“A Christmas Carol: The Sequel” – December 7-8, 2008
The Curtain Up Classroom Junior Ensemble performed Maria Bakalis’ original play “A Christmas Carol: The Sequel,” a contemporary retelling of and sequel to Charles Dickens’ classic tale. The show was seen at Hadley Junior High School in Glen Ellyn. The large cast featured a number of first-time Junior Ensemble players, including Katherine Fagan as Carol Scrooge and Jacob Vance as Bob Cratchit.
Open-Mic Night – June 19, 2008
Thursday, June 19, Maria Bakalis will host an Open-Mic Night from 7-9 p.m. at the Curtain Up Classroom studio. The event is open to performances of all kinds, including music, improv, poetry and stand-up comedy.
“The Wiz-Dom of Oz” – June 8, 2008
The Curtain Up Classroom Junior Ensemble Acting Troupe performed “The Wiz-Dom of Oz”, written and directed by Maria Bakalis. The play featured youth actors ranging from 5-15 years of age. Curtain Up Classroom Youth Theatre performs children’s theatre acted by and performed for children.
Bakalis Performs Callas – March 27, 2008
Maria Bakalis was invited to perform her original one-woman play “The Life and Loves of Maria Callas” in Athens, Greece. The play received a new venue, the Italian Cultural Institute, and was performed entirely in Greek. Dr. Bakalis has portrayed the opera diva for the Lyric Opera Guild and The Hellenic Museum and Cultural Center. This was the premiere performance in the Greek language.
Bakalis’ Theatre Class Performs Broadway – November 1, 2007
Maria Bakalis’ musical theatre class at Waubonsee Community College performs “Broadway Bits ‘n’ Pieces,” which borrows themes and music from various Broadway musicals. Bakalis wrote the script.
Bakalis Stars in “The Hall of Hungry Ghosts” – May 22, 2007
Maria Bakalis stars in the Judy Veramendi play “The Hall of Hungry Ghosts.” The show is performed at the Noyes Cultural Arts Center, Evanston, IL.
Bakalis Directs “Broadway” – April 12, 2007
Maria Bakalis directs the Waubonsee Community College theatre department’s performance of “Broadway,” a story set in a 1930s nightclub.
BAKALIS OPENS CURTAIN UP CLASSROOM – September 1, 2006
Dr. Maria Bakalis announces the opening of Curtain Up Classroom, a theatre and acting studio, in Glen Ellyn, IL. Bakalis will serve as Director of the studio, which is located in The Glen Ellyn Little Shops at 526 Crescent.
Oxford Presentation – June 13, 2006
The state of the arts in education will be the topic at the Oxford Round Table in July. Dr. Bakalis will present a paper that highlights the critical role that theatre and acting can play in education. The Oxford Round Table is an international conference that spotlights significant issues in higher learning.
Encore Performance of “The Halsted Street Play” – June 13, 2006
The Hellenic Museum and Cultural Center will be presenting and encore performance of The Halsted Street Play. The original work, written by the residents and community members of The Hull House Settlement, and adapted for the stage by Maria Boundas Bakalis, captures the spirit of its founder, Jane Addams, and of those who lived the urban immigrant experience. A play that echoes contemporary perspectives.
“The Halsted Street Play” – Oct. 2 – September 2, 2005
Chicago has always been a city of immigrants. Those immigrant voices will be heard on October 2 at the Parthenon Restaurant. The Halsted Street Play is being produced by the Hellenic Museum and Cultural Center in partnership with The Hull House. Dinner at 5 p.m. followed by the production. Directing this original play and adapting it for the stage has been an exciting venture for me.
Bakalis Appointed Professor – July 7, 2005
Dr. Maria Boundas Bakalis was appointed professor of communications/theater. She started teaching at Waubonsee Community College in 1979 and has been a full-time instructor at the college for the last 15 years. She has taught a variety of communications classes and all of the college’s theater courses during the last 15 years.
Bakalis Directs “Is There a Comic in the House?” – April 7, 2005
Bakalis directs the play “Is There a Comic in the House?”, performed by the Waubonsee Community College Theatre Department.
Bakalis Directs “Moon Over Buffalo” – January 27, 2005
Maria Bakalis directs the Wheaton Drama production of playwright Ken Ludwig’s “Moon Over Buffalo.” The production is the first show of the season to be staged at Wheaton Drama’s newly renovated Playhouse 111.
“Olympic Games: Through Dance and Drama” – August 1, 2004
A theatrical performance by Maria Bakalis is featured at the “Passport Around the World – Greece” exhibit, sponsored by The Hellenic Museum and Cultural Center and the Chicago Children’s Museum at Navy Pier. The script, titled “Olympic Games: Through Dance and Drama,” brings to life the story of Demeter, known in Greek mythology as the most generous of the great Olympian goddesses.
Rave Reviews for Bakalis’ “La Maria” – January 16, 2004
Bakalis’ original play “La Maria” receives high praise from the Pan Hellenic Students’ Association of Chicago. Following is a review of the play:
“La Maria is an original play by Dr. Maria Boundas Bakalis that captures the drama, passion, love and art of Maria Callas. Professor Bakalis weaves the words and writings of the diva with excerpts from Callas recordings. The compelling and complex Callas is brought vividly to life through Dr. Bakalis’ sensitive portrayal that promises to capture both the hearts and minds of the audience.”
BAKALIS NAMED “WOMAN OF THE YEAR IN THE ARTS” – June 1, 2002
Maria Bakalis has been named “Woman of the Year in the Arts” by the United Hellenic Voters of America.
Bakalis Directs “A Christmas Carol” – December 7, 2001
Maria Bakalis directs the Wheaton Drama production of Charles Dickens’ beloved tale of miserly Ebenezer Scrooge and his subsequent change of heart.
Bakalis Stars in “Blithe Spirit” – September 14, 2001
Maria Bakalis plays the role of Mrs. Bradman in Noel Coward comedic play “Blithe Spirit.” The show is performed by the Grove Players, located in Downers Grove.
Bakalis Performs in “Sleeping Beauty”
Maria Bakalis performs in an Our Town Productions adaptation of the classic fairy tale “Sleeping Beauty.” The play, which was adapted as an ensemble, will be performed at the Tivoli Theatre in Downers Grove, IL, on January 27-28 and February 3-4, at 10:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m., respectively.
Bakalis Directs Christie’s “The Mousetrap” – October 25, 2000
Maria Bakalis directs the Waubonsee Community College production of Agatha Christie’s murder-mystery “The Mousetrap.” Performance dates are November 2, 3 and 4.
Bakalis Stars in “Come Blow Your Horn” – November 26, 1999
Maria Bakalis stars as Mrs. Baker in the Wheaton Drama / Playhouse 111 production of Neil Simon’s play “Come Blow Your Horn.”
Bakalis Directs “Guys and Dolls” – September 18, 1998
Maria Bakalis is director of the Wheaton Drama / Playhouse 111 performance of “Guys and Dolls,” opening Friday, Sept. 18. “You have to develop all three elements [dance, drama and voice] to make all elements strong and intertwined,” she said.
Bakalis Stars in “Social Security” – June 12, 1998
Maria Bakalis stars as Trudy in the Wheaton Drama Inc. performance of Andrew Bergman’s play “Social Security.”
BAKALIS NAMED “FACULTY OF THE YEAR” – June 1, 1998
Maria Bakalis has been named the recipient of the Waubonsee Faculty of the Year Award. She is an associate professor of communication and theatre and has been teaching at WCC since 1979.
Bakalis Performs in “Harvey” – April 11, 1998
Bakalis plays the role of Myrtle Mae, daughter of Veta Louise Simmons, in Wheaton Drama’s performance of Mary Chase’s play “Harvey.”
Bakalis Co-Authors Book on Communication – December 27, 1997
Maria Bakalis has co-written a book with Linda S. Hjorth, a professor at DeVry Institute of Technology. The book, titled “Who Do You Think You Are?: Interpersonal Interactions,” focuses on the importance of understanding diverse perspectives in everyday interactions as critical to successful communication. It is designed to help readers explore and analyze firsthand the various ways that people perceive themselves, others, and the world around them, and to help readers increase interpersonal communication skills.
Bakalis Stars in “Arsenic and Old Lace” – November 28, 1997
Maria Bakalis plays Abby Brewster in the Wheaton Drama production of Joseph Kesselring’s play “Arsenic and Old Lace,” running Nov. 28-30, and Dec. 4-7 and and Dec. 11-14 at Playhouse 111.
Bakalis Initiated Into Int’l Honors Society – May 21, 1996
Maria Boundas Bakalis of Glen Ellyn recently was initiated into Kappa Delta Pi, the international honors society for those who have shown scholarship, leadership and service in the field of education.
Bakalis is an assistant professor at Waubonsee Community College in Sugar Grove, theater director and public-speaking consultant. She also serves as executive secretary for Big Brothers/ Big Sisters of DuPage.
Bakalis Directs Psathas’ “Mr. Greedy,” Performed in Greek – September 15, 1994
Maria Bakalis directs a production of Demetrios Psathas’ play “Mr. Greedy,” which will be performed at St. John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church in Des Plaines, IL. The play will be performed entirely in Greek, its original language. Performance dates are September 24 and 25, at 8 p.m. and 3 p.m., respectively.
Miss Boundas Performs in Styne’s “High Button Shoes”
Maria Bakalis stars as Miss Fran in the Oak Lawn Theatre Guild’s production of Jule Styne’s musical “High Button Shoes.” The show will be performed at the Beverly Arts Center in Oak Lawn, IL, from March 17-19.
Miss Boundas Gets 1st Place for Speech – May 7, 1967
Miss Maria Boundas, 2108 W. 35th St., a senior in the DePaul University speech department, placed first in a recent Illinois Oratorical Association competition.
Miss Boundas spoke on humor and laughter in American life. She will represent Illinois in the Interstate Oratorical Association competition next month.
She is a graduate of Maria High School.