Sulie and Pearl Harand were the children of hard-working, idealistic, eastern European immigrants. They were raised in the Humboldt Park area of Chicago. Each had special theatrical talents and each embarked on professional careers in the theater during the 30's and 40's; Pearl as a member of the Chicago Repertory Theater, the Chicago equivalent of the Group Theater; Sulie as an opera singer. They distinguished themselves as virtuoso performing artists with their one-woman shows. As each of their respective stars were beginning to rise, wealth and fame held little allure, but home and strong family ties did. They married, became parents, and redirected their talents toward teaching children the theater arts.
In 1950 the Harand sisters created the first children's conservatory school for theater arts in Chicago; the only place that offered singing, dancing and dramatics all under one roof.
What grew out of the studio for kids became a unique summer camp in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin. For 50 years it has been a utopian experiment in which there was true equality, and every child was a "star."
The Harand sisters, along with their husbands, not only taught kids to sing and dance and act, they also gave them a loving and nurturing environment to grow in. They built confidence and self-esteem that for many people has lasted a lifetime.
