NVHS Theatre Announcements

The NVHS Theatre 25/26 Awards Banquet
"Willie Awards"
The Neuqua Theatre Department would like to invite this year's theatre cast and crew students and their families to join us for a night of celebration for the 2025-2026 season! The semi-formal event will include dinner, directors' choice awards, and a special send-off honoring our seniors. The cost is $40 per person. 
​We hope to see you there!  RSVP BY THURSDAY, MAY 14th

DATE: Monday, May 18th
TIME: 5:00 pm
LOCATION:
​The Bolingbrook Golf Club, 2001 Rodeo Dr., Bolingbrook, IL 60490
PICTURES:  Along with our Honorary Senior Student Pictures (Senior Parents, see below), we would love anyone attending to send in up to three (3) general 2025-2026 season pictures to be included in our video. These could be show pictures or pictures with theatre friends from this year. See the instructions on how to submit pictures in the registration form.  

SENIOR PARENTS:  We will need four (4) specific pictures from you of your senior(s) for the video. This includes a baby picture, a child picture, a picture of the student's participation in a show or performance, and a senior picture. See the instructions in the registration form on how to format and submit your photos.  

IMPORTANT! All pictures need to be sent by Friday, May 8th to be included in the video.  The sooner, the better, so we can start working on it now!
WE HOPE YOU CAN JOIN US FOR
​THIS END-OF-THE-YEAR EVENT!
IHSTF 2027 SOMETHING ROTTEN! AUDITION INFORMATION
The 2027 Illinois High School Theatre Festival's All-State
​Production is Something Rotten!
Audition and interview materials for Cast, Tech Crew, Pit, and Student Leadership positions are linked below. Please note that although Neuqua Valley supports the All State Production, NVHS is not necessarily involved as this is an opportunity that students can participate in on their own. NV students will need to accommodate their own payments, transport, and lodging if selected in the production.
Johnathan Pontarelli (he/him)
Head of NVHS Theatre Program since Fall of 2017
Mr. Pontarelli has overseen large-scale NV productions such as MAMMA MIA!, SPAMALOT, CHICAGO, CLUE, THE SOUND OF MUSIC, JOSEPH & THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT, BEAUTY & THE BEAST, PINOCCHIO, and FIDDLER ON THE ROOF. He is the co-founder and Artistic Director of the Wildcat Theatre Academy, and has served as a state-winning speech team assistant coach with NVHS. In the spring of 2025, the program's Musical Theatre Review rendition of YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN placed 3rd in the IHSA Drama State Series Competition. Mr. Pontarelli has lent his expertise in several panel talks, podcasts, and seminars to discuss theatre in high schools: #DanceOn, In The Wings with Connective Theatre Company, and the Illinois High School Theatre Festival, to name a few. Theatre education has allowed Mr. Pontarelli multiple opportunities to travel the world, most notably participating in acting workshops at The Globe in London, England.

​Questions on how to get involved in the program? Feel free to email Mr. Pontarelli @ [email protected]

NVHS Courses: Theatre Arts 1 & Theatre Arts 2

The theatre program is proud to have available the English elective classes Theatre Arts 1 & 2. Throughout both semester long courses, students will perform small scenes, short monologues, and participate in fun improvisational activities, all the while learning basic conventions of theatre (i.e. history, clowning, commedia dell'arte, playwriting, set design, lighting, and costume design). We encourage students to speak with their NVHS guidance counselor on the possibility of enrolling in these unique courses.
Neuqua Valley Theatre is committed to bringing meaningful and impactful opportunities to students.
Students can follow us on our Instagram social media sites to stay current of announcements.
Instagram - NeuquaTheatre 
Are you a young actor that ​needs help auditioning?
​Already cast in a show, but want extra practice with a qualified director?
Click the above link to find out more.

Land Acknowledgement of
​The Potawatomi Tribe

In offering this acknowledgment, Neuqua Valley Theatre affirms Indigenous sovereignty, history, and experiences as Illinois school district IPSD 204 is on Potawatomi land.

For more information, please visit the US Department of Arts and Culture website.