WEST ORANGE
THEATRE
1983
about
Tara Whitman (she/her), West Orange High School’s Director of Theatre, is an alumna of West Orange High School and Thespian of Troupe 1983. Mrs. Whitman studied Theatre at Savannah College of Art & Design and earned her B.A. in Theatre Studies with a minor in Education from the University of Central Florida. Her West Orange directing credits include the high school premieres of "Bright Star" and "The Prom," as well as the Florida premiere of "Lilies on the Land." Ms. Whitman is a member of FATE (Florida Association of Theatre Educators), EdTA (Educational Theatre Association), and is a Florida Thespians Board member and is currently Florida Thespians Junior Festival Thespian chair.
In addition to working the past fourteen years as the Resident Choreographer of West Orange High School’s Theatre Department, she has worked professionally with many of Central Florida’s theatre companies including Orlando Repertory Theatre, Garden Theatre, Bay Street Players, IceHouse Theatre, Rollins College, and Osceola Center for the Arts.
Ms. Whitman most recently worked directing "Ragtime: School Edition" which was presented at 2025 Florida State Thespian Festival as a mainstage production. Prior to that her most notable credit was directing the world premiere production of "The Prom," which was chosen to perform as a Mainstage at the 2023 Florida State Thespian Festival. Mainstage is a prestigious invitation offered to only a select few schools out of the entire state to present their show in its entirety at the State festival. In addition to "Ragtime" and "The Prom," West Orange High School has presented the following mainstages under Tara Whitman's direction: "Pippin," "Lord of the Flies" "Curtains The Musical." In her first year as the lead teacher of the program, West Orange presented the high school world premiere of Steve Martin and Edie Brickell’s “Bright Star” in 2018. The department presented “42nd Street” as a mainstage the year prior, with Tara Whitman as Assistant Director and Choreographer.
THESPIAN TROUPE 1983 The International Thespian Society (ITS) is the Educational Theatre Association’s student honorary organization. ITS recognizes the achievements of high school and middle school theatre students and has inducted more than 2 million Thespians since 1929. ITS celebrates the work of both actors and technicians, provides student leadership opportunities, hosts conferences and festivals, and much more.
West Orange High School is home to Thespian Troupe 1983, which is part of Florida Thespians District Five. New members who meet the qualifications are inducted into Troupe 1983 each spring.
WEST ORANGE THEATRE DEPARTMENT is based in Winter Garden, Florida. Students design or assist with all aspects of the production: sets, paint, props, sound,, lighting, hair & makeup, etc. The West Orange Theatre Department strives to create professional quality theatre. Over the past decade, hundreds of talented high school students (and some even younger!) have contributed their efforts and talents to this program day after day and created a legacy for themselves and others.
portfolio
contact
Tel: 407.905.2400 ext. 6162282
West Orange High School Theatre
1625 Beulah Road
Winter Garden, FL 34787