For the first time in school history, Hockaday Theater students will attend the Texas Thespians Conference, a state-wide festival that brings thousands of fine arts students together every November. From performing excerpts for judges to participating in workshops, this trip is a significant milestone that marks growth in the Fine Arts department and a long-awaited moment for students.
“It feels really exciting. We’ve wanted to go for years, and now we finally get to represent Hockaday,” senior and member of Hockaday Theater, Ellery Works said. “Thespians really opens you up to more opportunities to learn and meet new people.”
The festival, held Nov. 14-17 at the Gaylord Texan, offers a variety of experiences, from college-audition opportunities to technical theater sessions. Hockaday will be performing in both group and individual musical theater contests.
Sophomore Ellie Mano is among the Hockaday cast who will perform “Steel Magnolias” at Thespians.
“We don’t know which scene quite yet, but it will be one of the shorter ones,” Mano said. “I’m really excited to meet teenagers across Texas who are just as passionate about drama as we are.”
For students like sophomore Caroline Hayes, the festival is a stage to showcase their individual talents through solo performances. Hayes has been hoping to attend Thespians since her freshman year.
“[Thespians] is like theater-kid Disneyland,” Hayes said. “When I found out sophomores could go, I screamed. I was so excited.”
While the festival offers numerous opportunities to engage in workshops and performances, students emphasize how the drama community at Hockaday makes the fine arts that much better.
“I just want it to be a life-changing experience to improve, but also to have a really good time with people I love,” Hayes said.
For the theater department, this trip represents more than just a contest; it’s a step toward legitimizing and expanding Hockaday’s program on a statewide stage.
“Going to Thespians really elevates our program,” Works said. “It shows other schools who we are and pushes us to take ourselves more seriously.”
