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player ready...Nazareth Academy’s cast and crew of its fall production Almost, Maine has been selected to perform at the 48th annual Illinois High School Theatre Festival (IHSTF) at Illinois State University, Jan. 11-13.
Produced by the Illinois Theatre Association, IHSTF is the largest and oldest noncompetitive high school theatre festival in the world, according to a news release.
“Being selected for the Festival is not only a remarkable honor for Nazareth, but also a celebration of the incredible journey and dedication of our talented cast and crew,” said Aileen O’Carroll ’13, the play’s director and head of Nazareth’s Drama Department. “I’m incredibly proud, and I can’t wait for our production to be shared with students, teachers and theatre artists from all over Illinois.”
Almost, Maine marks Nazareth’s ninth selection to IHSTF, having last performed in 2019 with The Glass Menagerie, the release said.
The journey to State represents a special moment for director and Nazareth alum O’Carroll, who joined her classmates at IHSTF in 2013 with Nazareth’s production of Godspell, according to the release.
“This is a full-circle moment for me,” she said in the release. “It’s surreal, but I’m filled with an overwhelming sense of pride. It’s an honor to lead this exceptionally talented group of students who serve as outstanding representatives of the Naz Drama legacy.”
The three-day festival takes place every year in early January and switches locations between the University of Illinois and Illinois State University.
“Every single cast and crew member will have a part and role in the set up, show run and strike at Theatre Fest,” O’Carroll said. “We will also be able to attend other shows that were selected, visit with colleges and take various theatre workshops!”
Cast
Ava Bucur (Berwyn)
Jay Conkin (Western Springs)
Lexi Connerty (Western Springs)
Arcelia Cruz (Westchester)
Rita Hynes (Western Springs)
Daniel Kestler (Stickney)
Kate Mangan (Chicago)
Maddie Markham (Riverside)
Alaina Milon (Westchester)
Patrick O’Reilly (Elmhurst)
Jack Siffermann (Western Springs)
Sebastian Wagner (La Grange)
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Lucas Weber (La Grange)
Aiden Westerkamp (La Grange)
Maryssa Zielinski (Bolingbrook)
Understudies — Allison Cashman (Clarendon Hills), Emma O’Connell (La Grange Park), Liam O’Meara (Clarendon Hills), Danny Martin (Chicago)
More information about IHSTF can be found by visiting their website at www.illinoistheatrefest.org.