Flourish in the Footlights Scholarship

Katherine Kylen has established this scholarship in memory of her sister Irene A. Stoesser.

As children growing up in Chicago, Katherine and her sister, Irene, only one year younger, shared a strong bond and love for each other throughout their lifetimes. Their parents, John and May Stoesser, introduced them to the Performing Arts at a young age, attending performances at The Goodman Theater, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Ravinia Festival and years of enjoying live theater in Downtown Chicago. Both girls took dance, voice and piano lessons. Irene, brimming with innate energy, always seemed to be in motion, demonstrating natural rhythm, balance and gracefulness. She had an eye for the subtle and caught the nuances in movement.

As a child, Irene’s dream was to be a dancer but, instead, she became a teacher of children with special needs. She was a lifelong supporter of Chicago Lyric Opera and The Jeffrey Ballet, holding season tickets for years and establishing a Scholarship for an aspiring ballet dancer.

Irene left a legacy … she was a Founder of “Flourish in the Footlights”, a performing arts program for children with disabilities at Metropolis Performing Arts Centre in Arlington Heights, Illinois. Although Irene never had children of her own, she fostered a love and appreciation of the performing arts in her students and children she loved throughout her life. Her legacy shines brightly amongst the stars above and will shine on all those who grace this theater.