Opening Night of The Little Mermaid Makes a Splash! #207Now #musical @mainewestdrama @mainewestfab

 
From the first notes of Part of Your World to the final bows, the Maine West Fine Arts Department's production of The Little Mermaid transported audiences under the sea with stunning performances, vibrant costumes, and breathtaking sets. Students brought Ariel, Ursula, and the whole cast of characters to life with incredible talent and energy.

Behind the scenes, our crew worked tirelessly to create dazzling lighting, seamless scene changes, and the perfect touch of Disney magic. The result? A show that left audiences humming the tunes and believing in the magic of dreams.

Bravo to our cast, crew, and directors for making this production unforgettable! 

Click HERE to enjoy many more pictures from the show!

There are three more performances of The Little Mermaid:

Friday, February 21, 2025 at 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, February 22, 2025 at 7:00 p.m.
and Sunday, February 23, 2025 at 2:00 p.m.

Secure your seats now at bit.ly/MWBoxOffice.

BONUS EVENT! Before Sunday's matinee, join us for an "Under the Sea" Carnival - a fun-filled event where kids can enjoy games, crafts and surprises inspired by The Little Mermaid!

"Under the Sea" Carnival Details:

Sunday, February 23 at 12:00 p.m.

Tickets to the carnival are $10 for children, and free for adults. 

Get tickets for the carnival here: https://mainewestfineartsboosters.square.site/under-the-sea-carnival 

Don’t miss this incredible opportunity to bring your little one into Ariel’s world for a day of fun, music, and magic! We can’t wait to see you there!

Improv Warriors Showcase - An Hour of Laughs Unscripted! #207Now #improv @mainewestdrama @mainewestfab

 

Tonight, the Improv Warriors, a student-led improv troupe within the Maine West Drama Club performed their winter showcase, which had the audience in stiches! The students delivered a number of skits and improv games that showed off their ability to think quickly and creatively on their feet!

Congratulations to all of the students who participated tonight!

More pictures from tonight's performance can be found HERE.

Two Maine West Drama & Choir Students Selected for All-State Musical Production! #207Now #allstate #musicaltheatre @mainewestdrama @mainewestchoir @illinoistheatreassociation @mainewestfab

 

We recently learned that TWO Maine West Drama and Choir students - Irene Han and Jaiden Maisonet - have been selected by competitive audition for the Illinois Theatre Association's All-State production of The Prom!

Selection for the ITA All-State production distinguishes these students as some of the best actors and singers in the state of Illinois! We are so proud of you, Jaiden and Irene, and can't wait to see you perform at Theatre Fest in January 2025! Thank you to Mr. Harmon and Mr. Schiffer for mentoring these students toward this success!

Opening Night of YOU CAN'T TAKE IT WITH YOU - A Smashing Success! #207Now #theatre #drama @mainewestdrama @mainewesttechcrew @mainewestfab @mwactivities

 
Tonight, the talented students of Maine West High School brought the house down with their vibrant performance of the classic comedy, "You Can't Take It With You." The play, written by George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart, is a beloved staple of American theatre, and our students did it justice with a delightful mix of humor, chaos, and heartfelt moments.

The stage was alive with energy as each actor embraced their quirky character, from the fireworks-making patriarch of the Sycamore family to the ballet-dancing Essie. The chemistry among the cast was palpable, making the eccentricities of each family member all the more endearing and hilarious.

A special shout-out goes to the set design team, under the direction of Mr. Peter McManus, who transformed our stage into a bustling New York household, cluttered yet cozy, which perfectly complemented the play's 1930s setting. Their attention to detail did not go unnoticed, adding an authentic touch that transported the audience right into the heart of the story.

The direction by Ms. Judy Klingner was impeccable, guiding the young actors through fast-paced dialogue and complex comedic timing with ease. It was evident that every student involved, both on stage and behind the scenes, put in tremendous effort and passion, making this production a standout success.

Bravo to everyone involved for a memorable evening of laughter and community!

A special shout out to Maine West Fine Arts Boosters and all of the caregivers and community members who will volunteer to help throughout this production - We Can't Do It Without You!

Don't miss this hilarious show! There are two more performances left:

Friday, April 19th at 7:00 p.m.

Saturday, April 20th at 7:00 p.m. 

Get your tickets in advance at bit.ly/MWBoxOffice (case-sensitive)!

HERE is the program for this production.

HERE are additional pictures.

Improv Warriors Show #207Now #improv @mainewestdrama @mainewestfab @mwactivities

 
On Thursday, April 4th, the IMPROV WARRIORS, a student led improv troupe within the Maine West Drama Club, had their final improv show of the school year, delivering improv skits that had everyone laughing hysterically! Congratulations to all of the students who performed, and to drama teacher, Mr. David Harmon on a successful year of improv!

Maine West Students and Director Honored at the Illinois Theatre Festival! #207Now #excellence @mainewestdrama @illinoistheatreassociation

At this year's Illinois Theatre Festival, Maine West students Penny Wurster and Avery Rizzi and spring play director Ms. Judy Klingner received recognition for their outstanding work.

Penny Wurster participated in the Tech Olympics competition, which asks students to complete a variety of tasks related to technical theatre accurately and in as little time as possible. Penny was able to complete a quick costume change by herself in record time - 18 seconds - placing second in the costume change category! Well done, Penny!

Avery Rizzi was selected by competitive audition into the All-State Improv Team, performing with an elite high school improv team for an audience of over 200 people! Avery said of her experience, "It was cool, especially being the only person in the district represented on the team. It was fun to meet so many people from all over the state!" Well done, Avery, on earning a spot on the state Improv Team! We are so proud of you!

Ms. Judy Klingner was awarded the Legacy Award for her tremendous contributions to theatre education in the state of Illinois. Ms. Klingner taught drama for 34 years, retiring from Fremd High School in 2019. She has held a number of leadership positions with the Illinois Theatre Association, and is currently the President-Elect. Maine West Fine Arts is thrilled to have Ms. Klingner on its artistic staff as the spring play director, and we are so proud that she has been honored by the ITA for her tremendous contributions! Congratulations on this well-deserved honor, Ms. Klingner!

Opening Night of The Diary of Anne Frank a Triumph! #207Now #annefrank @mainewestdrama @mwactivities @mainewestfab

Congratulations to the actors, tech crew, costume and make up crew and all directors and designers involved in this year's fall play production of The Diary of Anne Frank. The Maine West Drama production of this emotionally stirring and thought-provoking story is not to be missed. Wendy Kesserman's adaptation of The Diary of Anne Frank play by Goodrich and Hackett brings Anne Frank's poignant diary entries to life on stage.

The Maine West cast delivers performances that are nothing short of mesmerizing. The actress playing Anne, Nina Brouder, captures Anne's youthful spirit and wisdom beyond her years, making you feel as if you're right there in the secret annex with her.

The production team has gone to great lengths to recreate the atmosphere of the annex, making the experience all the more immersive. The costumes are period-appropriate, adding another layer of authenticity.

This play isn't just entertainment; it is a lesson in history, humanity, and the resilience of the human spirit. You'll leave the auditorium not just entertained, but enriched and enlightened.

Don't miss out! Grab your tickets now (bit.ly/MWBoxOffice) for the final two performances on Friday, October 13th and Saturday, October 14th at 7:00 p.m. in the Maine West Auditorium.

A digital version of the program can be found HERE.

A folder full of pictures from the production can be found HERE.

Many thanks to the family, friends and fans who have helped (or will help) this production in any capacity! We could not do what we do without the dedicated support of our wonderful volunteers, contributing members, and board members with the Maine West Fine Arts Boosters!