Help Needed!

Hello Families - 

We need some help getting food picked up in Robinson Saturday afternoon and brought over to OLSH for our get together after the performance. It will be ordered and paid for. It just needs to be transported.  The production team will be tied up all day and is unavailable to do it.

Please text me if you can help. 412-860-9567 

Thank you!

Dolores

GKA - TICKET INFORMATION

Gene Kelly Awards tickets will be distributed as soon as they are released to OLSH Theatre

We are hoping to send tickets home with students after our final rehearsal on Thursday

If you do not have a student performing in the show, tickets may be picked up at school on Friday or placed at Will Call upon request

GKAwards - DAY OF EVENT INFO

 **Please check back often. Things with the CLO and GKAwards sometimes change.

Revised 5/20/26:

Date	Day	Time	Location	Event	Notes
5/23/2026	Saturday	10:00	OLSH	school open - bagels & fruit	or eat before you come, we will miss lunch
		11:00	OLSH	rehearsal	last time thru, decide what formations to call
		12:00	OLSH	bus arrives	all students will ride the bus
		12:40	Katz Plaza	unload bus
		12:45	Katz Plaza	group photo in Hadestown tee shirt & black pants
		1:15	Katz Plaza/Benedum	meet w/GKA Liason	dressing room assignments given
		1:45	Benedum Lobby	meeting for schools #6-8 and Opening & Finale performers
		2:15	Benedum Lobby	nominee reps arrive (Abby & Bobby)	or come with the whole group on the bus
		2:40	OLSH ON STAGE	15 minutes to perform on stage
		3:00	Leaving Benedum	van back to OLSH or get picked up at Katz Plaza	DO NOT BE LATE GETTING PICKED UP
		after 3:00	go home	eat, get ready in your fancy clothes	eat something and stay hydrated!
		3:10	Benedum Stage	spacing for nominee reps and finale	only 11 students stay
		3:35	Benedum Stage	run Finale	Marena & Sarah
		3:50	Benedum Stage	run Opening Number	Marin & Tyler
		4:20	go to hotel	11 students that stayed - go eat & get ready	only 11 students
		6:00	Katz Plaza	meet in front of fountain	ALL Cast & Crew
		6:15	Katz Plaza	group photo in fancy clothes	ALL Cast & Crew
		7:00	Benedum Center	enter through lobby, go find seats (you need your TICKET)
		7:30	Benedum Center	SHOW STARTS!
				Opening Number	Marin & Tyler
		after Elizabeth Forward "Prince of Egypt"		OLSH go the dressing rooms
		after show	Dressing Rooms	ALL students must report to the dressing rooms and collect thier costume/belongings
		11:00	OLSH	celebration of our performance back at the school
5/24/2026	Sunday	1:00 AM	the party's over.....	GO HOME! SLEEP!!

Thursday, May 21st - Special Event

Dear Hadestown Cast, Crew, and Team,

We are thrilled to welcome acclaimed actress, director, producer, and MCG Jazz Resident Artist Tamara Tunie to OLSH on Thursday, May 21st for a special theatre master class in the auditorium.

Many of you may know Ms. Tunie from Law & Order: SVU, Flight, Broadway, and numerous television and film roles. She is also from the Pittsburgh area!

Her visit comes just TWO DAYS before our Gene Kelly Awards performance, making this an incredible opportunity for us to learn from a highly accomplished professional artist as we prepare for the Benedum stage.

The event will take place during the special Thursday schedule from approximately 9:30–10:30 AM in the auditorium.

Students attending will miss Periods 4 and 8. Teachers will be informed ahead of time, and we expect the full cast to attend.

This is a really special opportunity. Please approach the morning with professionalism, focus, and enthusiasm.

See Ms. Manuel with any questions.

UPDATED - GKA Rehearsal Schedule & Expectations

Hello All!

Congratulations again! I am so excited to see OLSH Theatre back on the Benedum stage! Especially performing a song from Hadestown, which was such a special show!!

This is an amazing opportunity, but we have a limited amount of time and a lot of work to do to prepare. You will be performing in front of more people than all of our audience attendees for all six shows added up!  It is very important that you attend ALL rehearsals. If you have any conflicts, I need to know ASAP before we begin restaging. Please email me at dmanuel@olsh.org. If you are not blocked into some sections of the song or have enough time to learn it completely, you may be removed.

Below is the tentative rehearsal schedule. Please check back regularly for updates or adjustments.

Wear comfortable clothes and bring a water bottle to rehearsals. Rehearse in the shoes you will be wearing for performance.

We are very fortunate to have the AAC gym space available this year, which will really help us as we work to restage and clean the number. We will also have a rehearsal or two in the green bubble and at the school. Please check schedule for location updates, as they may change depending on availability.

Thank you all in advance for your hard work and flexibility. Let’s make the most of this opportunity and represent OLSH well!

Date

Day

Time

Location

Event

Notes

5/11/2026	Monday	8:00 - 11:00	music/auditorium	music rehearsal & ROOTS Event	nothing in evening (Senior Sail Away)
5/12/2026	Tuesday	5:00 - 7:00	AAC back gym	rehearsal	Boys Volleyball in AAC 7:00-8:30
5/13/2026	Wednesday	5:00 - 8:00	bubble	rehearsal
5/14/2026	Thursday	2:30 - 4:00	music room/aud	costumes/rehearsal	OLSH Choir Concert
5/15/2026	Friday	x			OLSH Free Movie Night
5/16/2026	Saturday	12:00 - 3:00	AAC back gym	rehearsal
5/17/2026	Sunday	x			Sr "Chalk Your Spot"
5/18/2026	UPDATED Monday	4:00 - 5:30 5:30 - 6:00	AAC back gym	FULL COMPANY rehearsal DANCERS/MOVERS ONLY	Sr Honors Convocation
5/19/2026	Tuesday	5:00 - 7:30	AAC back gym	rehearsal
5/20/2026	Wednesday	5:00 - 6:30  6:30-7:00	AAC back gym & auditorium	FULL COMPANY rehearsal DANCERS/MOVERS ONLY
5/21/2026	Thursday	5:00 - 8:00	TBA	rehearsal
5/22/2026	Friday	x	x	x	Class Events All Day
5/23/2026	Saturday	BLOCK OUT ALL DAY	OLSH/Benedum	final rehearsal (info will be posted) & GKA AWARDS SHOW

Date

Day

Time

Location

Event

Notes

Pelican Players - Summer Community Theatre at OLSH

Pelican Players is excited to announce our Summer 2026 community theatre production:

Urinetown
July 24, 25, and 26, 2026
at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart High School

This production is open to performers teen through adult.

Audition dates and additional details will be announced soon.

Get ready. It’s bold, funny, weird, and wildly theatrical — exactly how summer theatre should be.

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Character Breakdown

Officer Lockstock

The show’s sly, self-aware narrator and a corrupt policeman who helps keep the system in place. Bold, theatrical, and larger than life.
Gender: Male
Age: 35–55
Vocal Range: A2–A4

Penelope Pennywise

Tough, exhausted warden of the poorest public amenity in town. Sharp-tongued and hardened by survival, but not without heart. Former lover of Cladwell and mother of Hope.
Gender: Female
Age: 30–45
Vocal Range: A3–C6

Bobby Strong

A charismatic everyman who works for Pennywise. His growing frustration with injustice sparks a revolution — and a romance with Hope Cladwell.
Gender: Male
Age: 20–30
Vocal Range: A2–C5

Little Sally

A quirky, perceptive street urchin who constantly questions the story, the characters, and the logic of the show itself.
Gender: Female
Age: 20–40
Vocal Range: A3–E5

Dr. Billeaux

Head of Research and Development at UGC. Dry, odd, and deeply committed to corporate nonsense.
Optional doubling as Tiny Tom.
Gender: Male
Age: 30–50
Vocal Range: E3–A3

Mr. McQueen

Cladwell’s eager and spineless assistant. A devoted corporate yes-man.
Gender: Male
Age: 30–45
Vocal Range: B2–E4

Senator Fipp

A corrupt politician comfortably in Cladwell’s pocket. Cowardly, bumbling, and self-serving.
Gender: Male
Age: 40–55
Vocal Range: C#3–F4

Officer Barrel

Lockstock’s aggressive patrol partner. Intimidating, physical, and not especially bright.
Gender: Male
Age: 30–50
Vocal Range: G2–F4

Hope Cladwell

Cladwell’s idealistic daughter. Sweet and sheltered at first, she gradually awakens to the truth around her and finds strength of her own.
Gender: Female
Age: 20–30
Vocal Range: A3–A5

Joseph “Old Man” Strong

Bobby’s father. His refusal to pay the fee sets the story in motion and sparks the revolution.
Optional doubling as Hot Blades Harry.
Gender: Male
Age: 50–65

Tiny Tom

One of the Poor. Innocent, childlike, and unintentionally absurd.
Optional doubling as Dr. Billeaux.
Gender: Male
Age: 30–50
Vocal Range: D3–A3

Soupy Sue

One of the Poor. Nervous, excitable, and always ready to panic.
Optional doubling as Cladwell’s Secretary.
Gender: Female
Age: 25–40
Vocal Range: Bb3–B4

Little Becky Two-Shoes

One of the Poor. Loud, impulsive, foul-mouthed, and perpetually suspicious of everyone.
Optional doubling as Mrs. Millennium.
Gender: Female
Age: 20–40
Vocal Range: Bb3–F5

Caldwell B. Cladwell

The ruthless president of Urine Good Company. Charming, theatrical, and gleefully exploitative.
Gender: Male
Age: 50–65
Vocal Range: A2–G4

Josephine “Ma” Strong

Bobby’s mother. Tough, resilient, and weathered by hardship, but fiercely protective of her family.
Optional doubling as Old Woman.
Gender: Female
Age: 55–65
Vocal Range: Bb3–D5

Hot Blades Harry

One of the Poor. Unstable, dangerous, and always one bad moment away from chaos.
Optional doubling as Joseph “Old Man” Strong.
Gender: Male
Age: 45–60
Vocal Range: A2–F4

Ensemble

Citizens, rebels, police officers, UGC staff, and the wildly dysfunctional world of Urinetown. Strong character acting, movement, and comedic commitment are essential.

OLSH Summer Theatre Camps 2026 – Registration Now Open

Summer Camp registrations are now open at OLSH, and the Theatre Department is excited to offer three opportunities for students of all ages to get on stage, build skills, and have some fun.

OLSH Summer Camps

High School Theatre Bootcamp (Grades 9–12)

Dates: June 15–27 (Performance Days: June 19, 26, 27)
Time: 5:00–8:00 PM
Cost: $200
Registration Deadline (T-shirt): June 1

This two-week intensive is designed for high school students looking to grow as performers. Campers will focus on stage presence, acting, vocal work, and dance, with showcase performances multiple days.

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Summer Theatre Mini Camp (Grades 2–4)

Dates: June 15–19
Times:

• AM Session: 9:00 AM–12:00 PM
• PM Session: 1:00–4:00 PM
  Cost: $100 per session
  Registration Deadline (T-shirt): June 1

A fun and energetic introduction to theatre! Campers will explore acting, singing, and movement, ending with a short performance on the final day. Students may register for one or both sessions.

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Summer Theatre Junior Camp (Grades 5–8)

Dates: June 22–26
Times:

• AM Session: 9:00 AM–12:00 PM
• PM Session: 1:00–4:00 PM
  Cost: $100 per session
  Registration Deadline (T-shirt): June 8

This camp builds performance skills in acting, singing, and dance, with a final showcase performance on the evening of the last day. Students may register for one or both sessions.

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Please register early so we can plan materials and order camp T-shirts.

OLSH Summer Camps

Questions? Contact Dolores Manuel at dmanuel@olsh.org

We hope to see you this summer!

2025-2026 OLSH Theatre Season

2025-2026 OLSH Theatre Season at a Glance

Fall Play.....September 19 & 20, 2025

You Can't Take It With You" - student directed and produced show, will compete in the Prime Stage Drama Competition, open to students grades 10,11,12 

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Fall Theatre Festival.....October 23 & 25, 2025 

one act and various pop up performance spaces - open to ALL students

(ALL Theatre Students are asked to attend the game Friday night and sit in the O-Zone)

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Turkey Bingo.....November 22, 2025

ALL HANDS ON DECK FUNDRAISER

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Christmas Play.....December 13 & 14, 2025

60 minute musical performed for children and families - open to ALL students

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Spring Musical.....March 6-8, 13-14, 2026

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Summer Camps.....June 2026

performance camps for students grades 2 thru graduated seniors

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Pelican Players Community Theatre.....July 2026

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AHSTF Theatre Festival Fringe.....August 2026

Tips for Memorizing Lines

Dear Theatre Students:

Please use these tips to help you get offbook!

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Newsletter:  Working with Actors

Tricks and Treats of Memorizing Lines

By Brian Hampton 

Brian Hampton is an actor, playwright, and producer.  He is a member of both the Dramatists Guild of America and the Actors Equity Association.  He is passionate about theatre, animal rescue, and spreading the truth about Gossip, his play with Pioneer Drama. 

 

Because I often act in my own plays, people always assume it’s easier for me to memorize my lines because I wrote them.  I wish!  Unfortunately, it’s not the case.  In fact, it’s just as difficult for me to get off-book as anyone else — whether it’s my own writing or someone else’s.

In my over 20 years of acting, I’ve discovered some great tricks to memorizing lines.  Hopefully, these will help you out — or perhaps inspire you to come up with your own!

TRICK #1:  The traditional moving piece of paper.  I bet everyone has done this memorizing trick.  You highlight your part(s) and fold a separate piece of paper.  You move it down the page as you come to each of your lines.  You pause while your line is covered, and then you reveal it to see if you got it right or what you need to work on.  This is the first way I learned.  And, it’s very useful.

TRICK #2:  Use index cards.  Here’s a technique I use in almost every single show I’m in.  Buy a stack of index cards.  First, be sure to number the cards!  On one side, write down the character’s name and his or her line before yours.  (Note:  If the line is something short, like, “Yeah!”  then write two).  On the other side, write (preferably in a different color ink) your line that follows.  If you need to, separate them into Acts (for longer plays and musicals).  When you’re done, go through them like flash cards until you’re ready to...  brace yourself ...  SHUFFLE THEM.  Yes.  Try to do them out of order.  This trick not only creates memorization but sharpens your memory recall for your cues.

TRICK #3:  Use your voice memo on your phone or any other recording device.  This is especially good for scenes between two people.  Record only the other person’s lines.  Read them out loud.  Then give a silent pause in the spot where your line will be spoken.  Be sure to give about 1 ½ times the amount of time for yourself.  I like to slowly (almost in slow motion) “mouth” my line so I know I’m recording enough space to remember it.  That way, if I make a mistake, I have enough time to fix it before the next line is played.  Play and practice over and over until you can go through the entire recording smoothly.

TRICK #4:  For monologues, do the same thing as Trick #3 with your voice memo or recording device.  This time, though, say your monologue and act it out.  Then play it over and over while you go about your day.  Have you ever wondered how quickly you learn the lines of a song?  It’s because you listen to it over and over and over again.  Do the same with your monologue!  It works!

TRICK #5:  When you’re at least 90% memorized, ask someone to “read lines” with you.  But make it fun for them too.  Tell them they are more than welcome to act out the other roles.  If you wait until you know at least 90%, it will be way more fun for your reader, and way more rewarding for you.  Here’s a tip for this trick:  make sure you’re ready!  Otherwise, it can be frustrating and a real bummer for you both.  Advanced memorizers:  when you are 100% ready, ask your reading partner to say the lines fast, and you do the same.  This will really solidify them and make you even quicker.

Memorizing lines can be difficult.  Trust me, I know!  But, here’s the TREAT to your TRICKS.  Your true acting choices emerge once you know your lines.  That’s when the real fun of being in a play or musical happens.  Your mind is not thinking, “What’s my next line?”  It’s thinking as the mind of the character you’re portraying.  You are in the moment.  And that’s when great acting ignites!

Hope these help!  Break a leg!