E-Magine That!

October 2024

From the Desk of Samie Jo Johnson, Artistic Director

Dear Partner,

Happy fall! It's been a busy time here at Imagination Theater. First things first: We are thrilled to welcome Madison Hill as operations director (that's Madison on the left in this photo). Madison has been a member of our professional ensemble for three years. With the departure of our long-time executive director, Stephen Leaver (thanks for everything, Steve!), Madison and I are working together to keep everything running smoothly. Cee Scallen, coordinator of the Child Sexual Abuse Prevention Program (CSAPP), is instrumental in that as well.

Speaking of CSAPP, we are so excited to bring this program to all K-8 students in Burbank School District 111. We appreciate the school district's commitment to helping students stay safe from sexual harm. Another highlight this fall is that we were invited back to Kimball Middle School in Elgin. You might recall that last school year, 7th graders at Kimball helped us create an entirely new program, Clearing the Air: Skills for Conflict Resolution. We've now started a second Clearing the Air residency at Kimball and are already seeing tremendous growth among the students who are participating.

Also, we have already provided programs at no cost to schools with demonstrated need, with more of this programming slated for the next few months. It's so important to us that all students have access to social emotional learning and performing arts education, and your support is what helps us make that happen.

As always, thank you for being a partner of Imagination Theater!

Warm wishes,

Samie Jo Johnson

Artistic Director

Spotlight on Ensemble Member

Gaby Molina

Hi. Who are you? 

Hi!! My name is Gabriela Molina, but everyone calls me Gaby. I am a recent graduate from Columbia College Chicago with a degree in acting! I am from Panama City, Panama, currently located in Chicago!! :) 

What excites you about working with Imagination Theater? 

The idea of using theatre as a way of educating and implementing values has always been super important to me, and Imagination Theater does just that! It is so exciting to be in this company! 

Any interesting stories from shows? 

While I still haven’t done any shows yet [that'll change this week!], the rehearsals have been so welcoming and funny and witty! It's being a kid all over again, and it's amazing. 

What else is going on in your world?

For now, I am auditioning for everything that comes my way and looking to always collaborate! You can follow me on insta [at]gmolinav11, and if you want to collaborate in a project, you can reach out to me through my socials or my email! 

Check out where we have been lately and what people are saying!

• Cesar Chavez Multicultural Academic Center, Chicago
• James B. McPherson Public School, Chicago
• Kimball Middle School, Elgin
• River Grove School District, River Grove
• LEARN Charter (five campuses), Chicago
• Boulder Hill Elementary School, Montgomery
• Britten School, Westchester
• Elm Elementary School, Burr Ridge
• Madison Elementary School, Skokie
• Oak Elementary School, Hinsdale

You guys could have a Netflix show, I'd watch it. - 6th Grader, Britten School

As always it is a treat to have the company actors out here. The kids love it and we are able to use the concepts presented in groups. We will definitely have you back out again next year. - Elaine Moor, Co-Executive Director, Britten School

Thank you to all of our sponsors!



The Shippy Foundation