ROXANA — Roxana High School is well-known for its approach to theater, with many outstanding productions over the years.
Roxana Thespian Troupe 556 will perform its fall play, A Monster Calls, at the 2026 Illinois High School Theatre Festival in January at Illinois State University. This marks the first time in the school’s history that it has been selected to present a full-length production at the statewide festival, an honor given to only a select number of schools across Illinois.
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Based on the novel by Patrick Ness, A Monster Calls tells the story of a young boy coping with grief, imagination, and truth through encounters with a mysterious storytelling creature. Roxana’s cast and crew have been preparing since early fall to present the play to their local community and now to audiences at the festival.
The selection came after a competitive adjudication process in which schools from across the state submitted productions for review. Judges commended Roxana’s staging of A Monster Calls for its emotional depth, creative design, and strong ensemble work.
“We are incredibly proud of our students. Our cast and crew worked tirelessly, and this honor is a direct reflection of their commitment and creativity,” said Brittany Sasser, director of the production.
“This production has become very special to our cast and crew, and we are excited that we have the opportunity to share this show with an even larger audience,” said Erin Falloon, assistant director.
Roxana High School will perform A Monster Calls twice during Theatrefest, which is hosted annually by the Illinois Theatre Association.
The event draws more than 4,000 students, educators, and theatre professionals for three days of workshops, performances, and educational opportunities.
