Students impress in annual Charity Cabaret

On Feb. 5, Ursuline staged the opening night of its eighth annual Charity Cabaret in the Auriana Theater, bringing together students across grade levels for one of the school's most anticipated performing arts traditions.

The student-run production is known for its wide-ranging song list, large cast, and distinct vision from its student directors. Continuing a longstanding tradition, this year's proceeds supported Sanctuary for Families, a nonprofit that assists survivors of domestic abuse and their families.

This year's cabaret was directed by five first-time student leaders: Mya Joseph '26, Emily Trezza '26, Mikayla Egan '27, Erin O'Brien '27, and Aishwarya Punnoose '27 — with Rose Cockburn '27 serving as choreographer. Together, they guided the largest cast in the production's history, bringing students from sixth through 12th grade to the stage.

The directors faced challenges throughout the creative process, particularly song selection and casting for such a large and talented group. Turning ideas into a finished show proved slower than expected for the first-time leaders. Still, they pushed forward.

"We sat down, organized all our thoughts, made a million spreadsheets and started chugging along," Trezza said. "My Google Drive is humongous.”

Two January snow days compressed an already tight rehearsal schedule, but the directors adapted without scaling back the show. For seniors Joseph and Trezza, the cabaret marked a meaningful final chapter. Trezza reflected on how the experience shaped her as a performer and a leader.

"It built my confidence," Trezza said. "I found a passion for performing and learned that I can actually do it in front of people.”

She also said she enjoyed watching middle school students grow into their roles during rehearsals. Among them was eighth grader Renata Uhlinskyy '30, who joined after initially mistaking Charity Cabaret for the Broadway musical "Cabaret."

"Once I started, I realized it’s so fun," Uhlinskyy said. "I love the directors and all the people I met here. I’d 100 percent do it again next year.”

The cast and crew also worked together to sell tickets for three performances, united by their goal of supporting Sanctuary for Families.

"At the end of the day, we want to raise as much money as we can," Trezza said. "And we get to have fun doing it.”

Highlights from the show included the full-ensemble number "You Can’t Stop the Beat" from Hairspray; "Tightrope” from The Greatest Showman, sung by Joseph and accompanied by dancer Isabella Carchipulla '28; and "When I Grow Up" from Matilda, performed by the middle school cast in Ursuline dress uniforms. Additional selections came from musicals such as Hamilton, Beauty and the Beast, Newsies, Little Shop of Horrors, and The Great Gatsby.

The school congratulates the cast and crew, along with faculty advisers Sylvain Falipou-Karkari and Kelly Gentry of the Performing Arts Department, on a successful production. Anticipation is already building for next year's Charity Cabaret.