About Us

Ironwood Ridge High School is a part of the Amphitheater Public School District.  The high school lies in Oro Valley and has a population of about 2000 students. The theatre program provides direction and opportunities for students to develop and showcase their talents, whether they be on stage or behind the scenes. Each year students can audition to be a part of 4 Main Stage shows. Classes are available throughout the school day including: Beginning Drama, Intermediate Drama, Advanced Theatre Productions, as well as Technical Theatre. In addition to participating in the Drama, Musical, and Technical Theatre Clubs while attending school, students can become a part of the International Thespian Society.

Awards

The IRHS Theatre program has been fortunate enough to send 5 students in the past 4 years to the Jimmy Awards (The National High School Musical Theatre Awards.) Sophia Franklin represented IRHS in 2017 for her role as Adelaide in our production of Guys and Dolls. While she attended the Jimmy’s she was awarded a special recognition scholarship. Danny Fapp and Elizah Knight represented IRHS in 2018 for their roles as the Baker and the Baker’s Wife in our production of Into the Woods. Chloe Elmer represented IRHS in 2019 for her role as Heidi in the student directed Title of Show. She also received a special recognition scholarship. Kendall Hicks represented IRHS in 2020 for her role as Deb in Ordinary Days. 

The IRHS Theatre program has also won several awards at the regional high school musical theare awards, The Monte Awards. In 2017, IRHS was awarded “Best Creative” for their technical work on Guys and Dolls. In 2018, Mary Dickson was awarded “Best Director” for her work on Into the Woods and Crazy For You. 

About the Director

AJ Lepore has been an educator, musician, director and vocal coach for the past 12 years. He received Bachelor of Music degrees in instrumental education, vocal education and vocal performance from the Chapman University Conservatory of Music in Southern California. After moving to Tucson, AJ taught middle and high school music and was the music director for a variety of theatre productions throughout town. Currently, AJ teaches theatre and technical theatre at Ironwood Ridge High School and leads contemporary worship at Resurrection Lutheran Church.