PERFORM. IMPACT. INSPIRE. THIS IS THE PRIMARY MISSION OF OUR DEPARTMENT: TO PERFORM PASSIONATELY, TO MAKE AN IMPACT ON THE WORLD AROUND US, AND TO INSPIRE OUR COMMUNITY TO LOVE THE ARTS.
Directors
Mrs. Holly Smith Director
Holly Smith is an Alabama native who began studying theatre over 20 years ago. She graduated from the University of Alabama with a Masters degree in Education, and she started her education career teaching English/reading at middle and high school levels. Holly has grown as a teacher and educator while employed with Marietta City Schools for the past 10 years. She officially launched her theatre education career at Marietta Sixth Grade Academy where she created three distinct theatre courses to meet the needs of the school's diverse population. In addition, she founded the Academy Actors, an elite performing theatre group, that would go on to win four Junior Theater Festival awards under Holly's direction. Holly was selected as the 2018-2019 Teacher of the Year for MSGA, and she was also recognized with Marietta City School's Superintendent's Award in 2017. As the Director of Theatre at Marietta High School, Holly has helped guide young artists to award winning performances at Regional/State One Act Play competitions, GHSA Literary Competition, and the Georgia Thespian Conference. She serves as the advisor for MHS Thespian troupe #111, sponsors Drama Club, and directs the Fall One Act Play/Spring musical. Mrs. Smith currently teaches Tech Theatre, Musical Theatre, IB Theatre, Advanced Drama, and Fundamentals of Theatre at MHS. She is excited to see the MHS Theatre department continue to perform, impact, and inspire!
Mrs. Sophia Steigerwald Assistant Director
SOPHIA STEIGERWALD WAS BORN IN CHATTANOOGA, TENNESSEE. HER LOVE FOR THEATER INSPIRED HER TO ATTEND THE UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE AT CHATTANOOGA WHERE SHE WAS AN ACTIVE MEMBER OF UTC THEATER COMPANY AND SIGMA TAU DELTA ENGLISH HONORS SOCIETY. ADDITIONALLY, SHE PERFORMED WITH THE CHATTANOOGA THEATER CENTER AND THE CIVIC BALLET OF CHATTANOOGA. IN 2014, SHE GRADUATED FROM UTC WITH A DEGREE IN SECONDARY ENGLISH EDUCATION AND A MINOR IN THEATER. SOPHIA MOVED TO ATLANTA IN 2015 AND HAS WORKED AT OUR LADY OF MERCY CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL FOR THE LAST FIVE YEARS. WHILE THERE, SHE TAUGHT A VARIETY OF ENGLISH AND DRAMA CLASSES AND SERVED AS THE DRAMA DEPARTMENT HEAD. SHE WAS ALSO THE ADVISOR FOR THESPIAN TROUPE #6509 AND IMPROV CLUB. SOPHIA HAS DIRECTED SEVERAL PLAYS AND MUSICALS SUCH AS ANON(YMOUS),THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE, PETER AND THE STARCATCHER AND THE ADDAMS FAMILY. SOPHIA IS PASSIONATE ABOUT THEATER EDUCATION AND COACHES SEVERAL STUDENTS EACH YEAR FOR COLLEGE AUDITIONS, GHSA ONE ACT COMPETITION, THE GEORGIA GOVERNOR HONORS PROGRAM AND INDIVIDUAL EVENTS AT THE GEORGIA THESPIAN THEATER CONFERENCE. MS. S TEACHES ACTING AND FUNDAMENTALS OF THEATRE AT MHS. SHE IS LOOKING FORWARD TO AN AWESOME FIRST YEAR AT MARIETTA HIGH SCHOOL!
