Roger O. Hirson - Writer. Father of David Hirson Awards and nominations: 1973 Tony Award® Best Book of a Musical Pippin [nominee] 1967 Tony Award® Best Musical Walking Happy [nominee] Productions: PIPPIN Book [Original, Musical, Comedy] (Oct 23, 1972 - Jun 12, 1977). WALKING HAPPY Book [Original, Musical] (Nov 26, 1966 - Apr 22, 1967)

Stephen Schwartz wrote the music and lyrics for the current Broadway hit WICKED, and has also contributed music and/or lyrics to GODSPELL, PIPPIN, THE MAGIC SHOW, THE BAKER’S WIFE, WORKING (which he also adapted and directed), RAGS, and CHILDREN OF EDEN. He collaborated with Leonard Bernstein on the English texts for Bernstein’s MASS and wrote the title song for the play and movie BUTTERFLIES ARE FREE. For children, he has written songs for two musicals, CAPTAIN LOUIE and MY SON PINOCCHIO. He has also worked in film, collaborating with Alan Menken on the songs for Disney’s ENCHANTED as well as the animated features POCAHONTAS and THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME, and writing the songs for the DreamWorks animated feature THE PRINCE OF EGYPT. His first opera, SEANCE ON A WET AFTERNOON, was produced at Opera Santa Barbara and New York City Opera. A book about his career, “Defying Gravity,” has been released by Applause Books. Mr. Schwartz has been inducted into the Theatre Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame, and has been given a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame . Awards include three Academy Awards, four Grammy Awards, and a tiny handful of tennis trophies.

Dek Ingraham is a Pittsburgh-based director, actor, administrator, educator, and life-long student of theatre. Some of his most memorable projects include directing the North American premiere of Phil Willmott’s The Master’s Boy and associate directing the London premiere of The Guys by Anne Nelson. From 2006-2012 he served as a founding member and Managing Artistic Director of Phase 3 Productions. He is the creator of Prime Stage Theatre’s Second Stage series where he developed an evening of the speeches of John F. Kennedy to mark the 50th anniversary of his assassination that now resides in the Kennedy Presidential Library. He held the position of Festival Director for the Pittsburgh New Works Festival from 2015 - 2021 where he has also served on the board of directors since 2010. Before joining the SSA community in July of 2021, he proudly served the arts community of the Pittsburgh region for 13 years as a staff member at the Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council. Dek studied Theatre at Marietta College and, after a 15-year hiatus, completed his undergraduate degree at Chatham University in 2020 where he continues to serve on the advisory board for the Chatham Drama Club. He is in his final year as an MFA candidate at the University of Idaho, studying Directing and Theatre Pedagogy.

Dan Brill is thrilled to serve as Music Director for Pippin. Dr. Brill is in his 40th year directing high school Choirs, String Orchestras, Musicals, as well as teaching Music Theory. He first directed Pippin in 1992 (Mary Beth Gray, director, Billy Hartung acting instructor). The production was staged in Memorial Hall and won the Gene Kelley Awards ""Best Musical"" that year. This current production marks his 39th, (34 at SSA) as Music Director and Pit Orchestra conductor. He has sung professionally with the Mendelssohn Choir of Pittsburgh, the Bach Choir, and the Pittsburgh Camerata. Dr. Brill would like to thank SSA for the support he received in completing his DMA studies (1997) and funding several professional development study projects with world-class musicians. He would also like to thank the Production team for a great experience on Pippin, and thank the cast for their talent, commitment, and good humor from auditions through performances. Dr. Brill would like to thank his daughters (Anna 2009 and Katie 2010) and his wife, Penny, for their endless love and support that has made his personal and professional happiness possible.

Dr. Amanda Olmstead is thrilled to return to Shady Side Academy Senior School for another musical! Dr. Olmstead received her PhD in theatre and performance studies from the University of Pittsburgh, her MA in performance studies from New York University, and her BA in theatre and dance from the Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Her SSA credits include Now Hear This, 2020 (Music Director), The Mystery of Edwin Drood, 2019 (Choreographer), West Side Story 2013 (Associate Choreographer). She has also served as a director for the SSA middle school summer camp, Camp Ren (2017-present). Dr. Olmstead would like to take a moment to thank her incredible assistant choreographer, Riley Doyle, and her amazing dance captain, Liz Kamin--without whom this lively, complex, and beautiful production would not be whole.

Austin Davidheiser has worked as the technical director and resident designer for Shady Side Academy’s Hillman Center since 2010. During that time, he has designed lights, set and/or sound for over 20 student productions including two shows produced at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in Scotland. Austin has also been fortunate enough to mentor multiple students through their own set, light, sound, projection and prop designs for SSA productions in that time. During his time at the academy he has designed lighting for dozens Hillman Series events and rentals including the Miss Pennsylvania Pageant for seven years. Outside of SSA Austin has worked with a broad range of theater and entertainment organizations including colleges, touring groups, summer arts programs, summer stock theaters, regional theaters, and event and production companies including nine summers spent as the Technical Director for the Pennsylvania Governor’s School for the Arts. He designed lights and ran the load in crew for Kutztown University’s production of Lucky Stiff that was presented at the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival regional competition and was fortunate enough to work on an international collaboration of Forget Herostratus with director Armen S. Khandikian when he made his American debut. Notable SSA productions include: Into the Woods (2015), Macbeth (2016), The Addams Family (2017), Oedipus (2018), Little Shop of Horrors (2019), Dream (winner of the 2019 Prime Stage Drama Award for Best Crew) and The Mystery of Edwin Drood (2020).

Tonya Lynn is a Pittsburgh, PA-based fight director, teaching artist, and Certified Teacher with the Society of American Fight Directors. As a fight director, her credits include well over 100 productions at Pittsburgh area theaters, universities, colleges, and schools. Her credits include West Virginia Public Theatre, Colonial Williamsburg’s Hallam Players, City Theatre’s Young Playwrights’ Festival, the University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh Irish and Classical Theatre, Prime Stage Theater, Carnegie Mellon University, Robert Morris University, Seton Hill University, Westminster College, and Allegheny College. She has served as fight director for Pittsburgh Shakespeare in the Parks for over 15 years, and is a resident company member with the New Renaissance Theatre Company. As an educator, she has worked as an adjunct instructor in theatre at Point Park University and CCAC South Campus, and has been a guest artist for the University of Pittsburgh. Tonya has also worked as a teaching artist with Pittsburgh Public Theatre, City Theatre, Gateway to the Arts, and the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust.

Tron McConnell (Class of 1971) had been a member of stage crew (specializing in sound and lighting) when he was a student at SSA, and has been assisting with the winter musical productions at the Academy since 2008. He has worked on the productions of “Barnum”, “Guys and Dolls”, ”Kiss Me Kate”, “The Music Man”, “West Side Story”, “Grease”, “Into The Woods”, “Curtains”, “The Addams Family”, “Anything Goes”, “Little Shop of Horrors”, “The Mystery of Edwin Drood”,and this year’s production of “Pippin”. He finds that his engineering background is an asset for the design and construction tasks with which he is involved. Mr. McConnell wants to thank Austin Davidheiser, Dek Ingraham, and Dan Brill for giving him the opportunity to work with them on this year’s production and he also wishes to thank the cast, production staff, and pit orchestra for their efforts. And finally, he wishes to thank the students on stage crew with whom he has worked this year, for their dedication, their positive attitude, and their hard work.

Britt Pierce is an audio engineer with an education in music technology who lives for the unique satisfaction of creating just the right blend of music and voices.

Georgia Horgan (Form VI) is excited to stage manage her final show before graduation. She has previously served as Assistant Stage Manager and as an amateur playwright during her junior year and as a member of stage crew her sophomore year. She is grateful for the opportunity to work alongside so many talented students and adults to produce this show, but she is especially thankful for the support of the Assistant Stage Manager and SSA Theater Department’s unsung MVP, Ayli Davidson. Georgia would like to thank Hannah Romoff ‘21 and Mrs. Davidheiser for teaching her everything she knows about stage management and helping her become a (mostly) calm and collected leader; Tron for exemplifying strong values and reminding her where everything in the shop goes; Dr. O for her endless support over the past 2 years and her willingness to slow down dance rehearsal so I can record blocking; Mr. Davidheiser for his calm compassion throughout the year, but especially during tech week; and Mr. Dek for bringing life back to our theater program and rebuilding our community after the seemingly endless pandemic hindered its vitality. Georgia is incredibly lucky to be a part of SSA’s theater community and hopes you enjoy the show.

Ava Kronman (Form VI): This is Ava's fourth musical at SSA but her first opportunity to work behind the scenes as Assistant Director. She is thrilled to be a part of this tremendous team and grateful for the opportunity to bring this meaningful show to the Hillman. Special thanks to the Cast and Crew, Mr. Dek, Mr. DH, Dr. O, Dr. Brill, and all the SSA Faculty for their unending support and for always giving her "Magic to Do."

Riley Doyle (Form VI) is ready to participate in her next Senior School production! She came to the SSA Middle School in 8th grade; there she participated in the fall play A Midsummer’s Night Prom Dream (Mia, who was based off Hermia), and performed in the musical Peter Pan (Pirate). Freshman year, she was a part of Oedipus Rex (Greek Chorus) and Little Shop of Horrors (Ensemble). Sophomore year she choreographed a dance in the show A Midsummer’s Night Dream where she played the role of Snug/Lion. That same year, she was a featured dancer and assistant choreographer for The Mystery of Edwin Drood (Ensemble). Despite COVID, Riley did two more shows her junior year, Alice in Wonderland (White Rabbit) and Now. Here. This. (Ensemble). She has performed in over fifteen musical productions outside of school, making theater a real passion for her. In addition to the theater, Riley has taken dance classes since she was three, making dance one of her main passions. She would like to thank her excellent castmates, Mr. Ingraham, and the amazing crew for all the effort they put into making this show great!

Ayli Davidson (Form V) is excited to help put together this show. This is her third year of being a part of the musical, but this is her first time as Assistant Stage Manager, as previously she was part of Stage Crew. She has been on the run crew and lights during previous shows, and she loved both. Ayli has always greatly enjoyed working on the musical at Shady Side, and she is grateful for the opportunity as Assistant Stage Manager. Although this is a very different role in comparison to her previous work, she is enjoying exploring this new opportunity and the different jobs that come with it. Ayli has had a lot of fun working with everyone on Pippin, and she hopes that you will enjoy the show!

Elizabeth Kamin (Form V) is so excited to be on the leadership team as a dancer. She has been in dance classes forever at Pittsburgh CLO and is in their Professional Development Program now. She loves dancing and especially has loved working with Dr. O and Riley as apart of the dance team. Elizabeth wants to thank the incredibly talented cast for their hard work.

S.V. Krishna Lakkimsetty (Form V) is absolutely elated to be participating as a flutist in the pit orchestra for Pippin. Krishna first started learning flute in 4th grade and has remained dedicated to the instrument ever since. She recently began private instruction in flute with Ms. Rhian Kenny, Principal Piccolo of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. When Krishna first heard there was a flute part for Pippin, she immediately got involved. It was then merely a matter of time until she could get her hands on a piccolo and alto flute to play for Pippin as well. Krishna has immensely enjoyed working with her three flutes and her fellow pit musicians to make the show sound as great as possible. Earlier this year, Krishna attended the PMEA District 1 Band East Festival, and to her great surprise and joy, she managed to successfully audition her way into the PMEA Region 1 Band Festival, which she will attend in March. Although she does not expect to make the PMEA All-State Band Festival this year, she hopes to be able to do so in 2023. Krishna joined Shady Side Academy in fall of 2020 as a boarding student and will graduate next year in 2023. Outside of music, she enjoys studying Latin and English, although she wouldn’t mind a couple fewer essays to worry about writing.

Jason Xie (Form V) is playing in the pit orchestra for the first time this year, and has been in the band since middle school. Next to him is Blåhaj—the best shark: soft and cuddly—sent from heaven, a.k.a. IKEA. He enjoys calligraphy and writes in cursive, sometimes to the dismay of peers. He takes an interest in graphic design, especially typography, flouting the “1-inch margins, 12 point, double-spaced” requirement on many essays, as it isn’t the most legible, comes from the era of typewriters, and just looks plain ugly. Jason collects mechanical pencils and fountain pens (which he believes to be superior to the ballpoint), and plays chess sometimes, but badly. He doesn’t know any openings and will even blunder during them, but his opponents usually don’t notice, so it works out most of the time. Well, until he hangs mate-in-one. Anyways, he’s excited for this production and hopes to not muck up during it.

Chris Snyder is a graduate of Duquesne University's Mary Pappert School of Music where he earned his BS in Music Education with an emphasis in Jazz Trumpet. While at Duquesne, Chris studied with some of Pittsbrugh's finest musicians including Mike Tomaro, Dr. John Wilson and Sean Jones. He has shared the stage with several local jazz greats such as, Roger Humphries, Joe Negri, Dwayne Dolphin and Paul Thompson, among others. Currently, Chris has been teaching music as the Director of Bands in the Deer Lakes School District since 2006 where he teaches instrumental band in grades 6 through 12. He continues to play locally as a freelance musician for many high school and community musicals as well as with jazz ensembles in the Pittsburgh area. This will mark Chris's 18th year performing with the Shady Side Academy musical production company.

Matt McClintock is honored to be part of this amazing show. He has played numerous shows for schools in the area for many years. He spends most of his musical time in church as part of the worship team playing both bass and guitars with occasional string bass work. He has taught private lessons at Bentley and Romito studies, as well as at home. He has played in many local and regional bands including jazz, country, pop, blues and rock. He loves spending time with his family and teaching his son, an aspiring bassist.

Kirk Howe is excited to be returning to the theater after a nearly two year hiatus. Prior to this he has played for or music directed shows for many schools and community theaters in the area and is pleased to be joining the community at Shadyside academy for this production of Pippin. When not working in theater, he is a retired engineer who enjoys composing, playing organ, guitar, and chamber music and working in his shop.

Hari Viswanathan (Form IV) is excited to play keyboard for the first time in a musical. He has been playing piano for the past 7 years, and has performed with the SSA string orchestra and jazz ensembles. He especially loves playing and listening to jazz and rock music. Outside of the musical, you can find him playing soccer and chess, debating, or playing video games with his friends. He would like to thank Dr. Brill for the tremendous amount of effort he has put into making the show sound as great as possible, and his family for supporting him.

Stephen has a B.S. in Music Ed from IUP and Masters Degree in Educational Leadership from Westminster College. He is in his twentieth year at Springdale Jr-Sr High School. Stephen performs with numerous ensembles and musical productions from high school to the professional level.

Chance Handel (Form III) is very excited to be part of the pit orchestra for this year's production of Pippin. He is new to the SSA community this year. Chance is playing percussion in the pit. He is also in the school string orchestra where he plays cello. He began playing the cello at the age of eight in third grade. In the summers of 2017-2019, Chance attended Cello Fury Rock Camp. Chance was in the Carnegie Mellon Young Artists Orchestra between the fall of 2018-2019, where he became the vice principal. He auditioned for Symphonette (Part of Three Rivers Young Peoples Orchestras) in the beginning of 2020. He began all virtual, and moved back to in person for the beginning of the 2021-2022 season, where he is currently principal cellist. Chance hopes to join TRYPOs Young Peoples orchestra for the 2022-2023 season. Last summer, Chance attended the Ithaca College Summer Music Academy, where he worked on solo performance. This summer, he hopes to attend the High School program of the Interlochen Arts Camp.

Sadie Navid (Form IV) is thrilled to be playing the violin in the pit. She has played the violin since she was four and is a member of the Pittsburgh Youth Symphony Orchestra. Sadie has watched multiple SSA musicals when her siblings played in the pit. When she was little, Sadie often wondered where this magical source of music was coming from. Now it’s her turn! Sadie has made a lot of fun memories and would like to thank Dr. Brill for being so supportive and encouraging, especially when the music was 5 ledger lines high! Being a part of the pit ensemble has taught Sadie how to listen and play with a larger group. She is excited to use what she has learned when playing with the orchestra. In addition, the musical has led Sadie to meet new friends and become closer with classmates. Besides the violin, Sadie loves playing the piano, especially Bach, and playing soccer. The SSA Girls Soccer Team were 2021 district champions and WPIAL semi finalists. Some of her teammates are part of the production! Sadie really enjoyed watching the whole production come together. She is excited to be putting on this performance and hopes you enjoy the show!

Katy Appleman (Form VI) is very excited to participate as a violinist in Shady Side Academy’s performance of Pippin. This year will be Katy’s second time participating in the Shady Side Academy Pit Orchestra–her first show being The Mystery of Edwin Drood performed in 2020. Katy has enjoyed playing the violin for many years and she loves the opportunity to broaden her range with the varying genres and skills found in theater music. The difficult key signatures and interesting rhythms of Pippin’s score are something that Katy is excited to interact with. Katy is grateful for this challenging but fantastic opportunity to participate in the show.

Vanessa Han (Form VI) has been playing violin for 7 years. She is very excited to return to the Pit Orchestra for Pippin.

Melody Yuan (Form VI) is thrilled to be playing viola in the pit orchestra for this year’s show, Pippin. She has been playing viola for almost 7 years and has been in the SSA string orchestra since her freshman year. She played viola in the pit orchestra of the 2020 production of The Mystery of Edwin Drood and had an acting role in last year’s Now. Here. This.. She’s had a great time working on the incredible soundtrack with her fellow musicians as well as the cast and crew; she hopes you enjoy the show!

Sarah Voigt (Form III) is thrilled to be a part of the pit orchestra for this year's production of Pippin. She is new to the SSA community after attending Fox Chapel for elementary and middle school. Even though she has only attended Shady Side for a few months, she loves the school's supportive community and immersive environment. In addition to playing the cello in pit, she is in orchestra and has performed in both the fall and winter concerts. She began playing the cello when she was four years old through the Pittsburgh Music Academy. In the summers in elementary school, she went to Cello Fury Rock Camp. When Sarah was nine, she joined Symphonette, which is a part of the larger organization of Three Rivers' Young Peoples Orchestras. The following year, she became vice principal of the orchestra before auditioning into TRYPO's Young Peoples' Orchestra. Despite the Covid-19 pandemic, she continued to rehearse and perform in virtual and in-person concerts with YPO. Sarah is in her second year with the group, and is the current principal cellist. In addition to her involvement with TRYPO, she attended the intermediate program at Interlochen Arts Camp in Northern Michigan last summer. She hopes to move up to the high school program in the summer of 2022. Outside of music, Sarah plays tennis at Rashid's Clinic in Monroeville. She started on the girls' varsity tennis team in the fall and looks forward to next school year's season.

Inyaa Ashok (Form VI) joined SSA in sixth grade. She has been playing the cello for eight years. Inyaa played in pit for SSA's production of The Mystery of Edwin Drood and is very excited to be a part of this year's musical production. Enjoy the show!

Trinity Brock (Form IV) is ecstatic to partake for the first time in the crew of Pippin. She has had a great time creating set pieces with others and learning from them through the production of the show. Trinity typically participates in sports year round, but decided to try something new this year. This is her first time participating in the SSA theater program, and she is thankful for all the people she has met in the cast and crew, as well as the welcoming environment they’ve created. She is also gratuitous for the memories they have made together through this process. Trinity would also like to thank Mr. Ingraham, DH, and Tron for all they have taught her and all they have done to make this show happen. Finally, she thanks her family for their support and accommodations throughout this time. Trinity hopes everyone knows how much she is thankful for their help and that all enjoy the show!

Isabel Brunner (Form VI) is excited to be working on this year's musical. This is her eighth show at the senior school, and she will miss the theater community when she graduates. Isabel spends the majority of her time on stage crew building set pieces. She would like to thank everyone who worked on the show and she hopes you enjoy it!

Jeffrey Brunner (Form III) is excited to be participating in his second show at the Senior School. He has enjoyed setting lights and building set pieces for the show, and he is most proud of the work he did on Rapunzel’s tower. Jeffrey would like to thank Mr. Ingraham, DH, and Tron for all their help with the show. Jeffrey hopes you enjoy the show!

Natalie Caputo (Form IV) is thrilled to be the light board operator for Pippin. This is her first time being a part of Shady Side Academy’s theater program. Natalie has attended Shady Side Academy since sixth grade and she has always enjoyed watching the productions in the past. Natalie’s interest in art was what enabled her to join stage crew, as it allowed her to continue this passion and be creative as she helped paint the sets. Being a member of the stage crew has allowed Natalie to witness and gain even more appreciation for all the hard work that goes into putting on a musical production. It has also allowed Natalie to meet new people and form new friendships. In addition to being a member of the musical’s stage crew, Natalie is a part of the Shady Side Academy crew team that rows in the spring. Natalie is excited to be helping with the lights of this production and hopes all enjoy Shady Side Academy’s production of Pippin.

Carson Davis (Form III) is joining SSA as a new boarding student and will be joining the crew for the musical this year. Carson has previous experience in technical theatre from previous schools and activities.

Wellsy Farnsworth (Form VI) is in her first year being involved in the musical. She loves the Pippin soundtrack and cannot wait for everyone to see the show. She would like to wish to the cast and crew: Break a leg!

Tess Ghaznavi (Form VI) was a part of the stage crew for Pippin. She had fun painting pieces for the set and helping to organize the show. This is her first year working with the stage crew, and she enjoyed spending time with her friends.

Charlie Hannon (Form IV) is a first-time crew member who is excited to be a part of this production of Pippin. Before coming to SSA Charlie played Scar in the Lion King and Billy in Dear Edwina.

Maisie Johnston (Form IV) is delighted to be joining the crew of Pippin. She has not participated in SSA theater, and has had an amazing time learning. She is grateful for the opportunity to learn in this environment, and to the other members of crew for the memories. She enjoyed working with both the cast and crew on this show, and loved meeting new friends. She wants to thank DH, Tron, and Mr. Ingraham for all that they’ve done. Maisie thanks her family for their never ending support and accommodations. Maisie wants to tell everyone to enjoy the show and have fun watching!

Ryan Jones (Form VI) has not only enjoyed but also greatly appreciated the time he has spent assisting in the production of Pippin as a member of the stage crew. Having participated in numerous clubs and sporting teams he was more than ecstatic to participate in something more creatively based. Ryan really enjoyed not only building the set and getting to know the cast and crew members, but he particularly enjoyed learning the ins and outs and what brings a production to life. After finishing the stage set up he has now moved over to working with the sound team setting up and working the microphones for the performers. Ryan has greatly enjoyed this as well as it reminds him of his music elective freshman year with Mr. Nevola. This whole experience has been extremely educational and enjoyable for Ryan, serving as a memorable way to end his senior year.

Emmie Jordan (Form VI) is happy to be in the crew of this musical. This is her first year participating in an actual production.

Tommy Kann (Form III) is very excited to be a followspot operator in the musical this year. He has never been part of any theatre production before, and he has really enjoyed his time in stage crew. His favorite showpiece that he worked on during crew was the staircase. He also enjoyed helping to build the throne. Tommy thought that it was a lot of fun to help build some of the set with Tron. For someone who had never really used power tools a lot in their life, helping to build the set was a very fun learning experience, and it taught him some very good life skills. In addition, he really liked working with lights. For example, he briefly helped with the lighting of the cauldron, which he thought was really interesting. He also worked a bit with setting up the pit and microphones. He thanks DH, Tron, and Mr. Ingraham for making this a very fun experience. Tommy hopes that you all enjoy the show!

Juliet Krokosky (Form III) has been a part of the Shady Side Academy since pre-k. She was happy to join the theater community when she joined middle school and has been in shows since. Used to being on stage Juliet is excited to see what behind the scenes and in the shop looks like. She is happy to be apart of this show.

Harrison Lee( Form IV) is excited to be part of the crew for this extraordinary theatre production. After stuck building shelves last winter, he is grateful for these circumstances that allow the show to continue despite COVID. He hopes for a great performance by the cast and for the show to turn out a success.

Lochlan McGinnis (Form VI) is excited to be managing the sound board for this year's production of Pippin. Lochlan began his theatrical career in fourth grade by playing sound effects for a classmate-run production, and managed the sound and light boards during the middle school’s productions from grades 6 through 8. Throughout his time at the senior school, Lochlan has helped to produce five shows: Little Shop of Horrors, the Mystery of Edwin Drood, Now. Here. This., She Kills Monsters, and finally, Pippin. During the show, you’ll be able to see him in the back rows up by the board, where he’ll be mixing together all of the voices of the actors onstage. Enjoy the performance!

Maura Offstein (Form VI) is very excited to be a member of the crew for her first ever musical at Shady Side Academy. She has enjoyed both spending time with her friends while helping build the set for the musical and meeting new people along the way. She has particularly enjoyed learning how to operate the light board and helping paint the set.

Ganesh Pennathur (Form VI) is excited for this year's musical: Pippin! This is his fifth time being on the stage crew for an SSA Production, and fourth time helping backstage for the musical. Ganesh's love for the arts stems beyond the musical. Ganesh is an avid violin player and is a member of the school's String Orchestra for the past four years. He also had training in the flute and tap dancing. Outside of his arts activities, Ganesh has a variety of interests. He enjoys fundraising for St. Jude's Hospital and Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank, mentoring younger students, and participating in youth activities at the SV Temple. In his free time, Ganesh likes watching cricket with his family, cooking Indian food with his mother, taking pictures, listening to classical music, and collecting magnets from the different places he visited. Ganesh would like to thank his family (Amma, Appa, Krithika, and both Paatis) for their unconditional love and support in his endeavors. Ganesh hopes that you enjoy the show!

Parker Roscoe (Form IV) is very excited to participate in stage crew for the musical Pippin. Throughout her time working on the show, her main focus was painting the set and props. Although this is her first time in stage crew, she loved working alongside the cast and will be joining again as soon as possible. She is incredibly grateful for DH, Tron, and Mr. Ingraham for everything she has learned from them, and for creating such a fun, safe environment for the cast and crew. Parker would like to thank the other members of stage crew for helping to create such amazing props for the show, and the cast for their hard work to make the show as amazing as it is today. She thanks the audience for coming and supporting the show, and hopes you will enjoy it.

Rachel Silverman (Form VI) has had so much fun working on the stage crew for Pippin. As a last hoorah, she joined for her first time as a senior. Despite her time being cut short by illness, Rachel says she loved her experience on the crew.

Brynn Stanton (Form III) is very excited to be a part of the Pippin stage crew. She is new to the Shadyside community after attending multiple schools and participating in her schools production of The Wizard of Oz.

Nylah Trabulsi (Form VI) was a part of stage crew for Pippin. She enjoyed painting the set and organizing costumes for the show. This is her second time helping on crew and she enjoyed having the time to spend with her friends.

Erin Vanetta (Form VI) is a first time crew member and is a part of the deck crew. She enjoys the atmosphere and getting to be around her friends. Erin also enjoys watching the dance sequences and then acting them out with her deck crew friends. Erin also plays on the Shady Side girls soccer team, and is the co-creator of the Mental Health club at Shady Side. She will be attending Westminster College in the fall.

Madison Zunder (Form VI) was a part of stage crew for Pippin this year. This was her first time helping with an SSA production, and she really enjoyed her experience in the shop over the past few months. She would like to thank Mr. DH and the entire theatre family for welcoming and embracing her as part of the community.