Addison Trail hosts State send-off celebration for students and staff selected to participate in the 2018 Illinois High School Theatre Festival All-State production

Pictured are Addison Trail students who have been selected to participate in the 2018 Illinois High School Theatre Festival (IHSTF) All-State production of “Big Fish.” They are (back row, from left) junior Isaac Etheridge, junior Kristopher Kusnierz, junior Connor White, senior Ethan Macaraeg, (front row, from left) senior Nina Caliendo and senior Madeline Danhouser. Not pictured are senior Alejandro Salazar and senior Burke Parent. Addison Trail Theatre Director Anna Louise Jakubka also has been named as one of two producers for the show, and Addison Trail Theatre Tech Assistant Alex Holod (who graduated from Addison Trail in 2009) has been selected as Props Designer. Addison Trail hosted a State send-off celebration for the group on Dec. 20.

On Dec. 20, Addison Trail hosted a State send-off celebration for the eight students and two staff members who have been selected to participate in the 2018 Illinois High School Theatre Festival (IHSTF) All-State production of “Big Fish.” Performances will take place from Jan. 11 to 13, 2018, at Illinois State University. The event is for participants of the IHSTF and is not open to the public.

The IHSTF All-State cast, crew and pit orchestra are comprised of top student performers, technicians and musicians from throughout Illinois. Nearly 350 students auditioned/interviewed for this year’s production, and below are the Addison Trail students and staff who have been named to the company.

Cast/Ensemble
Junior Connor White

Technical Crew
Senior Madeline Danhouser, junior Isaac Etheridge, senior Ethan Macaraeg, senior Burke Parent

Orchestra Pit
Senior Nina Caliendo, junior Kristopher Kusnierz, senior Alejandro Salazar

Staff
Addison Trail Theatre Director Anna Louise Jakubka has been named as one of two producers for the show, and Addison Trail Theatre Tech Assistant Alex Holod (who graduated from Addison Trail in 2009) has been selected as Props Designer.

According to StageAgent.com (http://stageagent.com/shows/musical/3393/big-fish), “‘Big Fish’ tells the story of Edward Bloom, who has lived a full and fantastical life – populated by witches, giants and mermaids, marked by true love that stops time in its tracks and framed by heroics that push the limits of believability. His adult son, Will, is no longer amused by his father’s fantastical tales, insisting on a rational rather than a fantastical account of one’s life. When Edward’s health declines, and Will learns he and his wife, Josephine, will have a son of their own, Will decides to find out his father’s true life story, once and for all. ‘Big Fish’ is a heartfelt, powerful and truly magical musical about fathers, sons and the stories we use to define our identities. With spine-tinglingly beautiful music and lyrics by Andrew Lippa, and a funny, heartwarming book by John August, ‘Big Fish’ is a magnificent ‘big fish’ of a tale itself – spectacular, fantastical and overflowing with love.”

For more information about the IHSTF, go to www.illinoistheatrefest.org.