February 3, 2025 - Comal ISD has earned the 2024-2025 Texas Thespians Premier Communities for Theatre Education Award for the third year in a row.
“It is an honor to receive the Texas Thespians award for a third consecutive year,” says Gary Cooper, Comal ISD’s director of fine arts. “The real recognition belongs to our 18 theatre teachers who share their own professional skills and passion with our students every day and encourage them take risks and pursue their dreams.”
This award recognizes and honors school districts that provide theatre programs with the resources they need to achieve above standard, as required in the Educational Theatre Association’s Opportunity to Learn Standards, Texas Theatre Knowledge and Skills for Fine Arts (TEKS) and support of International Thespian Society Troupe involvement.
As a one-year recognition, school districts must re-apply and submit documentation to qualify for the Texas Thespians Premiere Communities for Theatre Education Award. Comal ISD answered detailed questions about curriculum, scheduling standards, class sizes, facilities, theatre safety, technical equipment, production elements, overall support for the theatre program and Thespian troupe involvement. Responses were verified and reviewed by Texas Theatre Education specialists.
Research on theatre education continues to demonstrate numerous educational benefits across student populations, student age levels and learning environments. Theatre education provides several social benefits including teamwork skills, how to give and receive constructive criticism, problem-solving, trust, cooperation and collaboration.
Additionally, theatre education helps students develop a strong sense of self, build empathy and understanding amongst peers, and broaden their knowledge of the world around them while preparing them for future careers.
Comal ISD secondary theatre teachers
- Bulverde Middle School - Macie Despain
- Canyon Middle School - Melissa Warner and Sabrina Zarate
- Canyon High School - Erin Kinkade-Dyal and Carter Ridge
- Canyon Lake High School - Benjamin Matthews
- Church Hill Middle School - Ryan Ramon
- Danville Middle School - Noah Ainsworth
- Davenport High School - Candice Ornes
- Mountain Valley Middle School - Joshua Boothe
- Pieper High School - James Black and Emily Johnson
- Pieper Ranch Middle School - Kourtney Norwood and Hunter Pittman
- Smithson Valley High School - Judy Adams and Anthony Hanke
- Smithson Valley Middle School - Kelly Menz
- Spring Branch Middle School - Emily Harrison
Photo Descriptions
ComalISDPHSEurydice.jpg – Pieper High School theatre production of Eurydice.
ComalISDSVHSCharlieBrown.jpg – Smithson Valley High School theatre production of A Charlie Brown Christmas.
ComalISDSVMSHamlet.jpeg – Smithson Valley Middle School theatre production of Rules of Comedy.