District 207 is thrilled to share that two students from Maine West High School and one student from Maine East High School have been selected through a competitive audition to join the cast and crew of the Illinois Theatre Association’s 2026 All-State Company. Their remarkable achievement reflects the district’s ongoing commitment to excellence in the performing arts.
The 2026 Illinois High School Theatre Festival (IHSTF), the largest and oldest non-competitive high school theatre festival in the nation, as part of its 50th anniversary celebration, will present Disney’s Newsies as its 2026 All-State production. Newsies will be presented through arrangement with Musical Theatre International (MTI) and highlights a select ensemble of the top high school actors, technicians and musicians from throughout the state of Illinois.
“The 2026 Illinois High School Theatre Festival All-State production of Newsies powerfully embodies the Festival theme: ‘Honoring our Past; Celebrating our Future,’” shares All-State Director Anna McSweeney and teacher at Addison Trail High School. “Newsies illuminates the forgotten struggles of young heroes who seized their moment, while celebrating a future where every voice, no matter how small, can ignite monumental change.”
Of the 518 talented students who auditioned and interviewed to be a part of Newsies, 123 were selected for the final production company. The final production includes cast members, crew members and pit orchestra musicians.
Those selected from District 207 include:
MAINE WEST HIGH SCHOOL
Mateo Cruz (11th grade) will be playing Nunzio, a guard and a policeman
Ray Copeland (12th grade) is a member of the technical crew
MAINE EAST HIGH SCHOOL
Meira Reid (12th grade) will be playing Darcy and is a member of the ensemble
“I couldn’t be more proud of our students for representing District 207 in this incredible production,” said Maine East Fine Arts Department Chair Sarah Djordjevic. “It’s exciting to know that their hard work and talent will be shared with and celebrated by thousands of students across the state.”
Rehearsals for Newsies take place over several long weekends during the Fall of 2025, with final rehearsals occurring the last week before the actual performances. This year’s performance venue is the Braden Auditorium at Illinois State University and runs from January 8-10, 2026. The performance is a closed event for participants of the Illinois High School Theatre Festival only.