Kankakee Valley Theatre Association

09/02/2026

🎤 When I first saw you
I said "O My", "O My"
That's my dream!

Enjoy this sneak peak of Cayla Crawford and Deante Lewis in KVTA's Dreamgirls!
September 18-20 @ Lincoln Cultural Center
Tickets: https://kvta.ludus.com/200534582

08/31/2026

KVTA's Dreamgirls ~ A sweeping and inspirational journey through 20th-century American pop music, Dreamgirls chronicles one Motown group’s rise from obscurity to superstardom. Through gospel, R&B, smooth pop, disco and more, Dreamgirls explores themes of ambition, hope and betrayal, all set in the glamorous and competitive world of the entertainment industry.

"Dreamgirls is a show about a time in American musical history when rhythm and blues blended with other styles of popular music creating a new American sound. Act One is set in the fabulous sixties – a time when we were still screaming at Elvis and listening to the Beatles, but were dancing to the new beat of countless girl and boy groups like The Supremes, The Marvelettes, The Temptations and The Shirelles. Dreamgirls is not just about the singing and the dancing and the performing. The play is also about the behind-the-scenes reality of the entertainment industry – the business part of show business that made possible this cultural phenomenon. Act Two shows the creation and the arrival of disco – though the word is never used in the script. The subject matter of this play deals with a musical contribution to America of such importance that only now – decades later – are we beginning to understand.” – Michael Bennett

Accolades
Winner! Six 1982 Tony Awards, including Best Book
Nominee: Thirteen 1982 Tony Awards, including Best Musical
Winner! Four 1982 Drama Desk Awards
Nominee: Ten 1982 Drama Desk Awards, including Outstanding Musical
Winner! 1982 Theatre World Award (Jennifer Holliday)

TICKETS: https://kvta.ludus.com/200534582

Director: Tyler McMahon
Assistant Director: Aubrey LaLuna
Vocal Director: Barbi Brewer-Watson
Choreographer: Danielle Shoven

Effie Melody White - Jordyn Clark
Deena Jones - Cayla Crawford
Lorrell Robinson - Crystal Phillips-Pierce
Curtis Taylor - Deante Lewis
Jimmy “Thunder” Early - Darnell Crater
C.C. White - Cavelle Franklin
Marty - Romero Lewis
Michelle Morris - Julia Hilgeman
Big Mama Dixon/Wanda - Camille Younger
Little Albert/Ensemble - Shane Spicer
Franny/Ensemble - Arianna Travis
Dave/Ensemble - Nick Troendle
Sweethearts/Ensemble - Victoria Eisenach, Morgan George
Jerry/Dwight - Ryan Runner

PERFORMANCE DATES / LOCATION:
Friday, September 18 ~ 7:00 PM
Saturday, September 19 ~ 2:00 PM
Sunday, September 20 ~ 2:00 PM
Lincoln Cultural Center 240 Warren Ave Kankakee, IL 60901​

Lap sitting is not permitted as every person must have their own ticket. No children under 3 will be permitted. No refunds or exchanges. All sales are final.​​

Approximate Run Time: 2 1/2 hours with an Intermission

08/30/2026

You know, there really aren't three Dreams. There are FOUR! They’re really happy because all of them are here to sing for you at KVTA's Dreamgirls!
September 18-20 @ Lincoln Cultural Center
Tickets: https://kvta.ludus.com/200534582

08/28/2026

🎤Ladies and gentlemen, KVTA is proud to present the Kankakee County debut of America's newest recording stars, The Dreams!
KVTA's Dreamgirls performs at LCC September 18-20 only!
Tickets: https://kvta.ludus.com/200534582

08/22/2026

Thank you to everyone that auditioned for KVTA's Diary of a Wimpy Kid! The talent was fabulous, and our casting decisions were very difficult to make because of that! Please accept or decline your part by 6:00 pm on Saturday, August 22, by emailing the Director at: [email protected]. You can expect a welcome email Sunday evening; be sure to look for it. The Parent/Guardian Meeting and Cast Read Thru will be Wednesday, August 26, starting at 6:00 pm, at the KVTA Studios. We encourage everyone who auditioned to try out for The Alibis and Newsies JR, both in December. Congratulations!
https://www.kvta.org/wimpykid

08/21/2026

The callback list is now posted for KVTA's Diary of a Wimpy Kid!
https://www.kvta.org/wimpykid

08/19/2026

KVTA's Diary of a Wimpy Kid auditions are tonight and tomorrow! Auditions are open to those age 6-17. Learn more on our website:

https://www.kvta.org/wimpykid

08/13/2026

Host Denny Case welcomes Kayla James, director of the Kankakee Valley Theatre Association's upcoming production of Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Musical, to Kankakee Valley Community Happenings.

Kayla shares details regarding upcoming auditions for youth ages 6 to 17, scheduled for August 19 and 20 at 6:00 PM (callbacks on August 21) at the KVTA Studios in Kankakee. She also previews the upcoming November performances at the Lincoln Cultural Center and reflects on her decade-long involvement with KVTA.

Listen to the full episode to learn more: https://wvli927.com/2026/08/13/kvta-youth-auditions-diary-of-a-wimpy-kid-the-musical-with-kayla-james/

and visit kvta.org for audition materials and show details.

08/12/2026

This Saturday is the dance audition workshop for KVTA's Diary of a Wimpy Kid: 60-Minute Version! The workshop will take place at the KVTA Studios 1 Stuart Dr Kankakee IL 60901. Come on out! Advance reservations are not needed for the workshop. From 1-2pm we will be working on Animal Heart, and from 2-3pm will will be working on Stuck in the Middle.

08/08/2026

We would like to sincerely thank everyone who auditioned for KVTA's Arsenic and Old Lace. We had an incredible talent pool, and you all made our decisions very difficult. We encourage you all to please come out for our final show of the season, Come From Away. For those who were cast please email [email protected] to accept your role no later than Tuesday 8/11 at 5PM. Again, thank you all for being a vital part of KVTA!

October 23-25, 2026 KVTA Studios Black Box Theatre 1 Stuart Dr Kankakee IL 60901