First Came the Operetta, Then the Musical

A TRADITION AS OLD AND SACRED AS SHA

There’s something magical that happens when you walk into a theater. Whether you’re taking a seat in the audience, constructing the set backstage, or stepping out under the bright spotlight, the theater has the power to unite us, to teach us, and to help us reach ever higher.

That’s why SHA’s award-winning theater program is such an important, and lasting, part of the school’s 75-year legacy. Originally called the “operetta,” the SHA musical has taken place each year since the first students enrolled in 1946.

“Being a part of the SHA musical has been an amazing and unforgettable experience that will always have a special place in my heart. Performing on the Shubert stage was an honor and such an incredible learning and growing opportunity.”

~ JULIANA COLONIS ’23 ~ Today, under the direction of theater veteran Mary Lee Delaney, our annual musical lights up the legendary stage of the Shubert Theater in New Haven to sell-out crowds. Students work alongside theater professionals on performance, set design, lighting, sound, and costuming. It’s an incredible hands-on learning experience, and SHA alumnae have continued on to impressive careers, working on the professional productions of Dear Evan Hansen, A Gentleman’s Guide, Mamma Mia!, A Bronx Tale, Come from Away, and Hamilton.

Even the pandemic couldn’t stop the show. When the musical’s plans were interrupted in spring of 2021, SHA’s cast and crew staged an impressive rendition of Hello, Dolly on the Chapel steps — a wonderful reflection of the SHA community’s strength and resilience. As Mrs. Delaney said, “For me, Dolly is a hero of saying YES to life, and this experience helped everyone involved to free their inner Dolly! I am so boundlessly proud of this cast and crew!”

This past December, the musical returned to the Shubert Theatre with a spectacular production of Holiday Inn, which was Mrs. Delaney’s 15th SHA musical. The show brought together more than 100 students; an orchestra directed by Jerold Goldstein; producer Kim Cramer Curbow ’81; choreographer Jean Gambardella Bracale ’77; female leads Brooke Sobolisky ’22, Juliana Colonis ’22, Imani Okech ’23, Emily Hortillo ’23; and performers from 12 local high schools.

As Sacred Heart Academy looks to the next 75 years, we know one tradition will remain constant — the magic of our annual musical. We acknowledge and congratulate all who have played a role, from starring to minor, in making the program a success since 1946.

75 Years: A Time to Celebrate

SHA & ND WEST HAVEN CELEBRATE 75 YEARS TOGETHER

The 2021-22 academic year marked the 75th Anniversary of both Sacred Heart Academy and Notre Dame High School. In celebration of this special milestone and the strong legacy of Catholic education, we were pleased to host a joint SHA/ND 75th Anniversary Parent Lecture Series with a focus on our mission, the important work that we do with our students, and the critical role that Catholic schools play in educating the whole person.

Father Ryan Lerner, Chaplain St. Thomas More at Yale; Pastor St. Mary Church New Haven, was the first speaker and discussed the important role that Catholic schools play in the lives of our students in today’s anxiety-driven culture. His inspirational words were a testament to our school’s mission and values.

Father Lerner highlighted that while it can be difficult raising a teenager, so can being a teenager! In 2021, teens are contending with unprecedented pressure during a critical stage in their personal development. The incessant comparison to others via social media and the pressure to impress have blurred the importance of healthy habits, emotional growth, and self-discovery. As the world becomes more digitally connected, many teens feel more isolated and anxious than ever.

As an independent, Catholic college-preparatory school we are known for an exceptional academic program. But we also have a sacred mission that is even more profound — to educate and nurture the whole person. This mission transcends academics with a tremendous impact on the lives of the young women we guide during these formative years.

UNITED IN MISSION FOR 75 YEARS.

“As we prepare our students to navigate life with confidence and compassion, we lead with love and nurture the intrinsic values of cultivating meaningful relationships, and knowledge of, and faith in God.”

Sacred Heart Academy Notre Dame High School

OTHER CELEBRATIONS TAKING PLACE THIS YEAR INCLUDE:

SHA/ND Alum Reception in Boston October 28, 2021

SHA/ND Athletic Event & Community Service Project February 4, 2022

SHA/ND Alum Reception in New York April 26, 2022

SHA/ND 75th All-community Anniversary Mass at the Church of the Resurrection in Wallingford, CT May 1, 2022

“At Sacred Heart Academy, we strive to teach young women to become confident, intelligent, and compassionate global leaders.”

~ SR. SHEILA O’NEILL, ASCJ, PH.D. ’71 ~