Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts senior Calliope (Cal) Thompson is the lucky winner of a $5,000 Technical Theater Scholarship awarded at the Dallas Summer Musical High School Theater Awards (HSMTA). Cal will pursue a technical theatre degree at Centenary College of Louisiana. The scholarship was donated by Sound Productions, a professional audio, video, and lighting retailer and distributor out of Irving, Tex. Sound Productions created the scholarship in 2017 and awards it annually to one student that plans to pursue a technical degree in Theater.
When asked why SoundPro started the scholarship, Joshua Curlett, CEO, said, “Those who don’t invest in the future are doomed to the past. These kids are our future. I believe in them and want them to get a good education, without the burden of debt.” He expanded to say that “It’s not just about the money. It’s about investing in someone you believe in. We are trying to create a path so that these kids have a career that they love for the rest of their lives.”
The DSM HSMTA took place on Thursday, May 9, at Fair Park. More than 300 area high school students performed and winners were announced in 18 different categories, representing outstanding artistic and educational achievement for both individual students and high school theater programs.
Curlett praised the program and its impact on the participants saying, “The experience of a regional competition like this is great for all of the participants. I’ve had the honor of supporting previous winners as they travel to New York and the opportunity is unparalleled for anyone in performing arts.”
According to DSM, the HSMTA was founded by Leah and Jerry Fullenwider, as a way to inspire and honor excellence in high school musical theater. The goal of the award ceremony is to recognize and celebrate the achievements of students and teachers from theatre programs across North Texas, and to acknowledge the value of theater and arts education in our local communities. DSM HSMTA emulates Broadway’s Tony Awards ® and is the second largest program of its kind in the country.
Sound Productions has been a retailer and distributor of professional and commercial audio, video, and lighting products since 1973. They also provide backline rental and production services on a regional basis. Learn more at www.soundpro.com.
