Senior Noah Pittenger has earned the impressive title of President of Sahuaro’s theater program, but his career in theater predates his time at Sahuaro. From an early age, Noah discovered a passion for performance. His journey from a middle school student exploring theater to a leader in his high school’s drama program reflects his commitment to the craft and his evolving understanding of the value of community and self-expression through art.

Noah, a native Tucsonan, entered the world of theater in the sixth grade at Magee Middle School. His introduction to acting was through his grandfather. “My grandfather was an actor in Hollywood and he did some movies…he knew a lot of interesting people,” Noah shared, recalling his early inspirations.

Noah has gotten lots of acting advice, but he shares that the most helpful is, “I rehearse my lines like there’s no tomorrow because the more you rehearse, the more you’re confident. There’s always some anxiety being on stage, but it helps.” Noah also recognizes the role of teamwork in creating a compelling performance, where trust between actors can make the difference between a good show and a great one. It also helps being comfortable with the other person on stage.”

Outside school, Noah enjoys playing games and has been a lifeguard for nearly four years. He values the job’s flexibility, which allows him to attend long rehearsals without compromising work hours.

Noah’s favorite part of theater is the community aspect. He notes that rehearsing lines with others is something he enjoys. He has been involved in plays in more ways than one – for two years, he even worked on sound: “It’s fun being able to pick and choose what sound effects I thought would be fitting.” However, his favorite role he’s played on stage was, “…The Bullying Collection, which was a series of different scenes that depicted different types of bullying or different events that could happen or unfortunately do happen to people. And I think my favorite role was actually in that play, I was one of the bullies. It was a role that I don’t usually get to do.  I don’t act like that in real life, it was fun being able to do something different.”

As Noah continues his final year at Sahuaro, he aspires to maintain his academic excellence while staying dedicated to his passion for theater. His plans after high school include attending Pima Community College, though he has made it clear that he doesn’t see theater as a career path. “I thought of doing it as a hobby, but it’s a little too competitive for me,” Noah explained.

Noah is an advocate for getting involved in theater, regardless of one’s interests or background. He encourages others to explore the world of performance, offering, “If you have an interest in acting or even like plays in general, I definitely recommend it, and even if you’re not interested in acting, there’s the technical side of things. You can help build sets, you can help make the lighting design or sound.”

Through his dedication to both the artistic and technical sides of theater, Noah has become a standout leader in Sahuaro’s theater program. His passion for the craft, along with his focus on community and personal growth, makes him not only an exceptional actor but also a role model for his peers. As he prepares to move on to the next chapter of his life, Noah’s journey in theater shows how the arts can shape lives, build connections, and inspire others.