Six District 88 students named to 2026 IHSTF All-State Company for All-State Production of ‘Newsies’

District 88 is proud to share five Addison Trail students and one Willowbrook student have been named to the 2026 Illinois High School Theatre Festival (IHSTF) All-State Company!

The All-State Production of “Newsies” will be presented in January 2026 at Illinois State University during the annual Illinois High School Theatre Festival. The show will be directed by Addison Trail’s very own Theatre Director Anna McSweeney, and District 88 System and Theatre Specialist Alex Holod will serve as the Technical Director.

The All-State cast, crew and pit orchestra are composed of top student performers, musicians and technicians from throughout Illinois.

The Addison Trail students are seniors Mia Alvarez (crew), Nataly Gonzalez (crew), Katherine Preciado (crew), Joseph Vargas (crew) and Mary-Terese Tamondong (orchestra), and the Willowbrook student is senior Ean Tomenbang (crew).

According to www.illinoistheatre.org/All-State-Production, “'Newsies’ is a spirited musical inspired by historical events of the 1899 Newsboys Strike in New York City. It follows Jack Kelly, a teenage newsboy who rallies his fellow ‘newsies’ to protest unfair price hikes by newspaper publisher Joseph Pulitzer. With support from young reporter Katherine Plumber, the newsies organize a strike to fight for better treatment. As the movement grows, Jack wrestles with loyalty and leadership.”

For more information, view the IHSTF press release at https://www.dupage88.net/site/public/files/?item=7773.