Final play challenges students' acting skills

Instead of coasting through their final play of the year, theater students at Addison Trail High School have had to work even harder.

To perform "The Secret in the Wings," which is written by Mary Zimmerman of Chicago's Looking Glass Theater, the actors must perform the roles of up to seven different characters.

Director Anna Jakubka said the students aimed to find the singular trait that drives each character they portray.

"It's definitely challenging, and they have been focusing on bringing an element of themselves to the stage," she said.

Students have been rehearsing since mid-February for the play, which is a compilation of fairy tales from Italian Folklore, Oral Tradition and Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm.

The running theme through the show, Jakubka said, is that each character holds a secret.

"The moral of the story is that things aren't always what they seem and you need to look deeper," she said.

Even though "The Secret in the Wings" has proven tough for the actors, many who are seniors, Jakubka said they will emerge as stronger performers. She chose this contemporary play over something more traditional to expand their skills.

"I'd never seen anything like it before, and our goal in our theater department is to provide them with different experiences," Jakubka said. "This is just one more thing they can add to their library."

Cast members for "The Secret in the Wings" are: Nick Bublitz, Ryan Carson, Danielle Chaddick, Anthony Dela Cruz, Molly Horton, Elizabeth Karikomi, Andy Korenchan, Tony Leyva, Daniele Milazzo, Ashley Padgett, Vince Pompilio, Olga Ratajski, Mickey Ricci, Crystal Smith, Nico Tangorra, Rebecca Utech, Victoria Weinell and John Willis.

Musicians are Jimmy Merritello, Richard Stancato and Gabe Streza.

Crew members are Sarah Adams, Cassandra Barca, Samantha Barca, Paul Brezinski, Mary Butler, Jeanette Campbell, Anthony Dela Cruz, Stephanie Haugan, Alex Holod, Kassandra Kasper, Kelly Keller, Brittany Kirschbaum, Andy Korenchan, Tony Leyva, Jenny Liberti, Cindy Lindrum, Veronica Lyons, Alina Montemayor, Alex Orsi, Natalie Orsi, Ashley Padgett, Kimberly Schultz, Brandon Stanford, Matt Wesley, Sarah Wesley, Tommy Wiesen and Nick Yong.

If you go

What: "The Secret in the Wings"

Where:7 p.m. today through Saturday; 2 p.m. Saturday

Where: Addison Trail High School theater, 213 N. Lombard Road, Addison

Cost: $5 for adults, $4 for students, $2 for students with a school activity pass, and free for senior citizens with a District 88 Gold Card

Details: (630) 458-4138