Saint Mary’s theater program stages a fall play, a spring musical, and additional showcases and dance performances throughout the year. Most productions take place in the school’s auditorium, affectionately nicknamed “the O-ditorium” by generations of students in honor of longtime theater instructor Antone Olivier. Behind the scenes, the student-run Stagecraft Club independently manages the technical side of each production, from lighting to set construction.
A Season of Productions
Rather than a single annual show, Saint Mary’s runs a genuine theater season: a fall play, a spring musical, and additional showcases and dance performances layered throughout the year. That range gives students interested in straight drama, musical theater, and dance multiple points of entry rather than one narrow opportunity, and it gives the broader school community several chances each year to see student work on stage.
More Than Just Acting
A full season also means more roles beyond the stage itself; tech, stage management, and production support all become recurring opportunities across the year rather than a one-time commitment tied to a single show.
Curious How Saint Mary’s Arts Programs Fit Your Child?
Cardinal Education helps families understand how a school’s performing arts opportunities align with a student’s interests.
Speak with an Admissions Expert
Why Students Call It the O-ditorium
Saint Mary’s auditorium carries an affectionate nickname, “the O-ditorium,” that has stuck with students and alumni across generations. The name honors longtime theater instructor Antone Olivier, whose influence on the program was significant enough that his name became permanently woven into how the community refers to the space itself. It’s a small but telling detail: a nickname that persists across decades usually reflects a program with real institutional memory and pride, not one that’s changed direction every few years.
| Element | Detail |
| Nickname Origin | Named for longtime theater instructor Antone Olivier |
| Primary Venue | Saint Mary’s auditorium (“the O-ditorium”) |
| Season Includes | Fall play, spring musical, additional showcases and dance performances |
The Stagecraft Club: Student-Run Production
Unlike programs where technical production is entirely faculty-directed, Saint Mary’s Stagecraft Club independently oversees the technical elements of each live production. That means students interested in lighting design, set construction, sound, or stage management get genuine ownership over that side of a show, not just a supporting role under adult direction.
A Pipeline for Non-Performers
For students who love theater but don’t want to perform, the Stagecraft Club offers a real, ongoing way to be central to every production, which can be a meaningful draw for families whose student is more interested in the technical or design side of the arts.
How Families Can Explore Saint Mary’s Theater Opportunities
Saint Mary’s theater program offers students a well-rounded performing arts experience through its multi-show season, rich institutional history centered around the beloved O-ditorium, and hands-on technical training in the Stagecraft Club.
Navigating audition processes, course scheduling, and extracurricular commitments can feel complex, but Cardinal Education helps families evaluate performance and production opportunities to ensure they align with their student’s artistic goals and overall admissions strategy.
Schedule a Confidential Consultation
Related Articles
How to Get Into Saint Mary’s College High School: What Elite Families Need to Know
Inside Saint Mary’s Epistemology Series and History Through Another’s Eyes