Theatre

Theatre at OLSH is a year-round opportunity with annual fall and spring performances as well as summer workshops and community theatre held in the summer. The OLSH Theatre Department has been recognized by the Pittsburgh CLO Gene Kelly Awards for Excellence in High School Musical Theater and by the American High School Theatre Festival, providing our students with the opportunity to perform on the Benedum Center stage in Pittsburgh and at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in Scotland.
 

Spring Musical

The spring musical is the highlight of OLSH's student performances. The production team, headed by Dolores Manuel and Heather Taylor, continually produces high-quality shows that entertain and give the students the opportunity to showcase and develop their skills. Auditions for the spring musical are held in the fall and the program welcomes all interested students into the ensemble. OLSH productions have been nominated for 97 Gene Kelly Awards over the past 25 years including Best Actor/Actress, Best Musical, and Best Costume Design. 
 
Previous shows include: Children of Eden (2025), Oklahoma! (2024), Big Fish (2023), Bye Bye Birdie (2022), Working (2021), Seussical (2020), Once Upon a Mattress (2019), Beauty and the Beast (2018), Footloose (2017), Thoroughly Modern Millie (2016), The Addams Family (2015), The Wiz (2014), Honk! (2013), How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying (2012), Little Shop of Horrors (2011), Once on This Island (2010), Hello Dolly (2009), Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (2008), Working (2007), Seussical (2006), Bye Bye Birdie (2005), Once Upon A Mattress (2004), The Sound of Music (2003), Godspell (2002), Anything Goes (2001), Working (2000)
 

Fall Play

The annual fall play affords students an opportunity to use their acting, set design, and directing skills. The department has participated in the Prime Stage High School Drama Awards for the past several years. Shows that participated in that competition are noted with a *. Some years, in addition to the Fall Play, a Fall Theatre Festival is offered, showcasing monologues, solos, short skits or plays, and other performances on stage and in the school courtyard and social commons.
 
Previous shows include: Steel Magnolias* (2024), Pullman Car Hiawatha (2024), 15 Reasons Not to be in a Play & We are the Sea* (2023), The Legend of Sleepy Hollow (2022), 10 Ways to Survive the Zombie Apocalypse (2021), The Spoon River Project (2020), The 39 Steps (2019), The Insanity of Mary Girard (2018), Up and Down Detective Agency (2017), The Great Ghost Chase (2016), Zombeo and Juliet (2015), Varney the Vampire (2014), and You Can't Take it With You (2013)
 

PHSSL Drama Festival

The OLSH theatre department participates in the Pennsylvania High School Speech League Drama Festival, presenting a short play for competition at the local level. The PHSSL Drama Festival was discontinued in 2025.
 
Previous shows and honors include:
  • Pullman Car Hiawatha - 2024-2025 State Winner - 2nd place
    • Best Technical Crew
    • Kayleigh Scialabba-Meehan '26, Kieran Tyler '25, and Zoe Vesci '26 named to All-State Cast
  • 15 Reasons Not to be in a Play - 2023-2024 State Winner - 1st Place
  • The Legend of Sleepy Hollow - 2022-2023 State Winner - 3rd Place
  • We are the Sea - 2022-2023 State Finalist
    • Nick Ewanco '26, Marin Reinhardt '26, and Leo Matthews '25 named to All-State Cast
  • The Spoon River Project - 2020-2021 State Winner - 2nd Place
    • Andy Besong ‘21 and Ellie Troiani ‘21 named to All-State Cast
  • The 39 Steps
    • Margaret Matous '20 named to All-State Cast
  • The Insanity of Mary Girard - 2018-2019 State Finalist
    • Alyssa Brinza '19 and Xavier Moskala '20 named to All-State Cast
  • Pullman Car Hiawatha - 2017-2018 State Winner - 3rd Place 
    • Sophia Blake '19 named to All-State Cast
  • The Happy Journey to Trenton & Camden - 2016-2017 State Qualifier
    • Evie Hoff '17 named to All-State Cast

Christmas Play

The OLSH Christmas play is a beloved tradition at OLSH. Started in 1998 by former OLSH history teacher, Mr. Bob Brasko, the Christmas Play is a way for students of all theatre skills to have fun and spread some Christmas spirit. Students performed an original Christmas-themed show that often takes inspiration from pop culture. In recent years, the theatre department has selected a family-friendly, children's show to perform. Each year, area grade schools are invited to come to OLSH to watch the show! 
christmas play 2015
 

Previous shows include: Snow Biz (2024), A Pirate Christmas: A Holiday Musical (2023), North Pole Musical (2022), The Great Big Holiday Bake Off/Jingle Bell Jukebox (2021), A Very Merry Virtual Christmas Variety Show (2020), The Santa of the Opera (2019), A Magical Christmas (2018), Christmas at Super Hero High (2017), Christmas in Two Acts (2016), Merry Christmas Charlie Brown! (2015), A Christmas Carol (2014), Despicable Christmas (2013), A Muppet Family Christmas (2012), Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer (2011), Toys (2010), A Disneyland Christmas (2009), A Spongebob Christmas Story (2008), Mumble’s Merry Christmas (2007), Shrek the Reluctant Santa (2006), How Darth Vader Stole Christmas (2005), A Simpson’s Family Christmas (2003), Elves and the Shoemaker (2002), A Muppet Family Christmas (2001), Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer (2000), Merry Christmas Charlie Brown! (1999), A Christmas Carol (1998)

 

Theatre Thursdays

Students who have an interest in any aspect of theatre meet after school and participate in a variety of activities, including improv games, singing, dancing, and directing. 

 

Summer Theatre Bootcamp

OLSH offers a summer theatre workshop that allows students to work on their acting, singing, and dancing skills in a fun and friendly environment. The program culminates in a Summer Showcase, allowing students to show off what they've learned to their friends and family.

 

Pelican Players

Founded in 2018 by OLSH Theatre Arts Director Dolores Manuel, the Pelican Players is a community theatre group dedicated to supporting the arts in the region. The group includes OLSH alumni, alumni parents, current families, students, faculty, and community members. 

Rooted in the spirit of family, the Pelican Players draws its name from Christian imagery of the mother pelican who gives of herself to nourish her young—a symbol of Christ’s sacrificial love. This powerful foundation reflects the group's mission: to use the performing arts as a way to build community, share joy, and promote love, inclusion, and support for all.

The Pelican Players is more than a theatre group—it's a family united by purpose and passion.

Previous shows include: A Year with Frog & Toad (2025), Working (2024), The Drowsy Chaperone (2019), Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (2018)

logo for OLSH theater - a heart that is comprised of two drama masks

Thank you to our sponsors!

Title Sponsors

The Perry Family
Wild Root Creations
 

Producer Circle

Pittsburgh Dispatch Service, Inc.
 

Ensemble Sponsor

The Lozano Family
Spanos Group of Raymond James 

Follow OLSH Theatre on Social Media!

facebook logo instagram logo  @OLSHTheatre