Keith Country Day School’s production of “Quilters” has been selected to be a part of the 2009 Illinois High School Theater Festival, January 8-10 at the Krannert Center for Performing Arts at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

 

“It’s especially gratifying and an honor to perform Quilters at the festival,” said Jim Radloff, one of Keith’s drama teachers.  “We set a very high standard for the theater department and our students continue to raise the bar with their dedication to the program.”

 

Known as the largest and oldest non-competitive high school theater festivals, more than 80 schools were adjudicated for the three-day event with only 22 earning spots.  Keith Country Day School was one of two performances chosen from the Northern Illinois area.

 

“It’s an honor to go to the festival,” said Ashley White, Keith sophomore.  “I’m really looking forward to performing in front of other theater students and getting the opportunity to see some of their shows too.”

 

“Quilters” is the story of a pioneer woman and her six daughters. The show blends a series of interrelated scenes of the beauty, terror, joy and harsh challenges of frontier life, all represented by various patches, which are assembled into a colorful quilt. 

 

The cast includes Ania Frontzak, Sarah Ikenberry, Sylvia Jennings, Miranda Lindvall, Ashley Ray-Harris, Katherine Stott and Ashley White.  Anna Johnson is the Production Stage Manager.  Jim Radloff is the Director and Designer.  Radloff and Michele Bonzi run the theater department.    

 

Each year, over 4,000 students, teachers, university representatives, exhibitors, and volunteers come together for three days to put on more than 25 different high school productions and 150 workshops.  The event also includes opportunities for college/university auditions for high school seniors, professional development for teachers, a student film festival and the annual All-State Production, featuring student cast, crew and orchestra members from across the state.

 

Keith School is an independent, nonsectarian, college-preparatory school founded by Belle Emerson Keith in 1916.  Located on a 15-acre campus overlooking the Rock River, Keith serves students from age three through grade 12 from the Northern Illinois and Southern Wisconsin area.  The school is a member of the National Association of Independent Schools and fully-accredited by the Independent Schools Association of the Central States and the North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools.  More information about Keith School is available at www.keithschool.com.