Tag Archives: Walnut Hills High School

Walnut Hills High School Theatre Department Welcomes Audiences to their 2022-2023 Season with the Shakespearean Classic, MACBETH

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Wolf Singer as Macbeth & and Nate Caudill as Macduff in the Walnut Hills High School production of MACBETH. Costume design by Paloma Landzador. Hair and Makeup design by Lizzy Rebber and Sci Redding. Photo by Mikki Schaffner Photography.

Cincinnati, OH – After a wonderful season last year, the Walnut Hills High School Theatre Department is eager to welcome back audiences to The Rick Steiner Black Box Theater with a World War I twist on the Shakespearean classic, MACBETH.

The show runs November 3rd-5th, 2022 at 7 p.m. with an additional 2 p.m. matinee on Saturday, November 5th.

In one of the world’s most well-known tragedies, Macbeth, a popular Scottish noble and general is given a mysterious prophecy by three witches telling him he will be king.  Spurred on by his wife and his own ambition and desires, Macbeth murders his way to the crown, losing his humanity along the way.

“This play is a classic for a reason,” says director Mike Sherman. “It is a timeless tale about how the pursuit of power can lead not to the downfall of society, but also the loss of what makes us human.”

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Izzy Lachey as 2nd Witch, Tammy Munoz as Hecate, Josie Leanza as 1st Witch and Clare Graff as 3rd Witch in the Walnut Hills High School Theatre Department’s production of MACBETH. Costume design by Paloma Lanzador. Hair and Makeup design by Lizzy Rebber and Sci Redding. Photo credit- Mikki Schaffner photography.

The design concept of the play updates the setting to Europe in the aftermath of World War I, and will speak to mankind’s capacity for destruction. “The Scottish Play” combines the historical battlefield and style of the early 1900s and the mythological legends of Celtic and Scottish Mythology, further blurring the lines of the truth and reality. In keeping with the play, blood, gore, and death are all to be expected; just in time for Halloween.

“Even if you are familiar with the show and the plot, we’re incorporating lots of scary moments that will make the show fresh and bring the text alive for our audiences, ” says 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.

Featuring Wolf Singer as Macbeth, Emma Dalton as Lady Macbeth, Avery Frank as Banquo, Nate Caudill as Macduff, Loretta Rubin as Malcolm, Emma Smith as Ross, Abby Riddle as Lennox, Sophie Christian as Seton, Josie Leanza as 1st Witch, Izzy Lachey as 2nd Witch, Clare Graff as 3rd Witch, Tammy Munoz as Hecate, Hadrian Dwyer as Duncan/Siward, Kyra Doty as Donalbain/Lady Macduff, Hoyt Noble as a Murderer/Soldier, Andrew Kelm as a Murderer/Soldier, Jude Shotwell as a Murderer/Soldier, Khara Rosebrook as Messenger, James Overton as Sergeant/Doctor, Olivia Hufford as an Apparition, Nola Stowe as an Apparition, Scarlett Frank as an Apparition, Adeleigh Karoutchi as Fleance/Macduff’s Son, Clark Sayre as Porter/Young Siward, Naima Jones as Angus, Kenner Bailey as Mentieth, and Riley Soutar as Gentlewoman/Caithness.

  • Directed by Mike Sherman
  • Assistant Directed by Ryan Peerless
  • Technical Direction by Helen A. Raymond-Goers
  • Production Stage Manager- Abbie Kershner
  • Assistant Stage Manager- Nyla Shahanavaz
  • Co-Hair and Makeup Designers- Lizzy Rebber and Sci Redding
  • Co-Props Designers- AJ Frecker and Oran Wilkins
  • Props Manager- Oran Wilkins
  • Costume Designer- Paloma Lanzador
  • Lighting Designer- Allison Calkins
  • Master Electrician- Maya Busche
  • Scenic Designer- Jae Goodman
  • Sound Designer- Maya Busche
  • Choreographer- Lael Ingram
  • Fight Choreographer- Melissa Bennett Murphy
  • Intimacy Coordinator- Erin Carr 

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The Walnut Hills High School Theatre Department Closes Season with the Classic Musical Comedy, GUYS AND DOLLS JR.

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Andrew Canter as Nathan Detroit and Adelaide Linser as Adelaide. Photo courtesy of Mikki Schaffner Photography.

Cincinnati, OH – As summer approaches, the Walnut Hills High School Theatre Department will close out the year with their junior high musical, Guys and Dolls Jr.

The show runs May 12-14 at 7 p.m. in the Walnut Hills High School Auditorium.

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Tyrone Hall as Sky Masterson and Mya Verticchio as Sarah Brown. Photo courtesy of Mikki Schaffner Photography.

Set in Damon Runyon’s New York City, Guys and Dolls Jr. follows gambler Nathan Detroit, as he tries to find the cash to set up the biggest crap game in town while the authorities breathe down his neck. Meanwhile, his girlfriend and nightclub performer, Adelaide, laments that they’ve been engaged for fourteen years without ever getting married. Nathan turns to fellow gambler, Sky Masterson, for the dough, but Sky ends up chasing the straight-laced missionary, Sarah Brown. Guys and Dolls Jr. takes us from the heart of Times Square to the cafes of Havana, but everyone eventually ends up right where they belong.

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Jonathan Rubin as Nicely Nicely Johnson and Andrew Prevost as Benny Southstreet. Photo courtesy of Mikki Schaffner Photography.

Tickets are $12 for adults and $10 for students. They are now available, and can be purchased at: https://sites.google.com/view/whhstheatredepartment/tickets, where audience members can also read the COVID 19 policies for attending the performance.  Seating is no longer limited, and we are excited to announce that we are back to full capacity. Masks are encouraged, but optional for all audience members.

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

Featuring Tyrone Hall as Sky Masteron, Mya Verticchio as Sarah Brown, Andrew Canter as Nathan Detroit, Adelaide Linser as Adelaide, Jonathan Rubin as Nicely Nicely Johnson, Andrew Prevost as Benny Southstreet, Clark Sayre as Harry the Horse, James Overton as Big Jule, Tvisha Mirashi as Arvide, Caroline Lovelace as General Cartwright, Jude Shotwell as Brannigan, Will Curtain as Rusty Charlie, Cat Riggs as Angie the Ox, Violet Kimnach as Mimi, Emmett Corby as Brandy Bottle Bates / Crapshooter, Winter Cruser as Scranton Slim / Crapshooter, Noah Levinthal as Society Max / Crapshooter, Ash Kertpet as Agatha, Milo Hickerson as Calvin, Anna Rose Wright as Martha, Riley Coleman as Bertha, Claire Wise as Mission Band/Havanna Patron, Maya Lipscomb as Hot Box Girl / Havana Dancer, Nina Muro as Hot Box Girl / Havana Dancer, Jennifer Keifer as Hot Box Dancer, Adah Mosher as Hot Box Girl / Havana Ensemble, Noa Jaffee as Hot Box Girl / Havana Ensemble, Harper Monnin as Hot Box Girl, Myah Firdhaus as Hot Box Girl / Havana Ensemble, Maria Smyth as Hot Box Girl, Valeria Molina as Hot Box Girl / Havana Ensemble, Jonas Warner as Newspaper Seller / crapshooter, Isaiah Griswold as Havana Bartender / Cop / Crapshooter, Grant Luebke as Havana Waiter / Cop / Crapshooter, and Cal Moore as Havana Patron / Crapshooter

Director: Mike Sherman
Assistant Directors: Lily Canter and Clare Graff
Choreographers: Lael Ingram and Izzy Lachey
Music Director: Bret Albright
Production Stage Manager: Lucia Johns
Assistant Stage Managers: Katie Berich and Abbie Kershner
Technical Director: Helen A. Raymond-Goers
Costume Designer: Emma Smith
Hair and Makeup Designers: Emma Dalton and Lizzy Rebber
Lighting Designer: Sophie Glenn
Marketing and Publicity Head: Lizzy Rebber
Master Electrician: Reagan Warvel
Props Designer: Laurel Prince
Scenic Designers: Ryan Peerless and Leo Jenkins
Sound Designer: Maya Busche

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WHHS Theatre Department Welcomes Back Live Audiences With the Hilarious Screwball Comedy, LEND ME A TENOR

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Owen Cummings as Tito and Leo Jenkins as Max. Photo by Mikki Schaffner Photography.

The Walnut Hills High School Theatre Department Welcomes Back Live Audiences to the Blackbox Theatre with the hilarious Screwball Comedy, LEND ME A TENOR

Cincinnati, OH-After an amazing previous performance in the Rick Steiner Blackbox Theatre with Rhinoceros, the Walnut Hills High School Theatre Department is eager to welcome back audiences with Ken Ludwig’s hilarious screwball comedy, Lend Me a Tenor.  A sensation on Broadway and in London’s West End, this madcap romp is guaranteed to make audiences teary-eyed with laughter.

The show runs April 21st-23rd, 2022 at 7 p.m. with an additional 2 p.m. matinee on Saturday, April 23rd.

Set in September 1934, Saunders, the general manager of the Cleveland Grand opera Company, is preparing to welcome Tito Merelli, the greatest tenor of his generation and known as Il Stupendo, to appear for one night only as the star of the opera. However, Tito arrives late and through a hilarious series of mishaps, is given a double-dose of tranquilizer and passes out, making his pulse so low Saunders and his assistant Mas believe he’s dead. In a frantic attempt to salvage the opera, Saunders persuades Max to fool the audience into thinking he is the great Tito Merelli by getting into his costume. Max succeeds and lives up to his idol, but Merelli regains consciousness and gets into an identical costume, ready to perform. Now two opera singers are running around in the same costume with two women chasing them, both thinking they are with Il Stupendo.

“Mistaken identities, slamming doors, Scooby-Doo style chases– it’s a classic farce ” says co-director Helen Raymond-Goers. “After the last couple years, it’s time for us all to take things a little less seriously, at least for a couple hours, and Lend Me A Tenor gives us a great opportunity to find the silly in the ordinary and the absolutely ridiculous in the extraordinary.”

Tickets are $12 for adults and $10 for students. They are now available, and can be purchased at: https://sites.google.com/view/whhstheatredepartment/tickets, where audience members can also read the COVID 19 policies for attending the performance.  Seating is no longer limited, and we are excited to announce that we are back to full capacity. Masks are encouraged, but optional for all audience members.

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

Featuring Leo Jenkins as Max, Anika Vockell as Maggie, Emma Smith as Saunders, Owen Cummings as Tito, Chloe Goodman as Maria, Sophie Christian as the Bellhop, Gwen Schumann as Diana, and Kayla McGraw as Julia.

  • Co-Directed by Ryan Peerless and Helen A. Raymond-Goers
  • Technical Director- Helen A. Raymond-Goers
  • Production Stage Manager- Mary Sullivan
  • Assistant Stage Manager- Jamiera Jones
  • Costume Designer- Helen A. Raymond-Goers
  • Hair and Makeup Designer- Laurel Prince
  • Lighting Designer- Allison Calkins
  • Marketing and Publicity Head- Lizzy Rebber
  • Master Electrician- Reagan Warvel
  • Props Designer- Sophia Rooksberry
  • Co-Scenic Designer- Ryan Peerless and Helen A. Raymond-Goers
  • Co-Sound Designer- Reagan Warvel and Cristian Grover

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The Walnut Hills High School Theatre Department Presents an Optimistic Tale in the Midst of Cynicism, Through Cartoon Comedy in THE SPONGEBOB MUSICAL

WHHS_The SpongeBob MusicalFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Cincinnati, OH-The Walnut Hills High School Theatre Department is elated to be welcoming back live audiences to its 2021-2022 school year senior high musical, the regional high school premiere of The SpongeBob Musical.

Adapted from the iconic Nickelodeon series, The SpongeBob Musical follows SpongeBob, Patrick, Sandy, Squidward and all of Bikini Bottom as they face total annihilation when a local volcano, Mount Humongous, threatens to erupt in 24 hours. Spongebob, Patrick, and Sandy attempt to save the day, while Plankton cooks up another one of his evil schemes and attempts to thwart our heroes—until a most unexpected hero rises to take center stage.

Regarding the musical, director Mike Sherman says, “While this is certainly a fun show based on a cartoon loved by so many, it also has a really great message about friendship and community. In a very cynical time, this show brings a joyous message of hope and optimism.”

The show runs February 17-19, 2022 at 7 p.m. in the Walnut Hills High School Auditorium.

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Mikki Schaffner Photography.

The SpongeBob Musical
With New Songs by Yolanda Adams, Steven Tyler and Joe Perry of Aerosmith, Sara Bareilles, Jonathan Coulton, Alex Ebert of Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros, The Flaming Lips, Lady Antebellum, Cyndi Lauper, John Legend, Panic! At the Disco, Plain White T’s, They Might Be Giants, T.I., and songs by David Bowie, Tom Kenny & Andy Paley / Additional Lyrics by Jonathan Coulton / Additional Music by Tom Kitt / Music Supervision, Orchestrations and Arrangements by Tom Kitt / Original Choreography by Christopher Gattelli

Based on the series by Stephen Hillenberg, Book by Kyle Jarrow, and Musical Production Conceived and Directed by Tina Landau.

Tickets are $12 for adults and $10 for students. They are now available, and can be purchased at: https://sites.google.com/view/whhstheatredepartment/tickets, where audience members can also read the COVID 19 policies for attending the performance.  Please be advised that seating is currently limited for all performances.

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

Featuring:
Leo Jenkins as SpongeBob Squarepants, Valerie Dreith as Patrick Star, Diana Hutchinson as Sandy Cheeks, Nate Caudill as Krabs/French Narrator, Ella Vaughn as Pearl, Brando Donaldson as Plankton, Lily Canter as Karen, Emma Dalton as Squidward, Owen Cummings as Perch Perkins, Wolf Singer as Patchy the Pirate/Johnny the Bartender, Avery Frank as The Mayor, Loretta Rubin as Mrs. Puff, Hadrian Dwyer as Larry the Lobster/Gary, Sophie Christian as Old Man Jenkins/Pirate, Oscar Stec as Buster Bluetang/Pirate, Riley Soutar as Security Guard 1/Mob Fish/ Jellyfish Puppeteer, Alonzo Mongomery as Security Guard 2/Sardine Devotee 1/Sea Anemone, Anika Vockell as Electric Skate 1 / Girl Fish Trio/Cowboy Fish, Clare Graff as Electric Skate 2 / Girl Fish Trio/Cowboy Fish/Sea Anemone, Maya Busche as Electric Skate 3/Girl Fish Trio/Cowboy Fish, Izzy Lachey as Hip Hop Dancer/ Plankton Backup Fish/A Fish/Pirate/Sea Anemone, Nick Kaufmann as Mob Fish/Jellyfish Puppeteer, Lily Clark as Sardine Devotee 5/Jellyfish Puppeteer, Andrew Canter as A Sardine/Pirate/ Sea Anemone, Sophia Cotton-Riker as Plankton Backup Fish/Sardine Devotee 2/Sea Anemone, AJ Frecker as Hip Hop Dancer/Plankton Backup Fish/Sardine/Sea Anemone, Kyra Doty as Sardine Devotee 3/Pirate/Sea Anemone, Chloe Goodman as Sardine Devotee/Sea Anemone, Katie Berich as Plankton Backup Fish/Sardine Devotee/ Teen Fan 3/Sea Anemone, Lizzy Rebber as Another Fish/Sardine/ Pirate/Sea Anemone, James Overton as Another Sardine/Pirate/Sea Anemone, Mya Verticchio as Sardine Devotee/Pirate/Teen Fan 2/Sea Anemone, and Josie Leanza as Sardine Devotee 4/Teen Fan 1/Jellyfish Puppeteer.

  • Directed by Mike Sherman
  • Technical Direction by Helen A. Raymond-Goers
  • Assistant Director: Sophia Rooksberry
  • Production Stage Manager- Lucia Johns
  • Assistant Stage Managers- Jamiera Jones and Abbie Kershner
  • Choreographer- Maggie Perrino
  • Student Choreographers- Lael Ingram and Izzy Lachey
  • Costume Designer- Sadie Gray
  • Hair and Makeup Designer- Laurel Prince
  • Lighting Designer- Allison Calkins
  • Makeup and Hair Designer- Laurel Prince
  • Master Electrician- Reagan Warvel
  • Marketing and Publicity Head- Avery Frank
  • Music Director- Tony Nims
  • Orchestra Conductor- Ed LeBorgne
  • Props Designer- Oran Wilkins
  • Scenic Designer- Chloe Goodman
  • Sound Designers- Mary Sullivan and Reagan Warvel

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ONE ACTS FESTIVAL at WHHS Runs Dec. 2-5

WHHS_One Acts Festival 2021 logoThe Walnut Hills High School Theatre Department is proud to announce the return of our student-directed ONE ACTS FESTIVAL, playing December 2-5, 2021.

This festival features four one act plays (two junior high, and two senior high):

Junior High One Acts 

OZ by Don Zolidis
Directed by Clare Graff and Nate Caudill

THE INTERNET IS DISTRACT-OH LOOK A KITTEN! by Ian McWethy
Directed by Oran Wilkins and Katie Berich

Senior High One Acts

HOME OF OVERGROWN WEEDS by Ava Wallace (current WHHS student!)
Directed by Avery Frank

THE NIGHT WITCHES by Rachel Bublitz
Directed by Sophia Rooksberry

Tickets are $13 for adults and $10 for students. Due to COVID 19 protocols, there are no door sales- all tickets must be purchased online prior to the show. Service fees apply, and seating is limited.

Festival Line Up:

Junior High One Acts:

  • Thursday, December 2 @ 7 p.m.- SOLD OUT
  • Saturday, December 4 @ 2 p.m.- SOLD OUT
  • ADDED PERFORMANCE Sunday, December 5 @ 2 p.m. -Tickets on sale to public starting 12/2

Senior High One Acts:

  • Friday, December 3 @ 7 p.m.
  • Saturday, December 4 @ 7 p.m.

To purchase tickets, please visit: https://sites.google.com/view/whhstheatredepartment/tickets

For complete cast and crew lists, please visit: https://sites.google.com/view/whhstheatredepartment/current-season/one-act-festival

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