Odyssey fine arts festival an exciting experience for Stevenson High students

And the show must go on.

Despite an overnight snowstorm that snarled Wednesday morning commuter traffic, only a handful of performers and lecturers missed the 10th edition of the Odyssey biennial fine arts festival at Stevenson High School in Lincolnshire.

The two-day event featured more than 100 performers, artists, writers and musicians who entertained and instructed students in an array of arts.

“It's a super exciting couple of days. The weather complicated the morning, but the staff came together and the students were thrilled,” Odyssey organizer Stephanie Schafer said. “I love to hear from the performers who think it is the coolest opportunity for the kids.”

The biggest applause and laughter went to Chicago-based experimental theater group The Neo-Futurists. They performed improv scenes for students and teachers during their act “Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind.”

The festival featured the talents of more than 40 faculty members, and performers and artists from as far away as California and New York City — many were alumni who wanted to give back to the school.

Besides watching performances by theater and musical groups, students were given a chance to participate in arts ranging from samba dancing, creating balloon animals and flower arranging to iPhoneography.

“I love Odyssey,” senior Stephanie Wang said as she threw a clay pot. “I think it's so much fun because you get do so many things you've never been able to do before. And you get to get out of class.”