26 | May 9, 2019 | the tinley Junction life & arts tinleyjunction.com LWE student’s play focuses on history, sacrifice Mary Compton Freelance Reporter For Lincoln-Way East student Anmarie D’Ortenzio, music and theater have been lifelong passions. The high school junior, who has been singing since she was 4 years old, is the daughter of a voice teacher and the granddaughter of an opera singer. She also spent 10 years with with Curtain Call Theatre in Mokena — experience that helped prepare her for her newest role as director. On April 28, D’Ortenzio’s play “Sweet Pride” premiered at the Founders Community Center in Frankfort. More than 50 students auditioned for the community production, which D’Ortenzio wrote, produced and directed. “This is about a love story during the Civil War,” D’Ortenzio explained. “It focuses on sacrifice and how our pride gets in the way of what we truly want. Writing, producing and directing this has been the best experience of my life.” D’Ortenzio has been in more than 15 productions, and her grandmother is her main voice teacher. “I’ve always had a love for theater,” D’Ortenzio said. “I can remember my first role, which was a poppy in ‘The Wizard of Oz.’ I was 6 years old.” D’Ortenzio described her cast members, many of whom are fellow Lincoln- Way East students, as “incredible,” adding everyone volunteered their time on Sunday nights to make the production happen. “Due to complications with space, we got kicked out of our original spot,” D’Ortenzio said, laughing. “ ... I expected to show this in a small room at my school. We ended up with the show being at the Founders Center. It worked out better than I ever expected.” In the months leading up to the play’s debut, D’Ortenzio’s mother, Marie Michuda-D’Ortenzio, opened up the family’s home as a rehearsal space for 28 students. “I cook a lot,” Marie Michuda-D’Ortenzio said. “We have a big foyer. For two months, I’ve had costume racks, a stump, prop tables in my living room.” D’Ortenzio wrote three different versions Lincoln-Way East student Anmarie D’Ortenzio (left) greets her grandmother Anne Perillo on April 28 at the Founders Community Center in Frankfort, where D’Ortenzio’s play “Sweet Pride” debuted. Photos by Mary Compton/22nd Century Media Brianna Ebenroth (right), cast as Meemaw, performs a scene in “Sweet Pride” with fellow Lincoln-Way East student Ellie Houlihan, who plays the role of Margaret in the production. of “Sweet Pride,” but it was only within the past year that the final product came to life. She credited Lincoln-Way East Choir Director Hanna Samawi with giving her the push forward to succeed. “Putting this together has been a lot of hard work not only for me, but my assistant director and the entire cast,” D’Ortenzio said. “Everyone pitched in, even the moms.” Max Adams, who had the lead role of John, said he was honored to be in his friend’s production. The Lincoln-Way East junior not only performed in “Sweet Pride” but was also in his high school’s spring musical, “Mamma Mia!” “Anmarie is my best friend,” Adams said. “When I found out she was writing a play, I knew instantly I wanted to be involved. I know how hard she works. I knew it was going to be amazing, and I had to be part of it. When she said proceeds were going to the Frankfort food pantry, I wanted to do this even more. Being involved in a process like this makes this so much more rewarding.” Lincoln-Way East senior Ellie Houlihan, of Tinley Park, plays John’s love interest in the play. “Sweet Pride” marked her final performance as a high school student. “It’s so meaningful to work with all these amazing people — to keep learning as my final high school acting career ends,” she said. Houlihan has taken part in all of the Lincoln-Way East musicals since her freshman year of high school. “Today, I play a southern belle who is not satisfied with her home life,” she said. “She is looking for an outlet to find freedom and herself in a new way. This is the biggest role I’ve ever had. To play Maggie and see the world through her eyes has been interesting. My mom would say I’m a little like Maggie. She’s not afraid to use her voice. She makes herself heard, and I admire that about her.” For D’Ortenzio, the play was a way to give back to the community. Audience members donated cans of food, boxes of macaroni and cheese and other items, and all proceeds went to the Frankfort Township Food Pantry. “I have a donation bucket; we’re selling tea,” D’Ortenzio said. “This whole entire process is to help the community. There is no better way than to bring the community together than through beautiful words.”
tinleyjunction.com tinley park the Tinley Junction | May 9, 2019 | 27 Celebrating our 60th Anniversary Serving Chicagoland for 60 years! 2019 WINNER Visit our 4,000 square foot showroom to view our wide selection of products CALL US TODAY FOR A FREE ESTIMATE ON WINDOW REPLACEMENTS! Windows Interior & Exterior Doors Mirrors & Glass Professional Installation & Service Reglazing • Shower Doors Celebrating our 60th Anniversary 18445 Thompson Ct. Tinley Park, IL 708.342.0900 | www.schaafwindow.com Follow us on