Proeh and “Troupers” Cause Applause

The Lake Forest Children’s Theatre gives every child a chance to star. This year, kids were out there in the spotlight strutting their talented stuff in the two performances that brought down the house and money home for Rory’s cause. The kids earned well-deserved applause but so does someone who stands in the wings supporting them and the fight against pediatric brain tumors – company director and founder, Margo Proeh.

Each year, Margo donates a portion of show ticket sales to The Foundation. Says Proeh, “No matter what, I donate $1,200 from each show.” With the two performances in 2003, the curtain will rise on $2,400 in generous contributions. “What is equally important,” says the enthusiastic theatre director, “is how much the kids gain by participating and helping out. I talk to the kids about the work of The Foundation and they get excited about doing their part, both literally and figuratively. They gain from giving back to the community and from being on stage. They learn self confidence, how to work with others, and the basics of musical theatre, plus the fact that there is a lot more to it than being a star.”

This year, the kids performed “Bye Bye Birdie” in January, 2003 and “Oliver” in May. As far as her role in contributing to The Rory David Deutsch Foundation, Margo says, “All I know is how wonderful Ross and Mindy are; how they cannot do enough for you and how comfortable they make you feel. I just want to give back to their cause in a way that reflects how they make me feel as a person and a human being.” It is difficult to write a script more honest and more sincere than this.