hi, Compass Family and Community,

As many of you know, our slogan is Stretching Creativity and Bravery Muscles through Theatre. It’s certainly a time for both creativity and bravery. We hope you’re well, as we know that each community is having its own experience at different paces and realities with Covid19.

Here in Chicago we’ve experienced rapid, heightened changes and we at Compass are among the many facing a rough road ahead and are working to quickly adapt to the consequences of the pandemic as our city is under a stay-at-home order through at least April 30th.

So far, we’ve had to cancel all of our spring programming and events, begun navigating significant summer cancellations with many of our national partners, and anticipate there will be more cancellations to come. This means that Compass is likely facing a 60 - 80% loss of projected annual revenue for 2020 and these losses will likely continue into the following year as partnering organizations struggle to weather this storm as well.

I’ve been calling our partners to connect and find out about what’s happening locally in each community. As I’ve spoken to folks across the country, I’ve listened and shared in the fears and uncertainties that have surfaced in unique ways for each place, as well as being updated on the joys and victories our communities are also experiencing through these difficult times. It was through these conversations that I realized that we have the privilege of continuing being what Compass has always been: highly flexible and responsive to each of our community's needs.

So, we’ve begun to flex our creativity and bravery muscles in new ways to figure out what we could do to support our students, their families, and communities in the here-and-now, and bridge the gap Compass is currently facing financially.

Compass is simultaneously working on launching Compass@Home to create new digital theatre opportunities for our young artists and their families and working on preparing for the next time we can physically join our students.

So, we’re asking you to remain open to explore this wild west of online theatre programming with us and joining us for both our pay-what-you-can activities our more robust online classes and camps. This will allow us to continue to bring theatre to the places where kids already learn and play, and for now that’s mostly at home!

The monies collected from online programming, and any generous donations we receive at this time, will be the bridge between us and you that will help ensure our ability to overcome this unprecedented challenge and be back on the road soon!

When Cathlyn and I started Compass nearly eight years ago, we did so with the goal of providing programming that was accessible and affordable. As a community we’re now faced with new accessibility and financial challenges than we ever dreamed of when we started out on this journey - but that doesn’t change our mission.

We’re committed to being here for you during these uncertain times and we still want to be here with you when our world is able to emerge from this crisis, helping young artists find their voice, honing their empathy, trust, responsibility, and teamwork, in a world that will need those things more than ever.

We miss you, and we cannot wait to see you again online and in person! So, keep an eye out for emails and other communication about how you can engage with and how we can support each other.

Be well, stay safe, and join us for these new ways to stretch your creativity and bravery muscles!

-Cassandra Quinn and the Compass Team

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Twenty Questions with Programs Associate, Emma Noelle

3/13/2020

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Welcome to our TWENTY QUESTIONS series. Here, team members from administrators to designers to teachers answer questions about themselves. Have a question you want us to add to the list? Leave a comment!

About Emma

Emma is an Inventory Manager and experienced Teaching Artist at Compass. She has played Scruffy the Rat and Shere Khan the Tiger in the Compass productions of Beauty and the Beast and The Jungle Book. Her favorite Compass play is The Jungle Book. She says, "I love how culturally relevant it is to the modern day".

Emma in rehearsal with a student for the 2019 Kohler Jungle Book camp.

Emma's Twenty Questions

#1 You’re stranded on a deserted island, but you have food and water. What are three things you’d want to have with you?

My fiance Jordan, my stuffed cat from childhood named Starlit, and my bed.

#2 What was your favorite music group in middle school?

Ke$ha was my favorite singular person, but The Dixie Chicks were my favorite group.

Dixie Chicks at the 41st Annual Grammy Awards. Photo by: SGRANITZ/WIREIMAGE

#3 What teams did you belong to when you were growing up?

I played some sports like Baseball and Softball, but I also was on a synchronized skating team called the “Mousettes” as well as a team where I Ice Skated singularly. I was a cheerleader for my Elementary School Squad, the Stallions, as well as rode horses for 2 different teams. I stated at Red Coat Farms, before quickly moving over to Country Ridge. I was our highest scoring Pony rider my last year!

#4 Soup or salad?

Soup

#5 What’s your favorite day of the week when you are teaching a performance residency?

Tuesdays! I love getting to intorduce the students to their characters in a more full way.

Emma teaching a scene in a Jungle Book camp in Kohler, Wisconsin (2019)!

#6 What’s something about you that some people might consider a weakness, but is really a strength?

I get extreme tunnel vision when I am overwhelmed. I used to think that this was a weakness as well, until I realized that this just allows me to complete my tasks more quickly, which allows me to move on to other tasks mroe efficently.

#7 Morning person or nightowl?

I'm Neither. I’m more of a mid-afternoon person.

#8 Tell us all of the towns you’ve lived in.

Elgin, IL
Hoffman Estates, IL
Hawthorn Woods, IL
Colleyville, TX
Lakeland, FL
Mundelein, IL
Lakeview, IL

#9 What’s a piece of advice someone gave to you that’s stuck with you?

I don’t remember where I first heard this advice, but it was “Being an adult doesn’t mean that I have to act like one.” I always felt like as an adult I had to give up on all of my personal childhood wants and needs, and it’s of great comfort to me that I can keep at least a few of them.

#10 What’s a book that’s stuck with you?

The Outsiders. I have a tattoo on the inside of my left wrist with the quote “stay gold” on it, and all of my sorority sisters in college called me Ponyboy.

#11 Top five favorite snacks:

-Peach Rings
-Chocolate frosting and pretzels
- Nutella on apples
-Butter and toast
-Oreo Balls

#12 What’s the practical skill in your life that you’re most proud of?

I do my own taxes, and have not accepted any financial help from my family since I was 17.

#13 What’s something you do to relax?

Reread my old favorite books (The Outsiders, Anne of Green Gables, etc)

#14 Describe your favorite mug.

'It’s from a Lady and the Tramp couples mug set. It’s red and has Lady on the front of it. The back has “Lady” written in gold script and the side of it has an indent that creates half a heart. When the Tramp half is sat side by side they complete a heart in the negative space.

#15 What’s your favorite thing to do in Chicago in the winter?

Lincoln Park Zoo Lights and visit the Bean while it is snowing.

#16 If you were going to live somewhere other than Chicago, where would it be and why would you live there?

I'd live in Orlando, Florida. I loved living in Florida and I cannot wait to go back.

#17 What’s your favorite fairytale?

Little Red Riding Hood

#18 What would you do if someone gave you a million dollars, no strings?

Payoff my debts and invest in a decent condo.

#19 Tell us about your role model.

My grandmother is the strongest woman I’ve ever met. We’re cut from the same cloth and she always understands what I need without me even saying it. She survived so many difficult situations in her life, and is still thankful everyday. She always tells me to be wholly myself, and to never tamper down any pieces regardless of the situation. She’s one of the first people in my life to say that to me, and actually mean it.

#20 What’s a moment that you felt proud of the work you do at Compass?

When JM and I were in Findlay, OH there were a group of girls who were traditional gossipy, middle school bully types. One of the girls in that group would regularly get picked on because she was on the bottom of their group heirarchy, but when the group went in on another person she wasn’t usually the type to stop that behavior. On Friday one of the younger girls in the cast left her dinner unattended and without meaning to, the older girl picked up the mess and threw it out because she assumed that the mess was all garbage. When the younger girl came back and saw that her food had been “stolen” she got uncontrollably upset. She made a huge scene and the Principal of the school stepped in and demanded to know who took this girls food. The clique that that older girl belonged too were giggling about the whole event, and seemed to find this younger students panic somewhat funny, but the girl who tossed the food in the garbage seemed genuinelly sorry about the event. She even admitted in front of the entire cast that she had gotten rid of the food, and apologized to the hysterical student. Her friends were clearly angry with her for not joining in on the laughter with them, but she didn’t let that stop her fom doing the righ thing. It was clear that this girl had learned a lot about resposibility and honesty that week, and her improvement in only a couple of days really resonated with me.

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Leading by Example: A Look into the Professional Theatre Work of Compass Educators

3/6/2020

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Here at Compass Creative Dramatics, we take great pride in the accomplishments of our staff and educators. It’s important to us that our educators aren’t just teachers who sometimes perform, or performers who sometimes teach - they stretch their creativity and bravery muscles as both teachers and performers regularly! This means that our teaching artists often enjoy consistent, professional theatrical work outside of their time at Compass.

We’re dedicated to hiring educators who also practice their craft regularly beyond their work at Compass as we believe this enriches our students’ experience and enhances the quality of programming we offer to our communities!

While our teaching artists work professionally at an array of types of theatres and artistic projects, we want to take a moment and highlight the exciting Theatre For Young Audience projects beyond Compass that our staff has been dedicating themselves to over the last few months and brag on behalf of our amazing team - Here we go!

A.J. Morrison at Lexington Children’s Theatre

A.J. (right) and his director Katie Mitchell on ABC 36 News talking about The Cat in the Hat (Photo by ABC 36 News)

A.J. Morrison, Compass Creative Dramatics’ Education Director and one of our teaching artists for Summer 2020, is playing “Fish” in The Cat in the Hat with Lexington Children’s Theatre. This musical is based on the book by Dr. Seuss, and has been adapted and originally directed by Katie Mitchell for LCT. If you recall the plot of The Cat and the Hat, it’s all about causing chaos! “Just like anything in theatre, staged chaos is intended to appear spontaneous, but in reality, that chaos must be meticulously planned in order to be safe.” A.J explained to us. “The cast, director, and creative team were in constant collaboration to plan the perfect mess… and its cleanup. It has been a blast to have so many creative minds working together.”

Performing on stage gives A.J. more tools in his belt to share with students on the road. While he’s working as a performer, he’s thinking like a teacher! “When something goes particularly well on stage I will often reflect on what the difference was. I’ll ask myself: What happened that time that made it work? What steps in the process helped me get to that point of success?” These discoveries onstage are not only a tool A.J. can keep in his belt as a performer; he is able to hand those tools to his students as an educator. The Cat and the Hat runs from February 23rd through March 18th, touring through regional Kentucky. Congratulations, A.J.!

Kelsey Fortier at The National Theatre for Children

Kelsey Fortier is the touring QUEEN! She was a teaching artist with Compass last summer, and is returning to teach for Summer 2020. Kelsey is ALSO currently on her second tour with The National Theatre for Children playing four different characters (Dr. Professor, Kitty, Friend, Teacher) in The Energy Guardians, a show about energy conservation that teaches children the importance of saving the planet’s resources. Kelsey has loved both of the projects she has done with The National Theatre for Children, having previously toured The Resource Force. Performing 2 to 5 shows per day, Kelsey travels around the world bringing knowledge, laughter, and joy to middle schools far and wide.

Kelsey as “Kitty Hairdo” in The Energy Guardians at The National Theatre for Children (Photo by Lizzie Narlock)

These performances aren’t your typical scripted show throughout - Kelsey has the fun challenge of taking suggestions from the students in the audience, and tying them into the storyline through improv! “The students are always looking forward to that moment when they hear their specific suggestions, and the laughs are glorious. Every one of these shows are completely different as the suggestions turn the tables. ” Kelsey says. Touring with Compass Creative Dramatics last summer piqued her interest in TYA (Theatre for Young Audiences) and she believes her experiences on the road have made her a better human, performer, and educator. “I am constantly interacting with students on and off stage allowing my communication skills to soar. As an actor, this show always has me on my toes constantly listening and being in the moment, which is extremely exciting.” Kelsey’s tour started January 25th, and she’s out on the road until March 9th. Happy touring, Kelsey!

Jill Matel and Sonia Goldberg with GreatWorks Theatre Company

Our Finance Manager and our Sales and Marketing Coordinator - Jill Matel and Sonia Goldberg - work with another touring children’s theatre group, GreatWorks Theatre Company! GreatWorks has a lineup of 13 social studies and literature-based touring shows seen by tens of thousands of students every year, in venues from the Atlantic coast to the Canadian border. While Sonia joined the ensemble this 2019/20 season, Jill has been acting in GreatWorks shows for several years now! “I truly enjoy performing for students as they are engaged and intelligent audiences.” Jill says. “Talkbacks are always fun to see what the students take away from the show.” Jill tours with The Giver and plays the Chief Elder, and plays Mrs. Rosen in Number the Stars. Sonia tours with 50 States in 60 Minutes, Fractured Fairy Tales, and A Christmas Carol and plays many fun and zany characters. Way to go, Jill & Sonia!

Sonia Goldberg at Chicago Children’s Theatre

In addition to performing with GreatWorks, Sonia recently played Music Bear Wake Up, Brother Bear! at Chicago Children’s Theatre. Wake Up, Brother Bear! Is an immersive and highly interactive show for children ages 0-6. Brother Bear and Sister Bear guide the audience through the four seasons, while Music Bear plays cello on top of the bear cave to make their adventure full of music, fun, and excitement! Young audience members get to meet butterflies in the Spring, play with fireflies in the summer, throw leaves in the Fall, and help the bears get ready for hibernation in the winter.

Allyce Torres (left) Sonia Goldberg (center) and Jonah Winston (right) in Wake Up, Brother Bear! (Photo by Charles Osgood)

Throughout each week, school buses filed in and hundreds of local children get to see the show as a part of their school day. On the weekends, Wake Up Brother Bear! had public performances, and the theatre was full of children and their friends and family. “Since the show is so interactive, it changes based on the energy our audience gives us each show. So 30 shy montessori students may lead to a gentler show, while 100 students from two different schools leads to a more raucous show.” Sonia explained. “Throughout the adventure, our young audience members are encouraged to make brave choices and be a part of the story in their own way. I feel so proud of everyone during each show that my cheek muscles hurt from smiling afterwards!” Wake Up, Brother Bear! ran from January 21st through March 1st. Great job, Sonia!

Audie Deinlein at Northbrook Theatre

Our wonderful office manager, Audie Deinlein, just wrapped up an exciting TYA project out in the suburbs. She performed in Knuffle Bunny, a musical adaptation of the Mo Willems book by the same name at Northbrook Theatre. Audie loves TYA because of the way in engages the community. “In Knuffle Bunny specifically, we have had so much interest from the kids in learning about the use of puppets in the show. We have shadow puppets, marionettes, and traditional hands-on puppets.” Audie says. “We've had Q+A's where we have shared all of the jobs within the theatre sphere including teaching artist positions.” So she got to share a bit about her work at Compass and beyond!

Audie (far right) and the cast of Knuffle Bunny (Photo by Northbrook Theatre staff)

Knuffle Bunny closed on February 26th, and had many sold out performances. Well done, Audie!

Wyatt Kent at American Blues Theatre

Last but not least, Wyatt Kent, the artistic director of Compass Creative Dramatics performs with The Lincoln Project through American Blues Theatre. This program was developed in celebration of the 150th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation. The Lincoln Project is a free arts education program for students in 5th through 10th grades in Chicago Public Schools. It also tours to festivals, museums, and other events throughout Chicago. Wyatt and others involved in the project perform selected scenes from the Pulitzer Prize-nominated script about Lincoln’s life, The Heavens Are Hung in Black. After the performance, they lead discussions with the students, and help students write their own text based on personal experiences or current events that affect them. “I think the real highlights of the Lincoln Project is helping students from a wide range of backgrounds in Chicago practice telling stories that matter to them in their own words.” Wyatt says. “The scenes that they see performed are a jumping off point for conversation.”

Chicago Public Schools made a concerted effort to make sure African-American History is taught year-long from middle school through high school. While there was a gap in supplementing their social studies programs, The Lincoln Project helps fill it. The Lincoln Project serves over 4,000 students annually. Great work, Wyatt!

We are so lucky to have a driven and dedicated team, and we are proud of all the great work they do to bring art to the Chicago community and beyond. And we haven’t even touched on the projects they have coming up on the horizon! Stay tuned for more exciting updates on the rich, full artistic lives of our teaching artists and staff.

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A DEEPER DIVE: COVID19 IMPACT ON COMPASS

Twenty Questions with Programs Associate, Emma Noelle

About Emma

Emma's Twenty Questions

Leading by Example: A Look into the Professional Theatre Work of Compass Educators

A.J. Morrison at Lexington Children’s Theatre ​

Kelsey Fortier at The National Theatre for Children

Jill Matel and Sonia Goldberg with GreatWorks Theatre Company

Sonia Goldberg at Chicago Children’s Theatre

Audie Deinlein at Northbrook Theatre ​

Wyatt Kent at American Blues Theatre ​

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A.J. Morrison at Lexington Children’s Theatre

Audie Deinlein at Northbrook Theatre

Wyatt Kent at American Blues Theatre