Freeport, IL — This summer, Highland Community College’s beloved Summerset Theatre will celebrate a golden milestone with a beloved fairy tale. For its 50th anniversary season, Summerset is bringing Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella to life on stage — with a fresh, empowering twist and a familiar face in the title role. Lena, IL resident Erin Schrader, a Highland theatre veteran and standout performer, will don the famous glass slippers as Cinderella in a production that Director Dr. Randy Haldeman promises will blend the story’s enduring charm with an important message.
“Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella is a timeless tale of dreams, kindness, and self-discovery,” said Haldeman. “Highland’s production emphasizes that dreams don’t come true through magic alone but require personal courage and action. Cinderella stands up for herself and others, using her voice to create a fairer kingdom.”
For Schrader, the role is more than a dream come true — it’s deeply personal.
“This will be my seventh production at Highland, and my fourth Summerset,” said Schrader. “I was thrilled when I found out I was cast as Cinderella. I think any performer gets butterflies when they are performing a title role! Cinderella is an icon.”
As a youthlibrarian’s assistant at Freeport Public Library, Schrader is a familiar face on and off the stage. A seasoned performer with credits ranging from Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz to Esmeralda in The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Schrader brings experience, heart, and a strong sense of identity to the role.
“As a biracial woman, I’m honored to be carrying on the legacy of a Cinderella that has been inclusive for generations,” she said. “Growing up I saw actresses like Brandy and Keke Palmer take on this character, and I hope that other young girls and women of color seeing me in this role in Freeport are encouraged to continue to occupy spaces that they may not always believe are for them.”
Cinderella will take center stage at Highland’s Ferguson Fine Arts Center on June 20–21 and 26–28 at 7 p.m., with matinee performances on June 22 and 29 at 3 p.m. Tickets are $20 for adults, $18 for seniors, and $10 for students and children. Online ticket sales are already live at Highland.edu, with in-person and phone sales beginning 1 p.m. on Monday, May 19.
Beyond its nostalgic charm and magical score, Highland’s production aims to inspire audiences of all ages with a Cinderella who is far from a passive dreamer.
“Love is not merely an escape but a catalyst for mutual growth,” Haldeman explained. “Cinderella challenges the Prince to become a wiser, more just ruler. Her transformation is rooted in belief, resilience, and the pursuit of what is right.”
Schrader echoes that sentiment, noting how relevant Cinderella’s story is today.
“This show is a great reminder that how we treat others is one of the most crucial aspects of being human,” she said. “We do not always get it right, but we have the choice and opportunity every single day to fight for people not deemed worthy or good enough by society.”
She also credits the Highland theatre community for playing a transformative role in her own life. “My parents met at Highland in the 1980s,” she shared. “I have met some of my closest friends during productions at Highland! It is genuinely a place to make life-long connections.”
As Freeport prepares to welcome this beloved tale with a bold new spirit, one thing is certain — this Cinderella will leave its slipper-sized mark not only on the stage, but on the hearts of everyone who watches it unfold.
Performance Details:
Summerset 50 presents Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella
Ferguson Fine Arts Center, Highland Community College
June 20–21 & 26–28 at 7 p.m.
June 22 & 29 at 3 p.m.
Tickets: $20 adults | $18 seniors | $10 students/children
Online sales at Highland.edu/Summerset; in-person/phone sales start May 19 at 1 p.m. Call 815-599-3718.