Pictured are (from left) Addison Trail junior Gerardo Alvidrez, junior Gabriela Mendoza and senior Madison Walsh. They have been selected to participate in the 2020 Illinois High School Theatre Festival (IHSTF) All-State production of Elton John and Tim Rice’s “Aida.” Addison Trail Theatre Tech Assistant Alex Holod (who graduated from Addison Trail in 2009) also has been selected as Co-Prop Designer.
Addison Trail junior Gerardo Alvidrez, junior Gabriela Mendoza and senior Madison Walsh have been selected to participate in the 2020 Illinois High School Theatre Festival (IHSTF) All-State production of Elton John and Tim Rice’s “Aida.”
Performances will take place from Jan. 9 to 11, 2020, at Illinois State University. The event is for participants of the IHSTF and is not open to the public. According to a press release from the IHSTF, “‘Aida’ is an epic tale of love, loyalty and betrayal, chronicling the love triangle between Aida, a Nubian princess stolen from her country; Amneris, an Egyptian princess; and Radames, the soldier they both love. An enslaved Nubian princess, Aida, finds her heart entangled with Radames, an Egyptian soldier who is betrothed to the Pharaoh's daughter, Amneris. As their forbidden love blossoms, Aida is forced to weigh her heart against the responsibility she faces as the leader of her people. Aida and Radames’ love for one another becomes a shining example of true devotion that ultimately transcends the vast cultural differences between their warring nations, heralding a time of unprecedented peace and prosperity.”
The IHSTF All-State cast, crew and pit orchestra are comprised of top student performers, technicians and musicians from throughout Illinois. Nearly 180 students auditioned for this year’s production, and 98 were selected. Alvidrez, Mendoza and Walsh have been selected as members of the crew. Addison Trail Theatre Tech Assistant Alex Holod (who graduated from Addison Trail in 2009) has been selected as Co-Prop Designer.
About the Illinois High School Theatre Festival
Now in its 45th consecutive year, the Illinois High School Theatre Festival (produced by the Illinois Theatre Association) is the largest and oldest noncompetitive high school theatre festival in the U.S. The three-day festival takes place every year in early January and switches locations between University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and Illinois State University. More than 4,500 students, teachers, university representatives, exhibitors and volunteers come together to put on more than 25 high school productions and more than 150 workshops. This year’s festival is themed “I Still Believe.” For more information, go to www.illinoistheatrefest.org.