Northview Theatre

 

The 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. Ms. Dawn Gallehue, 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 musical is performed. Recently, Northview began producing their musicals at The Franciscan Theatre of Lourdes College and plans to continue in the future. Acting roles for lead or featured characters are often very competitive.

  

In the spring, Northview Theatre produces a full-length play. 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.

 

	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 to Northview Theatre in the spring of 2004 as the technical director for Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, 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.
	Ms. Dawn Gallehue, Vocal Director Ms. Gallehue 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. Ms. Gallehue also directs Northview's Choral Music program. Previously, Ms. Gallehue 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 joins the Northview directing team in the fall of 2009 as the choreographer for Seussical. She is the the drama and public speaking teacher, director and choreographer of theatre productions, and the assistant speech coach 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. Ms. Shepard has also directed and choreographed for Orphan Productions, Inc., Springfield Junior High School and the Toledo Rep.

 

 Photos courtesy of John Fenstamacher, INVU Portraits