 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. At home, we have enjoyed enthusiastic audiences and a wealth of community support including many sold out houses and a renovated performance space in 2011. The program has been invited to perform full length featured productions at the EdTA: Ohio Chapter State Thespian Conference in 2001, 2005, 2007, 2011, 2013, 2016, 2018, 2023 and 2024. 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," from 2006-2008 and 2010-2020 and the National Company of the International Thespian Festival in both 2016 and 2017. Most recently, Northview has earned Honor Troupe Gold Status several times. Finally, Northview hosted the Ohio EdTA State Thespian Conference in March of 2013 and was chosen to host in 2021, but that designation was rescinded due to the global COVID-19 pandemic. Northview most recently hosted in 2024.
Some past directors (and years leading the program when known) include:
Nancy Brown, circa 1961
Ron Wallace, 1966
George Bang, circa 1971
Ron Elliot
Mark Ferguson, 1980 - 1983
Don Barnes
Brent Beerman, 1986 - 1989
Dan Dick
Judy Beebe, 1995 - 1998
Don Wachowiak, 1998 - 2001
Cori Krause, 2001 - 2002
Matthew Kizaur, 2002 - 2004
Don Wachowiak, 2004 - present
The current Sylvania Northview High School Theatre Program is under the direction of Mr. Don Wachowiak. He is assisted by a number of talented and passionate educators and artists that support the mission of educating our students and creating quality productions.
The Northview Theatre Department produces three full-length productions each school year. In the fall, 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 generally more available for the musical due to the number of positions required.
In the spring, 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 summer, a small cast musical is rehearsed and performed early in the school year. Auditions take place in May, rehearsals begin in July/August. Competition for these roles is highly competitive and auditions are open to current 9-11 graders in May of the previous school year.
In the past, Drama Club has produced a Winter One Act Festival where students have the opportunity to write and direct their own scripts. They also sponsor and produce the annual Red Carpet Awards.
Beginning in the 25-26 school year, the large musical will likely move to the spring and the play will likely move to the fall.
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