St. Michael's Catholic Academy Launches Austin Repertory Theatre (ART) with January 2023 Production of THE MIRACLE WORKER

 

Austin Repertory Theatre @SMCA partners students and industry professionals for theatre productions and immersive learning

(www.smca.org)We are thrilled to announce the official launch of the Austin Repertory Theatre @SMCA (ART) company, a first of its kind in the Austin area. Longtime dream of Sarah Stuart, Director of Theatre at St. Michael’s Catholic Academy, this company will provide students the opportunity to cultivate skills and become fully immersed in the art of theatre by working side by side with industry professionals.

“This company is truly out of the box, and so unique to theatre curricula. Through repertory theatre students share the art form in the most active way with professionals in the community. There is a visceral process that unfolds where you are seeing the participants growing together as an ensemble. The kids are involved with that discovery and they see the passion, the actors committing to the role in these very tangible ways.”- Sarah Stuart, Director of Theatre at St. Michael’s and Co-Artistic Director of the Austin Repertory Theatre @SMCA.

In collaboration with Milton Zoth, most recently the Artistic Director of Austin Actor’s Studio, the first production to be directed and produced by ART @ SMCA, The Miracle Worker, will run January 14-29, 2023. For more information on tickets and ART @ SMCA visit https://www.smca.com/arts/austin-repertory-theatre.

The mission of the Austin Repertory Theatre @SMCA is to provide engaging experiences that motivate students through active learning, critical thinking, and innovative problem solving while serving to ignite a full artistic experience. An extension of the HALO (Hub for Advanced Learning Opportunities) curriculum, St. Michael’s students gain hands-on experience in technical theater, light and sound design, acting, and professional production management.

“Being in the repertory theatre company is an amazing experience. Everyone is so sweet and open and I’ve learned so much. It is a lot of work but definitely will be worth it when we get to perform for friends and family.” -Sofia Mireles (Class of 2026) who is sharing the role of Helen Keller in “The Miracle Worker”.

 

St. Michael’s Catholic Academy is a Christ-centered, college preparatory high school in Austin, TX. A leading-edge, independent, exclusively 9th-12th grade learning environment centered on the four pillars of its mission: service, integrity, intellectual curiosity, and courage.

Sarah Stuart currently leads the theatre program at St. Michael’s Catholic Academy as the Director of Theatre Arts and has directed and acted in numerous musicals and plays in and around Austin. More recently, Sarah acted in the U of TX New Theatre, 381 Bleeker, and in The Seagull at Austin Shakespeare. Throughout her career, Sarah also acted in several productions at the Conservatory of Theatre Arts in St. Louis, Missouri and the Pacific Conservatory of the Performing Arts in Santa Maria, California. For additional information contact Sarah Stuart (sstuart@smca.com).

Milton Zoth recently served as the Artistic Director of Austin Actors’ Studio where he directed The Diviners, The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie, Let the Right One In and Wolves. He also served as Artistic Director of St. Louis Actors’ Studio from 2006 to 2014. While there, he developed and opened a world premiere, Day of the Dog, by Daniel Damiano and then took the production to New York at 59E59 Theatre. Milt also worked with playwright Neil LaBute and others to develop new works which premiered in New York. Milt holds an MFA in Directing from Webster Conservatory of Theatre Arts, St. Louis, Missouri.