Carnegie theater company 'Stage 62' celebrates its 62nd anniversary

Stephanie Ottey acknowledges that most organizations wouldn’t celebrate their 62nd anniversary.

But the newly-named president knows that the 62nd anniversary holds a different meaning for Stage 62, a Carnegie nonprofit theater company.

Stage 62 started in Bethel Park in 1962 as an adult education theater project, and has since evolved into a theater company that has produced shows continuously.

“I’m looking forward to reconnection with who we are as a group, and really getting down to who we can be in the community, and who we are in the community, and being intimately acquainted with the community,” said Ottey, of Scott.

Four musicals are slated for the 2024 season: “Garfield, the Musical with Cattitude,” which ran Feb. 15-17, “You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown,” running April 19-28, “RENT,” running July 18-28 and “Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella,” running Nov. 7-17.

“We have a fabulous group of directors lined up who are already busy working on their visions for our season’s productions,” Ottey said. “Stage 62 is such a cultural asset to Carnegie and surrounding communities, and we couldn’t be more excited to celebrate our anniversary by sharing these musicals with our audiences.”

The programs take the stage at the Andrew Carnegie Free Library and Music Hall.

“The library is our home, so we’re excited to be there for this season,” Ottey said.

Stage 62 is also planning an anniversary concert in the late summer.

“That’s going to be a celebration of the history of the theatre,” she said.

Ottey, who previously served as the organization’s vice president, first became involved with Stage 62 in its 2016 production of Stephen Sondheim’s “Assassins.” She also appeared in several other productions and served as the group’s fundraising chair.

Also leading Stage 62 in its milestone year are Vice President Haley Hiller, Vice President of Properties Jeff Way, Secretary Jess Whittington and Treasurer Aaron Cook.

“It’s an honor to be leading this brilliant group of people through this extra special season,” Ottey said. “I’m hopeful that it’ll give us a foundation to keep going and growing for another 62 years.”

Ottey’s goals as president are to get the company more involved in the community and develop relationships with other businesses. She’d also like to get the organization’s footing back from the covid-19 shutdowns and keep it sustainable for years to come.

Ottey recognizes the impact the arts had on her as a child and wants to give that back to the local community, as well.

“That was so vital to my development. I feel passionate to bring that opportunity to kids in the Carnegie area,” she said.

Janet Schock, who’s been involved with Stage 62 since 2006, said the future is bright for the organization.

Schock is Stage 62’s house manager, which means she coordinates the ushers and is responsible for the auditorium.

“(Stage 62) produces excellent shows at a reasonable price,” Schock said. “The shows that they do appeal to a wide audience and people love being involved in a community project.”