About us
A legacy of performance
Established in 1977, FieldCrest School of Performing Arts is a cultural enrichment and performing arts school comprised of 16 highly trained artist-in-residences. The school offers classes in dance, acting, modeling and etiquette for boys and girls of all skill levels, giving students the opportunity to study with industry professionals and benefit from a deep pool of performance knowledge.
2017
Carnival Cruise Lines
2017
Disney Award
1999
The Oprah Winfrey Show
Our Objective
To establish and maintain a cultural enrichment and performing arts school in Chicago and surrounding suburbs; to finance, direct and produce productions that enhance, strengthen and support the children of communities served.
Our Mission
To create and develop new and enriching productions, and to offer children an understanding of the value of their existence by using fine arts to provide a cultural education.
- The Arts
- Service to Youth
- Service to Community
Our Founder
Donna Davenport is dedicated to maintaining an uplifting, supportive and motivating environment in which to experience the joyous and transformational magic that is performance. For over forty years, Ms. Davenport has devoted her time and energy to educating children through the fine arts.
In 1977, she founded FieldCrest School of Performing Arts with just ten students. By 2024, thousands of students have enrolled in a wide variety of classes including dance, etiquette, modeling, acting and creative writing. Possessing a B.A. in Education, she has remained active with the Illinois Arts Council, Southland Chamber of Commerce, Illinois Arts Alliance and the Arts and Business Council, and is also the founder of The Children's Dance Theater Chicago.
- Member in the national register "Who's Who in Executives and Professionals"
- Appointed a Board Panelist; Illinois Arts Council by Lois Weisberg; Commissioner I.A.C.
- Founder – Children's Dance Theater Chicago
- Founder – Southland Scholarship Foundation
- Founder – Southland's Men of Tomorrow Mentoring Program
President
Keli Wells
Creative Director
Liza Brown
The Children's Dance Theater Chicago
Established in 1993, CDTC provides free performances to the community served. It operates exclusively for charitable and educational purposes under Section 501(C)(3), and has partnered with The Children's Museum, Lucent Technologies, Bank One and the Chicago Historical Society.
The Southland Scholarship Foundation
In September 2000, FieldCrest established the Southland Scholarship Foundation to assist youth by providing scholarships to deserving high school seniors pursuing degrees in the fine arts. Since 2000, Southland has awarded $20,000 in scholarships to students from Rich Central HS, Homewood Flossmoor HS, Rich South HS and many more.
Southland's Men of Tomorrow Mentoring Program
Established in 2012, this mentoring program responds to community needs with a high sense of purpose, supporting young men through guidance and positive role models.