A Peek Into OCSA Shows

Sara Bradecich

OCSA has many exciting shows coming up, and some performances that have already happened! 

Integrated Arts’s “Pride and Prejudice,” adapted from the Jane Austen novel and directed by Kaitlyn Tice, opened Oct. 17. The show featured students in grades nine through 12, who had been working hard in rehearsals since early September. Actress Savannah McFarland (IA ‘26), who played the role of Caroline Bingley, commented on the rehearsal process, “Everyone in the cast is really great… I just feel like I'm with my friends 24/7.” Rehearsals also included a regency period hair workshop with help from PD students, which prompted McFarland to voice her thoughts about the time period’s outfits and hair: “It's really different, but it's also really feminine and cute. I really like that about the regency era.” The audience’s feedback on this show was nothing short of fantastic. Emma Rhodes (IA ‘25) said she thought the talent was Acting level. 

Speaking of, the Acting conservatory recently opened “Vanities,” a play written by Jack Heifner about the lives of three high school cheerleaders. Angeline Sanchez (ACT ‘25), an actress playing one of those three cheerleaders, explained that her co-stars are two of her best friends in real life, so building chemistry in their scenes has been easy. She also informed, “The story is very relatable to teenagers today, despite taking place in Texas in 1963.” This show opened on Oct. 24 and ran through Oct. 26.

In more spooky news, the CW conservatory had their “Scarefest” on Oct. 30, just before Halloween. In this spectacle, CW students performed one-act plays they wrote from Halloween-themed prompts to get people into the holiday spirit! Ashima Sharma (CW ‘25) says, “Scarefest always makes me laugh so much that my stomach hurts!”

Additionally, there are also a fun selection of shows that premiere this November, including MT’s “Classroom Cabaret”, a show fully developed by the students of MT. This show ran for two days, Nov. 5 and Nov. 6. 

IM-J also hosted their “IM-J: Big Bands Concert” on Nov. 6. The performance featured music from the Jazz canon and included special guest, Summer Camargo, a talented trumpet player who is the newest “Saturday Night Live” band member! As if this first show was not enough, IM-J has another performance on Nov. 13: their “Combo Concert,” which will include a mix of pieces from the past century and pieces created by students. 

Later this month, there are a few more shows to look forward to. From Nov. 15 to 16, PM will hold their “Evolution of Grunge” show where students will perform various fun grunge songs, ranging from Nirvana to Pearl Jam. 

On Nov. 17, the Ballroom Dance conservatory will have a fundraiser show called the

“Team-Match Dance-A-Thon.” Here, students will be split into teams for the audience to vote on. 

CV’s "Shakespeare And Friends: Celebrating The Great Poets Of English And Art Song," set to take place on Nov. 21, will have CV’s ninth grade class perform poetry set to music. 

Closing out the busy month is MT’s production of “Matilda”, which will run from  Nov. 21 to Nov. 23. “Matilda” is a musical adapted from the original Roald Dahl book, featuring the same beloved genius girl and her struggle with a family that doesn't understand her. Uniquely, this production includes cast members from all grades at OCSA, setting it up to be a popular hit.  

For any information on the upcoming shows, ticket information is available at boxoffice.ocsarts.net. We hope to see you there!