Dramatic Arts builds confidence along with character

Have you ever wondered how Ursuline’s theater productions come together? Step behind the curtain to get a real look at how Ursuline’s fall play, “The Witches” by Roald Dahl, comes to life. You’ll see cast members tossing on their wigs in the changing rooms backstage and crew members arranging set pieces in the dark or hovering over the light and sound boards to hit every cue. It quickly becomes clear that the behind-the-scenes world of an Ursuline drama production is far more complex—and far more impressive—than the polished performances alone reveal. The cast, crew, and directors put in hours of work to make the magic happen.

The show follows an unnamed boy, played by Meghan McGovern ’27, on a whimsical adventure that feels quintessentially Roald Dahl. He lives with his Norwegian grandmother, portrayed by Alessandra Pisella ’27, who warns him about witches in wigs who turn children into animals. After he encounters the Grand High Witch, played by Sydney Bowles ’26, he teams up with his grandmother and his new friend Bruno, played by Rosie Murphy ’32, to stop the witches’ evil plan. Dahl’s book “The Witches” is delightful on its own, but seeing the story come alive on the Ursuline stage makes it even more engaging. Watching the show’s moving parts sync up—and knowing how much work students put into making that happen—makes the experience all the more impressive.

When you think of what goes into a play, you probably think of the cast first. And although this ensemble is on the smaller side, it includes sixth graders through seniors who truly function as a community. One of the key roles belongs to Murphy, a sixth grader. She admitted that acting alongside girls from every grade level felt a little intimidating at first, but she quickly grew confident thanks to the support and kindness of the cast and crew.

On the opposite end is Bowles, a senior who has taken part in drama productions throughout high school. She plays the Grand High Witch—the show’s main antagonist—and plans to study the dramatic arts in college. Bowles appreciates the range of opportunities Ursuline has offered her. “The chance to experience a range of performing arts at Ursuline has helped me broaden my experience in performing arts, especially working with professionals like Mr. Falipou and Ms. Gentry,” she said. She explained that these varied experiences helped her discover the direction she wants to pursue.

Backstage, the giggles as the girls helped one another get ready—and as the witches adjusted their wigs—showed how familiar and comfortable the cast had become with one another. But the real story lies in the work they put in, both on and off stage. When chatting with Gianna Durso ’31, Rose Moore ’32, and Murphy, they described acting exercises designed to help them “feel more witchy,” including “witch walks” and creating character biographies. Murphy even opened a Canva project she made to customize her biography with extra details.

One theme that came up again and again was how much the cast appreciates their co-directors, Ms. Kelly Gentry of the Performing Arts Department and Mr. Sylvain Falipou-Karkari, who teaches in both the Performing Arts and Religious Studies departments. Whether leading acting warm-ups or sharing detailed notes, the directors’ encouragement helped the girls take ownership of their characters. The students even contributed to tiny creative details. Durso shared that in the character biography she wrote for the directors, she imagined her witch with red hair. Holding up her costume wig enthusiastically, she said, “And look at this—they gave me a red wig!”

Of course, none of it would come together without the crew. Stage managers Julia Ralph ’26 and Gabby Guevara ’26 kept everything flowing backstage, coordinating scene changes, setting the stage and managing lighting cues. The crew also helped design and build the show’s set pieces with the support of Ms. Patricia DiIorio of the Visual and Media Arts Department. In the lighting booth, Chloe Stella ’28 worked with a small team to run the spotlights, sound board, and stage lights. She talked about the unique challenges of working the booth for “The Witches,” especially the lighting adjustments needed for the many scenes performed in front of the curtain.

Watching the booth team at work made it clear how much focus—and multitasking—the job requires, but also how much fun they have doing it. Stella said one of the best parts of tech crew is the friendships she forms in the booth. “It’s really nice doing shows at Ursuline because I get to work with people and become friends with people I’ll see every day.” She also shared how exciting it is to use Ursuline’s new lightboard and described a few lighting-booth traditions that make show days special.

Seeing what happens backstage gives you a whole new appreciation for what unfolds onstage. Every show requires constant communication, attention, and teamwork—skills these students strengthened over months of rehearsals. Their enthusiasm, creativity, and love for the dramatic arts shine through in every moment. And after watching all the energy and joy that went into “The Witches,” it's hard not to look forward to the next show.

Ursuline’s Drama Club lit up the stage with its vibrant and energetic production of “Legally Blonde, Jr.,” performed from March 27 through March 29. The musical, based on the novel by Amanda Brown and the popular film, brought to life the beloved story of Elle Woods, played by Carly Tauber ‘25, in a dazzling and dynamic way.

Supporting roles included Katie Miller ‘25, who shined in her TUS Drama debut as Paulette, Elle’s dog-loving hairdresser and friend, and Madalynn Tuttle ‘25, delightful in the role of Vivienne, Elle’s romantic rival. Freshman Lauren Tuffy ‘28 wowed in her first TUS drama production, bringing the role of defendant Brooke Wynham to life with a playfully choreographed “Whipped Into Shape.” Together, the cast and crew, which included students from grades 6 through 12, delivered a polished and engaging performance. 

From lively dance numbers to comedic moments and heartfelt ballads, the show captured the essence of Elle’s inspiring journey from fashion-forward sorority president to top Harvard Law student. The production also included performances by Iona Prep and Fordham Prep students, with Iona Prep senior Quinn O’Brien stepping into the male lead role, adding chemistry to the ensemble. 

It was really something to see! We had to set up folding chairs on Friday night to accommodate the audience. People were lined up out the door!”
- Mr. Cristian Deosa P’30, director of facilities

Under the direction of faculty moderator and performing arts teacher Mr. Sylvain Falipou-Karkari, the production was lauded for its seamless staging, impressive choreography, and strong vocal performances. “It’s a high-energy, uplifting story about self-discovery, resilience, and the breaking of stereotypes, which is both entertaining and empowering,” said Falipou-Karkari. He praises Ursuline seniors, Student Director and Choreographer Tauber - along with Maddie Alaimo, Cameron Caie, Isabella Ferrisi, Katie Miller, Annika Pitawala, Madeleine Spark, Olivia Spark, and Madalynn Tuttle - for their talent and commitment to the project and credits Visual Arts teacher Ms. Pat DiIorio for her vision with set design.

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The staging, costumes, and lighting created an immersive experience, with the cast’s enthusiasm shining throughout. Iconic songs had the audience clapping along, and the heartfelt finale reinforced themes of determination and self-confidence. With professional-level execution and dedicated young performers, “Legally Blonde, Jr.” was a resounding success, as noted by Mr. Cristian Deosa P’30, director of facilities, who added, “It was really something to see! We had to set up folding chairs on Friday night to accommodate the audience. People were lined up out the door!”

In her own words, Olivia Stella '26 reports on Ursuline's spring musical presentation, Sister Act Jr.

As the third quarter neared its close, students and teachers temporarily set aside academic demands to enjoy a night of song and dance provided by our very own TUS Drama Club.

Written by Glenn Slater with music composed by Alan Menken, Sister Act Jr is based on the smash hit 1992 film Sister Act and its musical counterpart, the Tony-nominated Broadway musical Sister Act. The musical's leading lady, a nightclub performer who goes by the name of Deloris Van Cartier, attempts to navigate the new rigid lifestyle that she must uphold to maintain a low profile while hiding among nuns in a convent, bringing a new perspective on emotional expression to the convent through her music, and in turn discovering a new outlook on life and friendship through her bonds with the sisterhood. 

The creative process behind making a musical of Sister Act Jr's caliber matches the musical's complex narrative in both scale and intensity. "It's difficult to schedule rehearsals around other extracurricular activities, like sports, clubs, or even other shows like the Cabaret," shared Ms. Kelly Gentry, performing arts teacher at TUS and co-director of Sister Act Jr. "Scheduling needed to cater to production needs, without overwhelming the students in the process."

Musicals, in particular, require a great deal of time and people to run smoothly. "A play is slightly different from a musical in terms of managing the visual composition of the stage with the scale of the production," says assistant stage manager and senior Annagh Tierney. "There were mainly two or three sets for plays like last fall's A Night of Shakespeare. With Sister Act Jr, there is a different set in almost every scene. I wouldn't say the differences are negative in any way; they are more like a different challenge to figure out."

As the actors captivate the audience under the stage lights, the wings and dressing rooms backstage are alive with movement, color, and energy. Many intricate processes are at work during any given number and must occur under intense time pressure. 

Considering all of these challenges in production, what makes this musical in particular appealing to an Ursuline audience? Mr. Sylvain Falipou-Karkari, another performing arts teacher and co-director of Sister Act Jr, answers this question. "For our first TUS Drama production, Ms. Gentry and I wanted to select something that was both fun to perform and had many strong female roles," he says. "Sister Act also has very interesting religious elements, especially in the music, which walks the line between choral and pop music." Combining religious images, music, and more serious moral topics with the musical's inherently playful and infectiously exuberant nature is an ambitious goal that pays off in its execution.

Sister Act Jr is far from a musical characterized by fantastical superfluity. "I want to communicate the importance of sisterhood, especially in the context of our all-girls high school," says Sofia Santana '24, about expressing the musical's message through her character. 

"My character, Deloris…forms strong bonds with the nuns at the convent, and by the end of the show, these women have all uplifted and supported each other. It's a really sweet message about girls supporting girls, even if they're different from each other, that I think can really resonate with our Ursuline community." 

"I think the musical as a whole can show that change is okay and how life is a balance of seriousness, but also lighthearted fun," states Laura Sanchez, an eighth grader and new cast member at TUS Drama. 

Mia Brown, a sophomore and fellow cast member, adds, "Both of my characters share the need to develop a sense of individuality. This is something that I really want to show to the audience and communicate the importance of expressing yourself as an individual. Society is constantly putting pressure on us to look, act, and wear certain things to "fit in." Despite that, it is much more important to 'Raise Your Voice' and be yourself!"

True to the musical's message, the defining aspect of the TUS Drama Club community is a sense of heartfelt pride and camaraderie. New cast member and freshman Aishwarya Punnoose elaborates on her experience in an interview: "I joined Ursuline in freshman year. Since this is my first show, I feel a mix of emotions, but most of all, I feel excited to share the amazing show we have brought together with everyone." 

Tackling a large project with an even larger group of people brings added challenges to balance school work and personal lives, yet it also brings joy and excitement to stressful school days. "I have made some of my closest friends by participating in shows here, and it's truly amazing to be part of such a supportive and loving community," Mia Brown states. "Getting to see my friends during rehearsals is always the highlight of my day, and it's so wonderful to share my love of theater with them!" 

Even after the final curtain call, when the stage lights dim and the bustling theater is emptied, the TUS Drama community continues to thrive in the memories of its student volunteers, teachers, chaperones, assistants, and parents. "I will miss the magic of putting a show together, the close bond between all of the cast and crew members, opening nights, cast dinners, the underclassmen, and my TUS Drama Family," senior and longtime cast member Carli Wallace confesses in an interview. "I've had the time of my life these past five years performing with people I love, and I will miss everything about performing on the Ursuline Stage." 

Our 2023 spring musical, "Kiss Me Kate," was a rousing success! The production ran from Thursday, March 23-25. For an insider's view of behind-the-scenes action on Opening Night, click HERE.

Our thespians presented the thrilling drama 12 Angry Jurors on November 17-19, 2022, in our Auriana Theater. This play is a classic, mature piece of dramatic literature based upon the original 12 Angry Men by Reginald Rose starring Henry Fonda. 12 Angry Jurors is a play that contemplates the huge responsibility of 12 ordinary people as they consider the guilt or innocence of a young man accused of murder.

The 12 jurors bring their own histories, prejudices, and biases to the jury room as they work through this life-or-death decision. The play was originally written for men only, in a time before women could serve jury duty. The jurors' final verdict and how they reached it—in tense scenes - electrified the audience and kept them on the edge of their seats.

This is a rare drama where most of the actors are onstage the entire show. The actors needed stamina, focus and great teamwork to tackle such a production.

We are incredibly proud of the entire cast! Directed by Edie Anne Reidy Fernandez, the cast was led by seniors Morgan Adamson and Leila Martinez, and junior Sofia Santana. Special thanks to our Tech Crew led by seniors Julia Higgins and Kat Mehler.

Photos by Chris Pope of Christopher Pope Photography.

The Ursuline School's trip " Under the Sea" on March 25 and 26, 2022 was a huge success.   In the first large musical production on stage since 2019's "Beauty and the Beast," the cast and crew were enthusiastic to get back to business.

The cast performed beautifully - singing, dancing, acting and, above all, enjoying performing.  Once again directed, choreographed and produced by Edie Anne Reidy Fernandez.  

The students not only took part on stage but created the sea world.  They sketched and painted every bit of sea life and set piece on that stage.  The many crew members were so tremendously dedicated in tech and backstage, making this tight knit group work together to create an unbelievable event.

Thank you to Chris Pope for the photographs.

Intrigue, blackmail, secret passages, and general mayhem were on the menu for a mysterious dinner party in the play "Clue" - featured on stage at Ursuline's Auriana Theater on November 19 and 20, 2021.

A talented ensemble cast of Ursuline students brought to life the famous characters in the classic Hasbro board game and 1985 Paramount movie in this hilarious farce-meets-murder.  Audience members received a Clue scorecard and pencil to keep track of who they thought committed the murder, in what room, and with which object!

Led by Wadsworth the butler, the characters raced o find the killer as the body count stacked up.  The ensemble cast was a tour de force with the actors onstage for the majority of the play in order to find out "who done it."

Photos by Chris Pope of Christopher Pope Photography.

From October 2020 to March 2021, our TUS Drama students studied over 20 plays and various styles of writing in a Drama Study Workshop.

The plays varied in style, genre, and era.  They were traditional, non-traditional, from literature and fantasy.  Each day the group worked on a different piece, learning how to perform in cold readings. The young thespians took on an assortment of roles and characters to interpret and portray.  This was a wonderful learning experience and a lot of fun. The end result was a "limited run" - the performance of 8 radio plays for their families, via Zoom, during the week of March 15, 2021. 

The format was a radio program. Students learned how radio programs created characters out of sound; they studied specific famous radio shows and the elements that assisted to carry the story along.  The tech crew researched each play diligently to choose appropriate sound effects.  Actors learned how to create character with their own vocal variations. They worked on applying emotions and expressiveness in the sound of their voice and not to rely on costumes, props, staging and movement. However, they did select appropriate Zoom backgrounds to convey a sense of the character and story. Our cast also worked on writing commercials for their radio plays.

In early April 2019, the Drama Club's presentation of Disney's "Beauty and the Beast" was truly enchanted storytelling. Amanda Moss portrayed the determined, intelligent and caring Belle with thoughtful acting and beautiful singing. Claire Queenan, as Cogsworth, clearly embodied the motions of a clock as she delivered lines with great character. Belle's father, Maurice, was depicted by Taryn Comizio, whose strong voice and exaggerated expressions engaged the audience.

Gaston's bumbling sidekick Lefou was played by Courtney McAloon with sassy energy. In the enchanted castle, each of the household items came to life with ingenious costumes and talented singing. Alexandra Sayegh was motherly and wise as Mrs. Potts. Alexa McRedmond as Chip showed earnestness and nimbleness. Caralyn FitzPatrick portrayed the wardrobe with dramatic flair. The flirtatious Babette was well played by Katie O'Donoghue.

On November 16 and 18, 2018, our Drama Club presented entertaining and sophisticated theater to an appreciative audience, this time with the staging of a new adaptation of Shakespeare directed by Edie Anne Reidy.  In our Ursuline drama tradition, we approach many styles and genres of plays over the years so that all students can experience a wide range of theatrical repertoire.  This year, we again explored the words of the Bard with the presentation of  "A Night of Shakespeare."

The first act portrayed Shakespeare sleeping, and dreaming up his characters, each of whom then recited well-known monologues. The second act was an abridged presentation of "A Midsummer Night's Dream," a popular Shakespeare comedy.  

Twenty-five students had the opportunity to study a monologue, character and play, and then perform the monologue. The cast shared inquiry discussions to synthesize all of the thinking that students had done about this classic writing. Yet another example of the chance to think critically and deeply about complex issues and an author's craft.  The cast discussions also prepared the actors for more interpretative portrayals of their characters. 

All the actors delivered the challenging lines with understanding, nuance and grace. Amanda Moss (as Shakespeare/Helena), Claire Queenan (in the role of Jane), and Alexandra Sayegh (as Mistress Ford/Hermia) were excellent on stage and provided leadership to the rest of the cast during the rehearsal process. Taryn Comizio embodied her characters with vivid facial expressions and body language. Violet Lee Cadet was heartfelt as Lady Macbeth. Courtney McAloon was compelling as the comic fairy Puck. Ava Pallotta was marvelous as Cleopatra. Congratulations to cast and crew on an exceptional Shakespeare production! And special thanks to alumnae Kaitlin Laureano '14 and Olivia Iannotti'14 who displayed Ursuline drama spirit by coming home and assisting our production.

The Ursuline School Drama Club was certainly "All in This Together" performing the energetic stage version of the 2006 Disney film "High School Musical" in April 2018.  Alexa McRedmond and Owen McKinney, as Gabriella and Troy, were great romantic leads. Their vocal harmonies and their immediate chemistry drew in the audience.  Amanda Moss delivered a compelling portrayal of Sharpay, the musical theater diva with a sassy attitude.  Sharpay's twin brother, Ryan, was played by CJ Cotza, who brought an earnest and sympathetic quality to the character.

Meghan Hartson, as Gabriella's friend, Taylor, who is president of the scholastic decathlon, sang with her characteristic emotion and excellent phrasing.  Olivia Ross was outstanding in her portrayal of Ms. Darbus, East High's eccentric homeroom and drama teacher.  Caralyn Fitzpatrick captured the creativity and quirkiness of Kelsi, the aspiring composer.

Edie Anne Reidy's direction was sharp and well-paced.  One highlight of the excellent choreography was during the song "Get'cha Head in the Game" when the basketball team members adeptly synchronized their basketballs.  The cheerleaders, led by dance captain Jennifer Nunez, expertly performed cartwheels and encouraged the crowd.  Michael Ficocelli's musical direction supported the strong vocal solos throughout.  The costumes very clearly expressed the qualities of the different high school cliques which are central to the story.  

It was evident that the whole cast was totally committed, and the heart of the show really came through. Just as dedicated was the Tech and Stage Crew under the direction of Pat Schifini, OSU.  Shout outs to Morgan Blank, Jules Leone, Grace Smyth, Ariana Guzman, Danielle Clifford Johnson, Gianna Gerbasi, Isabella Gerbasi, Victoria Gerbasi, Jenna Kriegel, Kaitlyn Wertlieb, Morgan Wertlieb, and Katherine Mehler.

Violette Lee Cadet '20 and Carmen McGuigan '20 produced and directed an amazing Cabaret on January 18, 2019. Congratulations to all those who took part in the "Night of Broadway." 

The show dazzled the crowd with outstanding comical and serious performances of the great Broadway shows such as Hairspray, In The Heights and Wicked.  Over 20 students in grades 6-12 performed.  The finale was the full cast performing "When I Grow Up" from the show Matilda. 

A special thank you to Dr. Adamo, who accompanied the performers, Sr. Pat Schifini, who handled the tech room and Ms. Johnson, who served as the faculty coordinator. The price of admission was a free will donation to benefit Sanctuary for Families, a non-profit organization that helps victims of domestic abuse and their children. 

Thank you to Chris Pope for the excellent photos.

A tip of the hat to the cast and crew of "It's A Wonderful Life" who performed beautifully in The Auriana Theater shortly before Thanksgiving 2017. The audience tremendously enjoyed a seamless performance by the students.

Many people have seen the 1946 film version of this classic Christmas story, which starred James Stewart as George Bailey, a man who had given up on his dreams and on life. You may recall the guardian angel, Clarence, who helps George appreciate his worth. The play reaches all with its message that every life touches so many others. You must appreciate what you have while you have it and not take the small things for granted. It is Zuzu, George Bailey's daughter, who says to her father the famous line: "Look, Daddy. Teacher says, every time a bell rings an angel gets its wings."

Outstanding leadership by senior Meghan Hartson as George Bailey and junior Amanda Moss as Clarence throughout the rehearsal process brought forth a touching and moving performance by the cast. Alexandra Sayegh, Claire Queenan and Caralyn Fitzpatrick had remarkable moments in the show. You could see the cast truly bonded and made every effort to perform at their best. The show flowed beautifully and the backdrop was stunning. We thank Chris Pope of Pope Photography for the excellent photos.