More than 200 area children strutted their stuff on Chicago stages in 1999 and led the way for the 7-year-old Lake Forest Children’s Theatre Company to donate close to $4,500 from 1999 ticket sales to the Rory David Deutsch Foundation.

While having a chance to develop performing skills, the kids who take classes with the Children’s Theatre also learned first-hand what it’s like to give a little something back to their community.

"We decided to use the arts as an effective incentive for children to give back to those in need," said the Children’s Theatre founder, Margo Proeh, a mother of two sets of twins and a personal friend of Rory Deutsch’s family. "Rory was a wonderfully loving, intelligent, fabulous young boy – a real role model for other kids. His family has influenced my life so positively."

Throughout 1999 and now in 2000, the child performers in Proeh’s Children’s Theatre have staged performances at the Highwood Recreation Center and at other locations such as the Winnetka Community House, Solomon Schechter Day School, and Sts. Faith, Hope & Charity. While continuing to donate a portion of ticket sales to the Rory David Deutsch Foundation, the Children’s Theatre Company also plans to dedicate its new musical cable TV show, W.K.I.D.S., to Rory. It will air throughout Chicago this year.

For more information about the Lake Forest Children’s Theatre Company, contact Margo Proeh, at 847-831-0555.