September 16 – 18
Animal Farm is a fable with a sting. Much has been written about the threat of Communism, but it remained to the late George Orwell, farsighted British author of the brilliant and frightening 1984, to expose the Russian experiment for what it really is; an idealist’s dream, converted by realists into a nightmare. In staged dramatic reading version of this timely allegory you will meet beasts whose prototypes have dominated news headlines for many fearful years. Opening on a note of joyous triumph for the creatures who have emancipated themselves from the cruel mastery of a human owner, the reading mounts inexorably to a climax of disillusionment. Intermingling humor and drama, Animal Farm wrings the emotions of its listeners, leaving audiences shaken with the tale of a tragedy that happened in a mythical barnyard far away but could happen in our own back yard.
Headshot credit: Andrew and Stephanie Schones
Cast
Cast
Sophia Jech is a senior at Batavia High School. She is so excited to play Meg and act in her 10th show at the high school. Sophia has loved getting to perform with the other actors and help from crew and wants to thank all of the wonderful students , parents, and other people who make these shows happen. She hopes you enjoy the show!
Crew
Tatj is a senior and is glad to be involved in her 11th and final show her at BHS. She would like to thank Mr Casburn, Mr Cattero, Joe, Mike, Heather, and Adam for all they’ve taught her. She would also like to thank her friends, family, and all those involved with the shows for the constant support they’ve shown to her and this program. She hopes you enjoy the show with its amazing set and talented cast and hopes you continue to come see the amazing productions that BHS theater creates. Good luck next year guys!
Assistant Director
T.J. is a senior at BHS this year, and this is his 9th show here at the high school. He will miss this program so so much, and cannot thank the directors, parents, castmates, and audiences enough. Assistant directing has been super fun, and he feels very lucky to have been given this chance! Casburn has taught him so much throughout this process, and they’re now best friends!! —
This is Zoe’s 12th and final show at BHS. She is so excited that the audiences gets to experience this one of a kind performance in person. With things finally feeling as close to normal as they can, she hopes that everyone has as much fun watching the show as she did during this process.
Student Musical Director
Cast
Mac Leathers is a senior in high school and is very excited to be in this show! This is Mac’s last show with BHS and they are so grateful to have had this chance to perform. They would like to thank their friends, director, and family for making these last four years a great experience. Finally, they would like to thank the audience for coming to see the show and hope that you enjoy it!
Cast
This is one of Madeline’s final BHS productions and she couldn’t be happier to share it with her closest friends. She hopes you enjoy the show!
Cast
After four years of high school theater at BHS, Matthew is clocking out. He thanks you all for being apart of his theater journey.
Cast
Cast
Ravyn is so excited to be performing as Lydia in her final production at BHS. This is her ninth show at the high school and she is so thankful to have been a part of such a wonderful program. Her favorite thing in the world is performing with her favorite people. She hopes you enjoy the show!
Crew
Ronni is a Senior here at BHS and is so excited to be apart Pride and Prejudice. This is Ronni’s second year doing crew but has been in many other performances on the stage as well. Enjoy the show!
Cast
Stage Manager
Gabrielle is a senior at Batavia High School and this is her 8th show overall and her second one as Stage Manager. She wants to thank everyone involved in the production and hopes the audience enjoys Nevermore!
Cast
Gemma is a senior previously in shows such as 42nd Street (Dorothy), I Remember Mama (Christine), Theory of Relativity (Julie), and Animal Farm (Napoleon), as well as the play Columbinus (Rebel) at the Albright Theatre. She also studied at Actors’ Training Center in Wilmette and Piven Theatre Workshop in Evanston.
Cast
Jayden is very excited about his last show at the high school. He is very proud to be an ensemble member, as the ensemble is what makes this show what it is. He thanks his friends and family and hopes the show changes you in a good way!
Cast
Kate Streepey is a senior at Batavia High School. This is her 11th, and final, show at BHS. She would like to thank everyone who has supported her throughout the past 4 years, and hopes everyone enjoys the show.
Cast
Kayla, a senior, is so excited to share this underwater spectacular with you as the cast dives deep into the meanings of friendship and perseverance. This is Kayla’s 7th and final show at Batavia High School and she couldn’t be happier to end it off with a bang. She hopes you enjoy the show as much as she does!
Crew
Cast
Abe is so thrilled for the last play of his high school career, and he is excited to share this fun show with you! He is grateful for this drama program and how much it has shaped him and his life. Previous productions include 42nd Street, Animal Farm, and the Theory of Relativity, as well as several shows with the improv troupe, But Seriously Folks… He hopes you enjoy all the hard work the cast, parents, crew, and directors have put in this performance. Enjoy the show!
Cast
Ashlyn is a senior at Batavia High School, she can’t wait to be in her last show at Batavia Pride and Prejudice! She has has a wonderful year of shows including playing Maggie Jones in 42nd Street, and Edwina Dunbar in Murder on the Rerun. She will be going to Lawrence University next fall for theatre arts! She would like to thank her family and the Hunecke’s for always supporting her!
Cast
Mollie/Mr. Whymper
Cast
This is Clara’s twelfth and final show at BHS, but her very first main stage play! She has loved working with the cast and crew of Pride and Prejudice to bring this classic story to life. She hopes that this show inspires you to look beyond your prejudices and open your heart. Enjoy the performance!
This is Desert’s 12th and final show here at the BFAC. It’s been one crazy journey these past 4 years but he’s glad to be ending it off playing his personal idol Squidward. He hopes that you will be blown away by this spectacle of a show.
Cast
Erin is senior performing in her seventh show here at BHS. She is thrilled to be playing Elizabeth Frankenstein and can’t wait for everyone to see this show come to life! Erin would like to thank her family for their endless support as well as the amazing cast and crew who have worked so hard on this show!
Stage Manager
Hello! Ben is a junior at Batavia High School and this is their first time stage managing a show at Batavia. They’ve assistant stage managed two previous shows and been in crew prior. They hope you enjoy the show!
Artistic Team
Joshua Casburn is honored to be the director of such an amazing cast. Joshua attended Wheaton College and earned a BA in Communications: Theater, and a BA in English. At Wheaton, he was proud to be part of the“Workout” theatre troupe, as it had a profound influence on him artistically. After college, he and other “Workout” alums developed their own theater, Spendrift Theater Company, based out of Glen Ellyn, IL. Mr. Casburn has directed many plays at BHS. Some of his recent directing credits at BHS include productions of Animal Farm, The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane, and Pride and Prejudice. Mr. Casburn also has experience producing films. He won “Best Picture” and “Best Screenplay” at the Wheaton College Class Film Festival. He spent some time in Hollywood at the Act One Screenwriting program and has also studied screenwriting in Chicago. He also has a Masters of Arts in Teaching from National Louis University, and teaches Creative Writing, Theater Arts, and Film as Literature at BHS. His teaching and artistic endeavors are extensions of his most important, most fulfilling job: being a husband to his AMAZING wife Heidi, and a father to four wonderful kids: Hailey, Logan, Elise, and Brendan. “I’m so proud and blessed to have worked with all of these talented young students.