At Lebanon Trail High School, Theatre is not just an extracurricular activity. Here, students give it their all by engaging in deep and meaningful relationships and creating visually appealing tableaus which depict the stories they tell. While sports and academic competitions get most of the spotlight, our theatre students have been making waves at UIL competitions through their passion and dedication, taking top spots in poetry, prose, and theatrical performances. The goal, however, is not just to win—it’s to experience, challenge, and develop, which only participating at this level of competition can provide.
“My number one piece of advice is to just audition and give it your all,” said Olivia Wolford, an LT Theatre student. “For UIL, the directors are really keen on seeing commitment and flexibility, both in your acting and as a person. Even if you aren’t an experienced actor or someone who has done UIL before, the directors are always looking for hard working people.”
Hours, days, and weeks before competition day, students practiced their pieces, perfected their presentations, and ensured that everything they’ve said and done had meaning. UIL Theatre training isn’t a drill in remembering—it’s a drill in telling, connecting with audiences, and conveying feelings honestly.
“One of my favorite things about competition is just the energy we bring with us on stage,” said Wolford. “Compared to regular rehearsals, you can really feel that we’re a lot more amped up and laser focused on putting on a great show.“
For competitors, training was as much of an intellectual exhaustion as a physical exhaustion. From tone and expression to stage fright, every performer had their own challenges to overcome. However, with every test lay the opportunity to learn as it forced them to perfect their craft and become more spontaneous.
“For me, our competition runs feel quite different from our rehearsals,” said Saanvi Bhalani, an LT Theatre student and competitor. “The excitement of competition day brings a sense of energy and motivation, making our performances feel much more charged.
When competition day arrived, tension grew higher. Having to recite their performance to judges in front of other students waiting in line around them constituted a special kind of pressure, but our students retaliated with composure and collection. Whether it was delivering poetry by heart, reciting a passage of prose, or acting a dramatic monologue, our competitors entered the stage poised and excited to share their work.
“A couple weeks into the process, we were having a Saturday rehearsal, and we were really trying to nail the opening of the show – more specifically, how my monologue was supposed to capture the audience’s attention,” said Cady Troxel, an LT Theatre UIL competitor. “The monologue does a fantastic job of setting the tone for the show and luring the audience in, and the process has only encouraged me to keep pushing to improve.”
Apart from the competition itself, UIL Theatre teaches significant life skills which hold no price, such as public speaking, adaptability, and expression, skills that students will carry with them for years beyond the last curtain call. The process itself teaches persistence and working well under pressure with the help of a supportive and encouraging community.
“Before each show, we join hands and listen to a song about love and friendship, which helps us feel more connected to each other and more appreciative of everyone’s hard work,” said Bhalani.
With each competition, Lebanon Trail Theatre students prove to us that their exceptional skill, dedication, and passion pays off. Whether they are confidently acting out a monologue or playing out a scene of emotion, they prove to us that storytelling is an art—something to be appreciated. With more and more students being encouraged to participate in UIL Theatre, the future of our school in the performing arts is brighter than ever. As more students take the stage, their voices, stories, and dedication continue to shine, ensuring that the performing arts at Lebanon Trail thrive for years to come.
