Tag Archives: Walnut Hills High School

Members of The Tectonic Theatre Project played by Arrow Coker, Adah Mosher, Jonathan Rubin, Charles Burdsall, Clark Sayre, and Nola Stowe. Photo by Mikki Schaffner. Costumes by Diabou Fall.

Cincinnati, OH- Following a fantastic season last year, the Walnut Hills High School Theatre Department is eager to welcome back audiences to The Rick Steiner Black Box Theater with THE LARAMIE CYCLE.

Part I, The well-known classic THE LARAMIE PROJECT, runs November 2nd-4th, 2023 at 7 p.m. with an additional 2 p.m. matinee on Saturday, November 4th. Part II, the lesser-known THE LARAMIE PROJECT: TEN YEARS LATER runs December 9 &10, 2023 at 2 p.m. with an additional 7 p.m. performance on Saturday, December 9.

In October 1998, a twenty-one-year-old student at the University of Wyoming was kidnapped, severely beaten, and left tied to a fence in the middle of the prairie outside Laramie, Wyoming. His bloody, bruised, and battered body was not discovered until the next day, and he died several days later in an area hospital. His name was Matthew Shepard, and he was the victim of this assault because he was gay. Moisés Kaufman and fellow members of the Tectonic Theater Project made six trips to Laramie over the course of a year and a half, in the aftermath of the beating and during the trial of the two young men accused of killing Shepard. They conducted more than 200 interviews with the people of the town. Some people interviewed were directly connected to the case, while others were citizens of Laramie, and the breadth of the reactions to the crime is fascinating.

Kaufman and Tectonic Theater members have constructed a deeply moving theatrical experience from these interviews and their own experiences in Laramie. THE LARAMIE PROJECT is a breathtaking collage that explores the depths to which humanity can sink and the heights of compassion of which we are capable.

Ten years later on September 12th, 2008, five members of Tectonic returned to Laramie to try to understand the long-term effect of the murder. They found a town wrestling with its legacy and its place in history. In addition to revisiting the folks whose words riveted us in the original play, this time around, the company also spoke with the two murderers, McKinney and Henderson, as well as Matthew’s mother, Judy Shepard. THE LARAMIE PROJECT: TEN YEARS LATER is a bold new work, which asks the question, “How does society write its own history?”

“On the 25th anniversary of Matthew Shepard’s death, we are incredibly honored and excited to be the first high school theatre program in the area to do both of these plays as a cycle.” says director Mike Sherman. “Matthew’s murder was a watershed moment for our country that inspired a generation of activists, and we feel these two plays still have many lessons to teach us about how we as a country react to, respond, and view national tragedies like this.”

Tickets are $13 for adults and $11 for students. They are now available, and can be purchased at: https://sites.google.com/view/whhstheatredepartment/tickets.

CONTENT WARNING: Verbal descriptions of violence, assault, death and use of sexual orientation slurs.

This production and the entire WHHS Theatre Season is graciously sponsored by the Walnut Hills High School Class of 1964 Performing Arts Fund.

THE LARAMIE PROJECT
Featuring cast members Katie Berich, Norah Boehm, Charles Burdsall, Andrew Canter, Nate Caudill, Arrow Coker, Elijah Cook, Aida Doumbia, Kyra Doty, Noa Jaffee, Christian Jordan, Josie Leanza, Caroline Lovelace, Adah Mosher, Hoyt Noble, Larena Peart, Khara Rosebrook, Jonathan Rubin, Clark Sayre, Lauryn Shafer, Jude Shotwell, Wolf Singer, and Nola Stowe.

Directed by Mike Sherman
Assistant Director by Laylah Torain
Technical Direction by Helen A. Raymond-Goers
Production Stage Manager- Abbie Kershner
Assistant Stage Manager- Richie Bell
Costume Designer- Diabou Fall
Hair and Makeup Designer- Lizzy Rebber
Co-Props Designers- AJ Frecker and Oran Wilkins
Props Manager- Oran Wilkins
Lighting Designer- Sophie Glenn
Scenic Designer- Ryan Peerless
Sound Designer- Maya Busche
Mistress Electrician- Maya Busche
Head of Marketing and Publicity- Lizzy Rebber

THE LARAMIE PROJECT: TEN YEARS LATER
Featuring cast members Corrine Adams, Andrew Canter, Theo Davis, Kyra Doty, Morgan Felsburg, Clare Graff, Izzy Lachey, Clark Sayre, and Wolf Singer

Directed by Mike Sherman
Assistant Director- Emma Dalton
Production Stage Manager- Abbie Kershner
Assistant Stage Manager- Maya Busche
Costume Designer- Katie Berich
Costume/Hair and Makeup Assistant Designer- Lizzy Rebber
Hair and Makeup Designer- Corrine Adams
Lighting and Scenic Designer- Ryan Peerless
Mistress Electrician- Maya Busche
Props and Set Decoration- Morgan Felsburg and Wolf Singer
Props Manager- Oran Wilkins
Sound Designer- Oran Wilkins
Head of Marketing and Publicity- Lizzy Rebber

Caroline Lovelace as Peggy Sawyer, Winter Cruser as Billy Lawlor and Violet Kimnach as Annie. Photo by Mikki Schaffner.

Cincinnati, OH-Following their previous production of Puffs, The Walnut Hills High School Theatre Department is eager to welcome back audiences with a heart warming classic that’s fun for the whole family, 42nd Street: Youth Edition.

The show runs May 11th-13th, 2023 at 7 p.m.

42nd Street celebrates Broadway, Times Square, and the magic of show biz with wit, humor and pizzazz. At the height of the Great Depression, aspiring chorus girl Peggy Sawyer comes to the big city from Allentown, PA, and soon lands her first big job in the ensemble of a glitzy new Broadway show. But just before opening night, the leading lady breaks her ankle. Will Peggy be able to step in and become a star?

“After doing some more serious titles earlier in our season, I’m glad we’re finishing up with a more light-hearted and warm story about hopes and dreams that both old and young can relate to.” says director Mike Sherman.

Tickets are $13 for adults and $11 for students. They are now available, and can be purchased at: https://sites.google.com/view/whhstheatredepartment/tickets. 

This production and the entire WHHS Theatre Season is graciously sponsored by the Walnut Hills High School Class of 1964 Performing Arts Fund.

Caroline Lovelace as Peggy Sawyer, Clark Sayer as Julian Marsh, Winter Cruser as Billy Lawlor, Adelaide Linser as Dorothy Brock, Harper Monnin as Andy Lee, Cat Riggs as Maggie Jones, Jonathan Rubin as Bert Barry, Jonas Warner as Mac, Grant Luebke as Abner Dillon, C.C Wise as Frankie, Zel Auger as Pat Denning, Sophia Puthoff as Phyllis, Violet Kimnach as Annie, Carolina Junewick as Lorraine, Maya Lipscomb as Gladys, Myah Firdhaus as Winnie, Naomi Madaris as Doctor, Noah Leventhal as Second Man/First Thug/Another Boy, Andrew Prevost as Man’s Voice/Second Thug/A Boy, Ash Kertpet as Girl’s Voice, Maria Smyth as Second Girl, Noa Jaffee as Chorus Girl, and Lauryn Shafer as Another Girl, Rachel Everingham as Waitress, Aniyah Calvin as Waitress, Jennifer Keifer as Ensemble, and Riley Coleman as Ensemble

• Directed by Mike Sherman
• Co-Assistant Directed by Clare Graff and Wolf Singer
• Music Director: Steve Goers
• Choreographer: Izzy Lachey
• Technical Direction by Helen A. Raymond-Goers
• Production Stage Manager- Diana Hutchinson
• Assistant Stage Management- Laylah Torain and Kat Swift
• Costume Designer- Amelia Price and Amelia Reidy
• Costume Design Mentor: Emma Smith
• Hair and Makeup Designer- Emma Dalton
• Lighting Designers- Allison Calkins and Tein Dao
• Lighting Head Electrician- Maya Busche
• Marketing and Publicity Head- Lizzy Rebber
• Props Designers- Kyra Doty and Abbie Kershner
• Props Manager: Oran Wilkins
• Scenic Designers- Ryan Peerless and Max Rush
• Sound Designer- Katie Berich and Maya Busche

Sophie Christian and Kamani Killings in the Walnut Hills High School Theatre Department’s production of Puffs. Photo by Mikki Schaffner photography

Cincinnati, OH – Following their previous success from their production of Carrie the Musical, The Walnut Hills High School Theatre Department is eager to welcome audiences to the Rick Steiner Black Box Theatre with the comedy, PUFFS – a hilarious parody of the story of “the boy who lived” and attended a certain “school of magic” for seven years (get it? You get it).

The show runs April 20-21, 2023 at 7 p.m. with additional 2 p.m. matinees on Saturday, April 22nd, and Sunday April 23rd.

This clever and inventive play “never goes more than a minute without a laugh” (Nerdist) giving you a new look at a familiar adventure from the perspective of three potential heroes just trying to make it through a magic school that proves to be very dangerous for children. Alongside them are the Puffs, a group of well-meaning, loyal outsiders with a thing for badgers “who are so lovable and relatable, you’ll leave the theater wishing they were in the stories all along” (Hollywood Life), featuring many recognizable characters from a Certain School of Magic and Magic. Their “hilariously heartfelt!” (Metro) An epic journey takes the classic story to new places and reimagines what a boy wizard hero can be.

Regarding the show, director Helen Raymond-Goers says, “Puffs is hilarious, you should come see it!”

Tickets are $13 for adults and $11 for students. They are now available, and can be purchased at: https://sites.google.com/view/whhstheatredepartment/tickets.

CONTENT WARNING: Due to some strong language and adult content, this production is recommended for mature audiences 13 and up.

This production and the entire WHHS Theatre Season is graciously sponsored by the Walnut Hills High School Class of 1964 Performing Arts Fund.

Featuring Kyra Doty as Wayne Hopkins, Sophie Christian as Megan Jones, Adeleigh Karoutchi as Oliver Rivers, Katie Berich as Narrator, Andrew Canter as Harry/Hermeeon 2/Myrtle/Ric Gryff/Susie Bones, Corinne Adams as Hannah/Mr. Nick/ Professor McG, Kamani ______ as Hermeoon 3/Frenchy /Rita/Scooter/Rowena /Professor Sprouty /Xavia Jones, Emma Dalton as Blondo Malfoy/Mr. Voldy, Hadian Dwyer as Fat Friar/Second Headmaster/Zac Smith/Very Tall Man, Hoyt Noble as Clumsy Longbottom/Goyle /J. Finch /Uncle Dave, James Overton as Ms. Babble/Runes Teach/Professor Lanny/Professor Locky/Professor Turban, Loretta Rubin as Hermeoon/Sally Perks, Malcolm Ward as Cedric, Nate Caudill as Anthony Goldstein/Leanne/Mr. Bagman/Real Mr. Moody/Viktor, Riley Soutar as Big Snek(Bassylisk)/Ernie Mac/Ghost History Teacher, Uyen Dao as Colin/First Headmaster/Ginny/Helga, and Wolf Singer as A Certain Potions Teache/Sal/Seamus

Directed by Helen A. Raymond-Goers
Co-Assistant Directed by Ryan Peerless and Lizzy Rebber
Technical Direction by Helen A. Raymond-Goers
Production Stage Manager- Nyla Shahanavaz
Assistant Stage Manager- Graham Gardner
Costume Designer- Emma Smith
Lighting Designer- Sophie Glenn
Props Designer- AJ Frecker
Scenic Designer- Chloe Goodman
Sound Designer- Maya Busche
Marketing and Publicity Head- Lizzy Rebber
Head Electrician- Maya Busche

Avery Frank as Margaret in the Walnut Hills High School production of Carrie the Musical. Photo by Mikki Schaffner.

Cincinnati, OH- Following their previous productions of Macbeth and the 2022 One Act Festival, The Walnut Hills High School Theatre Department is eager to welcome back audiences with a musical based on the tragic Stephen King novel, Carrie: The Musical.

The show runs February 16-18, 2023 at 7 p.m.

The musical follows Carrie White, a teenage outcast who longs to fit in. At school, she’s bullied by the popular crowd, and virtually invisible to everyone else. At home, she’s dominated by her loving but cruelly controlling mother. What none of them know is that Carrie’s just discovered she’s got a special power, and if pushed too far, she’s not afraid to use it. Through a journey and look into the high school experience, Carrie: The Musical asks the question, “what does it cost to be kind?”

Although the book takes place in the 1970s, the show updates the plot to take place in the early 2000s in order to better connect with modern day teenagers.

“While most know Carrie as a horror film, the musical plays very much like a tragedy,” says director Mike Sherman. “There are real, human, recognizable characters to be explored;  and it very much speaks to what it is like to be a contemporary teenager growing up in a world of extremism.”

Diana Hutchinson as the titular character in the Walnut Hills High School production of Carrie. Photo by Mikki Schaffner.

Playing the role of Carrie White is senior Diana Hutchinson.“This role challenges me as an actor to expand my view on playing such an iconic role,” says Hutchinson, “and it inspires me to dig deeper and figure out the true nature of the character.”

Tickets are $13 for adults and $11 for students. They are now available, and can be purchased at: https://sites.google.com/view/whhstheatredepartment/tickets. Please note: Due to some strong language and adult subject matter,  this show is recommended for mature audiences age 13 and up.

This production and the entire WHHS Theatre Season is graciously sponsored by the Walnut Hills High School Class of 1964 Performing Arts Fund.

Featuring Diana Hutchinson as Carrie, Avery Frank as Margaret, Katie Berich as Sue, Izzy Lachey as Chris, Sunny Dighe as Tommy, Nate Caudill as Billy, Emma Dalton as Ms. Gardner, Wolf Singer as Mr. Stephens, Josie Leanza as Norma, Maya Busche as Frieda, Lily Clark as Helen, Hadrian Dwyer as George, Andrew Canter as Stokes, Andrew Kelm as Freddy, Sophie Christian as Interrogator 1/Ensemble, Loretta Rubin as Interrogator 2/Ensemble, Lonzo Montgomery as Reverend Bliss/Ensemble, and Winter Cruser, Kyra Doty, AJ Frecker, Tre Hall, Adelaide Linser, James Overton, Lizzy Rebber, Abby Riddle, Jonathan Rubin, Clark Sayre, Riley Soutar, Mya Verticchio, and Anna Rose Wright as Ensemble.

Directed by Mike Sherman
Assistant Directed by Ryan Peerless
Music Director: Steve Goers
Choreographer: Kate Stark
Student Choreographer: Diana Hutchinson
Technical Direction by Helen A. Raymond-Goers
Production Stage Manager- Jameira Jones
Assistant Stage Management- Abbie Kershner and Caroline Lovelace
Costume Designer- Paloma Lanzador
Hair and Makeup Designer- Sci Redding
Lighting Designer- Allison Caulkins
Props Designer- Oran Wilkins
Scenic Designer- Ryan Peerless
Sound Designer- Nyla Shahanavaz and Heather Storm
Head Electrician- Maya Busche
Marketing and Publicity Head- Lizzy Rebber

Cincinnati, OH – After a wonderful start of the season with Macbeth, Walnut Hills High School Theatre Department is happy to welcome back audiences to The Rick Steiner Black Box Theater with the 2022 One Act Festival.

The junior high shows run December 1st at 7 p.m. and 2 p.m. on Saturday, December 3rd. The senior high shows run December 2nd-3rd at 7 p.m.

The junior high shows include Who Am I This Time? where the subject is love, pure and complicated. Set on the stage of The North Crawford Mask & Wig Club, three early comic masterpieces by Kurt Vonnegutare sewn together into a seamless evening of hilarity and humanity. The second junior high one act is titled The Well: A Faerie Terror. When Lisette, a teenage seamstress, falls down a well she is faced with a new world with one terrible secret within the well and has to find her way out.

The senior high shows include Tracks and Conflict of Interest. In Tracks, a group of strangers meet in a dirty subway station. They have arrived with limited personal belongings, their watches have stopped and they all claim to be in different cities. Soon they learn there is no way out of the station, and the unfortunate truth is told to them: they are all dead. Since subway stations have two sides, they reason the train leaving from one platform must be bound for heaven, while the train leaving from the other platform must be bound for hell. But which platform are they on? They reflect upon their lives, recalling and confessing past deeds of which they are not proud, hoping to figure out which platform is which. The arrival of someone from the other platform only complicates matters, and the answer remains unclear. As the subway train finally approaches, they must decide whether to stay and ponder their actions further, or to have faith and climb aboard to their final destination.

In Conflict of Interest, Cece and Jazz are roommates and Cece is a photographer. Cece has recently gotten a job at a publication known for corruption, and is warned by Jazz not to get caught up in the shadiness as they are looking over Cece’s recently published work. From there, the play takes the old and recognizable story and structure of losing your morals in pursuit of success, and puts a new spin on it to pose the very relevant questions of: when does journalism cross the line into simple exploitation? How does someone get pushed to the point of no longer recognizing that line?

Tickets are $14 for adults and $12 for students. They are now available, and can be purchased at:
https://sites.google.com/view/whhstheatredepartment/tickets

Yeteva Bowker as Nellie (far left), Myla Stuckkey as Mrs. Hall (center left), Sophia Puthoff as Ma (center right), Kendra Suvillian as Lisette (far right). Photo by Mikki Shaffner,

The Well: A Faire Terror
Directed by Oran Wilkins
Assistant Directed by Bella Gordo
Stage Managed by Lily Clark
Featuring Kendra Suvillian as Lisette, Myla Stuckkey as Mrs. Hall, Sophia Puthoff as Ma, Yeteva Bowker as Nellie, Avani Wagh as Tree, Ash Kerpet, Noah Leventhal, Ayla Perkins, and Andrew Prevost as Bread

Greta Linser as Helene Shaw (far left), Jonas Warner as Tom Newton (center), and Claire Wise as Harry Nash (far right). Photo by Mikki Shaffner.

Who Am I This Time
Directed by Andrew Canter and Caroline Lovelace
Stage Managed by Jonathan Rubin
Featuring Jonas Warner as Tom Newton, Greta Linser as Helene Shaw, Claire Wise as Harry Nash, Noa Jaffee as Doris Sawyer, Adah Mosher as Katie Newton, Grant Luebke as Verne Miller, and Catherine Berninger as Joey “Doodles” Brookes.

Azariah Cuff as The Businesswoman, Uyen Dao as The High School Girl, Jana Smith as The Businesswoman, Corinne Adams as The Nun, Theo Davis as The Professor, Roree Whitaker as The High School Boy, and Eterniti McCray as The Waitress (left to right), Crow Cisneros as The Homeless Girl (center middle), Lauryn Shafer as The Old Man (bottom middle). Photo by Mikki Shaffner

Tracks
Directed by Diana Hutchinson
Stage Managed by Ryan Peerless
Featuring Crow Cisneros as The Homeless Girl, Lauryn Shafer as The Old Man, Laura Lammers as The Lawyer, Theo Davis as The Professor, Corinne Adams as The Nun, Jana Smith as The Businesswoman, Azariah Cuff as The Businesswoman, Uyen Dao as The High School Girl, Roree Whitaker as The High School Boy, and Eterniti McCray as The Waitress.

L Mahler as Angry Protester (top left), Maya Jaffee as Mr. Hearst (top right), Evelyn Denen as Jazzy (bottom left), Elle Shaffer as Cece (bottom right). Photo by Mikki Shaffner

Conflict of Interest
Directed by Kat Swift
Stage Managed by Tien Dao
Featuring Elle Shaffer as Cece, Evelyn Denen as Jazzy, Maya Jaffe as Mr. Hearst, and L Mahler as Angry Protester.

This production and the entire WHHS Theatre Season is graciously sponsored by the Walnut Hills High School Class of 1964 Performing Arts Fund.
Technical Direction by Helen A. Raymond-Goers
Production Stage Manager- Katie Berich and Lizzy Rebber
Hair and Makeup Designers- Adelaide Lindser
Props Designers- AJ Frecker and Oran Wilkins
Props Manager- Will Curtain
Costume Designer- Izzie Newman
Lighting Designer- Sophie Glenn and Charlie Prince
Head Electrician- Maya Busche
Scenic Designer- Emma Smith and Helen A. Raymond-Goers
Sound Designer- Wolf Singer
Marketing and Publicity Manager- Lizzy Rebber