Trinity High School is the school of champions. Every year, our athletes take state titles, our seniors earn record scholarship money, and our students and alumni make communities better; this is why Trinity is the largest Catholic high school in the state. Our academic and extracurricular programs are jewels, emulated by competitors, but of all the gems that Trinity boasts, I believe the brightest is the Department of Theatre Arts, or DOTA.

Led by hardworking, dedicated leaders like Kate Reedy and John Zehnder, DOTA has been a model for professionalism in the theatre community for decades. Every year, Trinity students step onto the stage and give performances which bring the Trinity and Louisville communities closer together while forging friendships which will last a lifetime.

I have been inspired, welcomed, and pushed by Trinity DOTA, finding a second home.

Inspired by a Legacy

In 2022, I first stepped into Trinity’s auditorium and was distinctly aware of DOTA’s legacy. The walls of the auditorium’s lobby are peppered with colorful posters, each one from a Trinity show gone by. As I walked into the auditorium proper, I was greeted by the set of “The Lightning Thief”; its Greek columns and spotlights were a blend of the classical and the modern which perfectly fit the story of the modern hero, showing genuine care from the designers and technicians down to the last drop of paint. Soon, the lights dimmed, and the set was populated by an energized ensemble who told a story of a modern odyssey. I had never seen anything like it. The dancers seemed lighter than air; everything was fueled by a passion I had only seen in professional theatre. I gave a standing ovation, sat down, and looked at my mother, who was sitting to my right. She looked back and knew that I needed to go to Trinity.

Brannock McCartan, now a leading man known for playing Hercule Poirot in “Murder on the Nile” in fall of 2023, had a similar experience. As a junior at Trinity, he went to see his little brother, Everan, in “Sherwood” on closing night and “just was blown away.” He recalled that he thought to himself, “I have to do at least one show. I’m going to do ‘Scoundrels’ and then we’ll see where it goes from there.’ But then I stuck around after that.”

Brannock McCartan, I, and many others were inspired to join Trinity DOTA, not just because of the outstanding quality of the productions, but because of how much fun the actors clearly have. The prospect of joining DOTA seemed daunting. How could we hope to become one of those kids, dancing and singing together in joyful harmony, seemingly unafraid of anything outside the walls of the theatre? But we all became members of that joyous ensemble. DOTA is exceptional in how it welcomes new members, pushing them to become just as good as the veterans.

Joining the Department

Liam Amick, the president of Trinity DOTA, known for his roles as Lawrence in “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels” and Simon Doyle in “Murder on the Nile,” discussed his experience joining DOTA.

“To be honest, I didn’t really have much experience at all. [Before joining Trinity DOTA] I did one play at my school when I was in third grade, and I was in the show my seventh-grade year (shut down due to COVID). Other than that, I only did one [community] show in the fifth grade, and I didn’t really enjoy it. But I decided to give it a try in high school and I’m so glad I did.”

Today, he is as apt on the stage as anyone else in the company. Though the standard at DOTA is very high, it is the mission of everyone involved to make sure that everyone can meet it.

“It’s definitely tough, but there’s a lot of older students there to support and help you. There are plenty of people that you’re able to learn from if you’re unsure on what to do.”

Liam’s father, Mark Amick, Trinity chemistry teacher and quick recall coach, echoes this sentiment. “I think theatre is by its nature ensemble. So, it is an activity that fosters mentoring, and the older students helping the younger students, which in turn, in a few years, become the mentors.”

Joey Paulin, known for his roles as Prince John in “Sherwood” and Freddy Benson in “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels,” had a very different experience going into DOTA his freshman year. He had done shows at St. Patrick since the second grade and had been in two Trinity shows as a child actor, playing young Tarzan in the fifth grade and young Shrek in the seventh.

Paulin highlights the differences between elementary and high school theatre, saying “completely separate. You’re way younger. You’re dealing with younger kids. Definitely, Trinity is more. It’s more advanced, you’re being pushed harder.”

Everyone has different familiarity with theatre before joining DOTA. The word that both Paulin and Liam Amick use to describe DOTA is “welcoming.” I have been in no other community which puts so much stress on helping each other to succeed, and I believe that is what makes Trinity theatre stand out.

Kate Reedy, DOTA’s director and producer, says “there is a want, and a need almost, to be there for others.”

Whether one comes from significant theatre experience or not, Trinity DOTA is welcoming and willing to help.

Putting Up the Show

As rookies and veterans alike become adjusted to their new friends, opening night steadily approaches. Like the casts of those shows whose posters now pepper the walls of the auditorium’s lobby, the current members of DOTA must learn to bring stories to life. It may seem daunting to put up a show in two months, but Trinity does it with professionalism, cooperation, and hard work.

John Zehnder, DOTA’s musical director, has been with the department for 47 years. Though he has seen both the staff and theatre’s building change, he has seen the standard of professionalism and care for the art remain the same. “I expect professionalism from the staff and from the students. I think we put a quality product out there and we like to think we’re on the top of the game for the whole region.”

In the weeks leading up to the show, students and staff work constantly to create a show which is at the top of the game. Though the days are long and tiring, they are the most fun of the year. The weeks of late nights seem to fly by as friendships grow closer and the show comes to life. Before anyone expects it, the lights are dimming and the overture is starting up, the show is here.

Liam Amick reflects on this leadup to the show, saying, “It’s always amazing to see how far we’ve all come since the start of rehearsal processes. That’s honestly when you can have some of the most fun on stage: once you’ve kind of really refined and perfected everything and you can just play.”

When asked when he is happiest at theatre, McCartan said, “I would say performing, but it’s – honest to God, really – the whole process that leads up to it as well. I really like that it gives me something to work at and I’m very happy when I have something that I can work on at home. And just coming after school every day.”

Everyone involved with DOTA can recall the jubilant feeling of seeing one’s hard work spring to life and enjoying the spectacle with newfound friends. By participating in DOTA, I have found friends who are like family.

Finding a Family

McCartan, after joining DOTA his junior year, said “all the ‘brothers for life’… you kind of felt it, but Reedy says it’s a family and I completely believe that. And I think it’s just given me a new appreciation for school.”

Reedy holds that DOTA is a family. She joined DOTA as an actress her freshman year and did shows with Trinity through High School. After college, she returned to Trinity, becoming the choreographer. She worked with William Bradford, Trinity theatre legend who had directed DOTA for decades, for seven years. After Bradford retired in 2017, she became director and producer as well as choreographer.

Reedy has stayed with DOTA because “it’s home. It’s where I felt the most comfortable. It is where I felt I thrived and learned just as much as I did in college. And I felt that I could make a difference.”

The way that Trinity kids put each other’s best interests first is essential to success in the theatre and life. By creating a family, Trinity theatre creates something special for the entire community.

“The idea that the family is more important than anything else, even oneself, is, I think, the most important factor in any type of theater that we do because it is collaborative. I feel very strongly that it is about the piece that you create with others, not about oneself.”

Learning to Manage the Pressure

Though life inside the theatre is terrific, life outside the theatre can be pressing. Members of DOTA have to deal with obligations from school and other activities. With the amount of time which DOTA requires, it can seem difficult to fit in other activities. Yet, most members of DOTA take rigorous classes and participate in other activities as well.

DOTA kids adapt to the time pressures by managing their time and working hard, cultivating skills for life after graduation.

Paulin believes “theater just pushes me because I have late practices, which force me to go do my work, get me in bed at a good time. Altogether, it pushes me to work harder.”

Mark Amick’s quick recall team has many members who also participate in DOTA. He holds that ” it has probably reduced the time available for academic team, but also just forced good work habits and time management. I see students who can do theatre at a high involvement, with a lot of commitment, and still be successful on academic team.”

When asked about how he manages theatre with other activities, Liam Amick said, “It’s really all about just communicating with your activity moderators. You do kind of have to make a decision on what is the most important thing to you, but I’ve been able to work out with the Quick Recall coaches and Ms. Reedy… it’s definitely doable.”

Some Last Words

“I think a lot of it is the same as being a parent of a child involved in sports. You’re going to have moments of frustration or doubt, or also, of course, really, really high moments, and just supporting your child, letting them know that struggle or setbacks are okay, and they’ll make it through it.” -Mark Amick

“I can’t recommend it any more. If you don’t have any theatre experience, you’ll get a great one here. And if you have some, you should consider joining, it’s unlike any company I’ve ever been in.” -Brannock McCartan

“If you trust us with your little one, bring him in here, and we’ll, you know, show them the respect and professional training that Trinity’s been known for my last 47 years.” -John Zehnder

“Try everything once. You will find something that sticks. Doesn’t matter if it’s theater. Doesn’t matter if it’s Uno club or football. Try everything once. High school is the only time you’re going to be able to try it all once. In college, there won’t be time” -Kate Reedy