NVHS Theatre Announcements

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]

Mamma Mia!
Spring Musical 2026

Tickets are now available!
Please be sure to purchase your assigned tickets ahead of time; it is highly likely the shows will sellout. All ticket sales are final, so please be sure you are purchasing the correct desired performance dates.
Please Enter at Main Campus Door 7.
Due to high traffic with patrons attending the show and construction at the school, please arrive with plenty of time so we can usher you to your seat with ease. All performances will promptly begin at 7pm. NVHS doors into the building will lock at 7:10pm. Please plan ahead and be on-time to the performance. There will be no refunds issued if this presents a problem. If you are late for the beginning of the show, you may be reassigned to a different seat for ACT 1 so there is no interruption to performers and patrons.
The use of cameras, recording devices, and/or phones are not permitted during the performance as this is a strict copyright infringement and a distraction to all. If this presents an issue, you will be asked to leave.
Want to purchase an official Mamma Mia! shirt?
Miss the first shirt order deadline? Please order directly through this link and your shirt(s) order will be mailed directly to your home.
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.

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.