The Denton High School Theatre Department was founded in 1955 by Opal Hall, the theatre director at Denton High from 1944 to 1987. Our theatre department has been producing shows since our school’s founding in 1884. 184 years later, and our department continues to grow and adapt, while still honoring our traditions.
One of a Kind
Producing multiple productions a year, our department is proud to be able to continue producing high quality shows for our school and community. With an International Baccalaureate Theatre SL and HL Course, our students are challenged by an international curriculum to study the art of theatre. Our ever-adapting department still values our roots. From our unique pre-show traditions that date back to our founding in the 19th century to artifacts that have been preserved from our previous thespians.
We have a dedication to evolving our legacy and exploring new and experimental theatre alongside classics in relevant ways to our community.
Our Directors
Ms. Kerri Peters graduated from Denton High in 2006, with honors from the International Thespian Society and the UIL OAP State Meet. Ms. Peters found her passion for theatre and teaching here at Denton High, and returned to her alma matter in 2014 to teach the next generation of artist.
Ms. Erica Cole attended Denton High School from 1993 to 1995. She graduated from Ryan High in 1996 where she began her journey in theatre Ms. Cole is ecstatic to be back at Denton High School to create theatre with the next generation of artists.
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Former director Mrs. Opal Hall is honored annually, as the namesake to our department’s Opal Awards.
Former director Mr. Eric Bailey is honored as the namesake to the Eric Bailey Scholarship Award, received annually by one of our senior thespians.
More than just theatre
When we are not in classes or rehearsals, our thespians are out serving our community. Our Thespians accumulate nearly 1,000 volunteer hours every school year! Our troupe has organized multiple service activities to help give back to the community that continues to support us.
Prior to the start of the 2018 - 2019 school year, our thespians began to volunteer at Our Daily Bread, Denton’s Soup Kitchen. In another effort to assist our local soup kitchen, they collect empty water bottles to fill with shampoo and laundry detergent. Over the few months, our department has collected over 1,000 bottles to donate to Our Daily Bread.
Recently, we have partnered with Denton’s AFJROTC Program to collect food for Operation Drumstick. Over the past week, our thespians have collected 5 full boxes of food to donate to those in need. Our hope is that families in our community can have a fulfilling meal on thanksgiving.
Support Your local Theatre Departments
We believe that by watching theatre, you can learn just as much as you would by working on a show. We encourage our thespians to see as much theatre as possible, and make an effort to see theatre when we are not in rehearsals.
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We are proud to say that our department has seen EVERY SINGLE production produced by the three other high school theatre programs in our school district!
If you see any shows in the Denton area, you may see one of our officers or our troupe, with one of our signature 'good show' baskets!
An award winning program
- 8 National Qualifiers in 2019
- 9 National Qualifiers in 2018
- 5 International Competitors in 2017
- 7 National Qualifiers in 2017
- 11 National Qualifiers in 2016
- UIL OAP Region 1 Area 2 - AAAAAA Alternates to Region in 2019
- UIL OAP Bi-District 7/8 - AAAAA Champions in 2019
- UIL OAP District 8 - AAAAA Champions in 2019
- UIL OAP District 5 - AAAAA Champions in 2018
- UIL OAP District 5 - AAAAA Alternates to Bi-District in 2017
- UIL OAP Bi-District 5/6 - AAAAA Alternates to Area in 2016
- UIL OAP District 5 - AAAAA Champions in 2016
- UIL OAP Zone 5 - AAAAA Champions in 2016
-Texas Thespian Tech Challenge Knot Tying State Champions in 2019
-Voted All-Star Thespian Troupe in the State of Texas by the Texas Thespian State Festival in 2019
- Texas Thespian Tech Challenge State Champions in 2018
- Texas Thespian Tech Challenge Quick Change State Champions for two years in a row! (2017 and 2018)
- Voted Best Thespian Troupe in the State of Texas by the Texas Thespian State Festival in 2016
If you have any questions about the theatre department at Denton High, feel free to e-mail us at dentonhstheatre5358@gmail.com and we will get back to you promptly!