Between fire alarms and memories that will last a lifetime, lies an experience known as Theater Fest. Theater Fest is an annually hosted event that brings together theater kids from around Illinois. This year, Theater Fest occurred from January 9th to 11th, at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign college campus.
Theater Fest came to be in 1975 after a group of educators, including Jerry Proffit of Niles East High School and Cary Libkin of Riverside-Brookfield High School, dedicated themselves to creating a space where theatrical pursuits and passion for the wanderlust realm of fine arts could flourish. Their success has been clear, as approximately one-fourth of the high schools in the state have students who attend.
Within Theater Fest, the endless possibilities of different workshops cater to many unique interests. As Abby Flood, a first-time Theater Fest attendee shared her experience with workshops.
“I did one performance anxiety workshop where you learned how to not be nervous about what you’re about to audition for at any time,” said Flood.
An anonymous participant of the festival shared that one of the workshops they attended, actively demonstrated the diversity of interests that culminated during this two-day experience.
“[It] Was called Crew Cave, it was basically a workshop that had people from lights, people from sound, carpentry, costumes and props,” Said An Anonymous source.
Beyond this, one could still attend workshops relating to dance, vocal ability, and much more. One highlight of this experience for many is the option to see both the Allstate musical performance and other shows from various high schools around the state. Lila Ganesan, a Theater Fest goer shared that the Allstate performance in particular was a highlight for her.
“[It] Brings together people from more than one school into one big production,” also saything that, “it was so good!” Said Ganesan.
These performances are not only fun to watch but also provide a source of inspiration for future endeavors within the Theater World. This experience channels students’ passion and creates amazing growth opportunities.
DGS attendance in the festival was made possible by teachers Nathaniel Haywood and Tiffany Rubin who are actively involved in the theater department and chaperoned for the event.
Theater Fest also provided an outlet for Educators with valuable experiences. Rubin shared her experiences with Theater Fest as a teacher and active member of the high school theater community.
“I enjoy performances, workshops, and reconnecting with other Illinois theater teachers,” said Rubin.
Diverse roads of exploration are why Theater Fest is near and dear to so many. Beyond that, however, the antics and circumstances of the occasion is what made it truly memorable for most. Multiple attendees recalled fire alarms going off in the middle of the night and learning how to navigate a new college campus, all while having fun with their friends.
“It was all hectic in the moment, but looking back, it was so hilarious,” said Flood.
