When Andrew Lloyd Webber's "Cats" opens at the Benedum Center next week, on stage will be a cat called Cassandra, an extrasensory Abyssinian who hails from Egypt.

In real life, Cassandra is neither a cat nor from Egypt. She's Schenley High School graduate and former Murrysville resident Stephanie Campbell, 25.

The story of how Ms. Campbell went from Murrysville to the touring production of the second-longest-running show on Broadway is a testament to the deep talent pool in the Pittsburgh area as well as to a young woman's dedication to her craft.

Although interested in dance while growing up in Pitcairn, Ms. Campbell said she became serious when she turned 13.

"I wanted to be a ballerina," she said.

After moving to Murrysville and following her freshman year at Franklin Regional High School, she transferred to Schenley to take advantage of a Pittsburgh Ballet Theater program that allows students to attend ballet classes for part of the school day.

Schenley is probably better known for its musicals. Until his death in April 2008, legendary director Roger Babusci led Schenley to 30 Gene Kelly awards, which recognize excellence in high school musicals.

Ms. Campbell said she quickly came to admire "Mr. B," as students called him, and appeared in musicals all three years she attended Schenley -- while continuing her ballet training.

Participating in both meant a grueling schedule during musical season: 8 to 9:30 a.m. in ballet class; high school classes from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.; more ballet from 3 to 6; then musical rehearsals from 7 to 11.

"I just found the time to do it," said Ms. Campbell, adding that while it was exhausting, "it was all worth it. Mr. B was a very, very great man."

She became dance captain her junior year while doing "Once on This Island" and was student choreographer her senior year for "The Melody Lingers On," working with notable local choreographer Tony Dixon.

She then attended the University of Texas and got a degree in psychology while performing in shows with several local dance companies. She calls psychology her back-up plan.

"A typical dancer might make it into her 40s," she said, "but you need something to fall back on. Someday, I'll make it to grad school."

In March of her senior year at Texas, Ms. Campbell flew to New York to audition for the touring company of "Cats." A couple of weeks later, she got a call that she had made it.

"I really lucked out," said Ms. Campbell, noting that few dancers get such a good part on their first try in New York.

She is in her second year of the tour. Her season runs from October through May, although she may work through the coming summer if the tour is extended.

"We do an eight-show week, Tuesday through Sunday, and then travel to the new city on Monday," she said. "A different hotel every week. I live out of two suitcases."

To transform into a cat, Ms. Campbell spends an hour and 15 minutes in makeup, plus time to don the costume and wig. But she said she enjoys the time in makeup.

"It's so central to the process of transforming into a cat, making myself look like an Abyssinian," she said.

One result of the constant performance schedule, she added, is that the actors and crew become especially close. "We call ourselves the 'Cats family,' " she said.

But she also looks forward to seeing her other family: her parents, Paul and Dianne, and her brothers, Kev, Mike and Pat, most of whom still live in the Pittsburgh area.

"My parents were always supportive of us in whatever we wanted to do," she said. "After all, they were the ones who drove me around to all those dance classes. Not every parent is willing to do that."

Ms. Campbell said that along with time in her hometown, she also was excited by the fundraising effort the tour had undertaken to help Haitian earthquake victims.

Keeping up her energy on the road can sometimes be tough, Ms. Campbell conceded. But she said she is always aware of how fortunate she is.

"I'm getting paid to do what I love," she said. "How many others would kill to be in my shoes? I can never be grateful enough."

"Cats" will run from Tuesday through Jan. 31 at the Benedum Center. Performances will be at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday through next Thursday; 8 p.m. Jan. 29; 2 and 8 p.m. Jan. 30; and 1 and 6:30 p.m. Jan. 31. Tickets are $21 to $53 and are available at the Box Office at Theater Square, 655 Penn Ave., or by calling 412-456-6666 or going to www.pgharts.org.

Looking for more from the Post-Gazette? Join PG+, our members-only web site. You'll get exclusive sports content, opinion, financial information, discounts from retailers and restaurants, and more. Our introduction to PG+ gives you all the details.