Grayslake North Seniors Direct One-Acts Plays This Weekend

Students literally are running the show in the Senior Directed One-Acts this weekend Nov. 10 thought Nov. 13 at Grayslake North High School.

"I think what makes the Student Directed One-Acts interesting is that we are able to get multiple shows on stage, which allows for more roles for the students," said Teslen Sadowski, theatre manager and teacher. "For this production, we were able to cast everyone who auditioned. The One-Acts are really a place for the students to get to act in a main stage production and have a chance to shine." 

She said that the combination of the shows provides a unique night of entertainment.

"This year we have and assortment of shows from a spoof on the Brothers Grimm fairy tales to classical scenes of Les Miserables to a comedy of Rosalind’s point of view of Romeo’s sudden interest in Juliet," Sadowski said.

Each performance will consist of four short one-act plays, including:

• Les Misérables: The Sacrifice — Director Alexa Laird. The one-act version of the world-renown Victor Hugo bestseller, The Sacrifice picks up as lovers Marius and Cosette struggle to remain together despite their obstacles.

• Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon — Director Lauren Sagendorph. This comedy condenses all of the well-known fairytales into a humorous, unique portrayal that leaves the audience wanting more.

A 10-minute intermission follows, with these shows up next:

• A Roz By Any Other Name — Director Katie Rarick. There perhaps has been no love as everlasting as the love shared by Romeo and Juliet, but few remember the “other” girl in Shakespeare’s most famous work. A Roz By Any Other Name tells the story of Rosaline, whom Romeo dumped in favor of Juliet, wrapped in a sweet and romantic storyline.

• Oprah Made Me Do It — Director Chris Lewitzke. This comedy satirizes rude shoppers and Oprah fanatics alike in a way everyone can appreciate.

Sadowski added that the students produced the shows from start to finish.

"The seniors have started working on this production this past summer by choosing the plays," Sadowski said. "They had to develop a set plan, costume ideas, lighting effects before even deciding who would be in their cast. They had to plan for their auditions and rehearsal process. Every little bit of the show is developed by the students and it lets them pursue their passion for theater."

Performances run tonight through Sunday:

• Thursday, Nov. 10 at 7:30 p.m.
• Friday, Nov. 11 at 7:30 p.m.
• Saturday, Nov. 12 at 7:30 p.m.
• Sunday, Nov. 13 at 2 p.m

All performances will take place in the black box theatre at . Tickets are $6 on Thursday and Sunday and $8 on Friday and Saturday. Students and seniors will receive a $2 discount at all performances.

Tickets can be purchased at the door, but it is strongly recommended to order tickets online prior to performances, which typically sell out. To purchase tickets in advance, visit www.seatyourself.biz/gchs.

Cast Lists

Oprah Made Me Do It, directed by Chris Lewitzke

ASM: Kyle McClory

Greg — Matthew Silverberg

Patsy — Rachael Schlesser

Monica — Katy Hastings

Roz By Any Other Name, directed by Katie Rarick        

ASM: Emily Denbo

Rosalind — Pauline Moll

Vera — Ali Cassidy

Cordonna — Shania Pickering

Stefano — Bryce Barnette

The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon, directed by Lauren Sagendorph

ASM: Torchia Rogers

Narrator 1, Prince 2, Cinderella — Amanda Platt

Narrator 2, The Devil 2 — Alan Muellegger

Actor, Rumpelstiltskin — Evan Szewc

Enchantress — Victoria Kulig

Dirt Merchant, Dwarf 2, Devil 1 — Timothy Song

Rapunzel, Another Actor — Angelina Manos

Girl, Gretel — Lily Bielinski

Hansel, Dwarf 1, Prince 1 — Curtis Bye

Devil’s Grandmother, Cinderella — Stephanie Ambrose 

Les Miserable, directed by Alexa Laird

ASM: Madison Karabinus

Marius — Travis Ritchie

Courfeyrac — Joe Arcus

Eponine — Kristen Arcus

Jean Valjean — Michael Farca

Cossette — Emily Ehret

M. Gillenormand — Anthony Szulczynski

Gavroche — Megan Witt

Engloras — David Braun

Crew:

Stage manager: Madaine Talucod

Electrics crew:

Electricians — Mustafa Anwas, Josh Kline, Brandon Kersten

Sound crew:

Sound engineer crew head — Brittany Detlefsen

Sound crew — Vinny Spillner

Stage crew:

Stage crew manager — Brittany Schmitt

Stage crew — Emilee Gossell, Alyssa  York, Alyssa Piekarz, Josh Web, Gabrielle Choi, Rachel Kventon, Kasia Dudek

Costumes and makeup:

Costume mistress — Gena Fricke

Costume crew — Mickie Fisher, Nico Nielson, Sam Haubrich