NVHS Theatre Announcements

Wildcat Summer Theatre 
​Registration Now Open!

Elementary (incoming 2nd-5th grade):
​July 14-18, 9am-12pm
Middle School: July 14-18, 1pm-4pm
High School: July 28-31, 8:30am-3:30pm

SAVE THE DATE
Back-To-School Drama Rally

Tuesday, August 26 right after school in the
Main Campus Auditorium
Free Pizza For All That Attend!
At the Drama Rally, students can meet the directors as they announce the 2025/2026 season.

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 
Johnathan Pontarelli (he/him)
Head of NVHS Theatre Program since Fall of 2017
Mr. Pontarelli has overseen large-scale NV productions such as 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]

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.
Need a monologue? Here is a database to help.
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.