H-F's Theatre program involves both curricular offerings and co-curricular productions. Four courses make up the curricular program: Introduction to Theatre; Advanced Acting & Play Production; Scriptwriting & Directing Lab; and Devised Theatre & Ensemble Playbuilding.
CO-CURRICULAR PROGRAM
All H-F students are invited to participate in the co-curricular plays that annually include a musical, a children's play, a spring play, and summer children's theatre. These plays are presented in the Mall Auditorium or in the Performing Arts Center. Casts and production crews are drawn largely from Theatre classes. Auditions are held before every play and students may sign up to work on various crews.
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Children's Play
This full-scale production of children's classics offers Theatre students the opportunity to entertain and to educate community elementary school students who attend performances at H-F. Thespian points are earned and assigned by director. Recent productions include The Lion King, Akeelah & the Bee and Bridge to Terebithia.
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Musical
Full-scale musical theatre production began at H-F when the Mall Auditorium was constructed in 1968. On an average, around 150 students are involved in the musical including cast, crew and orchestra. In addition to drawing students from Theatre classes, students also come from vocal music and broadcasting classes. The orchestra is drawn largely from instrumental music classes. Recent productions include Chicago, Spamalot and SpongeBob the Musical.
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Spring Play
The spring play at H-F has been recognized by several state organizations for its superior quality. Previous shows include Into the Woods, Lost in Yonkers,The Boys Next Door, Light Up the Sky, Metamorphosis and a host of Broadway hits that are seen in student large groups and spring evening performances.
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Summer Theatre & LITE
This program provides a summer opportunity for students in Grades 6-12 to participate in the staging of a full-scale children's play. Students who sign up for the program perform and work on the technical aspects of the production as well. In 2004, H-F's Summer Theatre Program won the Illinois Theatre Associations "Outstanding Contribution to Children's Theatre Award," granted to only one children's theatre program in the state. Thespians are welcome to sign up to perform or volunteer to assist in the program. Recent productions include Mary Poppins, Jr.; Big; Once Upon This Island and Madagascar, Jr. Also in late summer, H-F's Leaders in Theatre Ensemble (LITE) begin working on a special production, which is performed the first week of the school year.
H-F also offers students a Competitive Drama program and a Thespian Honor Society.