Syd Shifrin, a senior at Adlai E. Stevenson High School, shared their experiences in theater and stage management in an article published on Apr. 1. Shifrin described how their involvement in the arts began at age four with a performance of “Tomorrow” from Annie and evolved into a passion for technical theater during middle school.
The story highlights the significance of student leadership and resilience within the Stevenson theater community. Shifrin explained that being President of Stevenson Backstage allowed them to guide productions from start to finish while supporting fellow students both technically and emotionally.
Shifrin said, “Honestly, I like watching the whole process come together. To me, it’s so cool, especially when you’re on the rehearsal team, to see it go from auditions to tech week, to shows, and then to closing, sobbing your eyes out.” They emphasized that stage management is about developing practical life skills beyond creativity: “My theater teacher loves to say that theater skills are life skills…with stage management and producing, you have to think about the business side of things.”
Shifrin also discussed their approach as a leader who values trust and support among peers: “Building that trust with them has been really important for keeping the process going. In my opinion, trust and a sense of safety with your leaders are the key to success.” They recalled creating small gestures such as handing out stickers during rehearsals as ways of recognizing others’ efforts.
Their achievements include earning a perfect score at the Illinois High School Theater Festival—qualifying for national recognition—and overcoming personal challenges following the loss of their stepfather during freshman year. Reflecting on this period, Shifrin said they were motivated by responsibility toward family: “I made sure to check in on my mom and my siblings…It really showed me that I had to step up.”
Adlai E. Stevenson High School District 125 serves grades nine through twelve in Lincolnshire and Lake County according to state records. The district spent $34,508 per student in 2020 according to financial data, enrolling 4,271 students during that school year as reported by ISBE. The district is composed of 53 percent White students; Asian students make up more than one-third according to demographic information.
The district employs 282 teachers earning an average salary above $100,000 before pension contributions; nearly sixty percent are women according to employment statistics. Chronic truancy rates stand at five percent—below statewide averages—with no teachers recording more than ten absences per year per state board data.
Looking back at their time at Stevenson High School, Shifrin said they are most proud of leaving a positive legacy: “I’ve always tried to work toward leaving something better than I got it.”
