St. Michael’s Catholic Academy Launches New Repertory Theatre Company

By Anne DeVries & Alexa McGlathery

This January, the first production from the newly formed Repertory Theatre Company at St. Michael’s Catholic Academy (SMCA) will hit the stage. The debut of the new consortium, between professional actors and SMCA students, is a production of The Miracle Worker. It runs from January 14-29th at the Gloria Delgado Theatre on the St. Michael’s Catholic Academy’s campus.

The newly established Austin Repertory Theatre Company at SMCA is the first of its kind in the Austin area. The company will provide high school students with opportunities to work alongside industry professionals while developing their passion for the performing arts.

The unique union between professionals and aspiring high school actors is an element of the newly established extension of SMCA, called HALO (Hub for Advanced Learning Opportunities). Due to officially launch next month, HALO seeks to provide classes, workshops, and outside opportunities for students in many disciplines to work with industry experts in a real-world atmosphere.

Sarah Stuart, the Director of Theatre Arts at SMCA, leads the theatre program at St. Michael’s Catholic Academy. Sarah and her long-time colleague Milton Zoth co-founded the Austin Repertory Theatre at SMCA.

Both have an established presence in the theatre world.

Stuart has directed and acted professionally in numerous musicals and plays all over the country. Zoth holds an MFA in Directing from Webster Conservatory of Theatre Arts and currently serves as the Artistic Director of Austin Actors’ Studio.

The company’s first production, The Miracle Worker, is a story about the life of Helen Keller. The cast is composed of six adult actors and four SMCA student actors. The support crew includes five students and six adults who work side by side to provide AV requirements, set managers, and a professional box office crew. This first undertaking of the Austin Repertoire Theatre at SMCA is proving to be a wonderful experience for the student actors. SMCA freshman Karolina Andarza, who is sharing the role of Helen

Keller, stated, “It’s been really interesting working with adults. I have only worked with people my age for most of my life. We got the show going, and we finished both acts in one month when it usually takes two months.”

Sofia Mireles, also playing Helen Keller, added, “The adults are all so sweet. They give us a ton of tips and are very welcoming. They mentor us, so it’s been really great integrating with them.”

Not only have the industry adults been mentors to the kids, but they’ve also pushed the kids to become better actors themselves. Nash Dahl, a Sophomore at SMCA who plays Helen Keller’s ½ brother James, commented, “It was pretty crazy to see how easily the adults got their accents in. The first day the adults were busting out this amazing accent!”

Creating the new group is an exciting addition to the theatre community in Austin. The opportunity for seasoned actors to mentor students, build and practice their craft, and provide artistic flavor to Austin will be enjoyed by many. Tickets for the upcoming final performances of the Miracle Worker are available for purchase at www.SMCA.org.

Future opportunities to attend an Austin Repertoire Theatre Company at SMCA production will be posted on the SMCA website and Instagram page.

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