Major Productions and Theater Arts

"All the world ’s a stage,
And all the men and women merely players.
They have their exits and their entrances;
And one man in his time plays many parts,
His acts being seven ages."

From As You Like It  by William Shakespeare (1564–1616)

As You Like It. Act ii. Sc. 7.

THE P.H.S. DRAMA CLUB

THE FALL PLAY

P.H.S. LIVE!

THE WINTER MUSICAL

THE ONE ACTS

THE VARIETY SHOW

AUDITIONS

SPEECH TEAM

DRAMATICS CLASS E212

AUDITION DATES AND TIMES

PERFORMANCE SCHEDULES

PHOTOS

THE P.H.S. DRAMA CLUB

All interested students are welcome to be members of the PHS Drama Club and you may join at any time during the year. At the end of each year we elect officers who help plan activities throughout the year such as attending different amateur and professional productions, holding acting and improve workshops and arranging the end of the year award ceremony. Awards are given to the different people who participated in any of our five major productions as actors, directors or on the technology crew.

THE FALL PLAY

Each fall we produce and perform a full length play directed by Mr. Smith from the Science Department. This show involves daily rehearsals for over a month, a major set and three nights of performance, Thursday through Saturday. Mr. Smith demands excellence and commitment from his actors and crew so that we can have the finest shows possible. Auditions for the Fall Play occur very early in the school year, look for signs and listen to announcements.

P.H.S. LIVE!

Each fall we produce a sketch comedy and improv show along the lines of Second City with the guidance of Mr. Gross and the dedication of creative students. The goal of this show is that we rely on talent and imagination and use minimal props and set to entertain our audience. PHS LIVE involves a collaborative cast of 6-12 students who are willing to write, direct, act and acquire material by any means necessary and who are committed to a rehearsal schedule of 3-5 days weekly with a day devoted to improvisational games and practice. 

THE WINTER MUSICAL

Each year a major musical is produced with the outstanding direction of Mr. Stromberg, the inspired choreography of Miss Rocco on and the expert musical direction of Mr. Sivak and Ms. Horn. Our musical sells out each year as these fine leaders bring together the acting, singing and dancing talents of PHS students. Students and directors commit to daily rehearsals and preparation that involves extensive work on singing, dance, acting, sound and set construction in order to provide a show that continues to demand more than a three night run.

THE ONE ACTS

Each spring Mr. Gross and Mrs. Hedgepeth choose a variety of one act plays to direct and also oversee an ambitious student or two who may want to try their own hand at directing a one act play as well. Acting is emphasized and sets are kept simple. The production of the one act plays allow us the opportunity to hone student acting abilities because we are able to spend quality time on character development and motivation so that we can perfect each show until it has the quality that the actors and audience desire. Auditions are held jointly with Fall Play auditions very early in the school year, look for signs and listen to announcements.

THE VARIETY SHOW

Come one! Come all! Be in the show that has something for everyone. PHS talents are on display where singing, acting, dancing, music and comedy keep our audience entertained each spring. Participants must audition and be students at Palatine High School. Audience members can be from anywhere, even Fremnd.

AUDITIONS

PREPARATION: The level of preparation that you show in an audition could benefit you tremendously and it shows you care. Acting ability is a major consideration but other things are considered as well. Key things that the directors look for during the auditions are:

1. stage movement (don’t wander with happy feet)
2. personality (let yours shine)
3. vocal projection and articulation (make sure we can hear you and understand you)
4. Bring something to say that is either memorized or read well.

Another consideration for being cast in a show is the number of conflicts with rehearsals that you may have due to work, lessons and other activities. It is important that you can make the commitment necessary for each show’s success by attending all rehearsals.

Always remember that each show looks for and needs different people and if you don’t suit one show’s cast you may be perfect for the next – so enjoy the process and continue to audition.

SPEECH TEAM

The Speech Team at PHS is an IHSA sanctioned activity and students can receive a letter for participating. This organization is similar to theatre arts. Public speaking is emphasized. Members can participate in many events including Dramatic Duet Acting, Humorous Deut Acting, Humorous Interpretation, Dramatic Interpretation, Oratorical Oratory, Original Comedy, Special Occasion Speaking, Impromptu Speaking, and Radio Speaking. The team meets weekly after school. Once the season has started, the team competes Saturday's as well. The Sponsors are Ms. Erin Lindstrom  and Ms. Jean Black (English)

DRAMATICS CLASS E212

Drama class with Mr. Gross gives students an English credit and more importantly the opportunity to study theater, improve acting skills and to gain confidence interacting and speaking with others. Focus of the course involves: study of the history and structure of theater and live performance; improvisational games that develop imagination and increase one’s physical awareness; and the development of basic acting skills such as pantomime, articulation and projection and character interpretation and choices.

AUDITION DATES AND TIMES

PERFORMANCE SCHEDULES