Please find the materials needed for Boot Camp here. They would not send to your email. My apologies.
Boot Camp Monologues for 2026 (returning students)
Classic Monologues for Females
Saturday, June 13, 2026
2026 Boot Camp Materials
2026 Summer Theatre BOOT CAMP (High School)
SUMMER THEATRE BOOT CAMP 2026
Hello Everybody!
It is almost time for our annual Summer Theatre Boot Camp, and we are so excited to see you soon!
Our goal in this camp is to meet you where you are and build from there. Not everyone will be at the same level or have the same goals, and that is perfectly fine. This camp is about learning, growing, trying new things, and working together.
Below is some important information regarding camp.
Camp Expectations
Every person involved in this camp is expected to respect everyone involved in the process.
Sometimes we will ask you to step outside of your comfort zone as we work on growing as performers. OLSH Theatre will always be a safe place for you to do that.
We expect all students to be:
- Respectful
- Engaged
- Kind
- Supportive
- Honest in all activities
We are a family, and we must work together. If there is ever an issue or concern, please share it with Ms. Manuel.
Communication
Our main means of communication will be the OLSH Theatre Blog. This is the first place to go for:
- Schedules
- Rehearsal questions
- What to bring
- What to wear
- Other camp updates
Camp Schedule
- Camp begins on Monday, June 15th and runs for two weeks
- Rehearsals will be from 5:00 - 8:00 pm, Monday thru Friday
- Specific dates and times will be posted on the blog, especially if we have any special rehearsal calls.
Performances / Sharing Opportunities
We are still working through the details regarding possible performances or sharing opportunities during camp.
- We will discuss this together on Day One
- Final plans will depend on the group, the material, and what we can realistically prepare
- More information will be shared once we have a better sense of what camp will look like
Students New to Performing at OLSH
Please come in with 2–3 possible monologues you would like to look at during camp. I will include a link to options in your email. No need to memorize or prepare.
- These do not need to be perfect choices
- We just want to see what interests you
- We may also give you additional material to explore
Returning OLSH Theatre Students
We are going to try to push you during this camp.
- Please look at the potential pieces we would like to tackle during camp (Mr Wojtechko assigned - your names are on them)
- You may also bring one piece of your choosing from the link in your email
- Come ready to work, stretch, and try something challenging
What to Bring
Please bring the following to every rehearsal:
- Water bottle
- 3-ring binder
- Pencil
- Highlighter,
What to Wear
Please wear comfortable and school-appropriate clothing that you can move in.
- The auditorium gets warm, so shorts and tee shirts are great
- Modest tank tops are fine
- Please remember that we are rehearsing in school
- Tennis shoes or other closed toe shoes with a back
- No flip flops, slides, or sandals on stage
I think that is everything for now. We are looking forward to working with you. Be prepared to learn a lot, work hard, and have a great time!
Best Regards,
Ms. Manuel and The OLSH Theatre Production Team
Pelican Players - Urinetown Schedule
Please check back often for updates. All changes will be marked in RED.
Monday, June 1, 2026
Thursday, May 28, 2026
2026 Summer Theatre JUNIOR Camp
SUMMER THEATRE JUNIOR CAMP 2026
Hello Everybody!
It is almost time for Summer Theatre Junior Camp, and we are so excited to see everyone soon!
Below is some important information regarding camp.
- Every person involved in this camp is expected to respect everyone involved in the process. We expect students to be respectful, engaged, kind, supportive, and honest in all activities. If there is ever an issue or concern, please share it with Ms. Manuel.
- Our main means of communication will be the OLSH Theatre Blog. This is the first place to go for schedules, rehearsal questions, what to bring, what to wear, and other camp updates. We will also keep an abbreviated version of the schedule on the OLSH Theatre Facebook Page. Please “like” the page to stay up to date and to see posts and photos from rehearsals.
- Session One begins Monday, June 22nd. Rehearsals will be from 9:00 am - 12:00 pm. Please do not drop off your child before 8:45 am, as we will be preparing for camp before that time. Please make sure to pick up promptly, as we have another camp coming in after AM Junior Camp.
- Session Two also begins Monday, June 22nd. Rehearsals will be from 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm. Please do not drop off your child before 12:45 pm, as we will be preparing for camp before that time. Please make sure to pick up promptly at the end of the session.
- If your child is attending both sessions, please pack a lunch for them. Students staying for both sessions will be supervised during lunch. This will be a time to eat, relax, and recharge before the afternoon session begins.
- Both Junior Camp sessions will feature a 7:00 pm evening performance on Friday, June 26th. More information will come out during the week of camp.
- Please send a water bottle, small snack, 3-ring binder, pencil, and highlighter to every rehearsal.
- Please fill out the Summer Camp Waiver and send it with your child on the first day of camp.
- We offer a Snack Cart for students who are interested. Juice boxes, water, Goldfish, pretzels, crackers, and other concession items will be available for $1.00 - $2.00 per item. Our High School Theatre students are running the cart this year to fundraise for their 2026 trip to perform in Scotland! You are under no obligation to purchase anything, but if you would like your child to be able to buy a snack, please send small bills.
- Please wear comfortable and school-appropriate clothing that students can move in. The auditorium gets warm, so shorts and tee shirts are great. Modest tank tops are fine. If your child has dance shoes, such as jazz or ballet shoes, please send them. If not, tennis shoes will work. Please do not wear flip flops, slides, or sandals on stage.
Make sure to ask your child what they learned each day. They will need to practice and memorize some materials at home, so please let them entertain you!
If you have any friends interested in attending camp, please encourage them to sign up as soon as possible. We need to order camp tee shirts soon, so don’t delay! Students may attend both sessions or only one.
I think that is everything for now. We are looking forward to working with your child!
Best Regards,
Ms. Manuel and The OLSH Theatre Production Team
Wednesday, May 27, 2026
Theatre Participation Pins
Dear Theatre Students -
Please bring your pin to school next week so that you can add your 2025-2026 charms.
Freshmen and new students: If you still did not get your pin, we have one for you.
We hope you had a wonderful year with OLSH Theatre!
Tuesday, May 26, 2026
CONGRATULATIONS - 2026 GKA Awards
Dear OLSH Theatre Family,
I am still amazed, still reeling just a little, still exhausted, and so very proud. My heart is full. I feel so blessed to have had a hand in this show with you all...Hadestown: Teen Edition. Wow!
It is difficult to put into words what an incredible experience this year’s Gene Kelly Awards was for our OLSH Theatre family. To stand on the Benedum stage alongside some of the most talented students and programs in our region was truly an honor, and we could not be more proud of what our students accomplished.
Our production of Hadestown: Teen Edition was recognized with six Gene Kelly Awards:
- Outstanding Musical
- Outstanding Crew/Technical Execution
- Outstanding Dance Ensemble
- Outstanding Vocal Ensemble
- Outstanding Lighting Design
- Outstanding Scenic Design
While these awards are an extraordinary achievement, the real magic of the evening was watching our students shine onstage. Telling this story with heart, passion, honesty, and joy to a completely captivated audience. That is the part we will remember most.
To our cast and crew: thank you for your endless dedication, talent, resilience, and trust throughout this entire process. You gave countless hours to rehearsals, choreography, vocals, costume fittings...long weekends, and late nights...and you did it all with passion and pride. You represented OLSH beautifully.
To our parents and families: thank you for sharing your children with us for so much time this year. Thank you for the rides, the meals, the volunteer hours, the set building, the emotional support, and for encouraging your students to follow their dreams. None of this happens without you.
To our incredible production team: thank you for sharing your artistry, your knowledge, and your time with our students. Theatre education is built on passionate people willing to pour themselves into creating meaningful experiences for young artists. So much of what you do happens quietly behind the scenes, fueled by long hours, problem solving, creativity, teamwork, and even setting up generators to avert a crisis. You end up with little more than a slice of pizza and a quick “thank you.” Please know how deeply appreciated you are.
And finally, to our seniors: congratulations and thank you. For many of you, this was your fourth year performing on the Benedum stage. What a way to close this chapter! Watching you grow as performers, leaders, teammates, and people has been one of the greatest privileges imaginable. We are so proud of you and cannot wait to see where your journeys take you next.
This year was special. The awards are wonderful, but the memories, the friendships, the storytelling, and the moments shared together are what matter most.
Thank you, OLSH Theatre family, for an unforgettable season.
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Please see below a note from our Lighting Designer, Adam...
Tuesday, July 29, 2025
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 24-26, 2026
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AHSTF Theatre Festival Fringe.....August 1-14, 2026
Thursday, October 5, 2017
Tips for Memorizing Lines
Dear Theatre Students:
Please use these tips to help you get offbook!
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Newsletter: Working with Actors
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!
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