Willowbrook to present IHSA Contest Play, ‘Things I Know to be True’

Willowbrook Theatre invites all students, parents/guardians, alumni, staff, community members and friends to explore the complexity of familial bonds and the challenge of balancing individuality with relationships when the school presents its IHSA Contest Play, “Things I Know to be True” by Andrew Bovell.

According to https://stageagent.com/shows/play/9217/things-i-know-to-be-true, the play follows Bob and Fran Price and their four adult children: Pip, Mark, Ben and Rosie. “Each child has his or her own unique struggles and secrets that they try to keep hidden from their parents, but Fran has a knack for knowing what is true in each of their lives … As the children try to redefine their lives separately from the hopes and dreams of their parents, what is real and genuine in the Price family falls apart under scrutiny, and Bob and Fran must redefine their relationships with their children and with each other. Funny, poignant and heartbreaking, ‘Things I Know to be True’ examines the dynamics of a family and how they understand truth in the face of tragedy.”

Willowbrook Theatre Director Regina Wathier said the play is a domestic drama that is unlike previous productions performed at the school.

“It is stylistically different from any show I have done before,” Wathier said. “Audience members will connect with the universal theme of the story. It represents a profoundly touching love song from parents to their children.”

Wathier said the play is filled with lyrical movement that exemplifies various aspects of life with a heightened sense of realism.

Willowbrook senior Gillian Falco (who plays Fran), senior Jason Nelson (who plays Bob) and freshman Niamh Lashmet (who plays Rosie) said the play requires a tremendous amount of emotional vulnerability.

“Each character has a unique storyline, and audience members will relate to and resonate with those experiences,” they said. “It examines how messy things can get with family members – but in the end, what’s real and what remains constant is the love they share.”

“Things I Know to be True”

When: 7 p.m. on March 20, 2025

• The show also will be performed at 12:45 p.m. on March 22 at Oak Lawn Community High School, as part of the Sectional competition.

Where: Willowbrook High School, 1250 S. Ardmore Ave. in Villa Park (in the auditorium)

Tickets:

• $10 for adults (13 years old and older)
  
  
• $5 for children (12 years old and younger)
  
  
• Free for those with a District 88 student ID or a District 88 Senior Gold Card
  
  
• Tickets can now be ordered online! Go to https://willowbrooktheatre.ludus.com/index.php for details.
  
  
• There also is an option to make a donation to help with the theatre’s travel expenses (called “Buck for the Truck”).
  
  
• Tickets also will be available to buy at the box office (30 minutes before the performance).

For questions or more information: Contact Willowbrook Theatre Director Regina Wathier at rwathier@dupage88.net

Notes: 

• “Things I Know to be True” is rated PG-13.
  
  
• After the performance on March 20, Willowbrook will showcase its Short Film entry in the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) Drama State Competition, “The Last Ditch Sitch” (written, directed and animated by Willowbrook senior Meridian Sutton, who also was the cinematographer).

Short Film is an event in which students create an original video. According to https://tinyurl.com/5f9v9ezb, the purpose “is to encourage participation, support filmmaking education and recognize student achievement in film as they showcase their talents. The short film is both an art form and communication tool that encourages creativity in visual storytelling and sharpens students’ knowledge of conceptualizing, researching, writing, casting, directing, acting, producing and editing.”

The IHSA Drama State Competition will take place on March 28 and 29 at Harold L. Richards High School in Oak Lawn.