The lights dim as the show begins. Behind the curtain, theater students prepare for their UIL competition​​. 

Theater students performed “The Cover of Life” for the UIL One-Act Play, and won 1st place, advancing to the next round of competition. 

“It’s been crazy and chaotic and exhilarating and exhausting,” junior Brianna Willingham said. “UIL always goes pretty fast and that’s one of the things I love about it.” 

For many theater students like Willingham and junior Carolyn Love, the competition experience itself is the most valuable.

“Being able to tell such emotionally intense stories in such a short amount of time with a small group of people is truly an amazing experience,” Love said. “It hardly ever feels like a competition, especially when the audience laughs and gasps and even cries, because then you know you’ve reached them.” 

Not only did these students enjoy the competition, but also won an opportunity to compete at the next level.

“When I realized we were advancing, all I could feel was pride for my cast and crew,” Love said. “It’s an intense rush of elation and adrenaline that makes your heart race.” 

Performing at the next level allows theater to continue achieving success in their craft.

“This is one of the strongest shows I have had the pleasure of doing and the fact that we have advanced so far proves that other people see how strong it is as well,” Willingham said.

This achievement is more than a first place award, it is the key to many of these students’ futures and careers.

“I plan on pursuing musical theater in New York,” Willingham said. “Theater is something I could never live without and I am so excited to begin my career as an actress.”

At the end of the day, each student remains uniquely passionate about theater. Acting as an outlet for their love for emotion and expression, theater is a vessel for progress into the artistic world. Whether they pursue theater on the global stage or simply as a hobby, theater to some is an inevitable part of their lives.

“The best decision I’ve ever made was to join this department,” Love said. “It has given me a whole new love and understanding of storytelling, and I’m so proud that I get to keep this thousand year art alive.”