Fox Valley Rep Blog

Each month, FVR Performing Arts Academy selects an outstanding student to be featured in the Student Spotlight of the Month. The selected student is featured in the FVR Playbill and on the blog. Our current Student Spotlight recipients are sisters Erika and Keira Denker!

Ever since nine-year-old Erika Denker took her first performance class at Fox Valley Rep in 2009, playing the Bookseller in Beauty and the Beast, she has thoroughly enjoyed the craft of putting on a play. After two more classes, she auditioned for the Youth Ensemble’s production of Sleeping Beauty where she was thrilled to be the youngest ensemble member and play the role of Goon Blather. Erika had a “great experience because there is a costume designer and a lighting designer, just like a professional play!”

Youth Ensemble rehearsals were long and hard, but Erika’s pursued by auditioning for the next YE show, Beauty and the Beast, and getting cast as the acrobatic Footstool/Dog. Other Youth Ensemble shows include: Munchkin Barrister in the Wizard of Oz, a Who and Jungle Citizen in Seussical, and most recently in All Shook Up. Erika continues to keep in contact with her cast mates from all shows!

Erika also loves the Kids Musical Performance classes. Roles include Sleeping Beauty/Briar Rose in Sleeping Beauty, Snoopy in You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown. Recently, she played Alice in Alice in Wonderland, which was a challenging role in her mind because of the difficult songs and the walking pneumonia that plagued her throughout most of the rehearsals.

Erika’s favorite thing in the whole world is reading. She also enjoys dance classes since age three, piano lessons since age five, playing viola, and voice lessons. She also loves making up plays, writing out the scripts, and horseback riding.

“Erika is a dedicated and inquisitive student, always looking for a way to go above and beyond the expectation,” says Teacher Mrs. Alvis. “Erika is also kind hearted, she is quick to offer assistance to any of her classmates and brings a joy of learning to the classroom.”

Erika’s goal is to someday play the role of the villain, although as people generally consider Erika a “gentle soul,” she knows she has her work cut out for her. When she grows up, Erika plans to be a singer, actress, or a scientist.

After watching Erika on stage, little sister Keira signed up to take a Wizard of Oz class at age five. Now eight years old, Keira loves every minute of her FVR theater experiences. She took two more classes (Gabriella in High School Musical and Ella in Camp Rock), and then was able to play the Coroner Munchkin in the Youth Ensemble’s Wizard of Oz alongside her sister. She then started auditioning for advanced classes She was thrilled to be the Pest Goon in Sleeping Beauty where she “got to be funny, wear black lipstick, and my hair was a mess!” Other roles include Bashful in Snow White, Lila in You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown, and Small Alice in Alice in Wonderland .

“Keira is an independent and spirited individual, who applies herself enthusiastically and creatively to any task she undertakes. Though she enjoys all manner of theatric productions, and relishes the roles she has had the opportunity to bring to life, as her teacher I particularly treasure her attributes as a writer,” says Teacher Beth Robins. “For one so young she has an assured ability to express herself in a lively and invitational manner. One day indeed maybe it will be one of her plays or stories that we will see dramatized in theaters!”

Like her sister, Keira has been dancing since she was three. She plays the piano and takes singing lessons, and has taken interest in Beatles songs. Keira plans to take up the cello and continue her horseback riding lessons. She enjoys writing stories, scripts, cartoons–anything!! For years, Keira has wanted to be a cowgirl/cheerleader when she grows up, but now intends to only be a cowgirl. Or an actress. Or a scientist.

Both girls consider themselves very lucky to have met so many wonderful friends through FVR. They also think the world of FVR Instructor Tracy Whiteside, who treats the kids with respect and patiently listens to Keira’s numerous directorial suggestions.

“Erika and Keira are two of the most delightful kids I have ever met. Not only are they talented, but they are both hardworking, kind and full of joy. They are always smiling. Their enthusiasm is infectious and lifts the entire cast,” says Tracy. “Erika and Keira bring such intelligence and understanding to their characters–especially for actors so young. I can’t wait to work with them in another show.”

Their mom always says that “the theater kids at FVR are truly the nicest kids I have met.”