PRHS Students to Take
to Stage at O’Reilly

 Fifty-six Pine-Richland High School (PRHS) Theater students will be taking to the stage during the Pittsburgh Public Theater’s Shakespeare Monologue and Scene Contest on Feb. 8, 2007 at the O’Reilly Theater in Downtown Pittsburgh.  Students from schools across the state will be competing from 9 a.m. – 9 p.m. all week Feb. 5-9, 2007. 

This annual winter event is open to all elementary, middle and high school students in grades 4 – 12 who compete for a total of 13 finalist positions in all categories: Lower Division (grades 3-8) and Upper Division (grades 9-12).  

 

Those who advance to the final round of the contest have the opportunity to perform before an audience at the Showcase of Finalists at 7 p.m. on Feb. 12, 2007.  All student participants will receive a Public Theater T-shirt and a voucher for two complimentary passes to a Public Theater production. 

 

All finalists receive Shakespearean texts and each winner receives two Gold Flex Plans and The Arden Shakespeare.  

 

Theater teacher Michelle Bruno said that more than 100 school districts from Western PA compete in this competition.  

 

"The theater students deserve the credit," said Bruno  "They work hard and it shows! We have talented students who are not afraid of stepping out and taking risks.  This is a professionally produced production on 2/12 usually hosted by Ken Rice and broadcast via PCNC courtesy of Comcast Cable."  

 

On January 12, 2007, PRHS hosted a Shakespeare Workshop here at the PRHS.  In conjunction with the Pittsburgh Public Theater, PRHS theater students worked in small groups with professional actors, directors, and Acting professors from Point Park and the University of Pittsburgh to refine their selections for the competition. 

 

Students Arielle Katcher and Cara Bastianini said, "It is a great opportunity to learn from professionals."

“There were six professional directors, actors and professors who came to work with the students,” Bruno said.  “It was an outstanding workshop and the kids loved it.” 

 

For more information, you can log on to www.ppt.org and click on the education section.