The 24-hour theater challenge is a new event for Normal West, and the Wildcats’ theater is up to the challenge.
The event is heavily student-driven, featuring a total of 60 students, with roughly 40 in the cast and 20 on the crew.
This event is inspired by a similar event at the University of Michigan, and the challenge requires students to learn an entire musical, including all songs and dances, in just 24 hours.
While the original university model involves writing the show from scratch, Normal West has opted to license a “junior musical” to make the feat more manageable for high school-aged students.
Seniors Gabby Streiley and Ella Sommer are in charge of working on choreography and will be directing the event.
Juniors Hannah Wilcox and Mackenzie Wegerzyn are helping take care of the music.
The NCWHS theater is no new thing to these girls. In fact, Streily, Wilcox, and and Wegerzyn have been in the theater program every year they’ve been at West.
Wegerzyn and Wilcox have even been a part of the NCWHS theater since before high school.
“I started theater in 8th grade when junior highs were offered to audition for Normal West’s production of Annie,” Wergerzyn added.
The primary goal of the event is to fundraise for Normal West’s new Thespian Troupe, a branch of the National Theater Honor Society.
The 24-hour theater event will take place at NCWHS on May 9 at 7 p.m. It will cost $4 at the door.
