Established in 1994, the Theatre Magnet is a strand of the Visual and Performing Arts magnet program at Dr. Phillips High School. Entrance into the magnet is by audition only.
The department produces four to six productions annually and has had the honor of performing at the state, national, and international level.
Theatre Magnet students will join Thespian Troupe 4276 and have the opportunity to participate in the District 5 and FL State Thespian Festivals every year. The Theatre program has also participated in the Florida Theatre Conference, Southeastern Theatre Conference, and Orlando International Fringe Festival. Every 3-4 years, Theatre students have the opportunity to spend 2 weeks abroad visiting The Globe Theatre, Stratford-Upon-Avon, and the Royal Shakespeare Company, also performing at the Edinburgh International Fringe Festival.
Lighting Crew, Hello, Dolly!, 2020
Cinderella, 2019
Working on the Hello, Dolly Set, 2020
Rent, 2016
The cast of SIX with our cast of Avenue Q, Edinburgh, Scotland, 2018
Shakespeare in Love, 2018
Escape to Margaritaville, 2022
Districts 2022
Grease, 2021
Hello, Dolly wandelprobe, 2020
Love's Labour's Lost, 2017
Applause Awards 2021
Edinburgh, Scotland, 2022
Fringe 2022
Guys and Dolls, 2018
The Taste of Dr. Phillips, 2019
Districts 2019
Meet our Directors
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Jason Whitehead
DIRECTOR OF THEATRE
A proud graduate of DPHS and Troupe 4276, Mr. Whitehead is proud to return and serve as the Director of the Theatre Magnet. He previously served as the Director of the Musical Theatre Department at the Chattanooga High School Center for Creative Arts. As a director and musical director, Mr. Whitehead has worked for Florida Theatrical Association, Stagedoor Manor, The Gateway Playhouse, Seaside Music Theatre, Chattanooga Theatre Centre, The Garden Theatre, and The University of Central Florida. He was selected by the Disney Theatrical Group to test pilot Tarzan and Shakespeare in Love for the high school market prior to general licensing release. Favorite DP directing credits include Hello, Dolly!, Mamma Mia, The Drowsy Chaperone, and Rent. Mr. Whitehead holds a Masters in Musical Theatre from the University of Central Florida.
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Sarah Clark
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF THEATRE/ PRODUCTION MANAGER
Ms. Clark is a graduate of this department and holds a BA in Theatre with emphases in playwriting and directing from Rollins College. She has worked professionally as a scenic artist at Walt Disney World and Peterborough Players. Favorite DP designs include Spamalot, The Ladies’ Man, Hello, Dolly!, Mamma Mia, Guys and Dolls, and Rabbit Hole. Recent DP directing credits include My Fair Lady, The Vandal, Intimate Apparel, As You Like It, The Ladies’ Man, Much Ado About Nothing, and 33 Variations.
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Jeffrey Perino
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF THEATRE
Jeff Perino, in his 19th year as Assistant Director of Theatre at Dr. Phillips High School, earned his Degree in Speech and Theatre at Clarion University of Pennsylvania. While at Clarion he was the recipient of the Best New Talent Award and earned a position as one of the Top 100 Collegiate Actors. After college Mr. Perino went on to a career in radio and voice acting that spanned over 15 years and earned #1 ratings in Pennsylvania, Texas and Florida. Mr. Perino has over 100 Director and Assistant Director credits.