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PRESIDENT'S CORNER
Showcase...Showcase...HOLIDAYS!
The entire school will be in College Showcase mode this final week before Thanksgiving Break and the Theatre Conservatory's big days are on Friday and Saturday. There is a thorough description of events in our newsletter this week, so instead of your usual browsing, consider settling in with your morning or evening drink of choice and taking more time to get up to speed on what your student might be taking part in and how you can be involved to support the Theatre Guild as we support the Theatre Conservatory.
Two highlights from me:
Our Signup Genius for showcase volunteers has been amended with new spots specifically for freshman and sophomore parents to shadow experienced volunteers as well as additional opportunities and times.
RSVP NOW for our Holiday Party at the Reyes' family home. With a busy week and Thanksgiving around the corner, you might forget otherwise. It's not to be missed!
P.S. This week's enews is longer than usual. If you don't see our Guild Calendar at the end, it may have been cut off in your email. You can always find our enews online at https://btwtheatreguild.membershiptoolkit.com/news
It's Showcase Week!
What Happens During Showcase?(Theatre Edition)
This week's Theatre Showcase events will provide seniors with a chance to highlight their talent and display their hard work in their chosen areas for an audience of College and Conservatory representatives. So much is going on during Showcase week that it may be interesting to shine a spotlight on what the Theatre Conservatory is up to.
On Thursday, the Senior Actors, Musical Theatre Students, Playwrights and Physical Theater performers will be taking part in a dress rehearsal that also serves as an opportunity to tape their selections for distribution during the virtual showcase. Parents of seniors are welcome to attend the Dress Rehearsal held during the school day.
On Friday morning, the Theatre Seniors and College Reps are invited to a Coffee Meet and Greet hosted by the Theatre Guild. This is the second year for the event which occurs before school and allows students and reps to meet in a less structured environment. (This is a student-only event.) Then, the Junior class will join the Seniors for a day of Master Classes/Workshops taught by visitors. There are five periods and multiple topics are offered in each. After lunch, Theatre Seniors showcasing in Playwriting and Physical Theatre will showcase in the Black Box Theatre in the afternoon. Short 2 to 3 minute monologues or selections from original plays will be performed in the reader's theatre style by senior actors. Senior members of the mime troupe's showcase performance is a 3-4 minute scene without dialogue. (Parents of Seniors and other students are not allowed to attend the Playwriting and Physical Theatre Showcase.)
Later on Friday afternoon, there is an All School College Fair in the Commons. Seniors are given early access, but after 4pm all students are welcome to visit until 6pm. After the College Fair, Seniors showcasing in Technical Theatre begin to set up their individual displays of their portfolios of pre-juried work. These tables are located in the Commons. Each Tech Senior has their own table and a Junior Buddy who helps with the set up process.
The Film Showcase will be held in the MAT Theatre on Friday evening. This is the only Theatre Showcase event open to the public and all are welcome to see the Screening of 13 short films. Doors open at 6:30pm and the screening begins at 7pm.
On Saturday morning, the Conservatory is trying a new event for the first time in 2023. Parents of seniors are invited to a preview/walk through of the Commons to view their students' Technical Theatre table top displays. There is a limited window of time from 8am to 10am when parents of seniors can be in the building before the displays open to the College Reps. More details can be found below in the Senior section of the enews.
Also on Saturday morning, all Showcasing Actors perform two contrasting modern monologues, each 90 seconds or less. In addition, Musical Theatre students sing 16 bars of a song from a musical. This Showcase is held in the Black Box Theatre which is reserved for the College Representatives. (Parents of Seniors and other students are not allowed to attend the Acting or Musical Theatre Showcase.)
Following the Acting Showcase, Students showcasing in Technical Theatre will present their pre-juried portfolio of work in a live display set up in the Commons. College Reps will walk the room and have the opportunity to discuss the displays with the students. (Parents of seniors and other students are not invited to the Technical Theatre Showcase.)
Many of the Colleges that attend the Showcase events on Saturday choose to hold individual callbacks with some students. These can range from a chance for schools to tell students about their offerings to another opportunity to review student's work. Actors may even be asked to perform and implement notes at a callback. Students are advised to prioritize the order they go to callbacks so they can be sure to see those schools that they are highly interested in. Students are asked to make every effort to attend all callbacks to acknowledge the school's interest.
On Monday November 20, the Theatre Conservatory faculty will provide virtual Showcase registrants with the links to the student's recorded Theatre Showcase performances and portfolios.
What Do Parent Volunteers Do During Showcase?
This year, the members of the Theatre Guild's Showcase Committee have been busy since summer break. The Showcase Communications Chair helps the Conservatory reach out to over 1,100 individuals at Colleges and Conservatories with Showcase information and invitations. With close to 90 College Reps, 74 Showcasing Seniors and 40+ Junior Buddies, a lot of the preparations before Showcase involve planning the hospitality spaces that will be used and the hundreds of meals that are arranged by the Hospitality Chair on Friday and Saturday. Senior parents on the Theatre Guild Board are responsible for choosing a theme for the decor and the gifts that Showcasing Seniors and visiting College Reps receive. The Film Liaison assists with the preparations leading up to the Friday night Film Showcase. The Volunteers Chair creates the Sign Up Genius lists that are needed to provide manpower and donations. The Communications Chair creates social media updates and helps the Conservatory faculty and Theatre Guild get information to the parents and students in regular and special editions of the enews. The VP of Guild Activities is the point person who oversees the coordination of all the other volunteers working on Showcase. Of course, the Guild President is very involved with Showcase from the big picture Cross Conservatory planning involving the Administration, Faculty, all four Guilds and the PTSA down to the day of hands on volunteering during Showcase.
Every single one of the named volunteer positions relies on and appreciates the many volunteers that make this possible. Look below for ways you can help at Showcase and beyond.
Donation Opportunity for All Parents
We need donations of paper goods & plastic ware (to make all that eating easier) as well as pre-packaged snacks (individual sized oreos, cheezits, pretzels, etc); cans of soda; grab and go breakfast (Pop-Tarts, granola bars, mini muffins & more). And we'll take your leftover Halloween candy to use November 16-18 in the Theatre Guild's Hospitality Room used by the College Reps and the student space in the Senior Cafeteria balcony. (Note that senior parents may not volunteer on campus during Theatre Showcase events BUT Seniors parents are welcome to bring donations or send money to cover the purchase of these items.) You can use this link to tell us what you are donating & read the details about our two drop off options:
Non-perishable items may be brought to Amy Buehler's home until Thursday, November 16 at noon (address available in Sign Up Genius)
Other items may be dropped off at Booker T. reception desk clearly labeled "Theater Showcase" only ON Thursday, November 16 before 5:00 p.m.
Some NEW shadow volunteer slots have been added to allow 9th and 10th grade parents to volunteer in 2023. These spots are ONLY open to freshman & sophomore parents so we can make sure that there are parents with experience from this year's Showcase available for the next year's Showcase. (Note that senior parents may not volunteer during Showcase events.) You can use this link to volunteer during Showcase.
Opportunities for Senior Parents
Help with Senior Headshot Displays
On Wednesday evening, we will mat a set of Senior Headshots to display in the College Rep Hospitality Suite. Volunteers will also be needed to hang these up on Thursday Nov 16.
Set Up & Decorate for Showcase
We need help getting the Senior Cafeteria balcony and the College Reps Hospitality space (in room 174) ready for Showcase on Thursday November 16th in the evening starting at 5pm. We expect to move tables, hang 72 headshots, decorate, set up the gift tables and help pre-stage for the food and drinks that will be served. There is something for everyone to do no matter their skill set. Use this link for the SENIOR parent volunteer sign up
Donate Money for Faculty Dinner
Traditionally Seniors' families provide ready-to-eat dinners for the Theatre faculty to enjoy at home after Showcase Saturday.
Volunteer Opportunity for All Parents
Hospitality Opportunities After Showcase
If you've been to a Guild event where food was served, you've probably experienced the magic of the Theatre Guild Hospitality Chair. Although Showcase is one of the biggest events of the year, the fun and the opportunities don't stop in November. Consider volunteering as part of the Hospitality Committee. No cooking or donations required.... just your time. You can help scout new sources for meals. Or make the calls to place orders. You may even be able to run errands to pick up treats for our hungry Pegasi & their families.
So if you've got creative ways to feed a crowd. Or if you want to volunteer but have a tight schedule, maybe you prefer to squeeze in a few minutes to place orders. And you may even get to put your mad driving skills picking up items for events. (It's like picking up for carpool but without the kids singing show tunes or running lines in the back seat.) Times are somewhat flexible -- mainly because there are a number of options and if you were not able to help during Showcase don't worry, we will have many more events through the year. Upcoming events include the December holiday party followed by the Thespian Induction in the spring and Senior award Dinner in May. Interested in learning more? Contact Amy Buehler at 214-208-8167 or akbuehler@gmail.com
Everyone is invited to view the Senior Film Showcase. This is the one Theatre Showcase event where all students, parents, faculty, and friends are welcome on campus.
Deadline for 10 Minute Playbill Ads
All ads are due on November 27th for the 10 Minute Play Directing Festival.
We don't want to miss an appearance or accomplishment! We rely on our guild members to let us know where to spot a Pegasus in the Wild. If your child is in a non-Booker T production, please let us know. Our talented kids are so busy we need your eyes and ears to make sure we get the word out. Please include viewing dates, ticket links and any other details that will help us spot a Pegasus in the Wild. Alumni are Pegasi as well so keep those tips coming in too!!!
Students from Improv class will perform Saturday, November 25 at Stomping Ground Comedy as part of Don't Mess with Improv (Student Edition). The show will feature Booker T. Seniors Sylvia Buckner, Quincy Foster, Mars Johnson, Cross Ruiz, Jude Segrest, Samantha Thompson, as well as Juniors Meagan Murphy, Esau Price, Da'Marion Gipson, Charles Brandon, and Xen Riley.
An eagle eyed audience member spotted Booker T senior Audrey Hunter and three freshmen Ellison Anderson, Isabella Good, and Oliver Martin on stage in a recent production of the Legend of Sleepy Hollow by the Linden Grove Theatre Company.
Freshmen, Sophomores, Juniors & Seniors
If you are the parent or guardian of a Theatre Conservatory student you are invited to join the individual class Facebook group for additional information & updates about everything that is going on at Booker T.
All Facebook groups are private and you will need to provide your BTW student's name and answer the questions in order for your request to join to be approved.
SENIOR CORNER
Three Things Senior Parents Can Do This Week
1. Offer to test your senior's WIX page
Theater Seniors should have finished their WIX pages before this week. (The WIX page is their personally designed individual website.) It is great for Showcase and can be used throughout the college application process and beyond. You can help your student by clicking on the links and making sure that they work. If you discover a link that does not work or if you click through and cannot navigate back, these are easy fixes. Most Seniors will be able to make changes on their own. If they have problems, they should see Phil Vilar.
2. Ask if they have chosen a Showcase fit and shoes
The Showcase Handbook gives guidelines for what to wear. Students are supposed to look professional in all Showcase events. They need to be able to move freely. Although comfortable shoes are a must, remind your senior that ripped jeans, sneakers, t-shirts and flip flops are not appropriate during Showcase performances.
Shoes should be appropriate for standing and moving around. Now is NOT the time to try out new platforms. (You may suggest that your Senior bring an extra pair of shoes to change into after they Showcase on Saturday. Callbacks will be scheduled throughout the building so they may be doing some walking.) If your student has questions about what to wear, they should ask Ms. Price or another Conservatory teacher BEFORE Dress Rehearsal (November 16th). Students participating in Dress Rehearsal need to wear their Showcase outfit on Thursday.
3. Spend time with other Booker T. Senior Parents
Sometimes it is nice to see other people who are going through the crazy busy fall semester that leads up to Senior Showcase. You can come to Dress Rehearsal on Thursday during the school day. Or volunteer on Thursday evening. Or check out the Tech Table Preview. Or just make time to chat with a fellow Booker T parent after your senior heads into school on Showcase Saturday. These other Booker T parents of Seniors are some of the people most likely to understand the highs and lows of parenting a Pegasus.
And Don't Forget to Tell Your Senior (and every Senior) to Break a Leg!
When you send your Senior to school for Showcase Events, you may not be there, but the Booker T faculty and Theatre Guild volunteers will be looking out for them (and ALL of the Seniors)! The class of 2024 has spent the past four years growing as artists which has prepared them for Senior Showcase. The Theatre Conservatory faculty has been helping them put the finishing touches on their monolgues, portfolios, plays, films and more.
THEATRE SHOWCASE Dates to Remember
Thursday November 16th
9:15am-4:30 pm Final Dress Rehearsal in Black Box Theatre. (Senior Parents Invited to watch. Check detailed schedule) 5:00pm-9:00pm Senior Parents & Guild Volunteers to prepare Hospitality Spaces (meet in Senior Cafeteria Balcony)
Friday November 17th
8:30-9:20am Coffee Meet & Greet for Seniors & College Reps in Black Box Theatre (No parents invited) 9:30am-12:20pm Workshops|Masterclasses Three sesssions (ALL Juniors & ALL Seniors) 12:30-1:30 Student Lunch Period (pizza provided for Juniors & Seniors) 1:30-3:30pm Playwriting/Physical Theatre Showcase in Black Box 3:30-6:00pm College Fair in Commons 6:00pm Tech Theatre Set Up in Commons 7-9pm Film Showcase in MAT (Open to public including Senior parents)
Saturday November 18th
8:00 Call Time (ALL Seniors and Junior Buddies) 8:00-10:00am Tech Preview Open to Parents in Commons 9:00-11:00am Acting Showcase (Spoken/Musical) in Black Box 11:00am-1:00pm Tech Theatre Showcase in Commons 1-5pm Callbacks
November 20th
Cyber Monday Showcase when VIMEO uploads go-live for Virtual College Reps. (Seniors will schedule callbacks directly with school reps when contacted)
The Class of 2024's actors will be able to share their showcase monologues, musical theatre students will sing and playwrights will share part of their work during dress rehearsal on Thursday November 16th. Senior Parents are invited to peek behind the curtain and experience some of the preparations that go into College Reps. Please note that the schedule has been adjusted from last week and is subject to additional changes in order to accommodate the students and taping.
Senior Parents if you are interested in attending the Dress Rehearsal keep in mind it is exactly that, a rehearsal to provide an opportunity for all of the actors and musical theatre students and playwrights to perform in front of friendly faces while also being filmed for the virtual showcase. Unlike a traditional play or even the Showcase on Saturday, there are things that need to happen during dress rehearsal that can cause the schedule to shift. Please be willing to give grace to our hard working Seniors and Theatre faculty if the events of the day do not line up exactly with the Dress Rehearsal schedule.
For those that have other obligations preventing them from attending, each student will be taped for the virtual showcase. Over the Thanksgiving break, links will be provided to the representatives that registered for the virtual showcase. Your student will be able to add those links to their WIX page and provide them to you.
Theatre Showcase Dress Rehearsal Schedule
Please note that the schedule has changed a bit to accommodate those who are showcasing in other conservatories. During the first two rotations, students who will be performing monologues (but not songs) are going to rehearse. The musical theatre students now plan to rehearse in the afternoon.
9:10am School Starts
9:15 am Parents arrive in the Black Box to see first Rotation
9:30-10:40am Rotation 1 Tech Theatre seniors (who will be showcasing in Acting)
Physical theatre Scene 1 and 2
10:45-11:35am Rotation 2 Acting seniors (those not showcasing in Tech or MT)
11:45am-12:45pm Rotation 3 Playwriting/ Physical Theatre Students (first half as this rotation will be split)
Lunch (no flex bell schedule in effect)
2:00-3:00pm Rotation 3 Playwriting/ Physical Theatre Students (second half of split rotation)
3:00-4:00pm Musical Theatre Rotation
***The Open Rehearsal schedule is arranged based on what areas a student showcases in. (The blocks of students remain the same but the order will be different on Saturday.) During Open Rehearsal, Rotation 1 will be seniors showcasing in acting AND tech theatre. Rotation 2 is reserved for actors who will be performing monologues (but do not showcase in Tech or Musical Theatre). Rotation 3 is going to be a split rotation due to the large number of student playwrights. They plan to start before lunch and resume after lunch. Rotation 4 will be seniors showcasing in musical theatre.
Ask your student to confirm which rotationthey will be in and where they are in the line up, especially if they plan to showcase in the Visual Arts/Dance/Music showcase events as that can affect their rehearsal schedule.
NEW in 2024 Tech Table Parent Preview
Parents of tech students have the opportunity to view the completed tech display tables in the Commons on Nov 18 from 8:00 am to 10:00 am. (Late arrivals cannot be accommodated due to the Showcase schedule.) Because this is occurring during Showcase events, parents are being asked to park in the Teacher Lot and enter through the Student Entrance. This will allow parents to remain on the zero floor and walk directly to the Commons where the Tech Students' tables will be set up. Your students may not be available during this time period due to other Showcase obligations. Parents are asked to limit their time in the building in order to avoid interacting with the College Reps and Seniors preparing for Showcase events. Parents of Seniors may not visit the Hospitality Suite or Senior Balcony. The Class of 2024 is the first class to be given the chance to have parents preview their work. (It sounds like a lot of rules but if the Class of 2024 rock this opportunity hopefully the Class of 2025 will have the Tech Table Parent Preview next year.)
If you can not attend do NOT fear. The tech tables are photographed & recorded during Showcase weekend. AND the tables are a physical display of their WIX page portfolios.
Who is Coming to Showcase?
As of November 12th, 89 reps from 45 Schools have registered to attend Theatre Showcase Events on the Booker T. campus. Twelve additional schools that will not be sending reps to Booker T have registered to get direct virtual access for 60 reps.
On Campus Registrants
American Academy of Dramatic Arts AADA)
Abilene Christian University
Arcadia University
Austin Peay State University
Baylor University
California Institute of the Arts (CalArts)
Circle in the Square Theatre School
Collin College
Colorado Mesa University
Columbia College Chicago
Cornish College of the Arts
East Texas Baptist
Hendrix College
Hope College
Institute for American Musical Theatre (IAMT)
James Madison University
KD Conservatory College of Film and Dramatic Arts
Long Island University Brooklyn
Montclair State University
Oklahoma City University | School of Theatre
Oklahoma State University
Pace University | Sands College of Performing Arts
Point Park University
Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD)
Slippery Rock University
Southern Methodist University
Stephens College
St. Edward's University
Texas Christian University
Texas State University
The Hartt School | University of Hartford
The Neighborhood Playhouse
The New School | School of Drama
The New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts
The Norwalk Conservatory of the Arts
UNC School of the Arts
University of Houston
University of Miami
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
University of Southern California | School of Dramatic Arts
University of Texas at Arlington
University of Texas at Austin | Department of Theatre and Dance
University of The Arts
Webster University College of Fine Arts
Wichita State University
Solely Virtual Registrants
Austin Community College
Boston University
Brenau University
Butler University Jordan College of the Arts
Nazareth University
New World School of the Arts
Northern Arizona University - Department of Theatre
Pepperdine University
Rockford University
Southeastern Oklahoma State University
University of Cincinnati College-Music Conservatory & Dept. of Acting
Wagner College
Info for Theatre Conservatory Seniors & their families
Alexandra Clayton is the on campus college counselor from the community based organization Academic Success Program (ASP). She is available to review students' college applications before they are submitted. She will be the person students should talk to about making sure their official transcript or letters of recommendation are transmitted from Booker T to the colleges that need them.
If you, or your senior, have any questions or want to know the most up to date information reach out to Ms Clayton at aclayton@aspdallas.org
Join the college counselor remind @aspbtw24
New Student Audition Information
You may have family, friends or neighbors interested in applying to attend Booker T in 2024-25. On November 1, the Choose Dallas ISD Application opened. Here are a few of the important dates for Theatre Conservatory applicants. December 1st there will be an Open House for all Conservatories. On December 16th there will be Theatre Library Workshops (scheduled at 5 different Dallas Public Library locations). January 11 is the Magnet Open House at 6:00 pm for All Conservatories. January 16 is the day when Audition Workshops are held at 5:00 pm at Booker T. for All Conservatories. Auditions will be held January 27 and February 3.
