Senior Bryanna Bell Sets Her Sights on Theatre Stage Management
Barb Dawson • February 19, 2025
and attends the Illinois High School Theatre Festival (IHSTF)
Montini Catholic senior Bryanna Bell was quite thrilled earlier this year to be able to attend the Illinois High School Theatre Festival (IHSTF)
held from January 9th through the 11th at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Bryanna, an aspiring stage manager, was honored to be able to take advantage of a her opportunity to attend.
IHSTF, produced by the Illinois Theatre Association, is a non-competitive theater festival for high school students in Illinois. It's the oldest and largest non-competitive festival of its kind in the world with the goals of enriching students' education by helping them realize theatre as a creative outlet while exposing them to different types of theatre. The festival is also credited for bringing students together from diverse communities to help them recognize and share their common interest in theatre.
"I had the opportunity to see several shows, attend workshops, and meet people," said Bryanna, who, during her junior year, was chosen as Montini's Bronco Artist of the Month for her work in stage management. "One of the most important aspects of (IHSTF) for me, is the fact that many college theatre programs attend and allow students to audition/interview for them. I was able to interview for many schools' theatre programs, which is a requirement for most college stage management majors. It was a really fun and unique experience to be around so much theatre and I would definitely recommend it to anyone who loves fine arts."
During her senior year, Bryanna has expanded her job skills by serving as the Student Technical Director for Montini's Theatre Department. "I am more in charge of pre-production things, such as props, set building, and preparation of crew members. But, stage management is still my first love. My favorite part of being in both positions is the fact that I get to connect to so many amazing people. Our program has grown exponentially since I first started, meaning that I have gotten the opportunity to meet many talented, smart and kind kids."
Bryanna's responsibilities, which are both fun and challenging, can come with a bit of stress. "You’re in charge of the show and responsible for a bunch of people! Things go wrong all the time, and tech week (the days leading up to the show) is always the hardest and slowest week of the year. Because of all the work we put in, everyone kinda feels that stress, however, the product (the show) is so satisfying to see. People always ask me why I choose stage management, it being one of the more stressful and “less rewarding” jobs and my answer is always the same; I love being a part of the process, and seeing everyone and everything come together."
"Bryanna has a true passion for theatre, and it is clear that she has quickly become a leader in the performing arts here at Montini," said Montini Theatre Director, Ms. Jackie Martin who has worked with Bryanna now for three years, a relationship that commenced when Bryanna was chosen in 2022-23 school year to be the stage manager for both the fall musical, Newsies, and the spring play, "Clue." "Her responsibilities included attending every rehearsal, leading the crew in painting and construction, and overseeing everything that happens backstage during the performances." According to play sources, Bryanna runs a tight ship and leads by example. "Her leadership abilities will surely take her far in high school theatre and beyond."
"I would say that "Clue" was definitely my favorite show at Montini," says Bryanna, looking back on her Montinin theatre career. "There was something about that show, maybe it was the cast, maybe it was the work we put into it, I’m not sure but we all had so much fun and it is regarded as one of the many peaks of our program."
Bryanna is looking forward to the fall when she plans to attend the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. "I will be majoring in Theatre with a concentration of Stage Management and minoring in Business. I have wanted to go to UIUC for a very long time, they have a very good and competitive program that I feel will prepare me to become a professional stage manager. I feel that it’s very important that if someone really enjoys some form of art and/or theatre, then they should make it a part of their education. There is such a stigma around doing fine arts as a job and I feel that we should end it. There are so many artists who have well-paying jobs that they love and are passionate about."
Ms. Martin, who nominated Bryanna for Student of the Month last year, has great respect for Bryanna and the work she has done to ensure successful theatrical productions at Montini. "I am thankful to have had the opportunity to work with Bryanna, this our last play together will be a bittersweet moment, but I know she will be back to cheer on future Montini productions and to let us know how she's doing!"
Bryanna's advice for anyone looking to get into high school theatre, "Just do it! Theatre has been a medium for me to express myself and explore who I really am. Forget everything you think you know about theatre and have an open mind. So many people in our program joined on a whim and have now been there for many years because they love it. I’m not saying it’s for everyone, but everyone is welcome to join and see how they like it. In regards to stage management, if you’ve got a good head on your shoulders, and you feel you are up to the challenge, you should definitely apply to be stage manager! It’s such a fulfilling job and it has definitely helped me become more connected to our school’s community."
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Montini Catholic in Lombard is proud to announce the senior members of their 2025 Prom Court. The king and queen will be announced and crowned during the Lasallian college preparatory high school's Prom Night on Friday, April 25th. The evening, themed - The Roaring 2020s - will be held at Bolingbrook Country Club. Class of 2025 Prom Court Members Queen Liliana Cruz Peyton Farrell Natalie Gartlan Autumn Schumerth Sienna Skarda King Nicky Castaldo Jonathan Hayes Sean Hubeny Matthew Silveyra Collins Whitfield Image above l to r: Peyton Farrell, Collins Whitfield, Natalie Gartlan, Sean Hubeny, Liliana Cruz, Nicky Castaldo, Autumn Schumerth, Matthew Silveyra, Sienna Skarda and Jonathan Hayes
We were honored to be joined at Mass on Monday, April 7th 2025 by Father Jeff Stoneberg of Christ the King Parish and Brothers Rob Veselsky, Chuck Gregor, Joel McGraw, Richard Merkel, James Gaffney, Phil Jones, Brother Kotek, Dr. Steven Torres and Brother Br. Michael Fehrenbach (with Principal Chris Tiritilli (left) and President Kevin Beirne (far right)) to celebrate the Feast Day of our Founder St. John Baptist De LaSalle. Students commemorated the 306th Anniversary of St. John Baptist de La Salle, Patron Saint of Teachers and Founder of our Lasallian Mission. He was a man of deep prayer, unwavering faith, and boundless compassion, devoting his life to God through service and education. "St. John Baptist De Lasalle, pray for us. Live, Jesus, in our hearts, forever."
Under the direction of Fine Arts Department Chair and Music Director, Donnie Glowinski and Art Teacher Christiana Blatchley, Montini Catholic students were invited to participate in the creation of a beautiful mosaic of the Lasallian college preparatory high school's founder, St. John Baptist De Lasalle. St. John Baptiste De Lasalle was designated the Patron Saint of teachers by the Catholic Church in 1950. The artistic endeavor was an activity created as a part of Montini's celebration of Belongingness Week (March 24-28, 2025). "Belongingness Week is designed to promote a sense of inclusion, connection, and community among students and throughout the school," said Principal Chris Tiritilli. "The purpose of this week is to enhance and emphasize an environment where each student feels known, accepted, valued and supported, regardless of their background, identity, or differences. During this week, we seek to provide several experiences and activities to celebrate the things that make us each unique and special, such as the backgrounds, experiences and traditions that we come from, all while also realizing that we come together and belong as one Montini community and family." Throughout the week, each department wwas asked to organize an activity to align with one of the three main goals of the week: Building Positive Relationships, Promoting Inclusion, Increasing Self-Esteem and Emotional Well-Being. The mural was a way for Montini students to come together through a fun and artistic activity. Each piece of the mosaic symbolized an individual, with its unique shape, color, and position contributing to the overall 'masterpiece.' The final piece will be unveiled during Montini's upcoming Mass to celebrate the Feast Day of St. John Baptist De Lasalle which is April 7th.
