Presidents Day (Monday, Feb. 17)

Step onboard a train ride through history with Mr. V. as we celebrate our nation’s greatest leaders and folk heroes. We’ll also perform music from some of our favorite musicals including Wicked and Frozen.  Through song and story kids will share in a myriad of day-long activities that will educate and inspire.

February 17, 2025

OPTION #1: 1/2 day – 9 am to Noon = $49
OPTION #2: 1/2 day – Noon to 3 pm = $49
OPTION #3: Full Day – 9 am to 3 pm = $99

Ages 4 to 10

Check out footage from Mr. V’s recent class.

Bill Vaananen is an award-winning music educator and composer who has taught and directed elementary-aged students for over 45 years. Originally from Oklahoma, “Mr. V.” was general music teacher at Wescott School in Northbrook for 37 years. He has written hundreds of songs and dozens of original theater works that have been performed across Chicago’s northern suburbs. Recipient of the Golden Apple Award, IEA Human Rights Award, National-Louis Distinguished Alumni Award for Social Justice, and Star of Teaching Award for the State of Illinois, Vaananen continues to perform classes and presentations for children, weaving his original music into inspiring lessons on Nature, history, culture, and adventure.

About Our Artistic Director: Jeremy Kruse, Artistic Director of Gorton Drama Studio is the author of “The Young Actor’s Handbook” (Applause Acting Series, 2017).The book was published in Korean and Chinese in 2022. Jeremy is a professional actor, published playwright, award-winning screenwriter, and award-winning filmmaker. Some of the classes he taught at The Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute in New York include Method Acting, Comedic Improvisation, Sketch Comedy Writing, and Acting for Film and TV. He graduated from The Strasberg Institute at New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts where he majored in drama. Jeremy also teaches privately, one on one  www.jeremykruse.com and www.jeremykruseactingtraining.com