User:HopeSpringfield

The Olympic Heights Theatre Department was established in 1991 [1], and has grown to hold a significant place in the Boca Raton community, most notably under the leadership of former director, Jacquie Hasko. Among other accomplishments, the department [also referred to as Thespian Troupe 4992] has won several State Championships, produced over 40 mainstages, performed at hundreds of community centers, brought home dozens of Cappies and Critics Choice Awards, raised significant sums for Broadway Cares/ Equity Fights AIDS, and graduated many students who have gone on to careers as professionals in the arts.

During "The Golden Age" of OHHS Drama, widely referred to as the years after 1996 but prior to 2004 [a controversial topic], many notable traditions evolved, from the Officer Retreat, to the biennial London Trip, to the Gypsy Robe, Football Chant and President Plunger, to Dessert Theatre, to the musical theatre troupe "OH to Broadway", to Plebe Week. Troupe 4992 gained an esteemed reputation among the high school theatre community in Florida.

Mainstage Productions

Each school year, the Olympic Heights Theatre Department produces 2 mainstage shows, in their 840- seat theater. The "Fall show" is almost always a straight play or small musical, and typically happens around Thanksgiving. The "Spring show" is always a large- sized musical, and is often performed around the students' Spring Break. In the past, the popular Spring production has had to schedule 12- 14 performances, to accommodate ticket demand.

These productions have been directed, musically directed, choreographed, and conducted by many professionals throughout the years, including Jacquie Hasko, Sharon Chudnow, Kay Prins, Rocky Duvall, Brock Terry, Lisa Direnzo- Gilbert, Jason Locker, Kevin Bogan, Mindy Dolandis, and Addison Gilbert.

• 2008- 2009: Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, Kiss Me Kate
• 2007- 2008: A Streetcar Named Desire, Grease
• 2006- 2007: Italian American Reconciliation, Singin' In The Rain
• 2005- 2006: Scapino, Mame
• 2004- 2005: Brighton Beach Memoirs, Damn Yankees
• 2003- 2004: On With The Show, Me and My Girl
• 2002- 2003: Lend Me A Tenor, Funny Girl
• 2001- 2002: The Miracle Worker, 42nd Street
• 2000- 2001: Beau Jest, How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying
• 1999- 2000: Ruthless [State Thespian Mainstage], My Fair Lady
• 1998- 1999: Rumors, Guys and Dolls
• 1997- 1998: Anything Goes
• 1996- 1997: Bye Bye Birdie

Me And My Girl (2004)

The Spring 2004 musical. Won Cappie Awards for Best Lead Actor in a Musical (Chris Burgos) and Best Song (Lambeth Walk).
Bill: Chris Burgos
Sally: Vanessa Roeser/ Phoebe Halkowich
Sir John: David Pinson
Maria: Amanda Bruno/ Kayla Repan
Parchester: Justin Braun
Lady Jacqueline: Stephanie Cohen/ Charissa Murray
Heathersett: Jeremy Lejeune
Gerald: Corey Rados

Funny Girl (2003)

The Spring 2003 musical.
Fanny Brice: Chloe Dolandis/ Dee Moreno
Nick Arnstein: Gavin Graber/ Matias Ontano
Ziegfeld: Spencer Hennigar
Mrs. Brice: Gladys Ramirez
Eddie Ryan: Justin Braun
Mrs. Strakosh: Holly Springer
Maude: Mackenzie Clarke
Bubbles: Stephanie Cohen
Polly: Jennifer Tepper
Snub Taylor: Calvin Rhine
Ziegfeld Tenor: Kevin Bogan

Lend Me A Tenor (2002)

The Fall 2002 play.
Max: Justin Braun
Tito: Matias Ontano
Saunders: Gavin Graber
Bellhop: Joey Venckauskas
Maggie: Christine Reeves
Diana: Kiera Ganguzza
Maria: Stephanie Bruno
Julia: Sheba Mason

42nd Street (2002)

The Spring 2002 musical. Book by Michael Stewart and Mark Bramble; Music by Harry Warren; Lyrics by Al Dubin; Based on the novel by Bradford Ropes. A song from the show, "Lullaby of Broadway" was performed by the students at a Pro Bono Gala at the Kravis Center in late spring, 2002.
Julian Marsh: Uri Kaweblum
Dorothy Brock: Kiera Ganguzza/ Regina Fernandez
Billy Lawlor: Ed Davis
Annie: Chloe Dolandis
Peggy Sawyer: Gabby Bill/ Alisha Pineiro
Pat Denning: Gavin Graber
Oscar: Kevin Bogan
Maggie Jones: Chelsea Clarke
Bert Barry: Matias Ontano
Diane: Tausha Cowan
Lorraine: Lisa LeBlanc

The Miracle Worker (2001)

The Fall 2001 play. By William Gibson. Chelsea Clarke's jaw was almost broken in the making of this production.
Annie Sullivan: Chelsea Clarke
Helen Keller: Lisa LeBlanc
Aunt Ev: Regina Fernandez
James Keller: Ed Davis
Kate: Christine Reeves
Blind Girls: Allison Schaeffer, Kristin Diaz, Jennifer Tepper, Gabby Bill, Sara Berke, Gina Guarino

How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying (2001)

The Spring 2001 musical. Book by Abe Burrows, Jack Weinstock, Willie Gilbert; Lyrics by Frank Loesser; Music by Frank Loesser. While the role of Finch was double cast, Tommy Steffek fell ill at the last moment, leaving Brian Lauda to step in for a disproportionate number of performances.
J Pierrepont Finch: Brian Lauda/ Tommy Steffek
Bud Frump: Jason Zeikowitz
J.B. Biggley: Agustin Ontano
Smitty: Renee Graber
Bert Bratt: Ed Davis
Hedy La Rue: Tara O'Keefe
Rosemary Pilkington: Ashley Blake Fisher/ Regina Fernandez
Twimble: Brett Sherman
Wally Womper: Todd Becker
Miss Jones: Chelsea Clarke
Miss Krumholtz: Leanne Weinbrot

Beau Jest (2000)

The Fall 2000 play. By James Sherman. One of the rare Olympic Heights Drama productions consisting of a play that was never produced on Broadway. Miriam: Joel: Bob: Chris: Abe: Sarah Goldman:

My Fair Lady (2000)

The Spring 2000 musical. Music: Frederick Loewe; Book: Alan Jay Lerner; Lyrics: Alan Jay Lerner. Eliza Doolittle: Jessica Flaum/ Michelle Sotallaro Henry Higgins: Ryland Blackinton Colonel Pickering: Agustin Ontano Alfred P. Doolittle: Brett Sherman Mrs. Higgins: Christine Reeves Mrs. Pearce: Chelsea Clarke Freddy Eynsford- Hill: Tommy Steffek

Ruthless! (1999)

The Fall 1999 play. Music: Marvin Laird; Book: Joel Paley; Lyrics: Joel Paley. The only Troupe 4992 musical that Hasko chose to get adjudicated for State competition. Ruthless! was indeed chosen to perform at State Thespian competition in 2000, a huge honor. The performance in Spring in Tampa featured State Director Michael J. Higgins in a cameo role. Louise Lerman: Leanne Weinbrot Eve: Jamie Phipps Tina Denmark: Regina Fernandez Judy Denmark: Jessica Flaum Lita Encore: Monica Padilla Reporter: Myrna Thorne: Michelle Sotallaro Sylvia St. Croix: Ryland Blackinton

Guys and Dolls (1999)

The Spring 1999 musical. Music: Frank Loesser; Book: Abe Burrows, Jo Swerling, Damon Runyon; Lyrics: Frank Loesser. Sky Masterson: Mike Evariste Miss Adelaide: Jamie Phipps Sarah Brown: Jessica Flaum Nathan Detroit: Brett Burlone Nicely- Nicely Johnson: Brad Walbridge

Presidential History

One significant establishment of the evolving Theatre Department was the officer board. Within Troupe 4992, this consists of President (often Co- Presidents), Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Publicist, Historian, Librarian, Senior Rep, Junior Rep, Sophomore Rep, and Crew Rep (a position created in 2003, aiming to include the often marginalized tech contingent of the department).

The board is elected by a democratic process, including a campaign week, in the Spring prior to each new school year. Just before the start of the new school year, all officers participate in Officer Retreat. Often held at a local hotel, the elected officers spend a weekend creating the extracurriculum for the year, and making decisions about the upcoming activity of the department.

In 2002, the Olympic Heights Theatre Department Constitution was drafted and ratified, after a long process led by then Co- President Christine Reeves. Other components of Officer Retreat have included the Death "Game", the Beach Trust "Game", and The Wildebeast Song.

Throughout the school year, the Presidents assist the Drama Director in leading the department. They run most events and parties, meet with other schools' drama presidents, create programming by leading the officer board and meetings, act as leaders of the troupe during Districts and States, lead the final energy circle of the year, and have many other responsibilities and privileges.

• 2008- 2009: Sarah Watkins & Harrison DuBosar
• 2007- 2008: Molly Lapin & Sassy Levy
• 2006- 2007: Chris SantaMaria & Sam Hogeweg
• 2005- 2006: Jeremy Lejeune & Kayla Repan
• 2004- 2005: Kyle Galenski & Amanda Bruno
• 2003- 2004: Jennifer Ashley Tepper & Justin Braun
• 2002- 2003: Holly Springer & Christine Reeves
• 2001- 2002: Regina Fernandez & Chelsea Clarke
• 2000- 2001: Leanne Weinbrot
• 1999- 2000: Jamie Phipps
• 1998- 1999: Brett Burlone & Brad Walbridge
• 1997- 1998: Tanya Symia & Adam Simpson

Thespian Competition

In December or January of each school year, Florida's District 10 Thespian Competition occurs. District 10 includes Olympic Heights High School [Troupe 4992], as well as many other local high schools such as Dreyfoos School of the Arts [Troupe 4990], Spanish River High School, and Pope John Paul High School. At the all- day Saturday event, students compete in the following categories: Monologues, Duet Scene, Ensemble Scene, Solo Musical, Duet Musical, Ensemble Musical (split into Small Group Musical and Large Group Musical around 2005), Mime, Student Directed Scene, Publicity, Scene Design, Costume Design, and Playwriting.

Since each school can only bring 5 competitors in each category to Districts, Olympic Heights established school- wide preliminary auditions during the 90's. These auditions are held a few months prior to District competition each year, with about 25 judges ranking the preliminary competitors.

At District Competition, all events are rated either Superior, Excellent, Good, Fair, or Poor. The best event from each room is awarded a Critic's Choice and granted a chance to perform at Closing Ceremonies for the entire district. From every event in every category, one is chosen at the end of the day as District Representative, which will perform at the Opening Ceremonies of State Competition.

Florida State Thespian Competition is held in April in Tampa. After District Competition, the director of the drama department chooses 5 performance entries and 3 technical entries total, which will compete at the State level, and represent the best of the school. Florida State Thespian Competition is attended by thousands of students and educators each year, and annually proves to be the largest Thespian event in the country, outnumbering even the participants of National Thespian Competition. Critic's Choice winners at the State level are granted the title of State Champions.

State Championships have been won several times in Olympic Heights Drama's history.
In 2002, "Into The Fire" won a State Championship for Ensemble Musical. State Champion status was given to participants Ed Davis, Uri Kaweblum, Justin Braun, Matias Ontano, Gavin Graber, JD Defranc, Justin Clynes, George Witt, and Dan Hernandez.
In 2003, "Forget About The Boy" won a State Championship for Ensemble Musical. State Champion status was given to Chloe Dolandis, Jennifer Tepper, Laurie Sanders, Alisha Pineiro, Tausha Cowan, Holly Springer, Stephanie Bruno, Mary Moloney, Elizabeth Kenner, Charissa Murray, Gladys Ramirez, and Vanessa Roeser.

District Representative status has been bestowed upon Troupe 4992 several times in the past.
In 2003, the ensemble scene, Medea, was chosen as District Rep. The students who performed at Opening Ceremonies of State Competition were Gladys Ramirez, Christine Reeves, Joey Venckauskas, Ali Gaffey,

Several other records have been set by Troupe 4992 at Thespian Competition. In 2003, OHHS brought home 10 Critic's Choices at Districts, won District Rep, AND won a State Championship.

Throughout the years, the Olympic Heights Drama Department has brought home dozens of Critic's Choices and several State Championships, as well as hundreds of Superior Ratings. Because of the nature of the musical theatre troupe, "OH to Broadway", which performs many Thespian numbers, and other songs, throughout the community, a mixed list of notable performance numbers can be seen below.

Notable Thespian and Gig Numbers

The following songs have been performed by Troupe 4992 students at District Competition, State Competition, "OH to Broadway" gigs throughout the community, Dessert Theatre, school-wide ceremonies, and elsewhere. An asterisk (*) denotes a Critic's Choice. A pound sign (#) denotes a State Champion or District Representative. A dollar sign ($) denotes a number that was never performed in a public arena.

16 Going On 17 (Davis, Fernandez)
A Beat Behind (Fernandez & Co.) *
A Boy Like That/ I Have A Love (A.Bruno, S.Bruno)
A Boy Like That/ I Have A Love (Padilla, Fernandez)
A Little Fall Of Rain
A Lovely Night (Springer, Tepper, Cowan, S. Bruno)
A Perfect Plan (Tepper)
A Stud and A Babe (Moloney, T. Becker)
A Trip to the Library (Tepper)
Agony
All For the Best (Braun, Burgos)
All I Need Is The Girl (Burgos)
All That Jazz (Kenner)
Amayzing Mayzie (Reaboi & Co.)
Another Opening, Another Show
Any Dream Will Do (Braun)
Back to Before (Cohen)
Barcelona (Razzano, ___)
Bring On Tomorrow
Button Up Your Overcoat (Burgos, Tepper)
Cell Block Tango (Kenner, Cohen, Tepper, Reaboi, Ramirez, Murray)
Children Children (Burgos & Co.) *
Come To Your Senses (Ganguzza) *
Come Up To My Place (Davis, Fernandez) #
Crime of the Century
Dirty Laundry (Ganguzza & Co.) *
Don't Follow In My Footsteps (Kenner, Roeser)
Don't Follow In My Footsteps (Weinbrot, Fisher)
Dreamgirls (Bill, Pineiro, ___)
Easy Street
Everybody's Girl
Everything's Coming Up Roses (Reaboi)
Forget About the Boy (Dolandis & Co) #
Gimme Gimme (Cohen) *
Hello Dolly (Men and Ladies of '03-'04)
Hernando's Hideaway (Ramirez)
Highway of Love (Tepper, Braun, Burgos, Cohen)
Honey Honey (Roeser, Tepper, Grundt, Pompis)
I'd Do Anything (Fernandez, Witt, Braun, Davis)
I'd Give It All For You (Ganguzza, ___)
I'm Breaking Down
I'm Calm (Wolfgang)
I Don't Know His Name (A.Bruno, Tepper)
I Don't Know How to Love Him
I Dreamed A Dream (Flaum)
I Hope I Get It (Men and Ladies of '03-'04)
I Know Him So Well (Shandell, Maxwell)
I Wanna Be A Rockette (Dolandis) *
I Wanna Be Bad
I Will Never Leave You
If Mama Was Married (Pineiro, Dolandis)
Into the Fire (Davis & Co) #
It's Never That Easy/ I've Been Here Before (Ganguzza, Cohen)
Ladies Singing Their Song (Springer & Co.)
Lion Tamer (Shandell)
Lizzie Borden (Springer & Co.)
Make Him Mine (R. Becker, Ganguzza, Fernandez) *
Make Them Hear You (Evariste)
Mama I'm A Big Girl Now (Cohen, Tepper, Reaboi)
Mamma Mia (Moreno & Co.)
Marry the Man Today (Schaeffer, Kornblath)
Master Of The House (Becker & Co.)
Matchmaker (Pompis, Grundt, Shandell)
Miss Byrd (Tepper)
Miss Marmelstein (Fisher) *
Molasses to Rum (Kaweblum)
Money Money Money (Moreno & Co.)
Music and The Mirror (Fernandez) *
Nothing Like a Dame (Ontano & Co.)
Nothing Really Happened (Ganguzza) Notice Me Horton
On Broadway
One Day More (performed anew by each class each year- won Critics Choice in 1999) *
Perfectly Marvelous (Bucknell, Reaboi)
Raining on Prom Night (Ladies of '03-'04) $
Ring Them Bells (Fisher) *
Sarah Brown Eyes
Seasons of Love (Men and Ladies of '99-'00)
Shy (Mason)
Single Man Drought (R. Becker, Florance, Robinson, ___) *
Something (Ganguzza, Graber)
Storybook (R. Graber) Strongest Suit (Murray & Co.)
Suddenly Seymour (Moloney, Witt)
Summer in Ohio (Murray)
Tear Jerk (Flaum, Blackinton) *
Tear Jerk (Tepper, Braun)
Tell My Father (Graber) *
The American Dream (Kaweblum)
The Baby Song (Steffek) *
The Boys (Men of '03-'04) $
The Grass Is Always Greener (Tepper, Moloney)
The Impossible Dream (Burgos)
The Miller's Son
The New World
The Story Goes On
Therapy (Dolandis, Graber) *
Think of Meryl Streep (Cohen)
Today Is The First Day Of The Rest of Your Life (Flaum & Co.)
Together Wherever We Go (Lejeune, Reaboi, Murray)
Too Many Mornings (Baker, Burgos)
Trouble- Smokey Joe's Cafe (Moreno, Reaboi)
Trouble- The Music Man (Braun & Co.)
Vanilla Ice Cream (Flaum) *
We'll Take A Glass (Witt, Bucknell) *
Wet (Witt, Tepper)
Wheels of A Dream (Flaum, Evariste) *
Wheels of A Dream (Hernandez, ___)
When I Look At You (Ganguzza) *
When You Got It Flaunt It (Murray)
Where Is Love (Yanover)
Why God Why (Graber)
Woman's World (Pineiro & Co.) *
Woman (Matos, Roeser, Kenner, Murray) *
You're Nothing Without Me (Defranc, Ontano)
You Can't Stop The Beat (Reaboi & Co.) *
You Could Drive A Person Crazy (Murray, Tepper, Kenner)
You Must Meet My Wife (Ramirez, Braun) $
You Rule My World (Wolfgang, Burgos)