STO Rachel Metzler was a part of Troupe 1053 at The Woodlands High school, where she filled the role of stage manager. She served on the 2017 STO Board where the theme was Adventure Awaits. Rachel’s board was the first board to serve at The Gaylord! She now works in Public-Relations, Branding, and Advertisement, as well as stage-managing locally. For the past two years, Rachel has offered several workshops at Festival and will continue that streak this year!  Additionally, she will be working as one of the stage managers for Mainstage Events at the 2021 Festival!

Q:   What was it that made you want to run for the STO position?
A:  I was passionate about arts advocacy and giving students the same experiences that completely shaped who I have become as a person. Texas is full of so many of those incredible stories and I wanted to be able to help share them. 
Q:   What is your favorite memory of being an STO?
A:  The close friendships I have made and opportunities from being an STO are ones that I will truly never forget. I'm still close to people on the board from my year, and even the years before and after. Being able to see how everyone has grown and taken on their own adventures has been so rewarding to see! The late nights at STO camp were also quite a highlight!
Q:   What was your favorite musical then? What is it now?
A:  My senior year, Big Fish was a really special show to me- and it still is! Come From Away and Ordinary Days definitely have to be two of my favorites though.
Q:   What did you learn then that you still carry with you?
A:  Aside from all of the practical experience with event planning and learning Zoom so early on (lol), I definitely learned a lot about myself as a leader, both in my troupe and as an STO. I think that's made me more consistent as a leader throughout college and as I graduate because I was able to figure out those things so early on. It made me more self-aware and that has truly been beneficial.
Q:   What would you have done differently in high school?
A:  I would have spent less time thinking about the "drama" that comes from being in high school with others. Things can seem so large-scale and might be at the time, but as cliché as it is, many things don't matter down the road. You have to think about what is best for you personally as opposed to what's best for everyone else sometimes (not all the time), and I wish I had given that a bit more consideration at times in high school.
Q:   What would you have done differently in your troupe? 
A:  I had a phenomenal experience in my troupe and I don't know if there are too many things I would have changed. If anything, I'd say spending more time reaching out to other troupes to learn from each other and be together. We definitely started doing that, but I wish we had done it more.
Q:   What would you have done differently as an STO?
A:  I think I would have pushed for more social engagement and fun social initiatives! Social media was definitely a thing and growing at the time, but it hasn't been until the past few years where I've seen the community that it gives an organization. It's great to see Texas Thespians leaning into that now!
Q:  If you could send your troupe one message what would it be?
A: My senior theatre brick says "may your choices reflect your hopes, not your fears." I would hope that for anyone in my troupe, or any troupe really. The cool thing about high school is while there feels like there can be so much at stake, it is a great opportunity to mess up, learn, and just be together with the people you love because it really might be the last time that all the people you love are in one place together. I still look back so fondly on my time in my troupe and the people I was able to spend time with! 


Would you like to be like Rachel and represent Texas Thespians? Check out how to become an STO here! 

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By: STO Gabriel Brock, Goose Creek Memorial High School, Troupe 8132 

As the summer kicks into full swing and schools around the state close for the season, thespians are left with the task of filling their summer days with festivities. While there is a diverse variety of summer activities, a lot of thespians itch for an opportunity to do theatre even when the doors to their home performance space are locked and closed. Even some of our own State Thespian Officers can’t contain their urge to perform. We asked a few of our STOs what their summer plans were and how they planned to stay engaged in the arts. 

“I’m performing In CCT’s production of Hello Dolly! This is the group I usually audition for in the summer and it’s a lot of fun! The best part of it hands down is the rehearsal progress. With these types of shows you start out knowing a few people and by the end, everyone is a family that gets to put on a beautiful show together!”

• STO Karis Klammer,

Montgomery High School, Troupe 5986

“This summer I am participating in Nexus, which is a virtual Musical Theatre camp at Texas State. Last summer, I was a part of Boston Conservatory’s Musical Theatre Dance Intensive that was relatively similar. The best part of the experience is getting to learn from all of the different faculty and being able to see what the college is like and how it is run!”

• STO Abi Colburn,

The Woodlands High School, Troupe 1053

    Obviously our STOs love theatre, but don’t think you have to go to a camp or attend a conservatory to stay engaged in theatre or connected with your fellow thespians. Get together with your troupe mates and try to go watch your community’s local arts, like theatre in the park or a community concert. Audition for summer stock shows and support your friends who are. Whatever you do, don’t forget why you do what you do. Distance only makes the heart grow fonder, so don’t lose your spark, and when school starts back up in the fall (or when your show opens in the upcoming weeks if you’re doing summer stock) break legs!
 
Have a fun summer!
Your 2021 Texas State Thespian Officers

By: ; STO Talya Hammerman, Ridge Point High School, Troupe 7678; STO Gabriel Brock, Goose Creek Memorial High School, Troupe 8132
 
With the school year coming to an end, we wanted to leave this year’s juniors and seniors with a little bit of advice.

Tips for applying/preparing for college

• Watch youtube videos from people at colleges you’re interested in

Oftentimes, you can find vlogs from students or simple introductory videos on schools that you may apply to. These videos can help serve as a window to the environment and the types of people you will encounter at the school!

• Do not stress, but a deadline is a deadline

By no means should you be worried about these auditions/applications. After all, seniors go through this process all the time, and they all survived. Although it may be difficult, trust in your abilities to get everything done and put in your best work. Of course, a deadline is a deadline. These are colleges, and they won’t be as forgiving as your super cool english teacher who gives extensions when you're just “not feeling it”. Think ahead and keep track of all deadlines as soon as they're introduced. 

• Do not compare yourself to other people

It is extremely easy to compare your progress to someone who has 6 of their applications done already, is filming 5 auditions on a Saturday, and has a resume that looks like a CVS receipt, but you simply can’t. Every individual is different, works at a unique pace, and overall, you have to trust you are doing what is best for you. 

•  Early decision is binding, early action is what you need for theatre

This may get confusing, so buckle up. When you apply for colleges, there are two different forms of application: Early Decision and Early Action. Early decision means that, once you apply to a school, you have to attend if you get in. Early action allows you to apply to a school, get in, but still decide to go elsewhere. Of course, it depends on the person applying. If you have your heart set on a specific college, then by all means go for early decision. However, if you are looking at a plethora of schools, early action may be the best option to pursue.  

• Get eyes on your work

It is always beneficial to have your work reviewed by a director, peer, or even just your parents. The more people who see and critique them, the better your pieces will become. However, you want to make sure you are keeping your selections fresh and authentic. Colleges can tell when a piece has been overworked, and they are looking for ingenuity. 


Q: What if I’m not majoring in theatre?
A: People have this stigma about those who don’t do theatre as a major. I’m here to say, you don’t have to listen to them. Do what is best for you. For me, I knew that I had done so much in theatre already, I’m not saying I’m done learning, but I wanted to try something new and push myself in another area. With a minor, you are able to do that and still do theatre. I will Major in Graphic Design with a Minor in Theatre. This will allow me some time to still use theatre as a creative outlet while doing something else that I love as well.
~ Campbell Lemons, 2018-2020 Texas State Thespian Officer

Q: What advice do you have regarding auditioning for colleges and finding which program is right for you?
A: My best advice when auditioning for colleges is to know your type. Do not try to fit into another mold. Being yourself is the best thing to do! When it comes to finding what program is right for you I completely recommend doing your research. Campus visits, talking to some of their current students, talking to some of their current students, watching a show from the college. Anything to make sure you could grow and thrive in their environment. Also when you know you know. When I stepped onto my college campus I knew immediately that that was where I was going to spend the next 4 years. If you have that moment, listen to it! 
       ~ Jackson Barnes, 2019-2020 Texas State Thespian Officer

Q: How stressful is the entire audition/application process?
A: I'd say make sure that you pick pieces that fit you well. Most of the college auditions that I went on asked me if I had any pieces that better reflected myself as a performer. I wish that my primary pieces had been in my age range since they're generally looking for someone who can do a piece that feels natural for them. It can take a lot of time to find a piece that you love and that also fits you, but once you find something it's completely worth it.
    ~ Elam Blackwell, 2017 Texas State Thespian Officer/ International Thespian Officer

Q: What is the hardest part of the audition/college application process?
A: For me the hardest part was knowing where to start! Because of the nature of what I wanted to study combined with the fact that I didn’t have a list of “dream schools” to reference, it felt very overwhelming to begin looking at schools when you know little to nothing about their actual reputation in your field. I found myself just kind of going in circles looking for programs until I had to sit and make myself pick some schools I liked to apply to.
        ~ Annie Bailey, 2019-2020 Texas State Thespian Officer 

Life is hard and school doesn’t make it any easier. Take these tips to heart and don’t be afraid to ask for help from your classmates, directors, or graduated seniors. When the fall rolls around and you’re auditioning for schools, (acting, playwriting, technical theatre, or anything in between) just remember to be prepared and don’t forget to break a leg!

Seniors, don’t think that because this was an auditions blog we forgot about you. Several state schools still have application periods open until May 30th, May 31st, or June 1st. You still have a few weeks to get in that application for the upcoming fall and if you’ve already committed we have a blog coming up about what to bring with you in the fall (both theatre and non-theatre related). So stay tuned!

With love, 
Your 2020 & 2021 Texas State Thespian Officers

By: STO Lia Graham, Texas High School, Troupe 2526
 
    Goodbyes are never fun. Spring is always bittersweet for the STOs as it comes time to pass the torch onto the 2021 board, but the 2020 STOs have a few farewells. Some faces you will see for another year, but the rest take their place in the STO Hall of Fame. Here’s some words of advice from the 2020 Texas Thespians State Thespian Officers;
 
“The most valuable lesson I have learned is definitely how to advocate. Advocating for Theatre Education has made a lasting impact on my community and helped to inspire the students that feel their voices won’t make an impact. I’m going to miss the people, the STOs, and the adults, but I’m also going to miss working with and for Texas Thespians. This organization truly changes students’ lives and paves paths for them and their future.”

• Campbell Lemons, Chair

Obra D. Tompkins High School, Troupe 7963
 
“I’ve learned that every new opportunity that comes up, take it. The most valuable skill I’ve learned is how to incorporate and compromise the ideas of everyone. I am going to miss all of the STO’s that are graduating because I never knew how close I could become to these people in such a short amount of time. I’m looking forward to making next year’s Thespians even better than this past year! (And this past year was pretty amazing)!”

• Piper Daniell, Middle School Liason

Midway HS, Troupe 4770
 
“The most valuable skill I’ve gained is the ability to make effective, concise, and more aesthetically pleasing presentations, which is something I struggled a lot with before. I’m going to miss teaching about Advocacy and getting to talk for a full 45 minutes about it to people who are so willing to listen.”

• Annie Bailey, Advocacy Co-Chair

Belton HS, Troupe 3491
 
“It is insane how much connecting with other thespians can increase your knowledge of both theatre and leadership as a whole. During COVID I realized how important it is for thespians to be around other thespians. Despite not seeing each other in person all that much, I still feel emotionally attached to every single STO, and I am incredibly thankful for every second I've experienced with this family. Being on a call and seeing everyone's incredible personalities and working with these amazing leaders has been something I will cherish for the rest of my life.”

• Jackson Barnes, 

Argyle HS, Troupe 6015
 
“I have effectively learned how to advocate for myself and the arts. You won’t always be the best at something, so it’s more important to operate as a team to fully succeed at your goals. I’m going to miss the relationships I built with the STOs. They are my family, and now I’m sad it’s all ending.”

• Caleb Creech, 

Royse City HS, Troupe 8003
 
“A lot that I did not realize before being an STO is it requires a great deal of organization, taking responsibility, and ownership. The most valuable skill I’ve learned is editing videos in a short period of time. What I'm going to miss the most is the zoom calls, meeting up, connecting, and making videos.”

• Cody Dixon, 

GW Carver Magnet HS, Troupe 6753
 
“One of the most valuable skills I've learned through being an STO is turning things in on time. Working in such a large group with many tasks and goals, by turning things in on time, we are able to complete our tasks and goals more efficiently. Prior to being an STO, I was rather hesitant about communicating in large groups. However, I was able to overcome this and be better at talking in large groups.”

• Victoria Goehring, 

Cypress Ridge HS, Troupe 6641
 
“This year is not what we expected it to be. When we heard that festival would be virtual and that we couldn’t meet for STO camp, we could have easily given up. We all know that would never happen though. Even through a global pandemic, we led, advocated, and reached out. I am so proud of the work all thespians across Texas have accomplished, and I can’t wait to see where this foundation takes them next.”

• Lia Graham, Troupe Liaison 

Texas HS, Troupe 2526
 
“The thing I will miss most is definitely getting to work with my fellow STOs. They are some of the greatest people I have ever met and I am going to miss them so much! I am looking forward to being able to continuously make Texas Thespians better than we found it. I can't wait to work with the 2021 board to continue to make Texas Thespians amazing!

• Brenna Kenney, 

Rouse HS, Troupe 7679
 
“I’m going to miss the people on this board the most and the connections we’ve gotten to make virtually this year across the state. I’m looking forward to taking what I’ve learned and using it to lead this new board to success. I’m looking forward to planning festival and leading a hopefully in person festival as an STO.”

• ​Jackson Layton, 

Ft. Worth Academy of Fine Arts, Troupe 6391
 
“Being an STO has definitely made me appreciate every little thing that goes into setting up things like festival or leadership camps because I never knew how much time and effort it required. I’ve learned to appreciate everyone and everything that people offer and give up so they can help others. I’m very excited for next year because I’ll have more understanding of the expectations of events and processes the STOs undergo.”

• Avery Martin, 

Denison HS, Troupe 6319
 
“I think the most valuable lesson I’ve gained from being an STO is being able to fully appreciate teamwork. I’ve always worked on teams in the past, but it really wasn’t until I served on this board where I truly saw the importance and value of teamwork. I was never afraid to not have help, because everybody was so open, kind, and always willing to lend a helping hand.”

• Bradyn Parmelly, 

Rockwall Heath HS, Troupe 5872
 
“Being an STO helped me improve on my team work skills and helped me learn to lean on people to become a better person and leader. When we were all chosen we didn’t know a pandemic was going to happen, so this taught us to have back up plans and also to adapt to overcome. Although I didn’t get to see them a lot in person, they have truly impacted my life with all their support and love. Each and everyone one of them has made me a better person and leader.”

• Elisa Pedraza-Sanchez, 

Sandra Day O'Connor HS, Troupe 5872 
 
“I’ve learned that not everything is going to go your way like you plan, so you have to embrace the change coming. You have to work hard even on the days you don’t want to continue persevering. I’ve definitely learned to be flexible and how to navigate through technology better, especially with COVID-19 throwing off a majority of our year, I think we all learned to adapt to changes very quickly.”

• Alyssa Suarez, 

William J Brennan HS, Troupe 7693
 
“Because of my time as an STO, I have learned many valuable things, but my experience working with a team to try and get things done is what I will most likely take with me for the rest of my life. Through being an STO I have learned a lot about time management and meeting deadlines.”

• Jarrett Stewart, 

Sunnyvale HS, Troupe 7532 
 
“We as a STO board had to work together even though we only met each other in person twice. My leadership skills are something that have grown. By being a STO, you have to be a leader and also be on the receiving end of leadership. I’ll miss the people. Getting to work with them is what made this experience worth it.”

• Megan Valle, 

Azle HS, Troupe 607
 
“The most valuable lesson I've learned through being a State Thespian Officer is to trust the process.  Things may look messy and disorganized at first, but trust your teammates. If you listen and work through the rough patches, the end product will turn out better than you imagined.”

• Tyler Viator, 

Clear Falls HS, Troupe 7648 
 
With love, 
Your 2020 Texas State Thespian Officers

By: STO Gabriel Brock, Goose Creek Memorial High School, Troupe 8132; STO Folarin Oyeleye, Foster High School, Troupe 7961
 
The 2020-2021 school year has been one for the history books. Every aspect of school life was flipped on its head, and the UIL season was not any exception. This year One-Act Play and Theatrical Design both saw significant renovations to the contest structure and procedure. While OAP entered its 20th competition year, having to make a significant shift from how the contest functioned in the past, the Theatrical Design’s format played a considerable part in how it operated this year. We sat down (virtually) with Rachael Gomez, the UIL Theatrical Design State Director, and talked with her about how UIL Theatrical Design operated this school year amidst the Covid pandemic.  
 
Q: Theatrical Design is probably the UIL event best suited for operating during Covid because of the event’s format, but how has the contest functioned this year?
A: We knew what our situation was going to be, and we knew it had to be virtual. We set it up in such a way that saved the integrity of the event but kept everyone safe; we wanted it that way. We didn’t have to rent any space, which meant we would be able to really help out other contests financially by making that choice as well. UIL Covid protocols were already going to limit the number of participants. So having OAP and Theatrical Design [in the same venue], would cause extra chaos or people to be on the same site. It just made sense to do it virtual this year.
 
Q: How would Theatrical Design work at State during an in-person year?
A: At State [during a regular year], you send your stuff in, it goes up on display, and you know what it and everybody elses’ looks like. I haven't been able to turn [the submissions] into a gallery for everybody to be able to see that digital work. You get to see everything. If you go to the State and you get to walk through that gallery. Oh, I just miss that so much. Beautiful. Yes, it’s like looking at a travel brochure instead of being at the site, you know?
 
Q: Have there been any unique challenges or tribulations faced this year?
A: We had the weather kind of hit. We were all set up to have everybody enter, and then that's when the snowpocalypse came on and that was right at our deadline. Because that was the week before preliminaries were due. The oral aspect, which was introduced two years ago, is probably the one major part of the contest [that would be the hardest logistically to implement]. I don't see how we're gonna be able to Zoom each person in to have 30 seconds with the judge and out. That just sounds logistically, horrible. If we can figure out how to make it happen, we're all for it. It's just the logistics of this. So many kids getting together one at a time. It would take a much more savvy technical person than me to do that. 
 
Q: How have certain aspects, whether preliminary level or the state contest, different from those in previous years?
A: Obviously, last year, we had to make the decision that the state contest was going to be virtual, and this meant that kids couldn’t resubmit updated work. There were some new people that hadn't won before who won. I saw some new names of schools, and it was really fun. This year we saw an increase in [students and sponsors] that had not done it before. We've seen some growth of introducing new people because it was virtual. Another thing is we created a submission template. [It will] have the titles, the UIL logo, etc., and they insert their work into them. All of the judges will see consistent work. This way, we make sure nobody submits anything upside down or sideways. Hopefully, it'll be some new technology that we all learned this year that makes some sense. We also were able to get state judges that we never would’ve been able to get if we were in person because of travel. We have a couple of judges from New York, including a previous Hair and Make state champion who now makes wigs on Broadway and agreed to come. And we wouldn't have had that opportunity if we weren't virtual. We also have another judge who’s a professor at Texas State [University]. 
 
Q: How have kids, teachers, and sponsors handled the increased amount of emails due to changes and adding a virtual aspect? 
A: I think it hit the hair and makeup kids the hardest. The kids who aren’t as good at the application or not as good at drawing rely on that side of it being the way to show their expertise. It turned out to be the worst year ever for makeup. Some kids were having to put makeup on their little brother because that was the only model they had. I definitely had an increase in emails, a lot of them starting with “Hi, I’m a first-year teacher” or “Hi, this is my first year sponsoring this event,” but the truth is this was like a first-year for everybody. If I have that many people asking it, I need to be more clear in the handbook. We love, love people asking questions. 
 
Q: How has the state office dealt with equity in the contest, not just between schools affected by Covid, but between less and more affluent schools in the state competing?
A: I think that there absolutely needs to be more equity in the UIL contests, and we try our hardest to even out the playing field whenever it comes to theatrical design. Obviously, schools that have fewer resources aren't going to compete at the same caliber as more affluent schools. The school with five theatre directors will be much more capable than the school with a coach who has an off-period that teaches five UIL events. We try to make sure that the contest, as it stands, leaves an opportunity for any kid to place because every kid can have a great idea, it’s just a matter of communicating that idea and putting it on paper. While we can’t make the contest so easy anyone can win, we try to keep it fair and modest. 
 
Q: While we’re over a year out before the next contest, is there any rumbling as to whether or not Theatrical Design 2022 will return in person?
A: That is definitely the plan. We had to stop and deal with the pandemic and everything. All we have to do is get over the speed bump, get through these years, make them as great as we can, and get back on track with the other.
 
Theatrical Design was not the only UIL Theatre event that had a serious face lift. The One-Act Play competition went through quite a serious overhaul to adjust to the current times, both major and minor: changes to the contest structure like modifications to  official tech rehearsals and setup, the nullification of the 1-minute rule, a 10 minute break to allow for any finishing touches, once that ends curtains go up! You still had the usual 7 minute strike, but afterwards a fun twist! Critiques came right after strike, so there's no waiting around until after results. Not only did the individual contest see changes but the entire advancement chain was changed with the elimination of the Area contests, arguably making the contest more competitive. These new guidelines have been vital in ensuring the One-Act Play experience was still enjoyable, but safe first and foremost. 
 
We extend an enormous thanks to everyone who helped the show go on and Rachel Gomez for contributing to this blog. Thank you to OAP companies and Theatrical Designs participants, to Contest Managers and Adjudicators, to the host schools, teachers, and sponsors, as well as the folks in the State office who helped make everything run smoothly. 
 
Thank you!
Your 2020 &  2021 Texas State Thespian Officers

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By: STO Piper Daniell, Midway High School, Troupe 4770, and STO Gentry Phillips, Springtown High School, Troupe 1494
        One Act Play has definitely looked different this year. With COVID-19 being an ever present fear, schools had to problem solve and think creatively in order to give the green light on their shows. Thus far, schools have competed in Zone, District, Bi-District, and Area competitions. That leaves Region to be conquered next. 
        Ah yes Region, the second scariest competition (State takes first place of course). These shows displayed a great amount of determination at the hands of the people who are running them. They worked tirelessly, actors, technicians, and directors alike, to make their show the best it can possibly be. We applaud you and are so proud of you!
        After Region is state, the part of One Act Play everyone has collective dreams (and nightmares) about. This is the thing everyone has been working towards all of second semester. To move onto State is a great honor and privilege. For everyone competing in State, congratulations and break a leg!
        So, where does that leave the rest of us? Do we just throw away our shows forever and forget this ever happened? No, of course not! Whether your school made it all the way or not, be proud of it! Your hard work and dedication speaks volumes, especially in the world's current climate. Theatre has the power to afflict the comfortable, and comfort the afflicted. Your show made an impact on someone. It might be your director, a cast mate, an audience member, or even yourself. That impact is something to truly celebrate!


We are so proud of all of you!
Your 2020 & 2021 Texas State Thespian Officers

By: STO Talya Hammerman, Ridge Point HS, Troupe 7678, and STO Karis Klammer, Montgomery HS, Troupe 5986, and STO Brenna Kenney, Rouse HS, Troupe 7679

As the school year is coming to an end, we are so excited to welcome a whole new class of freshmen into our schools! Now, freshmen, we know that you are probably scared thinking about going to a bigger school, meeting new people, and having to try the cafeteria food, but have no fear because the STOs are here to answer all of your questions about high school! Below you will find the STO’s “Declassified School Survival Guide” (although you may be too young to understand that reference)!

• Will I find my soulmate in high school?

“Good question. To be honest, probably not. If you do, more power to you! From my experience and from what I've heard, about 10% of high school relationships last and are healthy. Best of luck to you though!” -Lia

• How mean are the teachers?

“About 98% of High School teachers aren’t mean. I think that most of your teachers you come across are going to be pretty normal, not mean or super nice. A couple of your teachers are going to make learning feel exciting and will genuinely care about you, but almost without fail, at least one of your teachers will either be on your neck or just not seem to care about teaching you. Regardless of the teacher, as long as you take care of your business, you should be fine.” -Gabe

• Where is the best place to have a mental breakdown? 

“Well my personal go-to place is my director’s office.” -Megan

• Are the school dances actually like in the movies?

“The school dances are not like they are in the movies. Do not get your hopes up too much, but you can still have a good time. It is all what you make it, just have a good time with your friends.” -Abi

• Are the classes hard?

“That depends on what route you take in high school. I personally went down the AP route to maintain a high GPA and keep my rank up high, so I’ve taken AP classes all throughout high school. If you end up doing what I did, then yes, the classes are hard, and you need to be willing to put time aside to study and learn the curriculum. AP classes aren’t easy, but if you study and are very thorough, I know you can do it!” -Avery

• Why does everyone say high school is like prison?

“I think people say that because of the monotony of it all combined with the power dynamic between administration and students. Also, you’re in for a specified amount of time and every day is effectively the same and you’re meant to be learning something but more often than not, you aren’t.” -Annie

• Is there anything positive about going to high school? 

“High School can be very intense when you’re juggling multiple extracurriculars & college-level classes, but in the end, it really pays off. Despite all the stress & late nights, you get to hold onto so many amazing memories and see how the disciple you put on yourself really helps you!” -Alyssa

• Is the cafeteria food really that bad? 

“Cafeteria food is good on some days and bad on others. I feel it just depends on what type of day you're having and how you feel, but at least you have options to put something in your belly.” -Cody

• Should I drink coffee to stay awake? 

“I am biased because I have an addiction to caffeine and a really bad tendency to procrastinate and then do everything at the last minute. But to answer Yes! I think you should, though personally I prefer energy drinks, coffee is a good alternative.” -Tyler

•  How bad are the bathrooms?

“Honestly, it depends on the restroom. I try to find ones that aren't used by a large portion of the student population and those tend to be pretty clean. However, I highly recommend staying away from bathrooms near the cafeteria because for some reason they are almost always gross.” -Maleah

•  Does the nurse only give out ice packs?

“The nurse will typically stick to ice packs. But if you are like me who is constantly prone to injury, you can sometimes get a band-aid with some Neosporin!” -Piper

•  Is 5 minutes really enough time to get to your classes?

“I think 5 minutes is long enough to get to our classes, but I feel like it's not long enough for us to use the bathroom or get a drink in between.” -Michael

• Do textbooks really weigh THAT much?

“In all honesty, I've only had to carry around one physical textbook during my entire duration in high school. A lot of textbooks are digital now, making them a lot easier to access and use. Even in the rare scenario that you do need a physical textbook, they aren't too heavy.” -Victoria

•  Is the cafeteria food better?

“It’s been a while since I’ve had Cafeteria food, but it’s never been my favorite. I’ve always preferred food from home.” -Marisa 

•  Can I do more than one extra-curricular activity?

“Depending on the activities, I would say yes. It’s always important to make sure you are not burning yourself out or else it will affect not only your grades but also your mental health which can greatly affect the extracurricular activities you are in.” -Olivia

•  Are off-periods just a myth?

“Once you are an upperclassman and have taken all of your important classes, you have the option of off-periods. They can be super helpful if you have a job, want more time for homework, or just don't want to take another class. Off-periods aren't just a myth. You just have to work hard so you have the option later in high school.”- Lillian

•  Do people actually get detention?

“No not at all, at least not at my school. Sometimes kids will do something to get detention on purpose so they can have a quiet place to go during lunch or after school.” -Jackson Layton

•  Do you actually have to keep an agenda?

“In my opinion, YES!! Agendas will save your life. When your days get busy, your agenda will have your back in helping to make sure you get everything done on time! KEEP AN AGENDA!!” -Campbell

•  Do you actually use calculus in real life?

“As a theatre kid, I've yet to use calculus in my everyday life. However, if you're going into a career that requires those skills then yes! You'd be surprised how many jobs require things like calculus, geometry, and physics.” -Karis

•  Is To Kill A Mockingbird really that life-changing?

“Yes! It’s a beautiful story and an even more beautiful play! Out of all the books I had to read during high school, To Kill A Mockingbird was definitely my favorite!” -Bradyn

•  When should I start worrying about college?

“The dramatic answer is freshman year. Starting high school you should focus on what classes can boost your GPA and also what classes will look good to colleges. Start making research of what colleges you want to apply to your junior year and what majors they can offer. The most important thing is to apply for scholarships! Do this as soon as you can!” -Elisa

• How fast can you letter in theatre?

“Letterman's are a rite of passage according to many high school students although most students are typically given them by their senior year after completing 3 years in a program or three years participating in UIL competition, differing from school to school.” -Jennica

• What officer positions are open to freshmen? 

“As a freshman, you can run to be Freshman Representative, Treasurer, Secretary, Historian, or Webmaster. Those are just a few of the positions, but they may change depending on what’s available in your troupe. The only positions not available to freshmen are Vice-President and President. However, if you start in one of the positions as a freshman, you can work your way up to President or Vice President by senior year!” -Jace 

•  Best way to prep for an audition 

“The best way to prep for an audition is to always be yourself. There are thousands of other people trying to be the next Sutton Foster or Jeremy Jordan, and there is only one you. Be yourself and not someone you are not!” -Jackson Barnes

•  Are the fights entertaining? 

“In the short run they're interesting, but you don’t want to see anyone get hurt.” -Caleb

•  Is driving a car scary? 

“At first, I was really terrified to drive, and I hated driving. Now, it’s so awesome because I can hang out with my friends and drive myself to all of my rehearsals!’ -Brenna

•  Do people skip class that often? 

“It depends on the people. It's mainly the upperclassmen though,  juniors and seniors, seeing as they can either drive home or are taking an easy filler class.” -Folarin

•  What the heck are thespian points? 

“As you enter your high school career you’re going to be hearing about a lot of new things, one being, Thespian points. Thespian points are points you earn by performing certain tasks in theatre like watching shows, going to workshops and so much more. You can earn distinctions and awards depending on how many points you get.” -Gonzalo

•  Can I be friends with upperclassmen? 

“Yeah, it’s pretty easy to become friends with upperclassmen. Just be yourself and it will be no trouble.” -Gentry

•  Is the dress code different?

“To be honest, the dress code isn't entirely different, but it is definitely more relaxed when it comes to enforcement. If you are on your administration's good side, you'll have no problem getting away with wearing a beanie or a shirt that slightly exposes your midriff.” -Talya

• What is one thing you regret NOT doing during your early years of high school?

“I regret not setting up good study habits and preparing myself for the larger workload I would be getting later on in high school. It is really important to work hard Freshman and Sophomore year, not only to set up good habits but also the grades you get then are the foundation of your GPA.”- Jarrett

There you have it: everything you could possibly need to know about high school (besides how to pass physics)! We hope this helped calm your nerves about high school and answered your most dire questions. We promise it’s not as scary as it looks in movies. The STOs wish you the best of luck in your high school endeavors, and now that you’ve read this blog, you are an expert on all things high school. If you have any more questions, let us know in the comments!

Break a Leg Freshmen,
Your 2020 & 2021 Texas State Thespian Officers