At Citadel Theatre in Lake Forest, the magic starts long before opening night.
It begins in rehearsal rooms filled with nervous energy and growing confidence. A child quietly reading lines suddenly speaks up. A hesitant performer finds their voice. Older students help younger ones with choreography, costumes and cues. Somewhere between the first audition and final curtain call, something shifts.
That transformation is what has defined Citadel Theatre for 23 seasons.
Founded by Scott and Ellen Phelps, Citadel has become a creative cornerstone of Lake Forest and the North Shore, offering professional productions alongside a thriving youth education program. The husband-and-wife team, both professionally trained actors who met at Actors Theatre of Louisville, built the company around a belief that theater has the power to shape lives.
For Ellen, that belief is personal. She began acting at age 4 and credits theater with helping build confidence, communication skills and self-expression. Scott sees it as a place where kids discover purpose and belonging.
“Not every kid wants to play sports,” he says. “Theater allows them to have camaraderie, collaboration and a common goal.”
That philosophy lives at the heart of Citadel Theatre Education, led by Education Director Erin Ammer. More than a performance program, it is designed to help children grow creatively, socially and emotionally.
Citadel offers school-year programming for students ages 3 to 18, from minis classes for the youngest performers to showcase classes and full-scale musical productions for older students. The program’s hallmark is its inclusive approach: every child who signs up for a production gets a role.
That decision is intentional.
Some students want the spotlight. Others are happiest as part of the ensemble. Either way, they belong.
“We have created this beautiful little family of children,” Ammer says.
That sense of belonging is central to the program’s success. In nearly four years, Ammer says she has never had to intervene in a bullying situation. Instead, she sees students encouraging one another, mentoring younger castmates and building meaningful friendships.
Citadel’s approach also prioritizes creativity over imitation. Rather than relying on phones, social media or online performances, students are encouraged to develop characters from the ground up, creating backstories, motivations and relationships through imagination.
The result is often surprising and always memorable.
During one production of Seussical, students decided Horton and the Cat in the Hat were somehow related. It wasn’t in the script, but it reflected exactly what Citadel wants to nurture: creative thinking, curiosity and confidence.
As rehearsals progress, students experience the rewards of discipline and teamwork. They learn choreography, blocking, music and stagecraft while gaining something deeper.
“They walk away with a self-esteem and a level of confidence,” Scott says. “Once you get bitten by that bug, you never forget it.”
That impact extends well beyond the stage.
Parents often share stories of children who found confidence at Citadel after struggling socially, emotionally or academically. For some, theater becomes more than an extracurricular activity. It becomes a refuge.
Citadel’s commitment to community reaches beyond its own students as well. Through Citadel Cares, the theater welcomes families from underserved communities in Waukegan, Zion and North Chicago to attend family-friendly performances at no cost. Scholarships also ensure no child is turned away for financial reasons.
In an increasingly digital world, Citadel offers something refreshingly human: connection through live storytelling.
Here, children are not just learning how to perform.
They are learning how to listen, collaborate, create and belong.
Get Involved with Citadel
Citadel Theatre offers year‑round education programs for young performers ages 3 to 18, including minis classes, showcase workshops and full‑scale musical productions in Lake Forest. With an inclusive approach and scholarship support available, every child has the opportunity to participate and grow through live performance.
Explore classes and registration:
citadeltheatre.org/education-tickets-and-registration
Support Citadel’s mission at its annual Gala Fundraiser on September 26, an evening benefiting both the theater and its education programs. The event includes live entertainment, community celebration and opportunities to directly support youth arts.
Tickets and details:
citadeltheatre.org/buytickets