Stepping into the role of theater director is not an easy task. A lot of time, effort and labor goes into putting a show together here at Kaneland.  Fortunately, Kaneland High School’s theater department has been lucky enough to have Christina Staker as the director for the past four years.

“I don’t think people realize how much work really goes into directing, it’s not just me working with the students, there’s a lot of planning, organizing and budgeting that goes into it as well, it’s like running a business on top of teaching every day,” Staker said.

Staker graduated from KHS in 2004, attended Augustana College in Rock Island Illinois, and then returned to Kaneland in 2008 as an English teacher. She then stepped up as director in 2013, her first show at Kaneland being a production of John Cariani’s “Almost, Maine.” Ever since then Staker has directed eight total shows with Kaneland. Her last show was a production of “Singing in the rain.”

“I absolutely love working with the students in a setting that is not the classroom. I feel like I’m still teaching but in a very different environment. It gives me the opportunity to see the students grow up. Working with them for four years, you become like a family,” Staker said.

Now pregnant with her first child, the time has come for Staker to step down from her role as director. She will still continue to teach here at Kaneland for the 2017-2018 school year. For now, English teacher, Rachel Giles, will step up as the new director.

Staker encourages students not to be afraid to try theater in high school, or take the Theatre Appreciation and Acting Essentials classes. Doing theater helps with a student’s confidence, musical ability, speech and communication skills. From cast to crew everyone is important in the theater setting, and it opens many doors for opportunities down the road.

“Don’t give up if you don’t get the role you want,” Staker said.