Seventy kids now sit, exhausted, on the very same stage that they just poured their hearts onto. Above them, on a box, is the familiar face of the man who has been their leader since the very beginning. He speaks to them. He praises them. He critiques their work. He uses a serious but uplifting tone. He shows them how much trust he has in them. He puts their growth into perspective. Now this might sound like a coach or a preacher, but this is actually a theater director. James Benedek is the Thomas Jefferson High School Musical Director, and has been for the last four years. Multiple directors have worked with students in TJ’ s history, but Benedek has brought something truly special to the stage.
The need for a new director came after COVID, when the previous director resigned and the position opened. This led to the then-theater manager, Benedek, expressing his interest in filling the position. Benedek envisioned a“ total package” with the combination of his theater construction class with his soon-to-be job to create a stronger system of support behind the theater. Unknowingly, Benedek also integrated his values and ideas that he had gained from playing sports growing up into the theater program.
As the director of his first musical,“ Legally Blonde,” he was faced with support, as well as doubt. His set-building prowess was established through his previous experience helping at Elizabeth Forward High School, but some, such as alumna Shanice McNeil, were a tad worried. She recounted,” I didn’ t think he knew enough about theater at the time.” However, McNeil clarified that she was later“ proven wrong.” The show went on to win five Gene Kelly awards including Best Musical. McNeil remembers this moment vividly as she recalls that he looked like a“ proud dad.” Benedek chose not to let this success be a fluke, because the very next year the school ' s production of“ Anything Goes” won three awards as well.
Awards are nice but Benedek believes that the connections made along the way are what is most important. When asked about a value he promotes he said,“ support and respect for one another.” This is seen through present student Aaron Reed and McNeil both recalling that in their past productions, Benedek has entrusted them with his faith and confidence to produce their best product. Benedek trusts the actors and technical crew to perform to the best of their abilities and through that he also gains the trust of those parties to be able to form a stronger bond.
Benedek also places a large emphasis on giving people opportunities and showing them potential pathways that could lead them to success. He truly wants every person to break out of their shell and discover not only what they can do but who they can be. He often shocks the cast with the release of the cast list, but
By Alec Mahathey
because of his ability to envision what someone can flourish into, the shows have been an overwhelming success.
Benedek has most certainly set the stage for the future of Thomas Jefferson’ s theater program. So when those kids are sitting onstage, they each see a different James Benedek. To some he is a coach who has them work cohesively as a team in order to accomplish a common goal. To some he is a preacher who has shown them that strong values and life lessons can stick with someone for their entire lives. But most importantly, to all of them he is a director who has the ability to incorporate all of that into an approachable, inspiring, and thoughtful package that is able to nourish their minds.
Alec Mahathey is a senior at Thomas Jefferson High School.
WEST JEFFERSON HILLS SCHOOL DISTRICT NEWS
est Jefferson Hills WEST JEFFERSON HILLS SCHOOL DISTRICT NEWS
WEST JEFFERSON HILLS ❘ SPRING 2025 51