News Briefs: Irish drama is next up at Writers Theatre; WJH wins science olympiad regional; Regina student recognized for leadership

Brian Friel’s touching Irish drama “Translations,” directed by Braden Abraham, is coming April 3–May 4 to the Writers Theatre, 325 Tudor Court, Glencoe.

Tickets are on sale at the theater, by calling (847) 242-6000 or by visiting www.writerstheatre.org.

In the drama, life in County Donegal, Ireland proceeds much the same in 1833 as it’s always done. Irish-speaking young people gather at the local hedge school where the longtime and long-winded schoolmaster instructs them in lessons in Latin and Ancient Greek. This quiet rural life is shattered when the schoolmaster’s son arrives home along with members of the British army on an assignment to map the country, draw new borders, and “standardize” local place names into the King’s English. Soon, this quiet corner of the Emerald Isle is ablaze with political, cultural and personal tension, according to the theater’s description.

“Brian Friel’s timeless, beautiful play, ‘Translations,’ resonates for me right now because characters are caught in a moment of profound change,” Abraham said. “Friel doesn’t offer us simple binaries of English and Irish. Instead, he shows us that all communication is an act of translation and interpretation. In the attempt to bridge gaps — between languages, between cultures, between hearts — we discover both the limitations and the possibilities of human connection.”

The cast is: Chloe Baldwin (Bridget/Understudy Maire), Kevin Gudahl (Hugh), Erik Hellman (Lieutenant Yolland), Casey Hoekstra (Owen), Gregory Linington (Captain Lancey), Ian Maryfield (Doalty), Tyler Meredith (Maire), Andrew Mueller (Manus), Julia Rowley (Sarah), Jonathan Weir (Jimmy Jack), Colin Covert (Understudy Owen), Amanda Fink (Understudy Bridget/Sarah), Michael Holdring (Understudy Yolland/Manus), Matt Martin (Understudy Lancey/Doalty) and Scott Westerman (Understudy Jimmy Jack/Hugh).

The creative team includes: Braden Abraham (Director), Andrew Boyce (Scenic Designer), Janice Pytel (Costume Designer), Maximo Grano De Oro (Lighting Designer), Andre Pluess (Sound Designer), Eva Breneman (Dialect Coach), Sheryl Williams (Intimacy Director), Bobby Kennedy (Dramaturg), and Ethan Karas (Assistant Director). The stage manager is Miranda Anderson and the assistant stage manager is Zoe Jennings.

Back-to-back regional wins for Wilmette Junior High science olympiad

The Wilmette Junior High School science olympiad team earned the first-place trophy at the regional meet on March 8 at Oakton Community College. It is the second straight regional win for WJHS.

With the win, the group earns a trip to the state meet, which will be hosted by the University of Illinois on April 12 in Champaign. Last year, WJHS finished 12th out of 46 teams at the state competition.

Wilmette Junior High’s team, coached by Kevin Swarthout and Caleb Cha, won seven competitions at the regional meet (Anatomy & Physiology, Ecology, Entomology, Microbe Mission, Optics, Potions & Poisons, and Tower) and finished in the top three in 17 of 23 categories en route to the regional title.

As a result, 11 different individuals earned at least two medals for their performances, with a quartet of competitors taking home four medals.

According to information from Wilmette District 39, science olympiad is a co-curricular educational program that strives to ignite the passion for science, medicine, and engineering in young minds. It aims to nurture the potential of future scientists, health professionals and engineers.

Regina sophomore accepted to leadership program

Alexandra “Alex” Kelly, a sophomore in Regina Dominican High School’s Leadership Scholars program, was selected for the prestigious Illinois Council on Women and Girls shadow program. Chaired by Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton, Illinois Girls Lead is a unique job shadow and mentoring opportunity, according to a press release from Regina.

The second-year program provides selected students with an opportunity to shadow a woman leader in state government. The high school cohort will spend at least three days shadowing a female leader in state government and be assigned an ongoing policy topic.

With 400 applicants vying for a spot through the competitive application process, Kelly was among fewer than 80 students selected to be in the 2025 cohort. According to Regina, she brings a passion for restorative juvenile justice, mental health, and leadership to the program and looks forward to deepening her knowledge and gaining insights into how to make a positive impact through government policy during the experience.

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