Originally delivered on 8/18/2025 2:03 pm

SUBJECT: Theatre Guild eNews - 8/18/25

August 18, 2025

Para ver este boletín en español, haga clic en el enlace 'haga clic aquí' en la parte superior izquierda del correo electrónico. Use el menú desplegable de Google Translate en la parte superior derecha para traducir el boletín.

PRESIDENT'S CORNER

Welcome back! We know the start of the year is busy, so here are 5 quick things the Theatre Guild would love you to check off this week:

Join the Theatre Guild – Basic membership is free!
RSVP for the Back-to-School Dinner – Happening 9/2.
Renew your Voly application – Required by DISD.
Mark Your Calendar – Upcoming meetings: 9/2, 10/7, 11/11. In the Black Box after PTSA.
Get Involved – Committee sign-ups at the 9/2 dinner!

Fly high!

Alicia Schortgen
TG President 2025-26
president@btwtheatreguild.com

ANNUAL THEATRE GUILD BACK TO SCHOOL DINNER

WHAT: Dinner with the Theatre Teachers

WHO: Parents & Guardians of Theatre Conservatory students

WHEN: Tuesday, September 2nd at 7pm (after PTSA meeting)

WHERE: El Fenix 1601 McKinney Ave, Dallas TX 75202

Please Click Here to RSVP

(We really want to make sure that we have plenty of food.)

This year dinner is FREE for all Members of the Theatre Guild.

If you are not already a member, please join today.

(Basic memberships is free.)

Parking is FREE, just be sure to scan the code INSIDE the restaurant.

We will be downstairs at El Fenix. All parents/guardians of Theatre Conservatory students are welcome to join us. We will be starting around 7pm to give those attending the PTSA meeting a chance to come over from Booker T. This is a causal event where you can hear all about the Theatre faculty's plans and vision for the 2025-26 school year.

Join the Theatre Guild

Join the Theatre Guild Online through your Membership Toolkit account! Pay for your Membership, Playbill Ads and more!!! Grandparents, Alumni, and Friends of Booker T. are also welcome to join!

Returning families must rejoin the Guild each year. If you are unsure as to whether you've joined please check your BTWTG Membership Toolkit Account.

The 2025-26 Season: Save the Dates Fall Semester

The first two mainstage shows of the 2025-2026 season have been announced. Save the dates and read on for audition information.

Terra Nova, by Ted Tally

September 25-26 and October 1-3 in the Brierley Experimental Theatre (aka The Black Box)

Directed by: Ms. Price

Auditions: After school on Monday, August 18th or Tuesday August 19th.

Men on Boats, by Jaclyn Backhaus

October 22-24

Directed by: Ms. Cotie

Auditions: After school on Monday, August 18th or Tuesday August 19th.

Audition Information

Auditions for the mainstage shows Terra Nova and Men on Boats will be held on August 18th and 19th after school.

All Theatre Conservatory students are invited to audition.

Students should prepare a 1 minute contemporary monologue from a published play. (Freshman are allowed to use their BTWHSPVA audition monologue IF it fits these requirements.) The students are expected to have read the play that their monologue comes from and may be asked questions about their choices based on the character, motivations etc during the audition.

More information will be provided to students by the Theatre Conservatory faculty.

Digital Call Board

The Digital Call Board has been updated with current audition information. Follow the link for auditions, assignments and relevant information for students.

BTW Digital Call Board

Students are also STRONGLY ENCOURAGED to regularly visit the Campus Callboard on the second floor.

Additional 2025-2026 Season Dates

November 14 - The Musical Theatre Practicum Class will present a revue style performance in the Brierley Experimental Theatre (aka The Black Box).

November 23 - Members of the Improv class will perform at Stomping Ground Comedy.

December 9-12 - The annual Ten Minute Play Directing Festival is the directorial debut for the members of the Senior Directing Class who will each select, cast, rehearse and bring a short original play written by a Booker T student playwright to the stage. The members of the Stage Management, Lighting Design and Sound Design classes will also be taking the opportunity to show their work in this multi-day festival in the Black Box Theatre.

Theatre Yard Sign Order

Preorder your yard sign by September 9!

Signs will be available to pick up during the fall performances in September and October. This will be the LAST opportunity to get a sign during the 2025-26 school year, so be sure to get your orders in!

There are two ways to purchase a sign:

1) Become a Theatre Guild member! Memberships purchased at the 9th grade four-year, Gold, Platinum, or Diamond level receive a sign. If you purchase your membership by September 9, you will have a sign ready for you!

2) Complete the form below to purchase a sign. We encourage you to also become a guild member at the Basic, Copper, or Silver level

THEATRE YARD SIGN ORDER FORM

*If you pre-ordered a sign already but did not pick it up during Flight School or Pegasus Pick Up, you can pick it up at the first theatre show.

Pegasus in the Wild!

Presley Saba (10th) played the role of Winnie in Tuck Everlasting The Musical at NTPA this summer.

////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

Submit your Pegasus in the Wild appearances and accomplishments to communications@btwtheatreguild.com! If your Pegasi 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!!!

Volunteering at BTW

Ready to volunteer? Don't forget that all volunteers on campus must complete the DISD Voly Application process every year. Renewing your application is quick and easy. Click HERE to get started.

Did you know that Theatre Conservatory students get FREE entry to all shows at Stomping Ground Comedy Theater & Training Center? It's much more than Whose Line Is it Anyway games; there are fully improvised musicals, movies, murder mysteries, and more.

Come see what improv is all about any Friday or Saturday night. All you need to do is show your BTWHSPVA ID at the Box Office when you arrive. Check out what's playing: https://stompinggroundcomedy.org/shows/

Look here for information from the PTSA

The PTSA has launched Pegasus Central!

This is BTWHSPVA's new website-based newsletter that is intended to be a one-stop-shop for all the links that parents need every day. Check it out and bookmark it!

Pegasus Central

The 2025 All School Musical is produced by the Booker T Washington PTSA which means questions about Guys & Dolls should be directed to the PTSA and you will find lots of helpful information on the All School Musical page 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.

Facebook

Instagram

Follow the Theatre Guild on Facebook and Instagram

Facebook Groups for Current Classes

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.

Seniors: BTW Theatre Guild Class of 2026 Facebook group

Juniors: BTW Theatre Guild Class of 2027 Facebook group

Sophomores: BTW Theatre Guild Class of 2028 Facebook group

Freshman: BTW Theatre Guild Class of 2029 Facebook Group

All four class specific Facebook groups are private. These groups are open to members of the Theatre Guild 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.

Or click here to join Remind for the Theatre Guild!

Important Dates

Sept 2 Theatre Guild BTS Dinner & Meeting
Sept 25-26 Terra Nova in Black Box Theatre
Oct 1-3 Terra Nova in Black Box Theatre
Oct 7 Theatre Guild Meeting
Oct 8 Hispanic Heritage
Oct 22-24 Men on Boats in Black Box Theatre
Oct 28-30 Men on Boats in Black Box Theatre
Nov 11 Theatre Guild Meeting
Nov 14 Musical Theatre Showcase
Nov 17-21 Senior Showcase Week at BTWHSPVA
Nov 20 -22 Senior Showcase / Theatre
Nov 23 Improv at Stomping Ground Comedy
Dec 5 or 6 (TBD) Guild Holiday Party & Meeting
Dec 9-12 Ten Minute Play Festival

Check out the Theatre Guild website for more information. For the most up to date & comprehensive Booker T calendar entries, you can check the BTWHSPVA Activities Calendar. The Dallas ISD 2025-26 Approved Calendar includes district wide information including school holidays, professional development days and grading periods.