The Niles North Theater Department opened the 2012-13 season with the Director’s Circle production of “Pageant Play” by Matthew Wilkas and Mark Setlock. “Pageant Play” examines the surreal world of child beauty pageants:  the contestants’ homes, coaching sessions, and seminars and the competitive drive to be the best. Performances were held at 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Aug. 24 and 25 in the Drama Performance Center. A free community performance was held  on Thursday, Aug. 23.

The cast of “Pageant Play” included Christopher Khoshaba as Bobby and Buddy; Ryan Loach as Bob and Gunnar; Nina Roy as Pinky and Rachel Sepiashvili as Marge, Pinky’s Mother. Additional cast and voiceovers:  Jo Ludington, Michael Rourke, Erin Rourke and Athanasia Giannetos.

Production staff:  Timothy Ortmann, Director; Annaliisa Ahlman, Scenic Designer; Teresa Ripley, Costume Designer; Barbara Reeder, Lighting Designer; Brian Fallon, Hair Designer; Erin Rourke, Sound Designer; Alex Hammond, Assistant Technical Director; Athanasia Giannetos, Stage Manager; Sarah Alkyer, Properties Mistress; Linda Room, Costume Assistant; Zach Zirlin and Ken Otsuka, Graphic Artists and Anne Zavell and Stephanie Persaud, Production Assistants.

Director’s Circle is an audition-only program at Niles North designed to offer an opportunity for outstanding theater students to hone their craft. Actors and technical crew are chosen prior to play selection, so that the play is specifically selected to showcase their abilities. Upon completion of this production, the students assist their teachers in the school’s theater classes, run acting clinics and work as leaders in sharing their skills with fellow drama students. Director’s Circle students for 2012-13 are:  Alex Hammond, Tech Direction; Athanasia Giannetos, Stage Management; Christopher Khoshaba, Acting; Ryan Loach, Acting; Nina Roy, Acting and Rachel Sepiashvili, Acting.

Other Niles North productions on tap for the 2012-2013 year include:  “Love’s Labors Lost,” Oct. 11-13; “That’s My Story,” November 7; “Almost, Maine,” Dec. 6-8; “Reflections,” Jan. 9, 2013; Aristophanes’ “The Birds,” Feb. 12-13; “Beauty and the Beast,” March 14-16; and “Punk Rock,” May 2-4. For more information, go to www.nntheatre.com.