WHS theater aims for personal growth in upcoming year

The Waxahachie High School drama department is preparing for another year full of shows, musicals and more, but the main focus is growing students personally.

“My goals and aspirations are what they’ve always been, which is to give every student that comes through the doors of that theater and the WHS drama department an opportunity to shine, to become a better person, through the art of the dramatic arts of theater,” head theater director Andy Reynolds said. “ … that they can find a purpose in this department, that they can find themselves in this department, that they know this is a safe place to be who they are and to express themselves, and to treat other people kindly.”

While the department works hard to grow students’ acting and musical theater skills, Reynolds explained how he tells his students he wants them to come out of the department as a better person over anything else.

“I could care less if you become famous actors or directors or whatever, I could care less,” Reynolds said. “As long as you are a better person for being here in this department, I can lay my head on that pillow every night and know that I did my job, and that’s what keeps me going.”

He said being an actor teaches students empathy because they must understand another person’s perspective to become their character.

“Most likely, if you get a part in a play, you’re playing a character that’s completely unlike you,” Reynolds said. “To be able to step into somebody else’s shoes and walk that mile, even if it’s a character, we tend to do that toward other people around us who are different than us.”

With the growing number of students in the department, Reynolds said it is difficult for the directors to cast their shows because there are many talented students.

“Casting a show is the worst part of our job,” Reynolds said. “Because you’re either making somebody’s year or you’re destroying their little hearts because they all just try so hard.”

He said this is the reason they do so many productions throughout the year – to give students as many opportunities as possible to be on stage. The department averages nine productions every year and has something going on every month, whether it’s a show, auditions or rehearsals.

They have already announced several of their 2022-2023 shows:

• Black Box Showcase “Channeling” – Sept. 15-17

• “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” – Oct. 20-23

• Winter Musical “Crazy for You” – Jan. 19-22

• Spring Musical “Annie” – May 12-14

Reynolds said they will also have Black Box productions in November and February and one act play competitions in March and April.

Reynolds is beginning his 21st year with WISD and said he has loved working with students and being with them as they grow.

This year, the department has welcomed a new director, Gabreil Escoto, who is teaching beginning theater arts classes and beginning theater tech classes. Reynolds said Escoto also has expertise in makeup design, hair design and lighting design, areas Reynolds noted the department was lacking in.

Reynolds said he is thankful for the community’s support over the years and said they are excited to perform for them again.

“When it comes down to it, we’re nothing without the community’s support,” he said. “We can perform all day long, but if there’s no one there to watch it, then who cares.”

For more information about upcoming shows or to buy tickets, visit www.whsdramadept.org.

Originally published September 3, 2022 - https://www.waxahachiesun.com/education/whs-theater-aims-for-personal-growth-in-upcoming-year/article_7cd8b35a-2bc3-11ed-b6eb-437e5f611203.html