Bartlett High School Theatre Department

  • The Bartlett High School Theatre Department is one of the largest activities at BHS.  The Theatre Department traditionally produces 1-2 full-length plays, 1 full-length musical, 1 IHSA Group Interpretation competition show, and more each year.  The Drama and Technical Theatre clubs meet regularly throughout the school year and welcome everyone, no matter their previous experience and skill level.  We hope to see you all at a future theatre-related activity!  You can read about the specific activities below.
     
    If you have any questions, please, do not hesitate to contact the Theatre Teacher, Director, and Sponsor, Mr. Mike Miserendino, at michaelmiserendino@u-46.org.
     
     
    ENROLL IN A THEATRE ELECTIVE COURSE!
    You can sign-up to take: 
    • Theatre Experience, 
    • Actor's Workshop, 
    • and/or Advanced Theatre Production
    Contact Mr. Miserendino at michaelmiserendino@u-46.org or your Guidance Counselor to learn more about these awesome, engaging, and fun classes!
     
     
    DRAMA AND TECHNICAL THEATRE CLUB
    This club consists of a fun-loving group of students who play improv games and participate in workshops to start their Fridays with lots of laughs. They also support the BHS Theatre Department and community. Some club members are actors, others are techies, and most come just because it’s fun. Club members perform, go on field trips, fundraise, and participate in social events, such as the Haunted House at Hawk Fest, Thespian Olympics, Murder Mystery Dinner, 1-Act Plays, Improvisation, and Illinois High School Theatre Fest. The Tech Club portion teaches students what goes on behind-the-scenes of a theatre production: set construction, painting, lighting, sound, props, costumes, run crew, make-up, stage management, directing, and so much more. These students also assist with the Theatre Department's Plays, Musicals, and IHSA Group Interpretation. Drama & Tech Club is a great way to get involved and make new friends.
     
    PLAYS AND MUSICALS
    The Fall and Winter Plays are the two major productions throughout the first semester. The plays change each year and students may get involved in all aspects of the production -- cast by auditioning, tech, set construction, costumes, make-up, lighting, run crew, stage managing, directing, and so much more.
    The Spring Musical is traditionally the last major theatre production of the school year. The musical changes each year and students may get involved in all aspects of the production: cast by auditioning, tech, set construction, costumes, make-up, lighting, sound, run crew, choral music, pit orchestra, choreography, directing, and so much more.
    These productions are a great way to get involved and make new friends!  
     
    IHSA GROUP INTERPRETATION
    Group Interpretation is a theatre production that participates in the state-wide Illinois High School Group Interpretation competition traditionally in March.  This style of theatre is more interpretative in the sense that actors wear uniform costumes, the set is minimalistic, there are no props, and actors must engage in off-stage focus.  This activity is exciting, competitive, and requires a lot of creativity from the ensemble of actors and musicians.  The company must audition and it's a great way to get involved and make new friends.
     
    IHSA MUSICAL THEATRE REVUE AND SHORT FILM FESTIVAL
    Musical Theatre Revue is a musical performance that participates in the IHSA Musical Theatre Revue competition.  This 10-minute musical has a cast of 3-6 actors and is interpretive in the sense that actors wear uniform costumes, the set is minimalist (only 6 chairs and one table), and there are no props and no specialized lighting effects.  This activity is exciting, competitive, and requires acting, singing, and dancing from the small ensemble of actors.  The cast must audition and it's a great way to get involved and make new friends.
    Short Film Festival is a student-directed and acted film that participates in the IHSA Short Film Festival competition.  Students will write, direct, film, act, design, and edit a short film.  The film is then submitted to the IHSA as part of a competition in the spring.  If you are interested in film, directing, and acting on camera, this is the activity for you.  This activity is a great way to get involved and make new friends.
     
    BHS THESPIAN SOCIETY
    This is a prestigious group in which an elite group of actors and theatre technicians are inducted into this society.  Inductees must participate in multiple aspects of the theatre program at BHS and members may continue to earn awards throughout their time at BHS.