SUBJECT: Theatre Guild eNews - May 13th 2024 Guild Newsletter
May 13, 2024
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PRESIDENT'S CORNER
Celebrate Good Times!
There is so much I want to point out these last few weeks, but I only have space for a few highlights in each letter. Therefore, even if you don't usually, please make a point to read through the entire e-news the next two weeks to ensure you don't miss a thing.
I enjoyed celebrating our volunteers and staff members at the last general Guild meeting of the year on Tuesday. At the meeting, we voted in next year's Guild Board and gifted our theatre staff with Teacher Appreciation gifts of Booker T Theatre stationery items and gift cards. Thank you to all who donated!
Next up to celebrate are our International Thespians that will be inducted tomorrow. Parents and current members are encouraged to join our inductees. The ceremony lasts about 30 minutes, so make sure to be on time!
On the 21st, Senior Theatre students and their parents are invited to Senior Awards Dinner, but we need you to make sure and RSVP below, and underclassmen families, we need you as volunteers to help celebrate our seniors.
A hearty congratulations to Mr. Miller on his selection as Director for next year's All School Musical, On Your Feet! A reminder that this is a PTSA run show, but we did provide audition details below as they kick off notice about the show. Join and follow the PTSA to keep up with specifics going forward.
And finally, the school has set Registration/Pegasus Pick Up dates and you can find those for incoming and returning students at the end of the enews.
Thespian Induction: Monday, May 13, 6:30pm Black Box
Improv Student Performance: Tuesday, May 14, 6:30pm Black Box
Tuesday May 21- Friday, May 24, 9-11th grade students have early release at 2:20pm
May Guild Meeting/Celebration
Here are a couple of photos of our incoming/outgoing Board members as well as staff members from our celebration. We had a fantastic time at FLOCC! See more photos here. The fantastic show photos you find online are courtesy of Jackie Cooper. Any you download should be for personal use only.
Volunteer for Theatre Guild Senior Dinner on May 21
The Theatre Guild is hosting a celebratory senior dinner in the Commons at BTW. 9th-11th grade students and parents are needed to volunteer in various capacities. Please use the link to review the available slots below and sign up.
Volunteers will report to Alicia Schortgen (214-673-9395) in the Commons at BTW at their selected time.
Students volunteers can get service hours for helping out.
Parent Volunteers: Please be sure you are registered for Voly with DISD. This is an easy process that ensures that all volunteers on campus are vetted.
The 2023-24 Norma Young Advanced Acting Learning Lab brought 16 talented seniors together for classes at Booker T. and observation hours at Theatre Three. Lauren LeBlanc was this year's Learning Lab instructor in addition to appearing in a number of shows on the Theatre 3 stage this school year (including Lizzie: The Rock Musical & God of Carnage). The Learning Lab course provided the seniors with real life insights and advice from professional actors both in master classes and outside of school. The year long class ended with a Showcase at Theatre Three during which the students performed in scenes with professional actors.
The 2024 All School Musical will be directed by Theatre Conservatory Teacher Jeffery Miller and it is produced by the Booker T Washington PTSA. That means questions about On Your Feet! should be directed to the PTSA and you will find lots of helpful information on the PTSA Membership Toolkit website and in the PTSA newsletters. For example, the playbill for the All School Musical is not a Theatre Guild playbill and any feeding of the kids will be overseen by the PTSA.
Audition information has been taken from the May 12th PTSA newsletter and the PTSA will have the most up to date information.
STUDENT INTEREST - All students interested in participating in the PTSA-sponsored All-School Productions must submit thisStudent Interest Form. Deadlines to submit this form will be announced for each production. Students interested in participating in the All-School Musical as cast, band, or crew must submit the Student Interest Form before auditioning or by May 19. Having no experience does not disqualify anyone. All students are encouraged to learn new skills of interest.The faculty leadership of all shows will review your interests. Student leadership will receive direction from the Artistic Coordinator and instruction and guidance from the faculty liaison.
AUDITIONS for ON YOUR FEET! will be held at the school from May 21-23. There are two audition calls as follows:
SINGERS—Calling all singers! Auditions for singing roles will be held in The MAT on Tuesday and Wednesday, May 21-22, from 2:45 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Prepare a 16-32 bar cut of a musical theatre song in the show's style, or choose a song by Gloria and Emilio Estefan. Students should bring clearly labeled and marked sheet music for the piano accompanist. Tracks are also accepted. Students are responsible for providing a portable speaker if the school equipment does not connect to their device. Please, no A Capella singing. Auditions can be scheduled during flex or lunch on May 17 and 20. Mr. Miller will consider requests on a case by case basis.
DANCERS—Calling all dancers! Auditions for dance roles will be held in The Commons on Thursday, May 23, from 2:45 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. All students auditioning for singing roles must also audition for dancing. Please dress comfortably for movement.
Singers and dancers must complete this audition form before auditioning.
REMINDER: All students interested in a cast, band and crew role must complete the Student Interest Form before auditioning or by May 19.
Please note: only current students rising to the 10-12th grade in the 2024-25 school year are eligible to audition.
SUMMER INTENSIVE - Students are required to attend the two-week summer intensive held in The MAT from Monday to Thursday, July 29 - August 1, and August 5- 8. Each week will include learning choreography, music, and blocking. Schedule conflicts will be considered. 80% attendance is required.
Pegasus in the Wild
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!!!
Congrats to Zenora Collier (BTW 2024) who was awarded the Gold Medal in the UIL Theatrical Design category of Set Design. The 2023-24 prompt was Hadestown. Previously, in 2023, Zenora was the Gold Medalist/State Champion in Costume Design for UIL Division 2.
Pegasus Film Festival
Twelve Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts’ film students have been chosen as finalists in the short film, documentary film and screenwriting categories. The Pegasus Film Festival is the largest student led film festival in the country. If you are interested in attending, the festival is in Dallas on May 25 & 26th. Link to Pegasus Film Festival for more information.
SENIOR CORNER
Please join the members of the BTW Theatre Conservatory Faculty in celebrating the class of 2024.
Tuesday May 21, 2024 6:30pm - 8:30pm in The Commons
All seniors in the Theatre Conservatory, including Musical Theatre and Film seniors, are invited to the awards dinner. Seniors may bring 2 parents or guardians. Unfortunately, due to space limitations, we do not have room for additional guests or siblings. Please reach out to Alicia Schortgen at guildactivities@btwtheatreguild.com if any senior needs to invite more than 2 adult parents/guardians, such as step-parents.
If you plan to attend with the maximum 2 guests, make sure that you RSVP for 3 total guests.
The Mediterranean dinner buffet will include vegetarian options and gluten-free options.
Students are to report to school for attendance from 10am – 12pm each day. Attendance is still required and will be counted toward Attendance for Credit. All books, school equipment, and outstanding fees will be collected this week. Laptops, including the bag and charger, will also be turned in by that Friday once your testing has been completed. Students who have not turned in these items will not be given their cap and gown.
Monday, May 13
10 am Senior Meeting in the Black Box 5 pm Faculty vs. Senior Volleyball Game in the Commons
8:30-10:30am Senior Breakfast is at Sammy's BBQ. The breakfast is FOR STUDENTS ONLY. Breakfast is free, hosted by the BTW PTSA.
10:30 am Senior Checkout, The MAT lobby. Students will turn in their check-out sheet, pick up their cap and gown & graduation tickets.
6:00pm Senior Awards Presentation, The MAT. Parents are welcome.
MAY 20-24, 2024 - Let's celebrate!
Students are not required to report to school for attendance this week. Final celebrations occur this week!
Tuesday, May 21
6:30pm Theater Conservatory Senior Dinner, Commons This is for seniors & 2 parents/guardians. Please RSVP using this link.
6:30pm Visual Arts Conservatory Senior Dinner, Hudson Gallery
Wednesday, May 22
11am-1pm Senior Party “Peace Out, High School," Southern Skates. Students are responsible for their own transportation. This free event is hosted by the PTSA and will feature a food truck, DJ, cookie cakes and prizes.
6:30pm Music Conservatory Senior Dinner, Hudson Gallery
6:30pm Dance Conservatory Senior Dinner, Zero Floor Studios
Thursday, May 23
8:30-10:30am Graduation Rehearsal (run-through), The Meyerson. Arrive dressed in your cap, gown and the shoes you plan to wear.
11 am Yearbook Signing Party, Location TBA. Yearbooks available for purchase of previous school years. Contact Mrs. K at vklimaszewski@dallasisd.org.
Friday, May 24
7 - 8:30pm Baccalaureate, First United Methodist Church. Keynote Speaker Yolonda Williams. Students arrive no later than 6pm and use the San Jacinto entrance. Parking is in the Bryan Tower Garage. No tickets are required. Seating is open, first come first seated. A reception will follow.
Saturday, May 25 - Graduation Day!
4 - 6pm Graduation Rehearsal (full), The Meyerson. Students only.
8 - 10pm Graduation Ceremony, The Meyerson.
Attire: Students arrive in nice attire with cap and gown. Caps are NOT allowed to be decorated.
Rehearsal: A full rehearsal will take place before the ceremony, providing students with a clear understanding of the proceedings. It's important to note that students will not be allowed to leave between the rehearsal and the ceremony. Pizza will be provided for seniors.
Tickets: Each student receives seven free general admission tickets. There is no assigned seating. Families are encouraged to arrive early and have plenty of time to find parking as seating is first come, first served. Students can submit a request for one additional ticket on this form.
For our new families, Pegasus Pick up is a day for students and families to pick up schedules, pay for lockers and parking spaces, order yearbooks, take ID photos and senior headshots, join the PTSA and guilds, and purchase merchandise. Parents/guardians are encouraged to attend with their student.
Incoming 9th grade students are scheduled on Monday, July 29.
10-11th grade students are Tuesday, July 30.
Seniors are Wednesday, July 31.
REGISTRATION FOR ALL STUDENTS IS NOW OPEN!
All new and returning students must complete registration each year by June 14. Include your updated contact information to receive school communications over the summer. Login to choose.dallasisd.org/login.
Tip: Scroll to the bottom of the dashboard until you see two tabs for your student. Select the registration tab and follow the steps. Do not click on 'let's begin application' or 'let's begin registration.' Click here to see the district video for detailed instructions.
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.
