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Northview Theatre has its roots in programs originally created by Margaret Fairchild in September of 1928. It was during these years that Ms. Fairchild developed speech and drama classes for Sylvania Schools and became affiliated with the Ohio Speech League and the National Thespian Society for High Schools (now, the International Thespian Society). The program enjoyed many successes. According to Robert Wyandt in A Century and a Quarter of Education: Sylvania Public Schools 1841 - 1966, Ms. Fairchild states "in 1941, we won first place in the state one act play contest with Lawd Does You Understand? ... and entered the National Thespian Contest at the University of Indiana and received a superior rating."
 
The Northview Theatre program has enjoyed recent success as well. At home, we have enjoyed enthusiastic audiences and a wealth of community support including many sold out houses and a renovated performance space in 2011. The program has been invited to perform full length featured productions at the EdTA: Ohio Chapter State Thespian Conference in 2001, 2005, 2007, 2011, 2013, 2016, 2018, 2023 and 2024. Northview Theatre also received a nomination to participate in the American High School Theatre Festival in 2008. Northview students have been selected to participate in the Ohio EdTA's "All Ohio Show," from 2006-2008 and 2010-2020 and the National Company of the International Thespian Festival in both 2016 and 2017. Most recently, Northview has earned Honor Troupe Gold Status several times.  Finally, Northview hosted the Ohio EdTA State Thespian Conference in March of 2013 and was chosen to host in 2021, but that designation was rescinded due to the global COVID-19 pandemic. Northview most recently hosted in 2024.
 
Some past directors (and years leading the program when known) include:
 
Nancy Brown, circa 1961
Ron Wallace, 1966
George Bang, circa 1971
Ron Elliot
Mark Ferguson, 1980 - 1983
Don Barnes
Brent Beerman, 1986 - 1989
Dan Dick
Judy Beebe, 1995 - 1998
Don Wachowiak, 1998 - 2001
Cori Krause, 2001 - 2002
Matthew Kizaur, 2002 - 2004
Don Wachowiak, 2004 - present
 
The current Sylvania Northview High School Theatre Program is under the direction of Mr. Don Wachowiak. He is assisted by a number of talented and passionate educators and artists that support the mission of educating our students and creating quality productions.
 
The Northview Theatre Department produces three full-length productions each school year. In the fall, Northview Theatre produces a full-length musical, rotating between classic/traditional and contemporary titles.  Acting roles for lead or featured characters are often very competitive. Technical positions are generally more available for the musical due to the number of positions required.
 
In the spring,  a full-length play is performed. To give Northview's theatre students exposure to a variety of acting opportunities, the program attempts to rotate between comedies and dramas in various styles. Acting roles for the play are highly competitive as most plays have a cast of 8 - 12 people. Technical positions are competitive for the play as well.
 
In the summer, a small cast musical is rehearsed and performed on the first weekend that school is back in session. Auditions take place in May, rehearsals begin in July and the show runs in late August. Competition for these roles are highly competitive and are open to current 9-11 graders in May of the previous school year.
  
In the past, Drama Club has produced a Winter One Act Festival where students have the opportunity to write and direct their own scripts. They also sponsor and produce the annual Red Carpet Awards.
 
 
 
 

Meet the Directing Team...

Mr. Don Wachowiak, Director

Mr. Wachowiak's Northview debut was directing Marvin's Room in 1998After leaving Northview for three years, Mr. Wachowiak returned in 2004, and has led the program since. Mr. Wachowiak holds a bachelor's degree in Communication Education and a master's degree in Classroom Technology from Bowling Green State University. Mr. Wachowiak currently serves on the board of the Educational Theatre Association: Ohio Chapter and has most recently appeared on stage in Issue Box Theatre's The Willard Suitcases (2023).

 

Ms. Rosie Best, Assistant Director

Ms. Best joined Northview Theatre as a guest director for Little Women in 2018 and joined the Northview staff as the assistant director for Working in 2019. Ms. Best is the founder and Artistic Director of Issue Box Theatre.

Mr. Jeremy Davis, Vocal Director

Mr. Davis joined Northview in the fall of 2012 and the Northview Theatre directing team in the fall of 2013 for Shrek The Musical . He made his Northview directing debut with The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee in 2015. Mr. Davis was formerly the vocal and theatre director at Bryan HS and spent some time working on a production in NYC. He has appeared locally on stage with 3B Productions' Urinetown (2013), All Shook Up (2017) and in Defiance in Company (2014).

 

Mr. Carter Adams, Instrumental Director

Mr. Adams was hired at Northview as the Associate Band Director in the fall of 2019, made his Northview Theatre debut in the pit for Godspell and began instrumental directing for Working. He continues to play in the pit for a variety of area theatre productions.

 

Mrs. Sarah Dusseau, Choreographer    

Mrs. Dusseau joined the Northview Theatre team for My Fair Lady in 2021. She continues to direct the musicals at Maumee HS and most recently appeared on stage in Issue Box Theatre's The Willard Suitcases.
 

Mx. Alexis Hall, Technical Director

 A Northview Theatre alumnus with a degree in Technical Theatre from Bowling Green State University, Mx. Hall rejoined Northview Theatre and currently leads the tech team.

 

Mrs. Lauren Hoenie, Production Designer

Mrs. Hoenie joined the Northview Theatre team in 2023 for One Stoplight Town. She brings a wealth of artistic talent to the stage, formerly working on the sets at Cardinal Stritch HS.

Mrs. Linda Sankovich, Rehearsal Accompanist

Mrs. Sankovich joined the Northview Theatre team in 2009 for Seussical the MusicalShe has been a classically trained pianist since age 5, and graduated from The University of Toledo with a bachelor of music degree. Having taught private piano lessons for 15 years, Mrs. Sankovich now is very active playing piano for churches, high school musicals and school choirs. Past shows include Hats and A Christmas Carol with the Toledo Rep.