Schools
District 155 High Schools Earn Nominations for Theatre Production
The local high schools earned five nominations from Broadway in Chicago's Illinois High School Music Theater Awards.
From Community High School District 155: Cary-Grove, Crystal Lake South and Prairie Ridge high schools earned a combined five nominations from Broadway in Chicago’s Illinois High School Music Theater Awards.
“It is an honor to be highly regarded in the arts community in Illinois and to be recognized for our continuing contribution to high school theatre excellence in our state,” said Rob Boncosky, Cary-Grove director.
Cary-Grove earned three nominations for Best Production, Best Actor, Justin O’Brien, and Best Actress, Alyssa DiRaimondo, for their production of Seussical. Crystal Lake South’s production of Peter Pan earned the nomination for Best Scenic Design. Prairie Ridge was also nominated for Best Scenic Design for their production of In the Heights.
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“It is significant that three of our four high schools' musicals were nominated in at least one category of IHSMTA when one considers the scope of this competition. I would seriously doubt that many districts, if any, could make that claim,” said Ben Stoner, Crystal Lake South theatre director.
Dozens of students, cast members and parent volunteers sacrificed their time to make these shows possible.
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“I love that when parents and students sit out in the audience and watch our shows they feel a connection beyond just their relationship with the performers, or even the plot of the show,” said David Jensen, Prairie Ridge choir teacher.
This year, 80 high school musicals throughout the state of Illinois participated in IHSMTA. The awards are on Monday, June 4, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois.
“If I were to win the title of best actor, that would mean I did my job portraying my role and I would get to share it with our amazing cast,” said Justin O’Brien, a recent Cary-Grove graduate.
Crystal Lake South and Prairie Ridge are first-time nominees. In 2016 Cary-Grove won best production for Cinderella and in 2017 the production of Evita earned best scenic design.
Photos courtesy of Community High School District 155:
(Image 1) Cary-Grove’s production of Seussical
(Image 2) South’s production of Peter Pan
(Image 3) Prairie Ridge’s production of In the Heights
