Supporters Hold Fundraiser For Bloom High School Theater Program

CHICAGO HEIGHTS, IL — Bloom High School wrapped up another great production over the weekend with its performance of Aladdin Jr., but the cash-strapped department could use a little help.

The theater group is self-funded, which as anyone knows, is a tough endeavor. And, as most of you know, theater groups not only develop skills, but help to forge lifelong bonds. You hear kids talk about how much theater has change their lives. My own niece and nephew has similar experiences when they were in the Bloom Trail Theatre Troupe years ago.

At Bloom, Nadima Zegar, the group's director since 2006, said that they try to select kid- and family- friendly shows to increase community involvement. In Aladdin, 60 kids signed up to be in the cast or stage and tech crew. When there is a pit orchestra — this time, there wasn't — as many as 100 teens will be involved in the production.

Putting on the productions isn't cheap. Purchasing rights and rentals can cost more than $2,500. The group wanted to perform GREASE in the spring, she said, but could not afford the rights, which alone cost more than $6,500. Add in props, lights, batteries, bulbs, costumes...and the troupe is looking at a production with a $6,000 price tag.

"We pride ourselves on our high production quality, and even though we don't have as much money as other theater programs, we are just as impressive," Zegar said.

The students help by selling ads for the programs and holding fundraisers throughout the year. Sometimes that isn't enough.

So the group is turning to the community with a request: Can you help support Bloom's theater program?

Supporters have started an online fundraiser, saying no amount is too small.

Who knows? Maybe even next year you could be watching GREASE on Bloom's stage.