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

Cast

Sophia is a sophomore at Batavia High School and so excited to perform in her 6th show here. She is so thankful for all the work that has been put in to bring this production to life from props, to costumes, to choreography. Sophia has been working hard on her British accent and cannot wait to perform for all of you! She hopes you enjoy the show!

Props Master

Props Master

Tatjana is excited to be part of her eighth show. She is a junior this year and is also props master! On their last show, she would just like to thanks the seniors for all they have done for her and this program. She wishes them all the BEST! She hopes you enjoy Pride and Prejudice!!!

Assistant Director

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

Student Musical Director

Lily is so thrilled and grateful to be part of such an amazing production team! As a junior at BHS, she is a part of Chamber Singers, Wind Symphony, and Chromatics. 42nd Street is her fifth production at BHS and her second as the Student Music Director. She is so thankful for her family and friends as well as Mr. Barsch and Mr. Cattero for supporting her!

Cast

Cast

Mac is a sophomore and has been in five shows at BHS. She wants to thank all the people that helped put this amazing show together. She also wants to thank everyone for coming to see it!

Cast

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

Cast

This being Matthew’s 5th production at BHS, he considers himself somewhat of a seasoned thespian. Not to mention his many appearances in BHS’ most wonderful improv troupe, But Seriously Folks, over the past year and a half. An amalgamation of all of these skills is sure to leave you amazed by the end of this whimsical tale, especially when one considers the expertise of his fellow cast. Silence your damn phones, buckle your seatbelts, and enjoy; it’s a good one.

Cast

Cast

Mitch is in his sophomore year at Batavia High School and has done several plays and a musical.  Mitch is super excited for being able to participate in the theater program and having the opportunity to get more experience with acting, especially this great cast. He would like to thank his mom for all her hours of volunteering as Production Manager and the constant support and encouragement. He really hopes that you enjoy the show!

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

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

Cast

Sarah Katz is a sophomore at Batavia High School. Pride and Prejudice is her fifth show at the school and she is very happy to be involved in it. She would like to thank her family and all of her friends for the opportunity to do this and the support they have given her. She hopes you enjoy the show!

Stage Manager

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

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

Cast

Jayden is a Sophomore who adores theatre and is very excited to present to you Pride & Prejudice! This is his 5th show at BHS; though he wishes it was his 6th, he didn’t make it into the Winter Play(he says it was some of his most boring high school times). He thanks his friends and family for supporting him, and you for showing!

Cast

Cast

Kate Streepey is a sophomore at Batavia High School. This is her fifth production with Batavia and she is so excited to perform. She would like to thank all the parent volunteers and the audience for making this show possible

Cast

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!

Stage Manager

Stage Manager

Lexie is a sophomore at BHS and this is her 2nd show being a part of the stage management team. This is her 4th show as a crew member and 5th show at the high school. She would like to thank all the people who put in time and energy into making the show what it is and hopes that everyone loves the show!

Cast

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

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

Cast

Mollie/Mr. Whymper

Chloe has been a part of 11 previous BHS plays and musicals, and she can’t wait to show the amazing work of this cast and crew for her final time. She is grateful for the support of her family and friends, and hopes you leave this show more appreciative of your loved ones, and with an open mind to others.
Cast

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

Cast

Erin is a junior at Batavia High School and this is her fourth production at BHS. She is so excited for everyone to see this amazing show and hopes you enjoy!

Stage Manager

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

Play Director

Play Director

Director

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, I Remember Mama and The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane. 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.”