Joliet Township High School Drama Students Partner with Actor Walt Willey for Wild Bill In-School Mentorship Program

Submitted by JTHS.

Students in the Joliet Central and Joliet West High School drama departments will have the unique opportunity to work with professional actor Walt Willey as part of the Wild Bill! In-School Program.

Willey, best known for his role as Jackson Montgomery on the long-running daytime drama All My Children, will work with the students in a variety of facets, including scene study, monologue coaching, and classroom seminars.

The in-school program serves as a fundraiser for the each school’s drama department. A portion of the proceeds from Willey’s performance of the one-person show, Wild Bill! An Evening with James Butler Hickok, will benefit the department and students will serve as production and show crew.

“JTHS is extremely excited to work with Walt on this project. The mentoring program fits perfectly within our Academy of Arts and Communication and provides real-world theatre experience from a seasoned industry professional,” said JTHS Alumni Director Lynne Lichtenauer. “Walt is eager to work with our students and teachers and has an approachable nature that is sure to make this program a success. It is clear that he genuinely wants to give back to the community and we are grateful that he has chosen Joliet Township High School to partner with him in this endeavor. To have an actor of Walt’s caliber directly working with our students and teachers provides valuable learning experiences, while raising funds for the drama program.”

Wild Bill! An Evening with James Butler Hickok is actor/writer Walt Willey’s tribute to fellow Illinoisan and Old West legend, James Butler “Wild Bill” Hickok.

Willey will perform the one-person show on Saturday, February 28 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, March 1 at 2:00 p.m. in the Joliet West High School Auditorium, 401 N. Larkin Avenue in Joliet. Tickets are $20 in advance or $25 at the door. All seats are reserved.

Tickets can be purchased by calling toll free (866) 967-8167 or online at showtix4u.com. For more information, call the JTHS Alumni Relations Office at (815) 727-6763 or by e-mail at llichtenauer@jths.org.