About University Theatre
The University High School Theatre Department has been a fixture of University High School (Orlando, FL) for over 30 years, holding a legacy of high quality theatrical main stage productions and events. It is a tradition of excellence that has been recognized with Top Honors from county, regional and state levels. In 2018, University High School became a Magnet School for the Performing Arts in OCPS. Every Spring, the cougar nation looks forward to the musical that is always a big spectacular with as many as 150 students performing in the Patrick F. Culler Performing Arts Center.
Theatre Magnet Program
The Theatre Magnet program at University High School provides students with the opportunity to further explore theatre arts through specific curriculum guided toward preparing students for college and career readiness in field of Theatre.
Orange County Public School students who are interested in attending University High School can apply to be part of the Magnet Program even if they are out of zone students. For more information on the Theatre Magnet program, click here!
Meet the Directors
Alex Mendez,
Director of Theatre
Mr. Mendez is no stranger to the UHS Theatre Department as he graduated from University High School in 2012. His most notable roles include Raoul in The Phantom of the Opera, Judas in Jesus Christ Superstar, and Marius in Les Misérables. Mr. Mendez pursued his love for music at the Florida State University, graduating with a BM in Music Therapy where he formerly served in hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and in schools for a short time. His passion for education brought him back to Orlando to teach music and theatre at University High School while pursuing a Masters of Arts degree in Theatre at the University of Central Florida. After having graduated from UCF in 2020, Mr. Mendez has now taken charge of the UHS Theatre Department, merging his passions for both music and theatre to educate and train future theatre artists.
Rick Juergens,
Technical Theatre Director
Mr. Juergens has been a monumental part of the UHS Theatre legacy having served as the Technical Theatre Director for over 25 years. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Rollins College in Winter Park, FL and is a recipient of the Teacher of the Year award. Mr. Juergens has technical directed over 85 shows and counting with some of his favorites being Phantom of the Opera, Les Misérables, West Side Story, Cinderella, Miss Saigon, Sweeney Todd, Tarzan, and Into the Woods! Mr. Juergens is a rock to our department and continues to inspire future technicians to perform their tasks to the best of their abilities.
Jade Rivera,
Associate Theatre Director
Jade Rivera is ecstatic to be the most recent addition to the teaching team at University! Ms. Rivera is a former theatre magnet student of Dr. Phillips High School and graduate of Colonial High School. She went on to receive her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting at UCF, while simultaneously performing across all three Orlando theme parks. After graduating, she continued acting and traveled across five of the seven continents, until life brought her to teaching. When she is not at University, she is also a teaching artist at the Orlando Family Stage. Her passion is empowering students to take risks and explore their creative potential.
“A teacher is never a giver of truth; he is a guide, a pointer to the truth that each student must find for himself”
#Troupe4848
The International Thespian Society (ITS) is the Educational Theatre Association’s student honorary organization. ITS recognizes the achievements of high school and middle school theatre students and has inducted more than 2 million Thespians since 1929.
Troupe 4848 holds a legacy for participating in District and State Thespian Festivals for over 25 years, led by our founding sponsor, Mrs. Melaney Douglass. In addition, Troupe 4848 has been recognized with numerous Superior and Excellent ratings for individual events (IE’s) from these festivals and our most recognized One Acts originally written by Mrs. Douglass herself, which include: Scenes from a Tuesday in September, Silas Marner, Johnny Belinda, The Window School, The Enchanted Cottage, and A Tulip for Lily.
2024-2025 Troupe Officers
Senior Presidents: Dylan Fialo & Edson Guerra-Guerrero
Chief Technician: Ella Turner
Secretary: Georgia Grace
Social Media Chair: Jade Ortiz
Social Media Assistant: Abigail Escalera
Production Manager: Sophia Hacekbeil
Shop Managers: Michael Quiros & Kelaia Rivera-Velez
Dressing Room Managers: Amelie Alonso & Jamarr Cole
Costume Managers: Samantha Roberts & Gerren Tyler
Facilities Managers: Briana Naraynsingh & Gabriela Maestre
Marketing Manager: Emily Vose
Hair & Makeup Manager: Gianna Zayas
Junior Class Representative: Lauren King
Sophomore Class Representative: Olivia Beaumont
Freshmen Class Rep: TBD