District 88 shines during 2026 Illinois High School Theatre Festival

Second and third photos above by CM Stage Photography

The 2026 Illinois High School Theatre Festival (IHSTF) took place on Jan. 8, 9 and 10 at Illinois State University, and District 88 was well represented!

Five Addison Trail students and one Willowbrook student were part of the All-State Company for the All-State Production of “Newsies.” The show was directed by Addison Trail Theatre Director Anna McSweeney, and District 88 System and Theatre Specialist Alex Holod served 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 who participated in the musical 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.”

During the IHSTF, Addison Trail Principal Jack Andrews and Addison Trail staff member Rob Schader were presented with the Administrator Support Award, which honors an administrator who has demonstrated the utmost support for a school/district's drama program. Andrews and Schader were recognized for their commitment and passion to assisting the All-State Production, including coordinating/hosting multiple rehearsals at Addison Trail. They are pictured in the last photo above (from left: Schader, McSweeney, Holod and Andrews).

“When budgets are tight, when calendars are full, and when it would be easier to say, ‘Maybe next year,’ (Andrews and Schader) have instead said, ‘Let’s make it work,’” McSweeney said during the awards presentation. “They understand the arts build confidence, community, leadership and empathy – and, sometimes, they build a home for students who need one most.”

“In a world where the arts are often the first to be overlooked, these two don't see theatre as an ‘extra’ – they see it as an essential pillar of who we are,” Holod added.

For more information about the IHSTF, go to www.illinoistheatre.org/ihstf.