Tinley Park High School To Host A Christmas Carol Radio Play

TINLEY PARK, IL — The Tinley Park High School Drama Club will be hosting a live radio play this year, in place of its traditional Christmas musical due to the coronavirus pandemic. The first time radio show will have students performing A Christmas Carol.

The radio play stars student Corri Rogan, Kristina Raloff, Kayla Jastrzębski, Jenna Skanberg, and Katrina Konrath. The show is directed by Melissa Heniff, sponsor of the drama club. Heniff said she and the students are very excited to put on the show this year, despite challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Putting the show together this year was definitely different. We were fortunate enough to have this experience even though we are under unfortunate circumstances at this time," Heniff said. "We did some research into the history of radio and even analyzed commercials, while developing character voices. Some students are playing more than one role as well. I am very proud of the students, and they are extremely excited as well."

Raloff said she wanted to get involved in the production to help bring joy to listeners during the holiday season.

"Bringing joy to others is something that is an especially imperative goal I aspire to achieve. Being part of the radio play seemed like it would be something to look forward to, since there aren’t as many clubs or extracurricular activities during these times," Raloff said. "I also decided to audition to be a part of the radio play because I thought it would be a good way to try and make some friends during my first year of high school."

Raloff said that putting the show together amid the pandemic was different due to restrictions on the amount of people allowed to be in the same area. She said most meetings were held over Google Meets calls, where often, technical difficulties occurred. The performer said that despite all the differences, it was still an incredible experience to be involved in.

"This play is a way that I hope will bring joy to others," Raloff said. "For me, this play has been something that I looked forward to working on every day, and it was a stupendous opportunity that I got the pleasure to be a part of."

Raloff added, "This play is the first play that I am a part of in high school, and it is the first time that I've been cast as a character, with lines; not just a part of the ensemble in the production. It has been a unique experience that I will surely remember for a long time, and I’m glad that I was able to work with such amazing people to produce this radio play."

The radio play will air on live at 7:00 pm on Dec. 23. People can listen in at tinleyparkhighschooldrama.com. Heniff said the show can be streamed after the premiere on the website, for those who missed it.