GKA Performers - FREE TICKET for a CLO Show!

Attention all GKA participants!

The Pittsburgh CLO is giving each Gene Kelly Awards participant ONE FREE TICKET to see a show this summer! Order soon for the show of your choice and better seating options.

To pick up your ticket voucher, please contact Ms. Manuel by June 8th!

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...

Thursday, May 21st - Special Event w/Ms. Tamara Tunie

UPDATE: What an awesome morning we had with Ms. Tamara Tunie! 

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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.

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!