PITTSBURGH — This weekend will be a big one for the young actress Jessica Ortiz of Penn Township.

She is playing a lead role in the musical “In the Heights” for the Pittsburgh Musical Theater, plus a studio at PMT’s new home is being dedicated to her grandfather.

Jessica’s father’s father was in show business, said her mom, Carolyn Ortiz, about her husband Ronald’s dad.

Gene Ortiz was a singer and dancer in his career and is a member of the dancers’ Mambo Hall of Fame.

“PMT is going through a capital campaign to redo the building that was just bought that all the students are using now,” said Carolyn. “They’re renovating the entire building.”

Donors could designate the names of parts of the building. “A bench or a staircase or an entry,” Carolyn said.

The Ortiz family donated a sum that allowed them to name the main rehearsal studio as the Gene Ortiz Studio.

“This is a way his name is up there ... and our family name is where our daughter takes classes and is training,” Carolyn said.

Gene Ortiz will be in town for the show and dedication, along with other family members.

“In the Heights” won 2008 Tony Awards for Best Musical, Best Score, Best Choreography and Best Orchestrations.

The show is special to Jessica for a couple reasons.

“‘In the Heights’ is the first show that is being performed in PMT’s new Gargaro Theater. This is exciting because we are performing in a space that I like to call my ‘second home,’” Jessica said.

“Since this show is about being proud of who you are, where you come from and about home, it’s the perfect show to perform at our home — the Gargaro Theater.

“The show also touches my heart because I get to play ‘Nina’ who is a Puerto Rican from Washington Heights. I am half-Puerto Rican and I am so proud to be playing her. My dad grew up in the Bronx and so many situations in the show are very similar to how his life was growing up in New York City, so it’s a very meaningful show for my family and I can’t wait for them all to see it!”

In her second year with PMT, the 16 year old is performing in her eighth show.

The Knoch High School 10th grader said keeping up with school work can be a challenge when she’s in rehearsals for five hours weeknights and longer on weekends. “Many times I am finishing it up in the car ride to Pittsburgh or I take my work there and complete it when we aren’t working on a scene that I am in,” she said.

“I feel that the more I have to do, the better I am at time management and somehow I get it all done. Also, my parents make me keep my grades to A’s and B’s in order to do the shows so that motivates me to not fall behind in my school work.”

Jessica also was recently cast in PMT’s next show “Les Miserables” and wants to go to college to study musical theater.

Other area students in this PMT youth production are Daniel Terwilliger and Clare Stevenson, both of Butler.

“I couldn’t be more proud that my family’s name will be a permanent fixture at PMT, a place that is so special to me,” Jessica said. “My grandfather and I share the same love of dance and theater and I am so honored to be able to have his lifetime commitment to the arts recognized in one of the areas best performing arts schools.”

“In the Heights” opens tonight and runs through Sunday at the Gargaro Theater, 327 S. Main St.

Curtain is at 7:30 p.m. tonight through Saturday and at 2 p.m. Sunday.

Tickets are $10 to $15. Call 412-539-0900, Ext. 232. For more information, visit www.pittsburghmusicals.com.