Oswego East Thespian Performs At State Theater Festival

OSWEGO, IL — An Oswego East High School thespian hit a new milestone just in time to graduate. He received the rare opportunity to perform in the 49th annual Illinois High School Theater Festival last month.

Cooper Carlisle, who has been part of the East Theatre all four years of high school, checked off the bucket list item by taking part in the festival's production of "Prom." The festival was held Jan. 9-11 at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

"He balanced this while also being a full-time student, having lead roles in our East Theatre productions, directing a Senior Scene … and student-directing the winter play," said Nicole Chandler, one of the East Theatre directors, per a news release from Oswego Community Unit School District 308. "His ability to balance all this and have the best attitude through it all is incredible."

Carlisle auditioned for the show over the summer and dedicated one weekend per month to rehearsals after he was selected for the cast. He said the most memorable part of the experience was "finding solidarity while collaborating with the other cast members," district officials said.

"My favorite part of being in ‘The Prom’ was meeting kids from all over Illinois who are like me," he said.

To support Carlisle, Chandler and Katie Belovsky, her co-director, took the largest group of students in East Theatre history to attend the festival.

"Cooper represented East Theatre, Oswego East, and the school district magnificently," Chandler said. "We are beyond proud."