Rick Garcia
Maestro Theatre
Rick Garcia is the Executive Director for The Maestro Arts Project, his non-profit which supports theatre educators and their students. Rick is the author of multiple publications, including “The Body, The Voice, The Imagination”.
Maestro Theatre
Rick Garcia is the Executive Director for The Maestro Arts Project, his non-profit which supports theatre educators and their students. Rick is the author of multiple publications, including “The Body, The Voice, The Imagination”.
Mandy Epley
Superintendent of Schools at Navarro ISD
Mandy Epley currently serves Navarro ISD as Superintendent of Schools. She is pursuing her PhD in School Improvement at Texas State and holds a masters degree in Education Administration from Lamar and a BFA in Acting and Directing from Sam Houston State University. She is proud to be a UIL One Act Play adjudicator and clinician and has judged at all levels including the 1A, 3A and 6A State Meet. She is a K-12 theatre program consultant for Enhance the Arts and is one of the authors of the Maestro Theatre Publications, LLC. Teacher Resource for Theatre Education.
Superintendent of Schools at Navarro ISD
Mandy Epley currently serves Navarro ISD as Superintendent of Schools. She is pursuing her PhD in School Improvement at Texas State and holds a masters degree in Education Administration from Lamar and a BFA in Acting and Directing from Sam Houston State University. She is proud to be a UIL One Act Play adjudicator and clinician and has judged at all levels including the 1A, 3A and 6A State Meet. She is a K-12 theatre program consultant for Enhance the Arts and is one of the authors of the Maestro Theatre Publications, LLC. Teacher Resource for Theatre Education.
Travis Springfield
Reitred & Current Past President
Travis Springfield graduated Summa Cum Laude with a BFA in Acting from Texas State University in 1991. He has been involved with educational theatre for the last 30 years as a classroom teacher, fine arts administrator, director, clinician, contest manager and judge. He worked with the UIL OAP each of the nine years he taught theatre and has advanced to every stage of the contest including three trips to the State competition with a State Championship in 1997. Mr. Springfield is the founding Chair of the Texas Theatre Adjudicators and Officials (TTAO) and past member of the UIL Advisory Committee. He currently serves as Past-President of the Texas Educators of Theatre Association. He has adjudicated at all levels of competition including multiple state contests in 2009, 2012, 2013, 2017, 2018, 2021 and 2023. Mr. Springfield previously worked as Dean of Students and Lead Counselor for Houston's Kinder High School for the Performing and Visual Arts and served as Manager of UIL Academics for Houston ISD before moving to Fort Bend ISD to become the Assistant Director of Fine Arts for Theatre and Dance where he retired this past summer. Mr. Springfield also teaches as an adjunct professor for the University of Houston summer Master's program for theatre educators.
Reitred & Current Past President
Travis Springfield graduated Summa Cum Laude with a BFA in Acting from Texas State University in 1991. He has been involved with educational theatre for the last 30 years as a classroom teacher, fine arts administrator, director, clinician, contest manager and judge. He worked with the UIL OAP each of the nine years he taught theatre and has advanced to every stage of the contest including three trips to the State competition with a State Championship in 1997. Mr. Springfield is the founding Chair of the Texas Theatre Adjudicators and Officials (TTAO) and past member of the UIL Advisory Committee. He currently serves as Past-President of the Texas Educators of Theatre Association. He has adjudicated at all levels of competition including multiple state contests in 2009, 2012, 2013, 2017, 2018, 2021 and 2023. Mr. Springfield previously worked as Dean of Students and Lead Counselor for Houston's Kinder High School for the Performing and Visual Arts and served as Manager of UIL Academics for Houston ISD before moving to Fort Bend ISD to become the Assistant Director of Fine Arts for Theatre and Dance where he retired this past summer. Mr. Springfield also teaches as an adjunct professor for the University of Houston summer Master's program for theatre educators.
John Grimmett
Alvin High School & K12 Chair
Theatre Educator and Director
JOHN GRIMMETT is the Head Director of the Yellowjacket Theatre Company and Lead Theatre Teacher (Alvin/Manvel) for Alvin ISD. He has helped the district receive national recognition as a Premier Community for Theatre Education by both Texas Thespians and the Educational Theatre Association, one of only three school districts in the state of Texas and twenty-five communities nationally to receive such an honor, as well as an Award of Distinction as an Exemplary District for theatre education by the Texas Educational Theatre Association. His students participate in the Texas Thespians State Festival, the International Thespians Festival, and the UIL One Act Play Competition as well as perform a varied and diverse season each school year. Prior to coming to Alvin ISD, Mr. Grimmett spent seven years in Pearland ISD where, with co-director Cody Edgar, his students were consistently successful at the Texas Thespians State Festival and the UIL One Act Play Competition, with a 6A State Finalist company in 2021 and a Regional finalist company in 2022 with his original play, MY FRIEND, THE OCTOPUS. In 2019-2020, Mr. Grimmett was recognized as a Region IV Teacher of the Year finalist, one of five teachers selected from over 99,000 teachers in the Region IV service area specifically for his work with theatre students. Additionally, he has been awarded the Green Apple Award from Texas Thespians and recognized by CEDFA as an Outstanding Educator for his work and impact on theatre education in Texas. Mr. Grimmett currently serves on the TxETA Board of Directors as Chair of the K-12 Committee and as a member of the Texas Thespians Advocacy Network, where he oversees the annual DemocracyWorks Essay Competition.
Alvin High School & K12 Chair
Theatre Educator and Director
JOHN GRIMMETT is the Head Director of the Yellowjacket Theatre Company and Lead Theatre Teacher (Alvin/Manvel) for Alvin ISD. He has helped the district receive national recognition as a Premier Community for Theatre Education by both Texas Thespians and the Educational Theatre Association, one of only three school districts in the state of Texas and twenty-five communities nationally to receive such an honor, as well as an Award of Distinction as an Exemplary District for theatre education by the Texas Educational Theatre Association. His students participate in the Texas Thespians State Festival, the International Thespians Festival, and the UIL One Act Play Competition as well as perform a varied and diverse season each school year. Prior to coming to Alvin ISD, Mr. Grimmett spent seven years in Pearland ISD where, with co-director Cody Edgar, his students were consistently successful at the Texas Thespians State Festival and the UIL One Act Play Competition, with a 6A State Finalist company in 2021 and a Regional finalist company in 2022 with his original play, MY FRIEND, THE OCTOPUS. In 2019-2020, Mr. Grimmett was recognized as a Region IV Teacher of the Year finalist, one of five teachers selected from over 99,000 teachers in the Region IV service area specifically for his work with theatre students. Additionally, he has been awarded the Green Apple Award from Texas Thespians and recognized by CEDFA as an Outstanding Educator for his work and impact on theatre education in Texas. Mr. Grimmett currently serves on the TxETA Board of Directors as Chair of the K-12 Committee and as a member of the Texas Thespians Advocacy Network, where he oversees the annual DemocracyWorks Essay Competition.
Travis Poe
Retired
Adjudicator, Contest Manager, OAP Clinician
Poe retired after 36 years of teaching and directing (35 years at Barbers Hill HS). His students' OAP productions achieved 33 regional appearances and 19 state appearances, placing in the top three on 13 occasions. He now lives near Waco and fills his time with doing clinics, judging and serving as a contest manager.
Retired
Adjudicator, Contest Manager, OAP Clinician
Poe retired after 36 years of teaching and directing (35 years at Barbers Hill HS). His students' OAP productions achieved 33 regional appearances and 19 state appearances, placing in the top three on 13 occasions. He now lives near Waco and fills his time with doing clinics, judging and serving as a contest manager.
Perry Crafton
Austin Community College
Dean of Arts & Digital Media
In Greg Arp’s thirty-one-year career in education, he served as a middle school, high school and sr. high school level theatre and speech teacher since 1993. Mr. Arp retired in 2024 and continues to work as a volunteer, educational leader, event planner and educational theatre specialist. He continues to serve as the chair of the Texas Educational Theatre Association Texas Theatre Administrators Conference, Texas Educational Theatre Association Board Member, is a member of the Texas Theatre Adjudicators and Officials, mentor for the Henrick Scholarship Foundation, board member for ArtCentre Plano, is a 2022 graduate of Leadership
Plano Class 38.
Austin Community College
Dean of Arts & Digital Media
In Greg Arp’s thirty-one-year career in education, he served as a middle school, high school and sr. high school level theatre and speech teacher since 1993. Mr. Arp retired in 2024 and continues to work as a volunteer, educational leader, event planner and educational theatre specialist. He continues to serve as the chair of the Texas Educational Theatre Association Texas Theatre Administrators Conference, Texas Educational Theatre Association Board Member, is a member of the Texas Theatre Adjudicators and Officials, mentor for the Henrick Scholarship Foundation, board member for ArtCentre Plano, is a 2022 graduate of Leadership
Plano Class 38.
Gregory Arp
Retired Plano ISD
Retired Coordinator Speech & Theatre
In Greg Arp’s thirty-one-year career in education, he served as a middle school, high school and sr. high school level theatre and speech teacher since 1993. Mr. Arp retired in 2024 and continues to work as a volunteer, educational leader, event planner and educational theatre specialist. He continues to serve as the chair of the Texas Educational Theatre Association Texas Theatre Administrators Conference, Texas Educational Theatre Association Board Member, is a member of the Texas Theatre Adjudicators and Officials, mentor for the Henrick Scholarship Foundation, board member for ArtCentre Plano, is a 2022 graduate of Leadership
Plano Class 38.
Retired Plano ISD
Retired Coordinator Speech & Theatre
In Greg Arp’s thirty-one-year career in education, he served as a middle school, high school and sr. high school level theatre and speech teacher since 1993. Mr. Arp retired in 2024 and continues to work as a volunteer, educational leader, event planner and educational theatre specialist. He continues to serve as the chair of the Texas Educational Theatre Association Texas Theatre Administrators Conference, Texas Educational Theatre Association Board Member, is a member of the Texas Theatre Adjudicators and Officials, mentor for the Henrick Scholarship Foundation, board member for ArtCentre Plano, is a 2022 graduate of Leadership
Plano Class 38.
Paula Rodriguez
University Interscholastic League
State Theatre Director
Paula’s first connection with UIL Theatre began in high school when she performed the role of Norma Henshaw in The Diviners in 1983. Her participation as a student in theatre transformed her life.
Mrs. Rodriguez taught Theatre at the High School level for ten years; 3A Sonora High School, 5A San Antonio- MacArthur and Southlake Carroll High School. Under her direction/co-direction, her students were named OAP district champions 10 times and advanced 6 times to the One Act Play State Meet. Sonora High School won the State 3A Championship The Marriage of Bette and Boo in 1993 and placed 2nd Runner up with The Marriage of Figaro and The Beaux’ Strategem. Other state qualifying plays include Marvin’s Room, The Grapes of Wrath, and Anna Karenina.
Paula taught Theatre and served as Theatre Coordinator for 15 years at San Antonio College where she continued to serve UIL as a One Act Play Adjudicator, a Contest Manager and workshop presenter/clinician.
Mrs. Rodriguez judged the 1A, 3A, 4A and 5A State Meets and served as the State Meet Contest Manager at the Bass Concert Hall.
She values OAP and the Theatrical Design and Film Contests for providing an outlet for creativity combined with a positive sense of competition, collaboration and excellence. She is honored to serve teachers and students as the first female UIL State Theatre Director.
University Interscholastic League
State Theatre Director
Paula’s first connection with UIL Theatre began in high school when she performed the role of Norma Henshaw in The Diviners in 1983. Her participation as a student in theatre transformed her life.
Mrs. Rodriguez taught Theatre at the High School level for ten years; 3A Sonora High School, 5A San Antonio- MacArthur and Southlake Carroll High School. Under her direction/co-direction, her students were named OAP district champions 10 times and advanced 6 times to the One Act Play State Meet. Sonora High School won the State 3A Championship The Marriage of Bette and Boo in 1993 and placed 2nd Runner up with The Marriage of Figaro and The Beaux’ Strategem. Other state qualifying plays include Marvin’s Room, The Grapes of Wrath, and Anna Karenina.
Paula taught Theatre and served as Theatre Coordinator for 15 years at San Antonio College where she continued to serve UIL as a One Act Play Adjudicator, a Contest Manager and workshop presenter/clinician.
Mrs. Rodriguez judged the 1A, 3A, 4A and 5A State Meets and served as the State Meet Contest Manager at the Bass Concert Hall.
She values OAP and the Theatrical Design and Film Contests for providing an outlet for creativity combined with a positive sense of competition, collaboration and excellence. She is honored to serve teachers and students as the first female UIL State Theatre Director.
Phillip Taylor
Austin ISD
Executive Director of Fine Arts
Phillip Taylor holds a Master of Arts in Theatre Education. As a director, he led teams to the UIL One-Act Play State Meet, winning championships in 2012 and 2013. He has taught at various high schools and middle schools and coached students in multiple UIL Academic Events. An experienced workshop facilitator, he has also served as a judge for TAPPS and UIL competitions. Currently, as the Executive Director of Fine Arts for Austin ISD, he oversees fine arts programs for 130 campuses. Phillip is passionate about UIL One-Act Play and wishes all competing schools to BREAK A LEG!
Austin ISD
Executive Director of Fine Arts
Phillip Taylor holds a Master of Arts in Theatre Education. As a director, he led teams to the UIL One-Act Play State Meet, winning championships in 2012 and 2013. He has taught at various high schools and middle schools and coached students in multiple UIL Academic Events. An experienced workshop facilitator, he has also served as a judge for TAPPS and UIL competitions. Currently, as the Executive Director of Fine Arts for Austin ISD, he oversees fine arts programs for 130 campuses. Phillip is passionate about UIL One-Act Play and wishes all competing schools to BREAK A LEG!
APRIL LANGEHENNIG
Howard College Theatre
Professor/Director
April Langehennig, the Associate Professor and Theatre Director at Howard College, is a seasoned educator with experience teaching students of all ages in K-12 and Higher Education settings. She continues to support the K-12 community as a TTAO-OAP Adjudicator and Theatrical Design Critic Judge. With over 20 years as a TxETA member, she is currently serving on the Board of Directors as the Higher Education Member-at‐Large.
Howard College Theatre
Professor/Director
April Langehennig, the Associate Professor and Theatre Director at Howard College, is a seasoned educator with experience teaching students of all ages in K-12 and Higher Education settings. She continues to support the K-12 community as a TTAO-OAP Adjudicator and Theatrical Design Critic Judge. With over 20 years as a TxETA member, she is currently serving on the Board of Directors as the Higher Education Member-at‐Large.
Roy Rodriguez
TxETA Board of Directors
At-Large Member
Roy Rodriguez is the Director of Theatre at Pecan Trail Intermediate in College Station. Previously, he served as the Technical Theatre Director and Director of Speech and Debate at A&M Consolidated High School. Roy is an At-Large Board member for the Texas Educational Theatre Association and works as a UIL One-Act Play Area/Region Adjudicator and Contest Manager with TTAO. He has received extensive theatre training in New York City, studying with iTheatrics, the Broadway Teachers Workshop, and the People’s Improv Theater, where he also taught improv. Roy's work has garnered national attention, including a guest appearance on the NPR kids’ podcast "SMASH BOOM BEST!" and a performance in the Season 6 finale of ABC’s "The $100,000 Pyramid".
TxETA Board of Directors
At-Large Member
Roy Rodriguez is the Director of Theatre at Pecan Trail Intermediate in College Station. Previously, he served as the Technical Theatre Director and Director of Speech and Debate at A&M Consolidated High School. Roy is an At-Large Board member for the Texas Educational Theatre Association and works as a UIL One-Act Play Area/Region Adjudicator and Contest Manager with TTAO. He has received extensive theatre training in New York City, studying with iTheatrics, the Broadway Teachers Workshop, and the People’s Improv Theater, where he also taught improv. Roy's work has garnered national attention, including a guest appearance on the NPR kids’ podcast "SMASH BOOM BEST!" and a performance in the Season 6 finale of ABC’s "The $100,000 Pyramid".
Adrian Gallardo
Rankin ISD
HS Administrator/OAP Director
Adrian Gallardo has worked in 1A schools as a teacher, counselor and principal for 19 years. As a teacher, he taught theatre from the Pre-K through high school level. As a director, he is responsible for the JH OAP and HS OAP programs simultaneously. He and his co-directors have taken three shows to state (two second runner-ups and one champion), three state alternates and several regional qualifiers. The Rankin theatre motto is, "We Can, We Will, We Must. Because We Are Red Devils!"
Rankin ISD
HS Administrator/OAP Director
Adrian Gallardo has worked in 1A schools as a teacher, counselor and principal for 19 years. As a teacher, he taught theatre from the Pre-K through high school level. As a director, he is responsible for the JH OAP and HS OAP programs simultaneously. He and his co-directors have taken three shows to state (two second runner-ups and one champion), three state alternates and several regional qualifiers. The Rankin theatre motto is, "We Can, We Will, We Must. Because We Are Red Devils!"
Jacki Maenius
vested educator
Adjudicator, clinician
After a later start in teaching, from the 1990's to 2023, Jacki directed in 1A-4A school sizes, honing her skills as director with the guidance of many generous mentors and a drive to learn all she could about producing quality shows. She and her students were fortunate to earn five State Championships and three Runner-up trophies in her nine appearances at the State contest. Jacki is now an adjudicator and clinician.
vested educator
Adjudicator, clinician
After a later start in teaching, from the 1990's to 2023, Jacki directed in 1A-4A school sizes, honing her skills as director with the guidance of many generous mentors and a drive to learn all she could about producing quality shows. She and her students were fortunate to earn five State Championships and three Runner-up trophies in her nine appearances at the State contest. Jacki is now an adjudicator and clinician.
Jen Malmberg
Stephen F. Austin State University
Theatre Education Program Advisor
Jen Malmberg the Theatre Education Program Advisor in The School of Theatre and Dance at Stephen F. Austin State University. She earned her BFA in stage management and her MA in Teaching from SFASU . While earning her undergraduate degree, she interned with AmeriCorps at Project Transformation in their summer education program and at Portland State Company in Portland, Maine, in their Stage Management Department.
Quickly after graduating, she began her educational career as a High School Technical Director. Throughout her time in K-12, she served in many capacities outside her role as Technical Theatre Teacher and Tech Director, Auditorium Facilitator, New Teacher Mentor, and Teacher Excellence Initiative Campus Expert. Beyond these roles, she served on numerous committees such as the Campus Action Plan Committee, Staff Quality, Retention, and Recruitment Committee, Envision Learning Instructional Strategies Committee, multiple Fine Arts Hiring Committees, and as the Sunshine Committee Chair. Her time in K-12 culminated with her being awarded “Teacher of the Year” for her campus in the 2017-2018 academic year.
Stephen F. Austin State University
Theatre Education Program Advisor
Jen Malmberg the Theatre Education Program Advisor in The School of Theatre and Dance at Stephen F. Austin State University. She earned her BFA in stage management and her MA in Teaching from SFASU . While earning her undergraduate degree, she interned with AmeriCorps at Project Transformation in their summer education program and at Portland State Company in Portland, Maine, in their Stage Management Department.
Quickly after graduating, she began her educational career as a High School Technical Director. Throughout her time in K-12, she served in many capacities outside her role as Technical Theatre Teacher and Tech Director, Auditorium Facilitator, New Teacher Mentor, and Teacher Excellence Initiative Campus Expert. Beyond these roles, she served on numerous committees such as the Campus Action Plan Committee, Staff Quality, Retention, and Recruitment Committee, Envision Learning Instructional Strategies Committee, multiple Fine Arts Hiring Committees, and as the Sunshine Committee Chair. Her time in K-12 culminated with her being awarded “Teacher of the Year” for her campus in the 2017-2018 academic year.
Erin Moore
Sealy hs
Teaching Goddess
Erin Moore is the current President of TXETA. She has presented over 70 workshops at Theatrefest, Summerfest and Round Up. She has served as K-12 Chair, Secretary to the Board of Directors and as a member of the Curriculum Committee. Erin teaches Theatre at Sealy High School and is the Sealy ISD Fine Arts Director. She also teaches dual credit theatre classes through Blinn College. She enjoys country life in Sealy with her husband Frank, son Chaplin and precious pup, Lucy.
Sealy hs
Teaching Goddess
Erin Moore is the current President of TXETA. She has presented over 70 workshops at Theatrefest, Summerfest and Round Up. She has served as K-12 Chair, Secretary to the Board of Directors and as a member of the Curriculum Committee. Erin teaches Theatre at Sealy High School and is the Sealy ISD Fine Arts Director. She also teaches dual credit theatre classes through Blinn College. She enjoys country life in Sealy with her husband Frank, son Chaplin and precious pup, Lucy.
Jill Ludington
TxETA
Communications Director
Jill Ludington served as the Theatre Education Instructor at West Texas A&M University for 10 years. She has had appearances at the State Theatre level as an adjudicator, director, and student. She is an All Level Adjudicator. She is proud to have served on the TTAO Standards and Practices Committee and to currently serve on the TTAO Board and as TxETA Communications Director.
TxETA
Communications Director
Jill Ludington served as the Theatre Education Instructor at West Texas A&M University for 10 years. She has had appearances at the State Theatre level as an adjudicator, director, and student. She is an All Level Adjudicator. She is proud to have served on the TTAO Standards and Practices Committee and to currently serve on the TTAO Board and as TxETA Communications Director.
Mike Doggett
TxETA
Administration Assistant, Digital and Event Coordinator
Mike Doggett is a retired theatre educator and director in Texas with a wealth of experience teaching middle school, high school, and college students across the state. He has worked in a variety of school settings, from small rural districts to large urban schools.
A dedicated advocate for theatre education, Mike is an active member of the TTAO, serving as a contest manager and adjudicator. He holds a BFA in Theatre and Theatre Education from Texas State University and an MA in Directing from Baylor University.
Mike has served on the UIL Theatre Advisory Committee and the TxETA Board of Directors. Currently, he is a member of the TTAO Standards and Practices Committee. After retiring from San Antonio College in 2022, he now works part-time as the TxETA Administrative Assistant, Event, and Digital Coordinator.
TxETA
Administration Assistant, Digital and Event Coordinator
Mike Doggett is a retired theatre educator and director in Texas with a wealth of experience teaching middle school, high school, and college students across the state. He has worked in a variety of school settings, from small rural districts to large urban schools.
A dedicated advocate for theatre education, Mike is an active member of the TTAO, serving as a contest manager and adjudicator. He holds a BFA in Theatre and Theatre Education from Texas State University and an MA in Directing from Baylor University.
Mike has served on the UIL Theatre Advisory Committee and the TxETA Board of Directors. Currently, he is a member of the TTAO Standards and Practices Committee. After retiring from San Antonio College in 2022, he now works part-time as the TxETA Administrative Assistant, Event, and Digital Coordinator.
