All the world’s a stage, and while most performances are for audiences, theater productions have just started the UIL process.

The theater productions class is taking the show “The Three Musketeers” to the competition on March 13th, with a public performance in the auditorium on March 11th. Unlike most shows, this one is especially student-driven. 

“My favorite part about tech directing is the fact that I get to empower the students ‘cause I can’t be super involved,” theater director Aaron Yowell said. “I can’t be the ‘oh no’ button in the middle of a performance, so the students have to know the systems, they have to know the equipment. They have to know how to problem solve on the fly, and that empowerment is really beneficial in the moment, and it’s really beneficial down the road when we are doing mainstage productions, and not just traveling competition shows.

Meanwhile, students are sharpening their theater blades, getting ready for the busy season.

“This is my second year of theater, and it’s my first year doing UIL, so I’m really excited for that,” sophomore Viraj Mallampalli said. “It’s a new experience. I’m excited to kind of prove my performance skills with other schools there. It’s going to be really cool. The show we have is really fun, and that’s another thing I’m really excited for. I’m also excited to be there in a communal setting with my friends working together, and I think it’s going to be really rewarding.”