IC Catholic Prep Student Picked for Chicago Theater Council

ELMHURST, IL — Aidan Rocha, a IC Catholic Prep junior, has been selected to serve on the Chicago-based Goodman Theatre Youth Arts Council starting this month.

The Goodman Theatre Youth Arts Council is a group of high school and college students who work to make theater more accessible for Chicago-area youth. Participants become ambassadors for the theater in this youth leadership program. Members serve as liaisons between their peers and Goodman, produce events for young audiences, and volunteer in their communities and schools.

“Aidan is a confident young man and a leader among his peers. He works hard at all he does and is a wonderful contributor to our performing arts program," Thomas Schergen, IC's principal, said in a statement. "In addition to the learning he will be exposed to as a member of this council, he will undoubtedly contribute leadership, innovation, and energy to the Goodman and greater Chicago performing arts community.”

The Goodman Youth Arts Council participants serve from December to May annually.

“This is such a great honor, and opportunity for Aidan,” Julia Jazwiec, theater director and drama club moderator, said in the statement. “He will bring great things to the Goodman Theatre Youth Arts Council. He is passionate and good at communicating his idea with others. I am so proud of him for throwing his hat in the ring for this position.”

Rocha talks about his inspiration for wanting to be a part of the Goodman council.

“Last summer, I was a part of the Goodman Theatre Playbuild program. For seven weeks, we learned a lot and developed, wrote, and performed an original play. The experience was amazing and helped me to develop creative and leadership skills and I wanted to be able give back and tell others about these types of programs," Rocha said in the statement.

Rocha joined his school's Knights Theater program during his freshman year.

“It is a great program for everyone, from those new to performing or with a lot of experience. The size of the program gives everyone a chance to be a part of productions and try something new. This year, I had the chance to be the student director for the 2019 fall play (WCKY), which was a huge learning experience," he said.

“Definitely step outside of your comfort zone and try new activities,” Rocha said. “Be an individual and take risks and you may find something new that you love. The performing arts are a great experience that helps you grow and be challenged in many ways, and is full of creative people and—more importantly—is a lot of fun.”

IC Catholic Prep is the oldest Catholic, co-educational college prep high school in DuPage County.