The 2024-25 OLSH Theatre season kicked off early this year with the student-produced drama Steel Magnolias. This production is in addition to the upcoming Fall Theatre Festival, Christmas Play, and Spring Musical.

What sets this show apart is the significant student involvement in every aspect of the production. Fifteen dedicated students took the reins in all areas of production, showcasing and strengthening their creativity, organizational, and teamwork skills. These sophomores, juniors, and seniors were responsible for directing, acting, designing costumes, building the set, organizing props, managing lights and sound, crafting promotional materials, and running the stage crew. What makes their success even more remarkable is that they accomplished this in just one month.

This production also serves as the school's entry into the Prime Stage High School Drama Awards, which honors excellence in non-musical high school drama. This is the second time OLSH has participated in this competition, following last fall’s We Are The Sea — which was nominated for nine awards and won for Best Costume Design and Best Makeup Design.

With a small cast of just six junior and senior girls, the two-hour performance highlighted the remarkable abilities of these young actresses. Kayleigh Scialabba-Meehan '26, Marena Miller '26, Zoe Vesci '26, Rachel McDevitt '25, Marin Reinhardt '26, and Sophia Smith '26 captivated the audience with their dynamic portrayals of close-knit friends in a Southern beauty salon, skillfully balancing humor and heartache.

Senior Leo Matthews directed the show. He coordinated the entire production, ensuring that all elements — from actor blocking to technical execution — came together seamlessly.

Congratulations to the entire cast and crew for an outstanding production!

Steel Magnolias Production Team:

Bridget Fogle - Program/Poster Design, Crew

Isaac Jones - Assistant Director, Lighting, Set Design

Jordan Jones - Assistant Stage Manager, Prop Manager

Samantha Lang - Set Design, Crew

Leo Matthews - Director

Rachel McDevitt - Costumes

Marena Miller - Hair/Makeup, Costume Team Lead

Sophia Muoio - Program/Poster Design, Crew

Caleb Mutschler - Sound Manager

Sean Mutschler - Set Design, Crew

Marin Reinhardt - Costumes, Hair/Makeup Team Lead

Kayleigh Scialabba-Meehan - Hair/Makeup, Costumes

Addy Valvo - Stage Manager

Zoe Vesci - Costumes

Photo credit: Gracie Perry '26