The goal is to combine Imagination'9s existing anti-abuse programs with new material that addresses such issues as domestic violence, interpersonal conflict, and guns. This program will be tested through a two year pilot project. The first year of the program includes performances of a game show-format play entitled Call the Shots , written by Imagination residency director and ensemble member Sandee Kastrul. Most importantly, I see them enjoying theater and becoming active participants. Most theater companies entertain, but we empower children by allowing them to feel.
Imagination employs approximately twelve actors per season.
During the 1993-94 season, Baumgart and his ensemble members provided 450 performances to a total of about 61,000 participants. The company plans to deliver as many or more performances in 1994-1995. Over the years, this energetic troupe has won numerous awards and grants from city and state agencies. Despite all of this, both Honeyman and Baumgart note that Imagination Theater does not seem to be taken very seriously by the local theater community, and they are pushing for a new educational theater category in Chicago's annual Joseph Jefferson Citations. We perform on site.