As Frisco ISD theater students performed on the competition stage this spring, they brought the community along for the journey. From audition to rehearsal, from local shows to state UIL, students impressed both on stage and behind the scenes.

FISD students also earned state acclaim on their journey, collecting six individual placements and one program award at the UIL One-Act Play and UIL Theatrical Design state contests.

One-Act Play

Just a few days after opening the Visual and Performing Arts Center with their show, A Company of Wayward Saints, Centennial High School theater took fourth place at state One-Act Play. Their win caps off an incredible spring run that included five qualifying UIL rounds before state, the VPAC performance, community shows and Broadway Dallas wins.

Class of 2026 grad Rohan Singh was named to the All-Star Cast for his performance as Harlequin, while Samantha Hengstenberg received Honorable Mention All-Star Cast for her performance as Scapino.

Centennial theater is led by directors Darius Moore and Hope Warner.

“Centennial's story helped these young performers and technicians explore characters and storytelling, yes. But even more, this play gave these students a chance to collaborate, demonstrate resilience and make meaningful connections on stage and off of it,” fine arts coordinator Cade Butler said. “Congratulations to CHS theater! What an incredible year.”

Theatrical Design

At state UIL Theatrical Design, half of Frisco ISD qualifiers earned a top placement.

In Marketing Design, Millie McCoy of Frisco High School took second place, while Centennial’s Manasvi Gogineni placed third. In Costume Design, Charlie Heard of Panther Creek received second place and Liberty’s Lekhya Thriveedhi took fifth. In Scenic Design, Daphne Atchley of Liberty took fourth place, and Heritage’s Caleb Kim earned sixth.

As part of the competition, students are asked to design concepts around a specific work, which this year was The King Stag by Eberle Thomas and Barbara Redmond, adapted from Carlos Gozzi's Il Re Cervo. Designers must select a theme and statement that will drive all design decisions. The goal is for this thematic direction to be evident throughout all of their design choices, including all textual and music lyric references.  

Congratulations to all state theater competitors and their directors!

- Rachel McReynolds