Business & Tech
Elgin Area Chamber Of Commerce: EALA Presents ''The Light'' - An Ethical Leadership Docudrama
This year's play, an original one written by playwright and retired Kane County Judge Wiley Edmonson, tells the life story of Lewis Hine ...
March 04, 2022
The public is invited to join the award-winning Elgin Area Leadership Academy (EALA) in viewing a thought-provoking free, live virtual performance entitled, “The Light”, on Wednesday, March 16, 2022 from 7:30pm to 8:45pm via ZOOM. A link can be obtained in advance through the Elgin Area Chamber of Commerce website at www.elginchamber.com.
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This year’s play, an original one written by playwright and retired Kane County Judge Wiley Edmonson, tells the life story of Lewis Hine - a teacher turned photographer who exposed the evils of child labor. The Ethical Leadership Docudrama will present a portfolio of Hine’s powerful pictures and depict the story of a man who spent his whole life doing his best to make a difference. Directed by Elgin Community College theater professor Jeff Larocque, the play will be performed virtually and seamlessly by a cast that spans over three time zones.
Hine was a hero. With the help of his wife Sara, he acted as an undercover agent and spy, sneaking or bluffing his way into coal mines, textile mills, canneries and cotton fields, sometimes risking his life. His photographs of eight- year-old coal miners and other child laborers shocked the entire nation and resulted in legislative efforts to end child labor in the United States. His pictures always brought out the dignity, courage and inner strength of the people he photographed. Hine spent the rest of his life as a champion of ordinary working people. He died in poverty, a forgotten man. Many of his photographs were simply thrown out, and lost forever. His work is now considered art of the highest order.
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The EALA “Ethical Leadership Docudrama” is a highlight of the annual year long experience individuals embark on building an understanding of community leadership through exposure, enrichment, and engagement. Edmondson has been an integral part of EALA as he has penned over a dozen original plays to stir emotions and invoke ethical issues and discussions.
The EALA curriculum is specifically designed to assist individuals in becoming active and engaged leaders in their community. Following the March 16 evening virtual performance of “The Light”, this year’s EALA class will meet on Saturday, March 19 for their regularly scheduled class to discuss the play with a discussion on ethics and ethical decisions.
A program sponsored by the Elgin Area Chamber of Commerce, EALA develops a corp of informed, committed, and qualified individuals capable of providing dynamic leadership for the greater Elgin area. Founded in 1990, more than 550 individuals have graduated from the Academy volunteering in virtually all aspects of the community. The curriculum provides broad-based leadership perspectives to familiarize participants with the needs, opportunities, and resources in the Elgin area.
EALA is a 10-month program, meeting on Saturday mornings, featuring distinguished community leaders, content experts, and successful executives in the Elgin area sharing their ideas, perspectives and experiences. Monthly programs provide individuals with the skills, knowledge, connections, and engagement necessary to develop and leverage a strong professional network of future and current Elgin leaders in all industry types.
For further information, contact the Elgin Area Chamber of Commerce at 847-741-5660.
The public is invited to join the award-winning Elgin Area Leadership Academy (EALA) in viewing a thought-provoking free, live virtual performance entitled, “The Light”, on Wednesday, March 16, 2022 from 7:30pm to 8:45pm via ZOOM. A link can be obtained in advance through the Elgin Area Chamber of Commerce website at www.elginchamber.com.
This year’s play, an original one written by playwright and retired Kane County Judge Wiley Edmonson, tells the life story of Lewis Hine - a teacher turned photographer who exposed the evils of child labor. The Ethical Leadership Docudrama will present a portfolio of Hine’s powerful pictures and depict the story of a man who spent his whole life doing his best to make a difference. Directed by Elgin Community College theater professor Jeff Larocque, the play will be performed virtually and seamlessly by a cast that spans over three time zones.
Hine was a hero. With the help of his wife Sara, he acted as an undercover agent and spy, sneaking or bluffing his way into coal mines, textile mills, canneries and cotton fields, sometimes risking his life. His photographs of eight- year-old coal miners and other child laborers shocked the entire nation and resulted in legislative efforts to end child labor in the United States. His pictures always brought out the dignity, courage and inner strength of the people he photographed. Hine spent the rest of his life as a champion of ordinary working people. He died in poverty, a forgotten man. Many of his photographs were simply thrown out, and lost forever. His work is now considered art of the highest order.
The EALA “Ethical Leadership Docudrama” is a highlight of the annual year long experience individuals embark on building an understanding of community leadership through exposure, enrichment, and engagement. Edmondson has been an integral part of EALA as he has penned over a dozen original plays to stir emotions and invoke ethical issues and discussions.
The EALA curriculum is specifically designed to assist individuals in becoming active and engaged leaders in their community. Following the March 16 evening virtual performance of “The Light”, this year’s EALA class will meet on Saturday, March 19 for their regularly scheduled class to discuss the play with a discussion on ethics and ethical decisions.
A program sponsored by the Elgin Area Chamber of Commerce, EALA develops a corp of informed, committed, and qualified individuals capable of providing dynamic leadership for the greater Elgin area. Founded in 1990, more than 550 individuals have graduated from the Academy volunteering in virtually all aspects of the community. The curriculum provides broad-based leadership perspectives to familiarize participants with the needs, opportunities, and resources in the Elgin area.
EALA is a 10-month program, meeting on Saturday mornings, featuring distinguished community leaders, content experts, and successful executives in the Elgin area sharing their ideas, perspectives and experiences. Monthly programs provide individuals with the skills, knowledge, connections, and engagement necessary to develop and leverage a strong professional network of future and current Elgin leaders in all industry types.
For further information, contact the Elgin Area Chamber of Commerce at 847-741-5660.
This press release was produced by the Elgin Area Chamber of Commerce. The views expressed here are the author’s own.
