Welcome to PLAYBILLDER Spotlight, where Playbill highlights shows from educational institutions or regional theatres and special events around the country (who have used Playbill's program-building service). By welcoming these PLAYBILLDERs center stage, we hope to give our readers a more in-depth look at theatre programs that are fostering the love of the performing arts in the next generation and the way theatre lovers are bringing Playbill along for life's big moments.

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This week's Spotlight is Niles West High School of Skokie, Illinois, and their production of Marian, or The True Tale of Robin Hood: Teen Edition. It's a gender-bending, patriarchy-smashing, hilarious new take on the classic tale, adapted for performance by teen actors for family audiences. In this story, Robin Hood is (and has always been) Maid Marian in disguise. She leads a motley group of Merry Men (few of whom are actually men) against the greedy Prince John. As the poor get poorer and the rich get richer, who will stand for the vulnerable if not Robin? What is the cost of revealing your true self in a time of trouble?

Theatre teacher Lorelei Wernecke shared with Playbill why joining this theatre department feels full circle, how she hopes to incorporate engineering students into the performing arts program, and which part of the choreography students are practicing long after rehearsals end. 

Tell us a little about yourself. How many years have you been teaching?
Lorelei Wernecke: This is my first year teaching, which feels incredibly full circle since I am also an alumna of this department.

Can you share a little bit about the value you see in having a performing arts program in schools?
The performing arts have always been a defining part of my life because they offer an expressive outlet unlike any other. Theatre teaches problem-solving, creativity, and ingenuity—but even more importantly, it builds empathy and helps people connect in meaningful ways. Our program is a compassionate and hardworking community where students grow as artists, collaborators, and human beings.

What is the most rewarding aspect of teaching the performing arts to today’s students?
One of the things I value most about our department is how it prepares students not only for the stage, but also for life. The skills they develop—teamwork, resilience, leadership, and communication—serve them in every career path and relationship.

What are your dreams for how your drama department can grow?
Looking ahead, I am especially excited about the potential for growth through cross-disciplinary collaboration. I dream of seeing English students writing scripts in our play production course, engineering students designing alongside our scenic crew, and students from all areas of study leaning into the unexpected joy and connection theatre provides.

Tell us a little bit about the production. What made you pick the show?
Our theme for this year’s productions is “community,” and this show embodies that perfectly. The Merry Men (and Much) fight tooth and nail for what they believe in—a spirit I encourage my students to embrace every day. The themes of belonging, paired with opportunities for dynamic fight choreography and challenging costume design, made this the perfect choice for our students.

What are the kids loving about the show?
What are they loving most? Hands down—the fight scenes! The incredible Dave Gonzalez choreographed all of our combat sequences (with some thrilling arrow magic), and the students can’t get enough. They keep practicing them long after rehearsal ends, and audiences can’t stop talking about them.

What reactions do you expect to see in students when they see their name printed in this Playbill for the first time?
Another highlight has been returning to a traditional Playbill. Many of our students had never experienced one before, and the joy on their faces when they saw their names in print was unforgettable. The iconic yellow Playbill header made everything feel “official,” and let’s just say…a lot of copies mysteriously found their way into student backpacks—a true sign of pride and excitement!

How has PLAYBILLDER impacted your performing arts program as a resource?
As a first year teacher it has been incredibly helpful to have such an easy to use and handy resource to build our Playbills! It was easy to create, easy to ship, and quick to arrive (all fantastic things for educators with their hands full).

To design Broadway-quality programs for your next show or special event, head to PLAYBILLDER.com. Who knows, you might just be featured in our next PLAYBILLDER Spotlight! And if you are looking for a beautiful way to display your Playbills, click here to purchase Playbill frames.