STUDENT LEADERSHIP INFORMATION

Thank you for your interest in working as a student director or student technical director for the 2025 fall play.  THESE SHINING LIVES is a drama by Melanie Marnich.  

These Shining Lives is a powerful play based on a true story.  In 1922, Catherine Donohue takes a job at the Radium Dial Company in Ottawa, Illinois.  She quickly becomes friends with several other young women, who talk and laugh as they apply radioactive paint to the dials of watches.  Only later do they discover the fatal consequences of their daily radiation exposure.

These Shining Lives chronicles the strength and determination of women considered expendable in their day.  Theirs is a story of survival in its most transcendent sense.  They refuse to allow the company that stole their health to kill their spirits--or endanger the lives of those who come after them.

The cast, student directors, and student technical directors will meet during the week of August 18.  All cast, student directors, and student technical directors should also attend the work day on Saturday, August 23, starting at 9 a.m.   Rehearsals for the cast (and student directors) will take place Monday through Friday beginning the week of August 25 and running through the week of October 6.  Work days for technicians (and student tech directors) will be held on Saturdays and on week days when school is not in session (Monday, September 1). 

The show will be performed for junior high students on October 9 and 10.  The production will be performed for the public on Thursday through Saturday, October 9 through 11, at 7:00 p.m. in the Belleville West Performing Arts Center.   

Please complete all questions in the application form no later than MONDAY, AUGUST 18.  

Be aware that being a part of the fall play requires a commitment of your time throughout the rehearsal process.  We will have daily rehearsals for a period of approximately seven weeks.  Much like playing on a team or performing with a musical group, staging a play requires a dedication of your time.  

If you have questions, please email Mr. Lodle at jlodle@bths201.org or Mr. Klein at jklein@bths201.org.

Mr. John Lodle & Mr. Jamie Klein

Directors