Last weekend, the Galena High School Drama Club attended the annual Statewide Theater Festival, an experience they will not soon forget! Held at the University of Illinois- Urbana Champaign around the campus. The three-day festival brought together student thespians from across the region to celebrate their love of theater, learn new skills, and experience some amazing performances. “Theatre Fest is a great way to see a lot of random productions that turn out to be the best shows you’ve ever seen. I liked getting to walk around UIUC campus between shows too.” Quin Wells ‘25.
The Drama Club packed their schedule with a wonderful lineup of shows, including productions like Legally Blonde, Clue, Trap, The Prom, Six, and Fools. Each performance brought something unique to the stage. The students laughed at the absurdity of Clue and Fools, but were on the edge of their seats during Trap, and soon found themselves singing along to the empowering tunes of Six and Legally Blonde. Meanwhile, The Prom delivered a heartwarming message about acceptance and inclusion.
“Theatre Fest was a wonderful trip that I’m glad I got to experience before I graduate,” said Gracie Duhack 25’. “It was so exciting and fulfilling to be surrounded by so many people that also have a love for the theater. Additionally, all of the shows, actors, sets, and costumes I got to see were all amazing!”
In addition to watching performances, the students participated in a variety of workshops to sharpen their theater skills. From mastering the art of stage combat to perfecting improvisation techniques, there was something for everyone. “The workshops were very engaging and fun. All of them were very inclusive and could tailor to many kinds of students in performance arts.” Cael Ozee ‘25.
The festival wasn’t just about learning and watching; it was also an opportunity for the students to bond as a group. Late-night discussions, swimming, and just being in the hotel were perfect ways to wrap up the day.
The Drama Club is now getting ready for their spring production of The Complete Works of William Shakespeare which is going to be an exciting one. If you are interested in being a part of the cast, auditions will be held on Wednesday, January 22 at 5:00 but if that doesn’t interest you there are a lot of fun crew opportunities available, talk to Mrs. Anderson for more details.
