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By: STO Gabriel Brock, Goose Creek Memorial High School, Troupe 8132; STO Talya Hammerman Ridge Point High School, Troupe 7678; STO Folarin Oyeleye Foster High school Troupe 7961
We have reached the final week for Theatre In Our Schools Month! While the moment may be bitter-sweet, seeing as we are coming to a close on the month, hopefully, you’ve enjoyed these past three weeks advertising, reaching out, and teaching. This week, we’re focusing on social media and its relationship to theatre. Social Media is an ever-important aspect of theatre culture, and it ties in the other three points of ARTS: Advertising
Reaching Out
Teaching
Challenges
Have a phenomenal rest of your Theatre In Our Schools Month, and continue to use the skills you’ve learned over the past three weeks throughout the rest of the school. Hope to see you all again next year! Sincerely, Your 2020 & 2021 Texas State Thespian Officers By: STO Piper Daniell, Midway High School, Troupe 4770, and STO Gentry Phillips, Springtown High School, Troupe 1494
Texas Thespians proved time and time again that theatre not only serves as a means for thespians to embrace their creative selves but also proved to be a place where everyone is involved. Whether we are techies, directors, or actors, we all have a place to teach others about what we do in theatre and about how that has shaped us as people. For Theatre In Our Schools Month, Texas Thespians shared an acronym many of us can easily relate to: A.R.T.S. This week is Teach! For so many of us, theatre has been our safe place and an area where we feel free to be ourselves. However, many thespians don’t realize what theatre taught them until they stop to reflect. Not only does theatre teach us about ourselves, but being in theatre and advocating it allows every thespian to teach others about the importance of the arts. Below are some statements from STO’s about what theatre taught them, along with what it has taught our wonderful director, Nicole Morgan. STO: Campbell Lemons, Chair What is something theatre has taught you about yourself?: Theatre taught me to trust myself even if I am unsure of the outcome and to always take the opportunities that come up. How has theatre impacted the way you work with others?: It helped me to better understand different ways of thinking creatively and bettered me as a performer, leader and person. How has what you’ve learned in theatre impacted you outside of the theatre?:The main thing I have taken away from theatre is how to advocate. Not just advocating for the arts, but advocating for myself. Advocating for yourself is something that I have relied on throughout the college application process and more. STO: Annie Bailey What is something theatre has taught you about yourself?: I learned that I struggle with eye contact but I have gotten much better at doing it and not feeling uncomfortable. How has theatre impacted the way you work with others?: I am empathetic and more apt to consider what motivates the actions of others rather than rushing to be upset over small things. How has what you’ve learned in theatre impacted you outside of the theatre?: I have learned lots about time management and public speaking skills. I say a lot less “ums” than I used to. STO: Elisa Pedraz Sanchez What is something theatre has taught you about yourself?: Theatre taught me that I am stronger and more confident than I think. It takes a lot of courage and training to stand up in front of a crowd and perform and before I joined theatre I never thought I would be able to do something like that someday. Theatre taught me how to be confident in my own skin and rock all of the things that make me different. It also made me a stronger person because of all the people I was surrounded by and all of the challenges I went through to get to this place. How has theatre impacted the way you work with others?: Absolutely! Before doing theatre I HATED doing any kind of team work activities but theatre taught me that I can't do everything alone. Like with shows, it takes a whole team to put on the show and it would be impossible for one person to do that by themselves. Theatre taught me how to collaborate with my peers, how to express my ideas better and how to listen to other people's ideas. Theatre impacted my work ethic positively! How has what you’ve learned in theatre impacted you outside of the theatre?:Theatre in general taught me how to be more confident and that is something that is absolutely necessary in the real world because that is the way you portray yourself. It taught me how to be true to myself and how to fight for the things I believe in even if the path might be rocky. It made a huge impact in my life by teaching me there is always beauty even in the darkest places. Thespian Board Director: Nicole Morgan What is something theatre has taught you about yourself?: Perseverance How has theatre impacted the way you work with others?: I learned to listen more. How has what you’ve learned in theatre impacted you outside of the theatre?:It gives me confidence to tackle the problems that will arise and know that I can do things as needed. No matter what theatre taught you, always remember how much we can teach others through the work of the arts. With March being Theatre In Our Schools Month, take every opportunity to better educate others about the significance of the fine arts and how it enriches our lives. Go teach! You 2020 & 2021 Texas State Thespian Officers By: STO Brenna Kenney, Rouse High School, Troupe 7679
It is week 2 of the greatest month of the year, Theatre In Our Schools Month! We have loved celebrating this month with you all and we can’t wait to MARCH into this second week! As you know, last week we dived into advertising, the first part of the acronym A.R.T.S.! This week, we are reaching out! There are many different ways to reach out, in your school, community, and even state level! Reaching out in your School Advocating in your school is one of the most simple ways to begin your advocacy journey! You can put up signs around your school to advertise shows, support other organizations by going to sports games or showcases, advertising your shows and activities through announcements, posting on social media, and so much more! All of these ideas can bring awareness to your department and the benefits of theatre in your school! Reaching out in your Community Once we are recognized in our schools, the next step we can take is advocating in our communities. This doesn’t mean parading down the streets of your town in full costume and makeup, but asking to advertise in local businesses, write newspaper articles, invite influential people to your shows, or volunteer to do community service. These ideas only scratch the surface of how you can gain support from your community, and we can’t wait to see more of your ideas! Reaching out on the State Level This may sound daunting, we get it, but it is not as scary as it sounds! Advocating on the state level brings a greater awareness to all the hard work, time, and energy we put into this thing we love so much: theatre! Reaching out on the state level can look like keeping open lines of communication with elected officials, or even getting Theatre In Our Schools Month declared in your city/town, so we can gain a better stepping stone moving up to the state level. This is one of the most important steps on our journey to advocacy in our state and we would love for you all to join us! We can not wait to see how your troupe reaches out! Stay tuned for more advocacy tips and tricks throughout the month of March, and REACH OUT to us on social media! Happy Theatre In Our Schools Month, Your 2020 & 2021 Texas State Thespian Officers By: STO Lia Graham, Texas High School, Troupe 2526
That’s Right! You guessed it. We’re talking about the A in ARTS advertising! There are so many ways to advertise for your theatre and events, so let’s get started! There’s no one way that's better. All advertising is good advertising. Whether through your school newspaper, radio, posters or flyers, simply spreading the word is enough. With that being said, it’s your turn! Find new inventive ways to advertise your show. Reach out to your school and community personally. Need some ideas to get the creativity flowing? We have you covered!
If you need more ideas, check out our “Advertise” video on Instagram! This is your time to put your leadership skills to the test. If you feel your troupe’s advertisement falls flat, CHANGE IT! You have the power to push ideas into action for the better of your troupe. Step up and make the change. We believe in you, Your 2020 & 2021 Texas State Thespian Officers By: STO Lia Graham, Texas High School, Troupe 2526 The time has come for (drum roll please) THEATRE IN OUR SCHOOLS MONTH! It’s the one time of year when schools have a reason to shine the spotlight on theatre and hopefully find ways to incorporate theatre in core classes. This month, we’re focusing on the A.R.T.S. (obviously). A- Advertise R- Reach out T- Teach S- Social Media Sound familiar? If you attended leadership day or our advocacy workshop you may have been introduced to A.R.T.S. We will be diving into this acronym over the next 30 days providing your troupe and you with ideas, tips, and activities to grow your advocacy skills and spread the benefits of theatre! Add a little bit of spice… We have prizes!! Below, you will see the first ever Theatre in our Schools Month Bingo! Each square has a fun activity for you to do throughout the month of March, and bring your troupe together to complete challenges to increase participation. Depending on how many rows you complete, you could win gift cards, Texas Thespians Merch, and most importantly, Ducks!! Take our ideas and make them your own. Take independence to make this year the best Theatre in our Schools month ever! Stay updated with A.R.T.S on our blog and social media. Let the advocating begin! See you soon! Your 2020 & 2021 Texas State Thespian Officers  |
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