Tom Sawyer Production at Stagg High School

Tom Sawyer is coming to Stagg High School.

Travel back to 1840’s Missouri with this tale of young Tom Sawyer and his unending mischief. Whether it’s exploring the caverns, whitewashing a fence, or discovering true love, the joys and sorrows of growing up are shared onstage as Spotlight Youth Theater presents Tom Sawyer on stage at Stagg High School.

Chicago Southland students as well as students from Joliet and as far as Shorewood add color to this local production.

Sammie Hoffman, who is 11 from Steger has always added color to Spotlight Youth Productions. From an orphan in Annie to a yellow bird in Charlie Brown, this homeschooled student shines in the area of theater.

“ Tom Sawyer is a really great book and seeing it come alive onstage is amazing,” Hoffman said. “ This show will cover a range of situations, some are funny, some are intense and others are quite sad. This is such a great cast and we are really enjoying ourselves. Come out and join the adventure,” added Hoffman.

“ This isn’t your average kids theater program,” Noah Baker of Midlothian said. “ “This show by far has an amazing story. There’s tons of action, witty jokes, and some pretty touching scenes between the characters,” Baker added.

Noah has been involved in Spotlight Youth Theater for three years, he is usually cast as the mature fatherly figure. In Tom Sawyer he gets to play a loving father and then a bad guy.

“I’m a pretty tall 12 year old,” Baker said. “That’s the best part about acting-getting to explore personalities that are different than your own. During rehearsals we learn a lot about acting and use our talents to tell a story to the audience,’ he added.

“ There are cool sets, and some of the most epic fight scenes I’ve ever been a part of on stage,” Baker said. “Most importantly, the best thing about being cast in a Spotlight show is the behind scenes fun and friendships that are made.”

Another Spotlight student shares her experience as well. Jazmine Ozinga, a 14 year old from Palos Heights takes the stage for the third time.

“ This show is different from the others because it takes place in the 1840’s and everyone was very proper then,” said Ozinga

The flashy teen who rocks purple hair has been cast as Naomi Temple, a town mom.

“Spotlight shows are very good quality,” Ozinga said. “Costumes and sets are professional and the tech crew does an amazing job with sound and lighting,” she added.

The Adventures of Tom Sawyer is filled with foot-stomping, toe-tapping songs tickets are still available

WHEN: October 16th – 18th, 2015

Friday, October 16th – 7:00pm

Saturday, October 17th – 2:00pm

Saturday, October 17th - 6:00pm

Sunday, October 18th – 3:00pm

WHERE: Stagg High School Performing Arts Center, 8015 West 111th Street, Palos Hills, IL

TICKETS: 847-516-2298 or visit www.spotlight.org

$9-$12 presale, + $2 at the door

Group, child, and senior prices available

WHO: Spotlight Youth Theater is a non-profit, educational theater arts program for students 5-18 in the Aurora, Cook, DuPage, Kane, Kenosha, Lake, McHenry, Milwaukee, Oak Park, Orland Park, Rockford Metro, and Shorewood areas and has approximately 6,000 students per year. Each area offers summer camps and after-school classes in dance, voice, drama and theatrical specialties, and performs three fully staged musical productions per year. Spotlight is non-discriminatory and welcomes all children.