Lizzy Rebber, ‘24, is one of the many students at WHHS who helps the theater department run smoothly. Throughout Rebber’s life, she has directed and acted in numerous productions, as well as participating in other extracurriculars like tennis and dance.

Rebber began her theater career in fourth grade when she was in the production “Dinosaurs Before Dark” and found her passion in the arts.

“I genuinely love being part of the theater community and being involved,” Rebber said. “The community is a driving force for me to continue doing what I do. Just being around all the lovely people that I am with everyday makes it that much better to finish up the production and have that sense of, ‘Wow, we just did this.’”

Much of what Rebber does in theater is more on the hidden side, but regardless, these positions are important. The marketing and publicity aspect of theater creates all the social media posts students see, and hair and makeup add the finishing touches on an actor’s costume.

“My main job is to promote the shows the Walnut Hills theater is doing in a positive light. I’ll take pictures and videos, edit them and post them on our socials,” Rebber said. “Additionally, I write the press release, morning announcements, and conduct verbal promotion for the show or any other theater department activities.”

Once Rebber arrived at WHHS, she became increasingly committed to the theater program and now works on nearly every WHHS production she can, ranging from being cast as Alice in the 2019 One Acts,  stage managing for the 2020 theater fest and  being the production stage manager for a play in this year’s one acts. 

An average day for Rebber often consists of theater and tennis practices lasting all evening, resulting in her not being able to go home until very late at night.

“When we’re in the theater season, Wednesdays are usually our crew work days, so I’m doing that from 3:30-6:30,” Rebber said.

The commitments required for these heavy extracurriculars naturally also require a substantial amount of mental focus. 

“I have ADHD, so having a very big schedule with lots to do works very well for my brain. It might sound strange, but having a million things to do makes my brain calmer. Within all the chaos, there’s clarity that I’m always doing something,” Rebber said.

Rebber acknowledges that it can be intimidating to fully commit to theater, but even with her busy schedule she still manages to survive.

“If you want to do theater, just do it. The community is very accepting and if you’re scared to be onstage, join crew,” Rebber said.