Latest news with #LakeForestOpenLands
Chicago Tribune
21-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Chicago Tribune
Lake Forest theater company premieres The Queen's Museum in outdoor venue
A theater not bound by walls or a building, a performance written to be performed out in nature, all characteristics of this weekend's world premiere of The Queen's Museum. The latest partnership between Citadel Theatre and Lake Forest Open Lands blends a theatrical and ecological gift in The Queen's Museum, written by Mark Adamczyk, with outdoor performances on July 17 through July 20th, at 350 North Waukegan Road in Lake Forest. Citadel co-founder and artistic director, Scott Phelps, says he founded Citadel in 2002 with his wife, Ellen. The theatre, now in its 23rd season, has collaborated with Lake Forest Open Lands for 18 years. 'What began in 2007 as an interest in theatre or storytelling hikes along the trail, featuring tales like The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, and Johnny Appleseed – has morphed over the past several years, into Citadel's production of original musicals for the entire family, usually based on a children's short story,' Phelps said. Vice president and director of development for Lake Forest Open Lands, Paula Clair-Gould, says to come together to provide the venue for these productions has been such a positive and very much in line with their mission. 'As stewards of the land, we have been able to transcend the natural space, to expand and enlarge artistic experiences for our community in these native settings,' Clair-Gould said. This year's production brings audiences to The Queen's Museum, directed by Ben Ballmer. The Queen's Museum is based on the original short story, The Queen's Museum by Frank Stockton, first published in January 1906, and adapted by musician and playwright Mark Adamczyk. The monarch of the realm commissions the housing of her collection of artifacts for the inspiration and edification of the populace. What a noble idea! What a wonderful plan! What could possibly go wrong? Well, there's this band of down-on-their-luck pirates, see, drawn to the scent of plunder and rousing dance numbers, coming together in another Citadel outdoor summer extravaganza full of music and fun for the whole family, according to the Citadel website. Ballmer says directing for young audiences is part of a world of children's theatre that relies on encouraging engagement and interaction with audience members during a performance. 'Actors learn to improvise and to involve the audience in the story — and in The Queen's Museum, this swashbuckling adventure seems to come to life outdoors,' Ballmer said.
Chicago Tribune
29-04-2025
- General
- Chicago Tribune
Lake Forest Open Lands holds Celebrate Earth at Mellody Farm Nature Preserve
At Lake Forest Open Lands, celebrating the Earth and connecting communities to the natural world is a practice that goes far beyond Earth Day Weekend. Saturday morning, Celebrate Earth at Mellody Farm Nature Preserve in Lake Forest offered families an opportunity to slow down and recharge with guided nature hikes, hands-on activities on restoring native habitats, a birding station, nature journaling and readings by environmentally-themed children's book author, Ruth Spiro and much more. Ryan London, president and C.E.O. Lake Forest Open Lands says there is great health benefit to a moment of mindfulness and connection to the natural world — when we take care of nature it takes care of us. 'Conservation has its ancestral roots in the Midwest, and now more than ever, small community organizations like ours are working to involve a broader cross-section of communities in community conservation,' London Said. At Lake Forest Open Lands they are dedicated to expanding programs for youth and adults in Lake County, broadening and deepening access and connection to land and coastal conservation programming, London says. After receiving a recent Illinois Coastal Management grant in Winter 2024, these funds, according to London, are supporting new programs and collaborations focused on stewardship and education that highlight awareness about hyperlocal coastal resources along the Great Lakes. New community partners like Drip and Culture, a socially minded coffee company in Waukegan, have joined Cristo Rey, Boys and Girls Club of Lake County, Lovell Federal VA, Waukegan High School, and other LFOLA partners across North Chicago and Waukegan. London says, these community partners are taking part in guided hikes and other activities that provide access to natural resources, aimed at reaching out to the broader community to make preserving land relevant and essential to all citizens. 'Through our partnership with Lake Forest Open Lands, we are inviting people to the land, to an outside that is inclusive, that belongs to everyone – a place where it is possible to spark intellectual curiosity, caring and stewardship,' Adam Carson, founder and owner of Drip and Culture, said. Lake Forest Open Lands, director of engagement, Julia Lunn, says their Center for Conservation Leadership, is focused on providing innovative environmental opportunities for high school students, like the Edo-Ambassador program this summer at Illinois Beach State Park. 'Starting in June, our Eco-Ambassadors will be shadowing the Prairie Research Institute scientists, creating educational resources, gathering wisdom from community leaders, and growing deeper connections with the natural world,' Lunn said. According to London, since 2016, Illinois Coastal Management Program (ICMP) grants have supported a series of impactful area initiatives aimed at enhancing environmental stewardship, education, and public access along the Lake Michigan shoreline in Lake County. These projects have combined hands-on conservation, educational curriculum development, cultural engagement, and community-focused recreational access to deepen public understanding and care for the coastal zone. London says, conservation is not just about preserving landscapes, but about strengthening communities and the natural resources that they rely on. 'Our beyond-the-trail initiatives help to provide healthy land and clean water, which are fundamental to public health,' London said. David Forestieri of Lake Bluff attended Saturday's Celebrate Earth event with family. 'It's such a luxury to have these protected open spaces to connect with, and to experience the passion and education that can only come from experiencing it first-hand,' Forestieri said.
