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September 14, 2022

Huntley High School senior Zach Ulmer (Left) and junior Emma Swiersz (Right) were both selected for ITA's 2023 All-State Musical production of Shrek
Photo provided.
Huntley High School senior Zach Ulmer (Left) and junior Emma Swiersz (Right) were both selected for ITA’s 2023 All-State Musical production of Shrek.

Features, News • September 14, 2022

Two Huntley High School students selected for the ITA’s 2023 All-State Musical Production of Shrek

By

HUNTLEY — In a recent statement, Huntley High School’s Extracurricular Theatre Program was pleased to announce that senior Zach Ulmer and junior Emma Swiersz were both selected to participate in the 2023 Illinois Theatre Association’s (ITA) musical production of Shrek.

Production week will take place in January 2023 during the annual Illinois High School Theatre Festival at Illinois State University located in Bloomington-Normal, stated the district.

Ulmer will be portraying the character of Mad Hatter and will serve as an understudy for the character of Pinocchio. Swiersz, on the other hand, will be participating as part of the technical crew for the performances.

Produced by the ITA, the Illinois High School Theatre Festival (IHSTF) is the largest and oldest non-competitive high school theatre festival in the nation.

According to the Huntley High School’s Extracurricular Theatre Program, each January over 4,000 students, teachers, university representatives, exhibitors, and volunteers come together to take part in the three-day festival.

The festival includes various learning opportunities for individuals in attendance, including workshops on topics ranging from acting, auditions, and improvisation to stage management, costumes, and special effects.

In addition, professional development opportunities are made available for teachers and directors.

Another highlight of the IHSTF includes college/university auditions for high school juniors and seniors.

Students who plan to pursue theatre or musical theatre in college may audition/interview for theatrical programs in and around the state of Illinois.

The January 2023 production of Shrek will feature a select ensemble of 130 of the top high school student cast, crew, and musicians from throughout the state of Illinois.

Over a series of weekends during the first semester of the school year, cast, crew, and musicians will assist with the construction of the set and take part in full cast rehearsals with final rehearsals occurring in the week leading up to the festival performances.

“Congratulations to Zach Ulmer, Emma Swiersz, and the entire ensemble. Break a leg,” said representatives from Huntley Community School District 158 in a statement.

For more information regarding the performances, individuals may contact the Director of the district’s Performing Arts Center/Blackbox Theatre Lorie Woods at [email protected] or call 847-659-6107.