Every year, the Lake Highlands theater program participates in the National Thespian Convention right as Thanksgiving break begins.

However, this year was exceptionally spectacular as the team had 12 national qualifiers out of 15, and placed 11th in the state out of 270 schools.

This was also a first for several things for our theater group this year, as well as a play writing submission, a short film discussion, and competing in the design group and musical group Acting.

The National Thespian Convention is a collaboration of competitions, games, workshops, and other theater-related events that bring together all of the thespians of Texas. 

“We got to watch and participate in a lot of workshops that helped teach us things that we didn’t know before and the students got to compete against some of the best students and the state,” says Caddo Lindsey, the theater director.

Skylie Johnstone (11), who performed in improv, won the All Star Award. 

“I was super surprised to get the award. Everyone in the improv group is so talented, so the experience was very humbling,” Johnstone says.

Abigail Hayes (12), who participated in the solo musical group and was one of the 12 to go to nationals, said she enjoyed meeting other theater students.

“You get to spend so much time with your friends and be surrounded by people from all over Texas that share the same passion as you,” Hayes mentioned.

Lindsey said he only took students who showed that they were going to be prepared whenever it came time for convention.

“To prepare, my varsity theatre class chose performance categories and pieces almost three months in advance,” Hayes says.