SUBJECT: Theatre Guild eNews - July 1st - First 2022-23 Guild Newsletter for the new school year!
July 1, 2022 Summer Edition
PRESIDENT'S CORNER
Happy Summer to all of you! It is my sincere pleasure to announce the Theatre Guild Presidential baton has officially passed to Jennifer Gilligan. Jennifer has been an enthusiastic and faithful member of the Theatre Guild and Board, most recently serving as the Theatre Board Communications Chair. As a business owner and entrepreneur, Jennifer brings to the President's position much knowledge and experience in technology, marketing and management. But even more important to me, Jennifer brings an infectious and heart felt devotion and love of the entire Booker T. Theatre Conservatory Faculty, Students & Families! Please join me in welcoming and supporting Jennifer in her new role. We are in good hands!
Rhonda Thompson, Guild President 2021-2022
I hope everyone is having an amazing (and relaxing summer).
I am so excited to take on the challenge of President for Theatre Guild 2022-2023!
Ever since our Booker T ‘preview’ my daughter’s 8th grade year (now a rising Junior) and she was just a hopeful – I wanted to be a part of the Theatre Guild. When you become a Booker T parent – you become part of something truly special. Every performance I see at Booker T gives me chills at the level of talent of our students. I tear up every time I hear one of the Theatre Conservatory staff talk about ‘their kids’. My heart swells when I see an event pulled off and see how happy everyone is at the end. There is no place I would rather be than helping out these amazingly talented people. I feel like ‘I’m’ the lucky one to be a part of something so special.
In case you didn’t know - this is going to be a jampacked year as we wrap up our school-wide 100-year celebration (including Homecoming and Alumni Events.) The new board is busily working behind the scenes to ensure that the next year will be fantastic.
I am also happy to announce the continuation of the – “if we have your info – you are a member of the guild” initiative that our outgoing President Rhonda spearheaded at the end of the last school year. We think that having ‘all the information’ is so important to the success of your student’s time at Booker T. And there are SO so many things to know about! Having that line to communication is key. If we have your email - you will get this newsletter.
As my predecessor liked to say (so aptly) the Theatre Guild is the ‘Booster Club’ for the Theatre Conservatory at Booker T. As such, we play a critical role in helping the Theatre Conservatory staff and students do all the wonderful things they do all year.
The Theatre Guild supplies much needed funds and volunteers to support the Theatre Conservatory in many important ways. Some of these contributions include; Feed the Kids (cast and crew for tech days and performances), Scholarships, Senior Showcase, senior activities, College Tea, special programs for the Conservatory – the list goes on. Without YOUR help – this would be next to impossible to accomplish.
We will have many great opportunities to help out coming up – so keep an eye out. (in fact there are a few below). Also – as a reminder (also below) – make sure to renew your membership for 2022-2023 and ensure all of your contact information is current.
This year is going to be a special year and I am so looking forward to getting to know you and work with you as we go forward.
Jennifer Gilligan
Guild President 2022-2023
2022-23 Theatre Guild Board
Graduation
The members of the class of 2022 walked across the stage at the Meyerson to accept their diplomas on June 1. This was the first graduation ceremony held at the Meyerson since 2019 when this year's graduates were mere freshman. Both Valedictorian Zoë Gameros and Salutatorian Maya Reddy were members of the Theatre Conservatory. The ten members of the Theatre Conservatory who earned the most Thespian Hours during their four years at Booker T. were chosen to create and perform Romeo & Juliet (an original sketch) during the ceremony: Meli Burke, Abby Chapman, Olivia King, Ria Marsh, Hannah Moore, Evelyn Peralta, Maya Reddy, Kendall Stafford, Addison Wood & Gavin Yi. Theatre Conservatory senior and Student Council President Kendall Stafford gave the Closing.
Online Registration
Online Registration for New and Returning Students is NOW OPEN!
YOU MUST be registered online BEFORE you come to Pegasus Pickup in August (or BEFORE you start school).
*The school is closed until July 18th. If you have questions about registration, please call after the 18th, or you may also contact the Choose Dallas ISD team at (972) 925-5560 or email choosedallasisd@dallasisd.org
Students come to Booker T on their assigned day and time to pick up books, schedules, locker assignments, get id photos taken, parking passes & more. There will be new merch for sale. The school will announce the times that the first & second half of the alphabet should arrive on their pick up date.
Monday August 1st is for Seniors.
Tuesday August 2nd is for Juniors.
Wednesday August 3rd is for Sophomores.
Thursday August 4th is for Freshman.
Save the Date for Summer Bash 2022
Who: Freshman and their parents/guardians as well as new students
What: Holy Cannoli! a dinner with Italian flair
When: August 3 from 6 to 8pm
Where: Winfrey Point 950 E Lawther Lane, Dallas, TX 75218
On August 3, families that are new to the Theatre Conservatory (freshman and any students who are new to BTW) are invited to a fun evening where they can connect with friends and hear more about what awaits when high school starts.
Families of sophomores, juniors and seniors should be on the lookout for a sign up genius to volunteer at the event!
Senior Corner
COUNTDOWN TO COLLEGE
Summer is a great time for seniors to revise and edit their college application essays. Check out the Common App https://www.commonapp.org/
SENIOR PHOTOS EXPLAINED
Showcase Headshots: These are arranged by the Theatre Conservatory and will be hung outside the Black Box for showcase. Class of 2022 had their Showcase Headshots taken during Pegasus Pick Up. More information about scheduling will be coming soon.
ID photos: These will be taken in the library on August 1st, your Pegasus Pick Up Day. If you are unable to come that day please plan come another day that week between Tuesday, August 2 and Thursday, August 4.
Senior Portraits: These photos are used for the yearbook. We use one portrait and one ‘personality’ portrait. Legacy Studios, offers several dates for on campus portraits. It is important to note that you are not required to use this company and are welcome to use any company you want. If you use a different company please be sure to submit the portraits you want in the yearbook. If you aren’t planning to do senior portraits, you can sign up for a free slot on one of the on campus days. This free sitting will just take the photos for the yearbook. If you choose to use Legacy for your photos, you may purchase various packages of photos. There will be dates available in July, October and November for on campus portrait sessions with Legacy Studios. The dates for July are available to sign up now. Only the dates for July are currently active. The dates in October and November will open closer to those dates.
Cap & Gown portrait: In May, Legacy will return to take Cap and Gown photos. These photos will be available to purchase from Legacy Studios. You may use an outside company but you should be careful with the regalia (i.e. cords, stoles, tassels, etc.) The school is not responsible if you take photos with another company and there is some mistake in your regalia.
CALENDAR OF SENIOR EVENTS
August 1 Pegasus Pick Up for Seniors @ BTW
RENEW YOUR THEATRE GUILD MEMBERSHIP FOR 2022-2023
No Need To Wait Until Pegasus Pick Up! The Guild relies on Membership Dues, Donations and Sponsorships to support the Theatre Conservatory Faculty & Student events, programs, and activities.
Join us for 2022-2023 using the link to the Guild website where you can choose a Membership Level that best fits your family.
The Guild is collecting photos of Theatre Conservatory students in a centralized location accessible to our Theatre Community.
If you have photos from Booker T. Theatre Conservatory events and performances that you are willing to share, please send them to Guild Board Member Aletha Kruse at: alethamkruse@gmail.com
They will be stored on Zenfolio and can be found here:
