Cy-Fair ISD Students Excel at Texas Thespian Festival, Earn National Recognition for Theatre Arts Achievements
More than 140 high school theatre arts students from Cypress-Fairbanks Independent School District (CFISD) received superior ratings at the 2024 Texas Thespian Festival, marking a major achievement for the district's theater program. Held in two locations—Corpus Christi (Nov. 15-18) and Grapevine (Nov. 20-23)—the festival is one of the largest gatherings of high school theatre students in the state and offers opportunities for students to showcase their talent and earn recognition in a wide range of categories.
The students who earned a superior rating were also eligible to compete in the National Thespian Festival, organized by the Educational Theatre Association (EdTA), which will take place from June 22-27, 2025, at Indiana University in Bloomington.
Among the standout students recognized at the festival were Rachel Savant from Cy-Fair High School, Aria Riddlefrom Cypress Creek High School, and Maxwell Sullivan from Cypress Ranch High School, all of whom earned a perfect score and were featured as Mainstage Finalists during the festival's closing ceremony. Savant was recognized for her Sound Design, Riddle for her Playwriting, Sullivan for his Sound Design, Leah DeLeon from Cypress Woods for Short Film, and Cami Villa-Esquer from Cypress Woods for Makeup Design.
“These students have shown exceptional talent, and their hard work was on full display at the Texas Thespian Festival,” said Dr. Mark Henry, CFISD Superintendent. “The recognition at the state level is a testament to their dedication to the craft of theatre, and we are thrilled that so many students from CFISD will have the opportunity to represent our district on the national stage.”
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Key Achievements Across Categories
In addition to the Mainstage Finalists, the festival awarded superior ratings to numerous other CFISD students for their performances and designs in various categories, including duet musical, group acting, group musical, solo musical, monologue, costume design, and more. Notable performances included the Bridgeland High School students, who excelled in group musical performances, and Cypress Creek's students, recognized for their contributions to scenic design and theatre marketing design.
A highlight of the festival was the recognition of Cypress Woods High School senior Riley Wooten, who was awarded a $1,000 scholarship from Texas Thespians, a prestigious honor for students pursuing theatre arts at the collegiate level.
Special Awards and Honors
The Bridgeland High School musical production of Anastasia was selected as a Mainstage Performance at the Corpus Christi State Festival, showcasing the high level of talent and teamwork within the district. The production earned several awards, including:
- Best Hair: Addison Gully and Christina Silva
- Best Sound: Skyler Fulks and Ruin Tomaszewski
- Best Performer: Madelynn Hunt
- Superior Awards: Natalia Lopez, Noah Eugenio
- Excellent Awards: Watler Carmack and Lili Cates
- Best Costumes, Best Set, and Best Lighting: Bridgeland Crew
In addition to these individual and production awards, CFISD schools earned several honors:
- Cypress Falls High School: All-Star Troupe Display
- Cypress Ridge High School: Honor Troupe
- Cypress Ranch High School: All-Star Troupe Display, 2nd Place in Comedy Improv Team, and 3rd Place in Costume Design Challenge
- Cypress Woods High School: 2nd Place in Troupe Engagement Challenge
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Looking Ahead to Nationals
The accolades received at the Texas Thespian Festival reflect the growing talent within CFISD’s theatre arts programs. As the students now prepare for the upcoming National Thespian Festival in June, they will have the opportunity to compete with the best high school theatre students across the country, showcasing their skills on an even larger stage.
"Being able to attend the National Thespian Festival is a huge opportunity for our students to learn, grow, and make lasting connections with other students who share their passion for theatre," said Erica Davis, CFISD Theatre Arts Coordinator. "The dedication and creativity displayed by our students at the Texas Thespian Festival are a direct reflection of the outstanding support they receive from their teachers, families, and peers."
As CFISD continues to foster excellence in the performing arts, the district looks forward to supporting these talented students as they pursue their passion for theatre on the national level.
Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.
