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By: STO Ezekiel Payne, Belton High School, Troupe 3491 You could call the Belton Theatre Thespian Troupe many things. Crazy? Yes. Unorthodox? Yeah. Eccentric? Definitely! But normal? Nope. Due to the variety and quantity of awesome stuff there is to know about Troupe 3491 I’ve decided to split this up into a few sections, which consist of: onstage, backstage, in the classroom, and outside the school.  I’ll begin with the place beloved by many thespian troupes: our stage. The stage holds many memories and traditions for our troupe. Over the last few years, we’ve performed classics like “Matilda” (Roald Dahl and Tim Minchin) and “Into the Woods” (James Lapine and Stephen Sondhiem), while also trying out more modern shows such as, “The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon” (Don Zolidis) and Puffs (Matt Cox). On top of this, we’ve tried our hand at a few tragedies. Just last fall we performed Antigone (Sophocles and adapted by David Rush). These are just some of the shows we’ve performed and each one holds a special place in our hearts. Now, even though some of us seniors in the troupe have amassed quite a few shows under our belt compared to the freshman, we still can get the pre-show jitters just like anyone else. In order to remedy that, we have a tradition that takes place on stage right before the house opens. This tradition is called O-Lae-Lae. It involves everyone! The cast, crew, and directors get in a large circle and then the senior chosen the previous year for the honor grabs the O-Lae-Lae stick. They then lead the group in various chants until at the end everyone goes as fast as they can and everyone breaks, feeling much more at ease. This has been a part of our department since even before I, a current senior, was here.  Next, we move past the grand drape and find ourselves backstage. This is home to all the actors freaking out over quick changes and techies telling them to be quiet so they can listen for the scene change. It is also occasionally home to bats! This is simply because we often work late into the night striking a show and often leave the doors next to the shop open. Don’t worry, no harm comes to the bats. Instead we promptly name them. Prominent names include Batthew McConaughey and Sir. Batrick Stewart. Backstage is also home to our very own UIL State Theatrical Design qualifier, the amazing Allison Vekasy. Allison created beautiful costume designs for the competition and still acts as an ace up our troupe’s sleeves for both costumes and props! Backstage is also the starting point for one of the events we hold dubbed, “Tech Olympics”. We gather several middle schools together to compete through various technical challenges. The winner gets to take home a trophy that was kept by the previous winner. Alongside the trade off is the choice of adding one thing to the trophy each year to make it bigger, better, and more ridiculous. Games can include speed costume measurements, rope tying, Drill time trials, and more! Now, we also have traditions backstage including meditation circles and “campfire” both of which are used to calm nerves and bond the troupe before shows or during tech week. More extroverted traditions include the boy’s and girl’s traditions. All the Guys will do a secret tradition unknown to any of the girls and vice versa for the girl’s tradition. Luckily I can fill you in on what the guy’s tradition is! So first ███ █████████ ██ ███████ ████ ███ ████ ███████ ███ ████████ ███████ ████ ███ █ ████ ███ ██ ███ ██████ █████ ██ ████ ███ ██████ ███ ███ ██████ ███████ ███████████ █████ ██ █████ [redacted] and that’s basically how it works!  After that we find the troupe in the theatre classroom. The classroom is where we host the majority of student led events. One such event is Hanukchrisgiving! This is a party we throw in celebration of Hanukkah, Christmas, Thanksgiving, and whatever other holidays are being celebrated within the troupe around this time. This is also when we have our troupe bake off! Each thespian makes either a savory or sweet dish and our judges will rank them. This was a lot of fun and everyone enjoyed the good food being made by their classmates. I may be biased due to the fact that I won last year, so take that with a grain of salt. The classroom is home to numerous parties other than Hanukchrisgiving, the best of which is the annual Murder Mystery! Every year, troupe 3491 decides on a Murder Mystery storyline, then we all dress up and remain in character the entire night. Many members even start looking forward to the party at the beginning of the year! We also let Goathello join in on the Murder Mystery. “ Who’s Goathello?”, you may be asking. Well, Goathello is our mascot of course! He’s a tiny stuffed goat that we take on all of our field trips, whether to festivals or one act or anywhere else. He is also always fitted with the best apparel due to constant fabrication of new clothes for him out of scrap fabric. I feel I should also briefly mention that we also perform “senior directs'' in the little theater. This allows our seniors to experience directing and understand a portion of the process before they head off to college.  Now, we head outside the school entirely. This is where we do a lot of our volunteer work and events. One such event is “Trick or Treat So Kids Can Eat” or TOTS. We all dress up and walk around surrounding neighborhoods. We then ask for any canned goods or related items they would like to donate. Usually people take red wagons with them and try to fill the wagon to the brim before coming back to the front of the school. After everyone counts, we begin the Halloween party. This is usually filled with games, candy, and of course a costume competition. Similar rules to the Bake-off apply. Other than TOTS we also do different volunteer work such as working with the fireman to clean the vehicles. We also emcee welcome back events for teachers. This year we’re implementing a minimum large volunteer opportunity.  I’m so glad that over the past few paragraphs you’ve come to know the troupe that I hold close to my heart. My troupe keeps me going when things are rough and cheers me on for my successes. Thank you for reading about troupe 3491 and I hope you’ve come to appreciate all that they mean to me.
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By: STO Brenna Kenney, Rouse HS, Troupe 7679  This week’s #TakeALookTuesday is from Texas High School’s Troupe 2526 in Texarkana, Texas. Here’s what they had to say, “We can say with confidence that Troupe 2526 is THE best Troupe in Texas, maybe even in the United States. We are a group of unique individuals that are able to come together to create shows that express our individuality, as well as how we work as an ensemble. This year, the officers recorded videos for our troupe members about how to sell ads, audition do’s and don'ts, and more which can be found on our Troupe Youtube channel. Our fall play this year is Puffs, and we can’t wait to attend the 2020 Virtual Texas State Thespian Festival! Keep up with us at @thetigertheatrecompany on Instagram!”
Submit your entries by direct messaging our social media platforms! Instagram: texasthespians Snapchat: texas_thespians Twitters: @texas_sto @texas_thespians Facebook: Texas Thespians By: STO Brenna Kenney, Rouse HS, Troupe 7679  This week’s #TakeALookTuesday is from Decatur High School in Decatur, Texas. Here’s what they had to say, “We are Decatur High School’s Troupe 6099. This past year our troupe held a dinner theatre and completed productions of “The Sound of Music” and “Dearly Departed”. We’re upset that UIL One Act was cut short, but completely understand why. We’re not just a cast but a family, full of fun, crazy and unique talents all across the board!”
Submit your entries by direct messaging our social media platforms! Instagram: texasthespians Snapchat: texas_thespians Twitters: @texas_sto @texas_thespians Facebook: Texas Thespians By: STO Campbell Lemons, Obra D. Tompkins HS, Troupe 7963  This week’s #TakeALookTuesday comes from Cedar Park High School! Here’s what they have to say, “We’re Thespian Troupe 6289 from Cedar Park High School in Cedar Park! CPHS Theatre is an incredibly close knit and welcoming group of thespians. We pride ourselves on making everyone feel included and focus on making sure everyone enjoys themselves in the department. This year we had the pleasure of putting on five shows! Our annual Haunted House, Tony and Tina’s Wedding, an improv dinner theatre event, Stage Parents, a new play written by Don Zolidis (which we performed the world premiere of!) and recently our musical A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder! We are upset we couldn't continue working on our UIL show, The Mental State and Frozen the Musical! We would love to see you come by CPHS and see a show whenever possible! Go T-Wolves! Follow us @cphstheatredept !”
Submit your entries by direct messaging our social media platforms! Instagram: texasthespians Snapchat: texas_thespians Twitters: @texas_sto @texas_thespians Facebook: Texas Thespians By: STO Campbell Lemons, Obra D. Tompkins HS, Troupe 7963  Today’s #TakeALookTuesday comes from Houston, Texas. Here’s what Alief Taylor High School’s Thespian Troupe 6457 had to say, “We are a family. We make the impossible possible. This past year, we've experimented with new ideas to improve ourselves as a company. We successfully found innovative ways to complete our goals, including performing with a single UIL set piece for competition & performing a show with projections. At the 2019 Texas Thespians Festival, 11 out of 15 of our troupe members advanced to nationals! One group acting scene and 2 technical IE's even made it to main stage. We make every minute count. We are troupe 6457.”
Submit your entries by direct messaging our social media platforms! Instagram: texasthespians Snapchat: texas_thespians Twitters: @texas_sto @texas_thespians Facebook: Texas Thespians By: STO Brenna Kenney, Rouse HS, Troupe 7679  This week’s #TakeALookTuesday is from Bellaire High School. Here’s what they had to say, “Hi! We’re Troupe 3049 also known as Red Bird Productions from Bellaire High School in Bellaire, Texas. Our 2019-2020 season has consisted of some awesome shows! It included “Puffs”, “A Midsummer’s Night Dream”, “30 Plays in 60 Minutes”, The 24 Hour Plays and “Urinetown”! Our short film, “The Red Balloon”, won best cinematography at Texas Thespians and is going to Nationals! We also were looking forward to competing in the UIL One Act Play contest this year. See what we’re doing at @redbirdprod !“
Submit your entries by direct messaging our social media platforms! Instagram: texasthespians Snapchat: texas_thespians Twitters: @texas_sto @texas_thespians Facebook: Texas Thespians By: STO Brenna Kenney, Rouse HS, Troupe 7679  This week’s #TakeALookTuesday comes from Huntsville, Texas. Here’s what they had to say, “Hey, Texas Thespians, We are Troupe 1728, proudly representing Huntsville High School in Huntsville, TX. Our troupe's 2019-2020 season was PHENOMENAL even though it was cut short! We started this year off with a fall production of "Shrek the Musical" ,followed by Rick Abbot's "Play On!". We were excited to compete in UIL OAP with an original production called “Hate, Up Close”. We hope to meet some of you guys when the chaos clears up! Till then, break legs. Sincerely, Troupe 1728. Learn more about our troupe @hhshornetdrama .”
Submit your entries by direct messaging our social media platforms! Instagram: texasthespians Snapchat: texas_thespians Twitters: @texas_sto @texas_thespians Facebook: Texas Thespians By: STO Brenna Kenney, Rouse HS, Troupe 7679  This week’s #TakeALookTuesday is from Memorial High School. Here’s what they had to say, “We are Troupe 769 located in McAllen, Texas. Our troupe is a family. We participate in an abundance of community service projects for our school and community. This includes building our annual Christmas parade float, volunteering in a community “Trunk or Treat” and recruitment for future Mustangs! On top of that, our troupe members participate in UIL Prose and Poetry, UIL Theatrical Design, UIL Film and UIL One Act Play! To learn more and support our journey visit @memorialmustangtheatre!”
Submit your entries by direct messaging our social media platforms! Instagram: texasthespians Snapchat: texas_thespians Twitters: @texas_sto @texas_thespians Facebook: Texas Thespians Post By: STO Campbell Lemons, Obra D. Tompkins HS, Troupe 7963  Today’s Featured School is from Sandra Day O’Connor High School’s Troupe 5872! Here’s what they had to say, “We’ve had an amazing year with productions such as Legally Blonde and Leading Ladies. We competed in UIL this year with the greek tragedy Medea, and Theatrical Design. We had major success at the Texas Thespian State Festival this past year with 7 National Qualifiers, a newly elected 2020 State Thespian Officer and featured cast members at the All Star Improv Show. We all support each other’s dreams and push each other to be the best that we can be, making this troupe truly feel like a family. Theatre is our passion and we couldn’t be more grateful that we get to share this with our community and state!”
Submit your entries by direct messaging our social media platforms! Instagram: texasthespians Snapchat: texas_thespians Twitters: @texas_sto @texas_thespians Facebook: Texas Thespians  Please follow us on Twitter and Instagram where we recognize a variety of schools and their amazing season.
Your State Thespian Officers love you all and see the hard work each of your high schools is doing, we would like to recognize you! We want to help tell Texas what you're all about, so maybe they can follow in your footsteps! "What do we highlight?" Great question! Is your school doing some great advocacy work? Are they putting on awesome productions? How about some cool community service projects? Or do you do something super cool that's unique to your school? If you answered yes to any of the questions above then your school qualifies to be a highlighted high school! "How do we become a highlighted high school?" There are plenty of ways! For starters, you can send us a message on any of our social media accounts or send an email and tell us all about what your high school has to offer! Secondly, as your State Thespian Officers we stay very involved in the communities around us. We want to come watch your shows and hear your stories! It's a lot harder for us to see shows that we don't know about so feel free to message us! Another way is to tag us in stuff your Troupe is doing! We love seeing you thespians doing work for our beloved art! "How do you choose?" We want to recognize all of you! So let us know your story! We will try to get all of you up here! :) Use our hashtags: #txshowsupport #ourthespianSTOry Don't forget about our promotions on our @Texas_STO twitter page! And make sure to follow us on all of our medias: Instagram: texasthespians Snapchat: texas_thespians Twitters: @texas_sto @texas_thespians Facebook: Texas Thespians |
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