Performances
Summer 2026
Join us for a celebration of human spirit as The Penguin Project at Sacred Heart School for the Arts presents Annie Jr.! After 5 months of rehearsals, artists (young people ages 14-25 with Down Syndrome who love to sing, dance, and perform) and mentors (volunteers ages 14-25 who partner one-on-one with artists throughout the rehearsal process and final performance), have worked together to build confidence and share the joy of performing together. The project concludes with our public performances during the second week of June - a truly inspiring celebration for our whole community.
Experience the joy, laughter, and the courage that shine on stage in our production of Annie Jr.!
Based on the popular comic strip and adapted from the Tony Award-winning Best Musical, with a beloved book and score by Tony Award winners, Thomas Meehan, Charles Strouse and Martin Charnin, Annie JR. features everyone’s favorite little redhead in her very first adventure.
With equal measures of pluck and positivity, little orphan Annie charms everyone's hearts despite a next-to-nothing start in 1930s New York City. Annie is determined to find the parents who abandoned her years ago on the doorstep of an orphanage run by the cruel Miss Hannigan. Annie eventually foils Miss Hannigan's evil machinations, finding a new home and family in billionaire Oliver Warbucks, his personal secretary, Grace Farrell, and a lovable mutt named Sandy.
Performances: June 12 at 7pm, June 13 at 7pm, June 14 at 2 pm
Location: Ursuline Arts Center
About The Penguin Project
The Penguin Project was conceived by Dr. Andrew Morgan to give children with disabilities an opportunity to participate in the performing arts. “Dr. Andy” is a developmental pediatrician and the former Head of the Division of Child Development at the University of Illinois in Peoria. He has also directed and performed in many community theater productions in the area. He created The Penguin Project recognizing that theater not only provides children with a valuable recreational experience and an opportunity to display their creative talents, but also enhances social interaction, communication skills, assertiveness, and self-esteem. The Penguin Project strives to demonstrate that individuals with disabilities are fully capable of participating in community activities with the same dedication and enthusiasm as others, if given opportunity and support.
We are so excited to present our third community theatre production this July--The Hunchback of Notre Dame! Our show is a family-oriented theatre performance where moms, dads, daughters, sons, aunts, uncles and friends can all share the stage together.
Based on the Victor Hugo novel and songs from the Disney animated feature, The Hunchback of Notre Dame showcases the film’s Academy Award-nominated score, as well as new songs by Menken and Schwartz. Peter Parnell’s new book embraces story theatre and features verbatim passages from Hugo’s gothic novel.
The musical begins as the bells of Notre Dame sound through the famed cathedral in fifteenth-century Paris. Quasimodo, the deformed bell-ringer who longs to be "Out There," observes all of Paris reveling in the Feast of Fools. Held captive by his devious caretaker, the archdeacon Dom Claude Frollo, he escapes for the day and joins the boisterous crowd, only to be treated cruelly by all but the beautiful Romani woman, Esmeralda. Quasimodo isn’t the only one captivated by her free spirit, though – the handsome Captain Phoebus and Frollo are equally enthralled. As the three vie for her attention, Frollo embarks on a mission to destroy the Roma – and it’s up to Quasimodo to save them all.
PERFORMANCE DATES: July 23, 24 7pm; July 25 2pm/7pm; July 26 6pm
Location: Ursuline Arts Center
A zany rich-boy-meets-hometown-girl romantic comedy, Crazy For You® tells the story of young New York banker Bobby Child, who is sent to Deadrock, Nevada, to foreclose on a rundown theatre. In Deadrock, Bobby falls for spunky Polly Baker, the theatre owner’s daughter. But Polly takes an instant dislike to the city slicker, so Bobby vows – through cunning, razzmatazz, and a hilarious case of mistaken identity – to win Polly’s heart and save the theatre. Memorable Gershwin tunes from the score include “I Got Rhythm,” “Naughty Baby,” “They Can't Take That Away from Me,” “Embraceable You,” “But Not for Me,” “Nice Work If You Can Get It” and “Someone to Watch Over Me.”
Performances: February 26, 27 7pm; March 1, 6pm; March 5-7 7pm.
Location: Ursuline Arts Center
Something terrible happened to Junie B. Jones at school today! Someone stole her new furry mittens! So when Junie B. finds a wonderful pen of many colors, she should be allowed to keep it, right? Because finders keepers, losers weepers. And guess what? There's a new boy in kindergarten and he is the handsomest. The only thing is both Grace and Lucille want him to be their boyfriend. Maybe he will love Junie B. when he sees her wonderful pen! It is okay to keep it, right? Junie B. Jones is not a crook . . . or is she? A hilarious and heartfelt tale based on the best-selling book series by Barbara Park.
Performances: March 19 7pm; March 20 10am/7pm; March 21 2pm; March 22 2pm
Location: Ursuline Arts Center
Matilda has astonishing wit, intelligence... and special powers! She's unloved by her cruel parents but impresses her schoolteacher, the highly loveable Miss Honey. Matilda's school life isn't completely smooth sailing, however – the school's mean headmistress, Miss Trunchbull, hates children and just loves thinking up new punishments for those who don't abide by her rules. But Matilda has courage and cleverness in equal amounts, and could be the school pupils' saving grace! Packed with high-energy dance numbers and catchy songs, Matilda JR. is a joyous girl power romp. Children and adults alike will be thrilled and delighted by the story of the special little girl with an extraordinary imagination.
Performances: April 16 7pm, April 17 10am/7pm, April 19 2pm/7pm (no performance on the 18th due to Thunder Over Louisville)
Location: Ursuline Arts Center
Performances: April 23 7pm, April 25 7pm, April 26 2pm/6pm
Location: Recital Hall in Angela Hall Building 17
Performances: April 24 at10am/7pm and April 26 at 2pm/6pm
Location: Ursuline Arts Center
When the citizens of Bikini Bottom discover that a volcano will soon erupt and destroy their humble home, SpongeBob and his friends must come together to save the fate of their undersea world. With lives hanging in the balance and all hope lost, a most unexpected hero rises up. The power of optimism really can save the world!
Performances: May 14 7pm; May 15 10am/7pm; May 16 2pm/7pm
Location: Ursuline Arts Center
SHSA Evening of One Act Plays
We're seeking talented actors for an exciting Evening of One Acts that promises to deliver compelling theater in an intimate setting. This collection of short plays will showcase diverse stories and characters, where great storytelling will lend itself to a fun and engaging evening of entertainment in an intimate blackbox format. Prepare a 1-2 minute monologue that demonstrates your range. Be ready to do cold readings from the scripts and come prepared to take direction and collaborate.
Performances: November 7 and 8 @ 7pm
This Ballet is performed by the SHSA Dance Ensemble with dancers from the entire Louisville community. This holiday tradition retells the story of E.T.A. Hoffman’s “The Nutcracker and the Mouse King.” Clara, the Nutcracker Prince, and the Mouse King enter the realm of the Sugar Plum Fairy with all the treats one can enjoy! A twist on the traditional production, SHSA’s Nutcracker performances will feature spectacular Ballet, Jazz, Hip-Hop, and Bollywood dance numbers, as well as stunning production, sets, and costumes. Your favorite holiday ballet just got even sweeter!
Performances: December 12 10am/7pm; December 13, 2pm/7pm