Northview Theatre

 

Northview Theatre has its roots in programs originally created by Margaret Fairchild in September of 1928. It was during these years that Ms. Fairchild developed speech and drama classes for Sylvania Schools and became affiliated with the Ohio Speech League and the National Thespian Society for High Schools (now, the International Thespian Society). The program enjoyed many successes. According to Robert Wyandt in A Century and a Quarter of Education: Sylvania Public Schools 1841 - 1966, Ms. Fairchild states "in 1941, we won first place in the state one act play contest with Lawd Does You Understand? ... and entered the National Thespian Contest at the University of Indiana and received a superior rating."

 

The Northview Theatre program has enjoyed recent success as well. The program has been invited to perform full length featured productions at the Ohio EdTA Thespian State Conference in 2001, 2005, and 2007. Northview Theatre also received a nomination to participate in the American High School Theatre Festival in 2008. Northview students have been selected to participate in the Ohio EdTA's "All Ohio Show," in 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2010.

 

Some past directors (and years leading the program when known) include:

Mark Ferguson 1980 - 1983

Don Barnes

Brent Beerman 1986 - 1989

Dan Dick

Judy Beebe, 1995 - 1998

Don Wachowiak, 1998 - 2001

Cori Krause, 2001 - 2002

Matt Kizaur, 2002 - 2004

 

The current Sylvania Northview High School Theatre Program is under the direction of Mr. Don Wachowiak. He is assisted by Ms. Courtney Altenburg, Assistant & Costumes Director and Mr. Jason Rahe, Technical Director. Mrs. Dawn Kingman, vocal director, Mr. Gene Bohland, instrumental director, and Ms. Brandi Shepard, choreographer join the directing team for Northview's full-length musical productions.

 

Northview Theatre produces two full-length productions each school year. In the fall, a full-length play is performed. To give Northview's theatre students exposure to a variety of acting opportunities, the program attempts to rotate between comedies and dramas in various styles. Acting roles for the play are highly competitive as most plays have a cast of 8 - 12 people. Technical positions are competitive for the play as well.

  

In the spring, Northview Theatre produces a full-length musical, rotating between classic/traditional and contemporary titles.  Acting roles for lead or featured characters are often very competitive. Technical positions are more available for the musical due to the number of positions required.

 

Drama Club currently produces a Winter One Act Festival where students have the opportunity to write and direct their own scripts. They also sponsor the year end Red Carpet Awards.

 

	Mr. Don Wachowiak, Director Mr. Wachowiak's Northview debut was directing Marvin's Room in 1998. After leaving Northview for three years, Mr. Wachowiak returned in 2004, and has led the program since. Mr. Wachowiak holds a Bachelor's degree in Communication Education and a Master's degree in Classroom Technology from Bowling Green State University. Mr. Wachowiak currently serves on the Board of the Ohio Educational Theatre Association.
	Ms. Courtney Altenburg, Assistant & Costumes Director A Northview Theatre alum ('99), Ms. Altenburg joined the Northview directing staff in the spring of 2004 as the costumer for Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. She has costumed every full-length production since. Additionally, Ms. Altenburg made her directorial debut in the spring of 2008 with the female version of Neil Simon's The Odd Couple.
	Mr. Jason Rahe, Technical Director Mr. Rahe joined the Northview Theatre directing team in the spring of 2008 when Northview Theatre produced both male and female versions of Neil Simon's The Odd Couple.
	Mrs. Dawn Kingman, Vocal Director Mrs. Kingman began teaching at Northview in the fall of 2007 and quickly made her mark on the Northview Theatre program when first becoming involved with the musical Thoroughly Modern Millie. Mrs. Kingman also directs Northview's Choral Music program. Previously, Mrs. Kingman taught and was involved with musical theatre at Tallawanda High School in Oxford, OH.
	Mr. Gene Bohland, Instrumental Director Mr. Bohland has directed the pit orchestra for Northview musicals since the late 1980s. He is the director of Northview's Marching, Concert and Jazz bands.
	Ms. Brandi Shepard, Choreographer  Ms. Shepard joined the directing team in the fall of 2009 as the choreographer for Seussical. She teaches, directs, choreographs, and coaches speech at Sylvania Southview HS. Ms. Shepard holds a Bachelor’s degree in Language Arts Education and Theatre from Ohio Northern and a Master’s degree in Theatre from the University of Akron. She has performed professionally in Ohio, Indiana, and Kansas and has directed and choreographed for Orphan Productions, Inc., Springfield Jr. High and the Toledo Rep.

 

 Photos courtesy of John Fenstamacher, INVU Portraits