DeKalb’s own “Children of the Corn” rose from the fields to entertain an enthusiastic crowd Thursday night in the Player’s Theater at the Stevens Building.

The first ever “Children of the Corn” production, which actor Chris McLinden, a senior theater major, hopes will become an annual event, was produced in two weeks.

“Our brainchild was born a couple weeks ago,” he said. “It came magically and stunningly together in the past two days.”

The first show, a shorter version of the play, was geared toward a younger audience. A more adult version of the NIU production was shown.

McLinden considered “The Children of the Corn” as “the best night of theater ever.”

The performance, which re-enacted scenes from such films as “The Shining,” “Poltergeist,” “Scream,” “Halloween” and “Misery,” was a fundraiser for the NIU senior theater performance in Los Angeles next summer.

Highlights included a take of Joel Schumacher’s “The Lost Boys,” including none other than Corey Feldman himself.

Well … almost.

Corey Feldman, the ’80s train wreck talent, was played by Marc Singletary, a senior theater major, who brought the house down with a, deep-voiced impression of Feldman.

Singletary also went on to portray the famous Jack Nicholson scene in “The Shining,” where Jack Torrence’s wife learns exactly what all work and no play makes Jack do.

Crowd enthusiasm varied, but the performance was well-received, raking in more than $100 for an Los Angeles trip planned for the summer.

For the senior actors, this performance marked the first production that they ever fully produced.

Amy Speckien, a senior theater major, said that although their play wasn’t as fulfilling as a major production, it was much more fun.

“We learned we were only actors,” Speckien added.

Of course, the lack of budget hampered the production. Most of the set was built with props from various NIU productions.

“Over all, I thought the performance was tongue-in-cheek, but was well-spirited,” said Chaz Wilke, a sophomore communication major.

For information about donations for the trip to L.A., call Theatre and Dance assistant professor Richard Poole at 753-8261.