Wheaton Drama has a diverse membership that includes a number of hometown favorites. Jennifer Ciombor, who is playing Chelsea Thayer Wayne in Wheaton Drama’s “On Golden Pond”, definitely fits the bill as a local talent.
“I grew up in the area”, Jennifer says, “and went to St. Francis High School in Wheaton.” While in high school, she caught the eye of the Wheaton Drama membership. “I was awarded the Wheaton Drama acting award my senior year!”
Jennifer’s Wheaton connection extends further, as she met her husband Tom at St. Francis High School and they “both went to the University of Missouri-Columbia. We returned (to Wheaton) and now have six children.” Daughter Bailey is a freshman at DePaul, son Jack and daughters Holly and Madison are attending St. Francis, with Emily and Nick attending grade school at St. Michael.
While her family keeps her very busy, Jennifer has made time to perform at Wheaton Drama's Playhouse 111 over the years. She has appeared as Kristine in “A Chorus Line”, Brooke/Vicki in “Noises Off”, The Hunyak in “CHICAGO”, Lt. Commander Joanne Galloway in “A Few Good Men”, and the title character in “Sylvia”.
Jennifer auditioned for “On Golden Pond” because she had not “been on the Wheaton Drama stage for over a year, and I love working with Dee Hicks.” In addition to “On Golden Pond”, Dee has directed Jennifer in “Rumors” and “Born Yesterday”. Dee was also production manager for “A Few Good Men”.
Being cast as Chelsea has given Jennifer a chance to reflect upon the parallels between her character’s life and her own. “Chelsea is like me in so many ways,” she explains. “I’m an only child who grew up with a tumultuous relationship with my father, never pleasing him.” While there may be onstage tension between Chelsea and father Norman (played by Steve Blount of Wheaton), Jennifer has nothing but good things to say about the cast, especially Georgia Hamilton (also of Wheaton), who plays Chelsea’s mother. Ethel. “Just a real fun cast. Georgia Hamilton was president at Wheaton Drama back when I did my first show there. She made me feel so welcome. She’s the reason I showed up, and she encouraged me. It’s a real treat after 15 years to work with her on stage.
Jennifer has a great deal of affection for “On Golden Pond”. “It’s a slice of life piece that looks into a brief window of a multigenerational family. It’s filled with poignant, heartfelt moments among the family members, balanced with some very recognizable family dysfunction. (There are) light-hearted moments and a feel-good conclusion. “
To see Jennifer and other locals in “On Golden Pond”, purchase tickets at http://www.wheatondrama.org, or call 630-260-1820. Performances are Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm and Sundays at 3pm through December 11. Tickets are $13 each for Thursdays, $16 each Fridays – Sundays. Ernest Thompson’s “On Golden Pond” is presented by special arrangement with Dramatists Play Service, Inc.
Wheaton Drama’s 2011-2012 season will also include “Bad Seed” (1/27-2/19/12), “Black Comedy” (3/23-4/15/12), and “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels” (5/25-6/17/12).
Wheaton Drama’s productions are staged at Playhouse 111, 111 N. Hale Street in downtown Wheaton. For performance information, tickets, and audition details for upcoming shows, please visit http://www.wheatondrama.org. Follow on Twitter @WDIPublicity.
Article by Peter Lemongelli and Jo-Ann Ledger for Wheaton Drama. Contact: Publicity@wheatondrama.org
