The Kinder HSPVA Theatre curriculum is designed to prepare all students to be well-rounded theatre artists. This year, students proved to be just that – they thrived across all aspects of production! In addition to their main areas of focus, designers made star turns performing on stage, and performers created beautiful, functional designs. Students stepped up as leaders for department shows and the All-School Musicals. They are learning what it takes to run a theatre company from the ground up.
You make this experience possible! Thanks to your gifts to HSPVA Friends, the faculty is able to expand their curriculum offerings and continue teaching “skills that pay the bills,” as Technical Director Dana Harrell says. Theatre students are learning the technical and artistic skills that will give them a leg up in college auditions and make them employable in theatres and performance venues nationwide. Their advanced work in construction is already in demand across Houston – other schools and professional arts organizations regularly ask to borrow sets and costumes built by Kinder HSPVA students!
YOUR GIFTS PROVIDED THE FOLLOWING COURSES, MASTERCLASSES, AND PRODUCTION FACULTY:
- Shakespeare with Joel Sandel
- West African Dance with Shani Diouf, including live accompaniment
- Acting techniques with Deborah Hope, Ron Jones, Chesley Krohn, Julia Krohn, Luis Quintero, Evan Tsitsias, and teaching artists from the Alley Theatre and the Ensemble Theatre
- Stage combat with Skye Bronfenbrenner
- Puppetry with Crystal Rae
- Dialects with Carolyn Johnson
- Dance with Kahlil Cabble, Cathy Doolan, Bill Patterson, Krissy Richmond, LaKesha Sowell, Natalie Uehara
- Scenic painting with Niazayre Bates
- Accompanists for musical theatre classes, senior shows, lower level showcases, and main stage shows – John Amar, Stephanie Blue, and Michael Mertz
- Directing with Alric Davis
- Vocal technique with Yvette Carroll
- Playwriting with Alric Davis
- Director for Matilda – Julia Krohn
- Music Director for No, No, Nanette – John Amar
YOUR GIFTS PROVIDED TECHNOLOGY, SUPPLIES, AND SPECIAL OPPORTUNITIES, INCLUDING:
- Performance rights for all shows, including scripts and scores
- Costume supplies including fabric, sewing machine needles, fabric chalk, and pattern-making paper
- Replacement saw blades and safety goggles
- Headshots for juniors
- Tickets to productions at the Alley Theatre
- Paint and brushes
- Stage makeup kits
- Lumber to build sets
- Financial aid for the Unified Auditions trip to Chicago and the Texas Thespians Festival in San Antonio
- Props and furniture
HAT CONSTRUCTION
Students learned the art of millinery by designing and constructing hats. They created their hats completely from scratch with materials like fosshape and buckram.
MASK WORK
Students received foundational training in mask work, including Basel Masks (pictured here), which help acting students strengthen their bodily expression and physical timing.
SIX VIDEOS: BOOK OF WILL BEHIND THE SCENES
Check out this series of three cast and two designer interviews to learn more about the creative process behind Book of Will. Hear from costume designer Zoe Emery ’25, sound designer Brian Oliveira ’24, and cast members Lily Pennington ’24, Frida Ruiz-Berman ’24, and Chloe Vuong ’24. Watch the interviews here!
