After seemingly endless hours of rehearsal in Naperville North’s NPAC, the cast of the fall play, “Much Ado About Nothing,” will have the opportunity to take their performance to a new stage at the statewide Illinois High School Theatre Fest.

Director Andrew Simon said that NNHS productions have made it to Theatre Fest in 2001, 2003, 2005 and 2007. However, this is the first time in seven years that NNHS will perform again. Shows can only be submitted every other year.

“It’s just really fun,” Simon said. “It’s 4,000 kids from around the state who are as crazy about theater as the kids here are. The idea of bringing a show is just a great opportunity for kids to learn a lot more about theater.”

According to Simon, in order to be selected for the festival, directors must submit a tape of their production to be considered by judges. Simon also requested respondents from Theatre Fest to visit NNHS to see the fall play. However, once selected, there is no further competition. Instead, students from approximately 25 productions will showcase their talents onstage at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

The cast will perform their play for other Theatre Fest attendees on Jan. 9. The festival opens with an Improv Show. After the cast performs their play for other Theatre Fest attendees on Jan. 9, students are free to watch other productions and workshops on various aspects of theater from make-up to production techniques.

NNHS senior Liz Risley, who played the lead role of Beatrice in the fall play, said that the play will remain mostly the same. However, some minor changes will be made.

“One of our lead cast members, Eve Scharfenberg, actually moved,” Risley said. “Although she is coming back for Theatre Fest, we might have to make an understudy for her part.”

In addition, NNHS senior Michael Shay will be performing in the all-state musical. This year, the production is “Pippin,” a story about a young prince searching for meaning and significance.

According to Simon, the fall play was chosen for consideration because of its Shakespearean base. Simon said that it is crucial for students to be performing Shakespeare because of its complex language.

NNHS senior Liz Risley, who played the lead role of Beatrice in the fall play, also believes that studying Shakespeare helps actors with their performance. She said actors really have to know the literal and metaphorical meaning of his words.

“Shakespearean language is really complex,” Risley said. “One of the benefits of studying Shakespeare is that most plays today come from him. It’s really about going back to the roots.”

For Risley, this Theatre Fest will be her first.

“I was so excited when I saw the text from Mr. Simon. I re-read it about 40 times,” Risley said. “I’m just so proud of the whole cast.”

Simon said once the Children’s Play ends, the cast will start rehearsing “Much Ado About Nothing” throughout winter break to prepare for their state performance. In addition, the cast will showcase their production two more times on Jan. 6 at 2:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. Simon said that the 7 p.m. showtime will also serve as a fundraiser for Theatre Fest.