Joliet Central Drama is once again providing a unique, theatrical experience for their Fall Play cast.  This year, Drama Director Joe Hoyt has invited back 3 Joliet Central alum to co-direct “Benchmark – A Series of Life Stories Told From a Bench.”  The fall play runs October 12, 13, and 14 at 7 p.m. in the Joliet Central Auditorium, 201 E. Jefferson Street in Joliet.  Tickets are free for all Joliet Township faculty and students and $5 for the public.  Tickets can be purchased at the door. 

During the play, Central alumni Angelica Jarrett, Hanna Hagerty, and Adam Rociles will join Hoyt to direct several of the vignettes that make up the story of the play.  Each guest director brings unique and vast experience to this process.  Angelica Jarrett was the first student in district history to qualify for the State Finals in IHSA Speech.  She is an actor, writer, comedian, and activist, and has trained and worked with Improv Olympic.  Adam Rociles is a professional actor with Chicago Kids Company, has produced 3 feature films and was a part of the Disney College Program in Costuming.  Hanna Hagerty graduated with a BA in Theatre Arts from Illinois Wesleyan where she acted and directed in numerous productions and has most recently served as a Stage Management Intern with Drury Lane Theatre on “The 39 Steps” and “Ring of Fire.”  Also joining the directing team is Ryan Renc, a theatre education student teacher from Illinois State University who has acted in and directed numerous productions.  He has also taught workshops with the Illinois Shakespeare Festival. 

Hoyt has recognized over his 14 years with the district that students need exposure to different varieties of theatre.  “This show offers the audience the opportunity to see 10 life stories told from 5 different directorial prospectives.  I am so excited to share this process with such talented, young visionaries and, more importantly, for our drama students to have the chance to work with directors who bring so many experiences to the table.”  

Photo Identification Left to right –
back row: Angelica Jarrett and Hanna Hagerty
front row: Joe Hoyt and Adam Rociles