Gracyn Gonzales
Students take residency at University of Texas at Austin to compete at the state contest in UIL theatrical design, academics and One Act Play.
UIL Academics will compete on May 14, and One Act Play competes on May 16.
“When you go to the region it’s a different crowd than you see at district,” senior Aubrey Lenrose said. “I just have to focus on me and what I can control. I have to get in the mindset that it’s not everything around me, and I can only control myself.”
Lenrose said she has rituals to tune out everything going on around her.
“Instead of going in order like everyone else, I turn the paper over and start with the last headline and work my way up,” Lenrose said. “In my head nobody else is competing [journalism UIL, headline] like that, so I’m the only one competing like that.”
Lenrose is also competing at the One Act Play state contest in the play, “Anatomy of Gray”. Her character is named Belva Collins, and is married to Crutch Collins, played by Trace Thomas.
“We start by creating our show,” Thomas said. “Then we go to different contests, get a bunch of feedback and find new encouragement for our show.”
Much like Lenrose, One Act Play has their performance routines.
“Oftentimes I tell them in the brief time backstage to have good energy, tell their story, project their voice, stay in their time and feel their feelings,” theater teacher Kylie Howell said. “After the performance I walk backstage and get to hug them and tell them what a good job they did, it’s just really cool to know they gave it their all.”
Thomas was Awarded Honorable Mention All Star Cast at the regional and district round.
“I feel like I have an impactful part,” junior Trace Thomas said. “I’m glad the judges were able to see the message that my character is supposed to convey.”
One Act Play has rituals before and after the performance, similar to Lenrose’s.
“Oftentimes I tell them in the brief time backstage to have good energy, tell their story, project their voice, stay in their time and feel their feelings,” theater teacher Kylie Howell said. “After the performance I walk backstage and get to hug them and tell them what a good job they did, it’s just really cool to know they gave it their all.”
Howell said she hopes her students are proud that they made it to the state contest.
“I hope they’re proud of themselves and I hope they have a lot of fun because they deserve this,” Howell said. “They’ve worked really hard this year and I hope they just soak it in and enjoy being on the big stage.”