August 14, 2023

PRESIDENT'S CORNER

First Day of School!

Thank you to Alicia Schortgen & Amy Buehler for creating a welcoming back to school breakfast for the faculty last week.

Please make sure you log in to Membership Toolkit this week and update your membership status for the year (details below) Choose the level that works best for you (even if it's Basic $0) so that we can continue to support our conservatory to the best of our abilities. Faculty breakfast and Summer Bash are just two of the many activities that we couldn't have without your generosity.

Students, get your monologues ready for your first audition opportunity this Thursday and Friday. Faculty will provide more details at school this week.

Have a great first week and Fly High Pegasi!

Tamara Woodchek
TG President 2023-24
president@btwtheatreguild.com

Summer Bash 2023

Thanks to all the new families who joined us at Winfrey Point for the Theatre Guild's 2023 (End of) Summer Bash. Shout out to VP Guild Activities Terra Wortley and Hospitality Chair Amy Buehler who along with a small army of volunteers made it all happen. After Theatre Guild President Tamara Woodchek explained how the Theatre Guild supports the Theatre teachers and students, Conservatory Director Guinea Bennett Price introduced the 2023-24 Theatre faculty. They then provided great insight into the curriculum, auditions and what to expect as a baby pegasus. A group of current Juniors and Seniors volunteered to lead the new students in a few getting to know you activities while parents got a chance to ask the faculty questions.

Join the Theatre Guild for 2023-24

Have you joined/renewed your Theatre Guild Membership?

It is easy to click this link and complete the 2023-24 Theatre Guild Membership Form. It's simple to complete online and if you are already reading the eNews, you probably know how important the Guild is to supporting the Theatre Conservatory. New this year IF you join the Theater Guild AND the PTSA between April 22 and September 4, 2023 you will be entered in a PTSA drawing for a Pegasus family four-pack prize. (See details in the PTSA section of this eNews)

Auditions for Big Love and A Midsummer Night's Dream

Auditions will be afterschool on August 17 & 18

Auditions are open to ALL Theatre Conservatory students in ALL grades.

If you are auditioning for Big Love and Midsummer (or just Midsummer) prepare a 1 minute Classical monologue (Shakespeare comedy preferred)

If you are ONLY auditioning for Big Love you may prepare a 1 minute contemporary monologue.

The Theatre Conservatory will be providing details on how to sign up for auditions. (Students can audition for one or both shows. )

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!!!

You can submit the information via Facebook or contact Communications Chair Kathy Gameros via email communications@btwtheatreguild.com

Summer 2023

Booker T students and alum took to the stage over the summer. Although you've seen many of these mentioned in prior editions of the eNews and in social media posts, a few summer productions slipped by without mention including Ellie Manders (2027) playing the lead Cady in "Mean Girls Jr." musical at East Dallas Arts. And there was Mary Cathryn Duhé (2027) as Sharpey Evans in North Texas Performing Arts’ production of "High School Musical 2 Jr. In early August, rising first-year Oklahoma University Musical Theatre Student and Booker T alum Myles Sturns-Thomas (BTW 2023) portrayed Coalhouse Walker in Interlochen's RAGTIME! On the west coast, rising University of Southern California sophomore Hannah Moore (BTW 2022) co-wrote, co-produced, co-directed and appeared on stage at the Hollywood Fringe Festival in "The Sentence."

Yearly Online Volunteer Training

The Theatre Guild assists the Theatre Conservatory Faculty throughout the year volunteering at events and helping Feed the Kids before many tech rehearsals & performances. In order to volunteer, DISD requires each person complete (or renew) their online Voly training. It is a straightforward process and the Theatre Guild needs you to take this step BEFORE you volunteer.

Use this link to complete your required Voly training/background check.

We will have our first general guild membership meeting at a Tuesday dinner in September for Theatre Conservatory faculty and Theatre Guild members. (It is not a student event.) Check back for specifics including how to purchase tickets in an upcoming eNews.

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.

Seniors: Theatre Guild Class of 2024 Facebook group

Juniors: Theatre Guild Class of 2025 Facebook group

Sophomores: Theatre Guild Class of 2026 Facebook group

Freshman: Theatre Guild Class of 2027 Facebook group

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.

Temporary Closure of J-Lot Student Parking

Booker T announced that the temporary closure of the J-Lot (under Woodall Rogers near Routh Street) due to the City of Dallas construction. All students intending to drive to school will need to park in the underground Lexus Silver Parking Lot. Access to the Silver Lot is on Jack Evans (near Ross Avenue). The gate will be open from 7:30am - 10:00am to enter the garage.

Parents and students will be notified when the J-Lot is available for students to resume parking. Students will not need a pass to park in the Silver Lot during this time. Any questions should be directed to Dr. Barrett.

SENIOR CORNER

SMU Meadows Performing & Visual Arts College Fair

Check out the SMU Meadows Performing and Visual Arts College Fair on Tuesday, September 19 from 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. The completely free event is come-and go, and prospective undergraduate and graduate students will be able to speak with representatives from top schools from across the country.

Who: Prospective undergraduate and graduate music performing and visual art students
When: Tuesday, September 19, 2023: 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m
Where: Owen Fine Arts Center, 6101 Bishop Blvd, Dallas, TX 75205

RSVP on the Meadows College website

https://www.smu.edu/.../ScheduleVisit/MeadowsCollegeFair

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Theatre Conservatory Slides from July 26th Meeting

Link to Theatre Conservatory slides from Senior Parent Meeting 7/27/23

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Senior Showcase Headshots

Grapevine Memories will be taking the Theatre Seniors' Showcase headshots. For those who had there headshots taken on August 2nd,

If you did not schedule your headshots on August 2nd please sign up for one of two Make Up Days on August 14th or 15th.

If your senior is in the Theatre Conservatory they need to schedule a headshot. If your senior is in another conservatory but plans to showcase with the Theater Conservatory (for example in Musical Theater) they need to schedule a headshot. These are the headshots that are displayed in frames outside the Black Box Theatre and are in the Showcase book given to colleges. You can not use another headshot for your Showcase Headshot.

This year the cost is $75+tax (for a total of $81.19). If this expense is a financial burden for any senior, they need to contact Ms. Price as soon as possible as there are funds available to help defray the cost.

Link to August 14th sign up

Link to August 15th sign up

How to Invite Colleges to Senior Showcase

This year Cindi Wakefield is the Theatre Guild's Showcase Chair who will be overseeing the emailed invitations that are sent to hundred of representatives at colleges and conservatories across the country. For those that don't know her, Cindi's daughter Gracie graduated in 2023 so she has lots of recent experience as the parent of an auditioning senior.
If your senior has made contact with a specific person at a college that they would like to receive an invitation, they need to provide the following contact information:

1) College representative's first and last name
2) College name (not abbreviated)
3) Email address
4) Job title (for example Fine Arts Department Chair or Associate Professor)
5) Area of study (for example acting, film or stage management)
6) Phone number (if available)

Please look at the list of the colleges that attended in the past to see if schools that you are interested in have participated. The volunteers helping with Showcase are not able to add anyone to the mailing list without this type of specific information. Once you have the rep's contact info you can email it to Cindi at showcase@btwtheatreguild.com

Senior Baby Photos

This year we'd like to do some fun things with photos of our Theatre Seniors in the enews and/or social media. Please label the photo with your student's first and last name.

1) a baby/toddler photo

2) a "first day of school" photo from when they were young (ie kindergarten)

Submit via email btwtheatreguildseniorphotos@gmail.com

Info for Theatre Seniors and their Parents

August 14^{th &}15^th
Make Up Dates for Senior Headshots
By Appointment

College Prep Workshop (rm 246)
(Extended Flex Assembly)

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August 15^th from 6:30-7:30pm
Required Senior Parent Meeting for All Conservatories
(from PTSA calendar)

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August 16^th
College Prep Workshop (rm 246) (FLEX)

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August 28^th
10am-12:45pm Showcase Workshop #2

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August 29^th
10am-12:45pm YoungArts Workshop #3 w/Dana Garnet

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September 30^th
10-4 pm Prescreen/Young Arts Filming

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October 13^th
YoungArts Submissions Due

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November 1^st

FINAL DAY to JURY|PHOTOGRAPH|UPLOAD ALL SHOWCASE MATERIALS to WIX PAGE (if applicable)

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November 3^rd

CUE DAY ACTING|MUSICAL THEATRE|TECH PREVIEW

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November 16^th-18^th
SENIOR SHOWCASE WEEK 2023

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November 16^th

Final Dress Rehearsal
Black Box Theatre 9am-4pm
Senior Parents Invited to watch
(there will be filming for 11/21 Vimeo Upload)

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November 17^th

8:30-10am Breakfast Meet & Greet (seniors only)
9:30am-1:00pm Workshops|Masterclasses
12:45-1:15 Lunch
1:30-3:30pm Playwrighting/Physical Theatre Showcase
3:30-6:00pm College Fair in Commons
7-9pm Film Showcase in MAT
Evening (tbd) Tech Theatre Set Up in Commons

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November 18^th
8-11am Acting Showcase (Spoken/Musical) in Black Box
11am-1pm Tech Theatre in Commons
1-5pm Callbacks

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November 20^th
Cyber Monday Showcase
VIMEO uploads go-live for Virtual College Reps
Seniors will schedule callbacks directly with school reps when contacted.

Use this link to see BTW school calendar

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Info for All Seniors from PTSA

Link to PTSA Class of 2024 information page

Connect
Join the PTSA's Class of 2024 Facebook parent group and/or volunteer on the PTSA's Senior committee! Parents and Students are needed to join the PTSA's Class of 2024 committee.

Senior Sponsors
Would you like to sponsor a unique activity for seniors? Make your donation today!

Contact the PTSA's Class of 2024 Committee Chair, Rachel Winton, for more information on these events and opportunities.

Look here for information from the PTSA

Check out the PTSA's latest newsletter using this link

Family Four Pack Membership Raffle Prize

The PTSA is hosting a membership raffle in collaboration with all the guilds! When you join the PTSA and purchase a guild membership, you will automatically be entered to win a Pegasus family four-pack prize, including:

4 All-School musical tickets to Hairspray (opening night excluded)
A snack pack from the concession stand (4 candies/4 waters)
4 non-guild-specific merch items
$100 gift card from the Playwright Pub for dinner

This promotion includes all enrolled members from April 2023 during the "I Am Booker T. Day" through September 4. The winning family will be announced at the September 5 PTSA meeting. Avoid the lines at the school by joining the Theatre Guild and joining the PTSA online today!

All About the All School Musical

Hairspray

The PTSA produces the All School Musical and we are sharing their information here.

Congratulations to Roree Marshall (Visual Arts 2026) for winning the ASM student art contest!

Join the PTSA to get their newsletter and check out the PTSA website for the latest updates.

WAYS TO STAY IN THE KNOW

Guild Instagram

Follow this link to the Theatre Guild Instagram!

Facebook Page

Use this link to check out & follow the NEW Theatre Guild FB page!

Use this link to join the Theatre Guild FB GROUP!

Facebook Groups for Current Classes

Digital Callboard

Follow this link for auditions/assignments/relevant info for students

Campus Callboard

Students are also STRONGLY encouraged to regularly visit the campus callboard on the second floor.

Or click here to join Remind for the Theatre Guild!

Aug 14 First Day of Fall Semester
Aug 17-18 Auditions for Big Love & Midsummer Night's Dream 4:30pm
Aug 25-26 Auditions for Hispanic Heritage Festival
Sept 4 No School Student & Staff Holiday
Sept 5 Theatre Guild Board Meeting 6pm
Sept 7 Hairspray Opening Night 7pm
Sept 8 & 9 Hairspray 7pm
Sept 10 Hairspray 2pm
Sept 12 General Membership Meeting 7pm
Sept 14-16 Hairspray 7pm
Sept 17 Hairspray 2pm
Sept 28-29 Hispanic Heritage Festival
Sept 30 Young Arts Filming Seniors (only) 9am-5pm
Oct 2 Young Arts Filming Seniors (only) 9am-5pm
Oct 3 Theatre Guild Board Meeting 6pm
Oct 3 & 5 Auditions Improv Club/Troupe
Oct 9-11 Ten-Minute Play Festival Auditions 8am
Oct 10 Theatre Guild General Meeting approx. start time 6:45pm (after PTSA meeting)
Oct 12 & 13 No School Student & Staff Holiday
Oct 13 Young Arts Submission Deadline
Oct 16 No School Student Holiday
Oct 18-20 Theatre Mainstage #1 performances
Nov 1 Theatre Guild Board Meeting 6pm
Nov 1-3 Musical Theatre Practicum Fall Show
Nov 8 Theatre Guild General Meeting approx. start time 6:45pm (after PTSA meeting)
Nov 15-18 Senior Showcase Week
Nov 30-Dec 1 Auditions African American Heritage Show
Dec General Meeting & Party (date & time tbd)
Dec 5-8 Ten-Minute Play Festival
Dec 22 End of Fall Semester
Dec 25-Jan 8 No School Student Holiday
Jan 9 Start of Spring Semester
Jan 9-12 YoungArts Week (by invitation only)
Jan 22-24 Auditions for Paul Baker New Plays Festival
Jan 24-26 Theatre Mainstage #2 performances
Jan 27 Magnet School Auditions Day 1
Jan 29-31 Auditions for Directing Festival
Feb 1-2 Musical Theatre Class Auditions
Feb 3 Magnet School Auditions Day 2
Feb 6-10 Mime Show
Feb 16 Backwards Broadway
Feb 19 No School Student Holiday
Feb 22-23 African American Heritage Show
March 4-7 Paul Baker New Plays Festival
March 11-15 No School Student & Staff Holiday
April 1 Inclement Weather Make Up Day
April 3-4 Directing Festival
April10-12 Directing Festival
April 13 I Am Booker T Day
April 13 Creations
April 19 Flying Horse
May 1-4 Musical Theatre Practicum Mainstage Show
May 3 Inclement Weather Make Up Day
May 6-10 AP Testing
May 11 Learning Lab Performance
May 12-17 AP Testing
May 13 Thespian Induction
May 24 Last Day of School (early release)
May 30 Graduation

Check out the Theatre Guild website for more information. For the most up to date & comprehensive Booker T calendar entries, you can check the BTW All School Calendar the BTWHSPVA Instructional Calendar.

SUBJECT: Theatre Guild eNews - August 14 First Day of School edition 2023-24 Guild Newsletter