The Community Park District is excited to announce the Footlight Players of La Grange Park have selected a new theatre director, Spencer Douglas Clark.

Clark is a Chicago based artist and has worked for multiple theatres in the greater Chicagoland area, including the Children’s Theatre Project/Youth Theatre Project in Rockford. He has directed numerous performances including Cinderella After the Ball and Disney Channel Original Cabaret as well as choreographed performances of HAIR, Elf Jr., and many others.

Clark graduated with honors from Millikin University, where he studied theatre and dance and worked with the Decatur Park District teaching drama and dance while assisting with the youth theatre program.

Clark will replace longtime theatre director, Dee Hamilton. Hamilton helped the Community Park District grow participation in the youth theatre program from 20-30 children to well over 100 children per performance. “Dee has cultivated an incredible culture of creativity and community here in La Grange Park,” says Community Park District Executive Director, Jessica Cannaday. “We are very fortunate that she was able to help us build a transition team of experienced parent volunteers.” Cannaday says that Dee’s input was integral in finding the right candidate to continue the tradition of community youth theatre in La Grange Park.

The Footlight Players of La Grange Park is designed to foster an appreciation for the arts by providing participants ages 6-18 the opportunity to participate in a supportive, innovative and comprehensive theatre program.

As the new theatre director, Clark says he hopes to provide a creative space that promotes individual expression and allows kids to develop their unique voices through the rehearsal process.

Clark will direct the Footlight Players performance of Frozen Jr. Frozen Jr. Performances will take place on Friday, January 10 at 7:30pm, Saturday, January 11 at 2pm and 7:30pm, and Sunday, January 12 at 2pm at Park Junior High School in La Grange Park.