Addison Trail actors stage unique spring show
Addison Trail High School Theatre is gearing up to provide audience members with a unique production through its spring play, "Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind."
The curtain goes up at 4:30 and 7 p.m. Friday, April 7, and 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday, April 8, in the school's Black Box Studio Theatre, 213 N. Lombard Road, Addison.
The format will offer a rare experience, as the cast will perform 30 plays by The Neo-Futurists in 60 minutes. The audience will choose the order of those plays and will interact with the actors on stage while the cast and crew transition from one production to the next.
"I was looking for a nontraditional play, and I knew 'Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind' would be a fun challenge," said Anna Jakubka, Addison Trail's theater director.
"I saw the show in high school and fell in love with the format. It also was one of the pieces performed during this year's Illinois High School Theatre Festival, and our theater students were able to see it and loved it as well.
"I hope the audience gains a different perspective of theater and that younger students are encouraged to perform on stage."
Addison Trail senior Maxwell Dziabis said the goal of this show is for the cast not to "act." Each role will reflect the corresponding student, rather than the character.
"It's going to provide a great taste of who we are as people, because it's our personalities showing on stage rather than us portraying the characters," Dziabis said.
Addison Trail senior Dominic Zumpano agreed.
"It was a great experience to make creative choices about which characters fit us and which plays we will perform in," Zumpano said.
The show comprises 11 actors, five production team members and about 30 crew members. Jakubka said one of the biggest challenges was determining the 30 plays that would be featured and matching the 100 characters in those plays to the personalities of the cast members.
On Wednesday, April 12, Addison Trail and Willowbrook students will get a special treat when "Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind" creator Greg Allen visits the schools as part of District 88's Author in the House program.
The Addison Trail cast will perform a few of the author's plays, and Allen will discuss his work and creative process. Allen also will lead a writer's workshop for students and staff interested in the writing and publishing process.
"We're really excited about the opportunity to meet Allen," said Addison Trail senior Annalise Morrone. "We can't wait to hear what was going through his mind as he created this show."
For information about The Neo-Futurists, visit neofuturists.org.
Tickets will be available at the door and cost $7 for adults, $5 for students, $3 with an Activity Pass and are free with a District 88 Senior Gold Card. For information, call (630) 628-3365 or email at.theatre88@gmail.com.
If you go
What: "Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind"
When: 4:30 and 7 p.m. Friday, April 7, and 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday, April 8
Where: Addison Trail High School's Black Box Studio Theatre, 213 N. Lombard Road, Addison
Tickets: $7 adults, $5 students, $3 with an Activity Pass and free with a District 88 Senior Gold Card
Info: (630) 629-3365 or at.theatre88@gmail.com