Illinois High School Theatre Fest 2009 Show announced......

[star2be]

Posted: 11/28/07 at 10:09pm

They told us this weekend that it is going to be Hairspray. So for any highschoolers in Illinois....get ready! Which would make theatrefest the last company to perform the original version of Parade, and the second amateur's to perform Hairspray.

[dollwithamission]

Posted: 11/28/07 at 10:25pm

That's really exciting. I'm a senior, so there really isn't a way I could come see it next year, unless I go to ISU of UofI, but I know all the juniors at my school will be really excited to hear this.

A little off topic, but I'm super excited about seeing the original version of Parade. I hope we have good seats this year. Last year we were in the second to last row of the balcony. :)

[star2be]

Posted: 11/28/07 at 10:29pm

i heard because which ever auditorium we're performing in holds so many people, they are only using the orchestra section, so i dont think u'll have to worry about being far away....which is good. : )

[Prisoner 24601]

Posted: 11/28/07 at 11:35pm

Crap, I have to learn how to belt. And dance.

Parade is going to be effing phenominal. Rehearsals are going great and I'm so fricking excited to do this show. I was saddened by the news that they cut the orchestra to five in the new version; the 20-piece orchestrations are so good.

[dollwithamission]

Posted: 11/28/07 at 11:35pm

Yeah, ISU's auditorium is better suited to this sort of thing, but we were still on the side isle a couple years ago for Chorus Line. My school's on ISU's campus, so I'm quite familiar with it if anyone has any questions beforehand about the different theatres. Stroud Audiorium, where they held Pippin a couple years ago, is in my school. I appologize in advance if you end up in a broken chair in there this year.

[PirelisMiracleElixir]

Posted: 11/29/07 at 12:46am

Yeah. I heard about Hairspray. I'm personally a little bummed that a straight play wasn't chosen...to spice things up a bit. Hairspray will be..what...the fifth musical in a row. However...I will do all that's in my power to get in to see that (this is my senior year...so I'll have graduated)...I mean...I adore Hairspray. I did do a workshop with the Hairspray director, Kim White at fest last year. She's insane...and I'm not sure whether that's positive or negative. I've heard some mixed reviews from some of her colleagues, but I suppose we'll have to see.

Btw...Braden Auditorium (at ISU) is GINORMOUS! They usually always limit the seating to the orchestra...which if I'm not mistaken...is 1,000 seats. But yeah, it's a barn (I think it actually has a mezzanine and a balcony). At A Chorus Line (my favorite all state...so far) it was VERY difficult to hear and see. However, it is well suited to Parade...which is a bigger kind of show. Anyone know of any school shows being selected to perform yet?

pps...The Libertyville all state people are telling me the JRB is coming. Any truth...or are they just toying with my emotions? Updated On: 11/29/07 at 12:46 AM

[dollwithamission]

Posted: 11/29/07 at 9:46pm

-Yep Brayden does have a mezzanine and balcony. It's one long hike up to the balcony though, and I've never seen it used.

-My director hasn't gotten any info about what's being selected to perform, and we didn't submit this year, but I'll post when I know if someone hasn't already.

-Now I'm going to scour my internet contacts to find out about this JRB business. I'm seriously crazy excited!

Edit: I asked someone in the All-State and this was their response:
"It IS quite possible that JRB is coming"

Wouldn't it be cool if he did a workshop or something? Except I have the college auditions, so I don't know how many workshops I'll be able to get to this year in the first place.
Updated On: 11/30/07 at 09:46 PM

[star2be]

Posted: 11/30/07 at 10:14pm

yeah they told us he is probably coming, but wouldn't say for sure, it seemed like they knew he was but wanted us to stay focused and they knew everyone would flip out but we're all pretty sure he is