Student Activities Conference - WTAMUC Program

ACADEMIC COORDINATORS: Dr. David Stevens, UIL Director of Academics

10:55 a.m.- 11:40 a.m.

• Session 100. Coordinators and Coaches Update. Room CC 410  
  Overview of how the academic coordinator can ensure a successful UIL academic program. We will cover dates, forms and changes for the year. Tana Howard, Sands HS.

11:50 a.m.- 12:35 p.m.

• Session 101. Survival Tips for the Academic Coordinator and Coach. Room CC 410   
  A few ideas on balancing coordinator, coaching and teaching duties to provide a great experience for your UIL academic program. Cheri Sain, Lubbock Cooper HS.

  12:45 p.m.- 1:30 p.m.

• Session 102. Coordinator Solutions and Ideas for Success. Room CC 410     A roundtable discussion centered on creative ideas for recruiting coaches, scheduling practice time with students, stipends, budgets, and keeping enthusiasm going for your academic program. David Hutchison, Dalhart HS.

ACCOUNTING: Kay Whitton, State Contest Director

 10:00 a.m.- 10:45 a.m.

• Session 103.  Accounting Basics of Success. Room CC 424 While medals and plaques may be the ultimate goal, there are many levels of success. Come get ideas about how to start a successful accounting program and build that program over time, not overnight!

  10:55 a.m.- 11:40 a.m.

• Session 104. Accounting Cycle: Contest to College Major to Career. Room CC 424   The Accounting contest offers rewards that can lead to success far beyond a state medal. Come learn how you can find lifelong fulfillment starting with a simple accounting cycle.

11:50 a.m.- 12:35 p.m.

• Session 105. Accounting Rocks! Room CC 424    An organized game plan to help students (and coaches) learn UIL accounting, using the revised accounting concepts list and resources from the accountingrocks.net website.

  12:45 p.m.- 1:30 p.m.

• Session 106. Mastering the Accounting Regional Test. Room CC 424     Tips on advancing to the Regional meet, then understanding the four main concepts that must be learned to advance to State.

CURRENT ISSUES & EVENTS: Andy Bates, State Contest Director

10:00 a.m.- 10:45 pm

• Session 107. Current Issues & Events Introduction & Discussion. Room CC 429  
  The Current Issues and Events contest is designed to help students stay informed about more than what is on Twitter, including issues at the local, state, national and international levels. Over time, students become more informed members of society and more culturally aware. Over time, the contest evolves. Discuss this evolution.

JOURNALISM: Alyssa Boehringer, director of Journalism

 10:00 a.m.- 10:45 am

• Session 108.  Copy Editing 101. Room CC 401 Copy editing means more than spelling and punctuation. It’s a skill that prepares students for college and the workforce. Learn different levels of editing from checking grammar and style to assessing the legal and ethical implications of mass media. Kelly Delgado, Canyon Randall.

  10:55 a.m.- 11:40 am

• Session 109. Good News. Room CC 401  Lead with the future event. Then what? In this session, we’ll talk about what makes an award-winning news story and see how you can become a successful reporter for “The Leaguetown Press.” Alyssa Boehringer, Director of Journalism.

11:50 a.m.- 12:35 pm

• Session 110. Feature Comforts. Room CC 401  A powerful lead is everything. In this session, we’ll look at how the best feature leads draw the reader into a story — and draw the writer into a successful feature writing contest. Alyssa Boehringer, Director of Journalism.

  12:45 p.m.- 1:30 pm

• Session 111. Take a Stand. Room CC 401   The Highly Capable and Hardworking Human is in the house as we study the editorial writing contest. Get ready to make your voice heard. Alyssa Boehringer, Director of Journalism.

  1:40 p.m.- 2:25 pm

• Session 112. It's All in Your Head. Room CC 401    A good headline tells the reader what the story is about and makes them want to read it, too. In this session, we’ll show you how it’s done. Jasinia Frausto, Canyon.

LITERARY CRITICISM: Mark Bernier, State Contest Director

 10:00 a.m.- 10:45 am

• Session 113.  A Foundational Introduction to the Literary Criticism Contest. (Double Session Part I) JBK West Texas Room We will engage in an interactive overview of the four parts of each test.  Bring your questions.

  10:55 a.m.- 11:40 am

• Session 114. A Foundational Introduction to the Literary Criticism Contest. (Double Session Part II) JBK West Texas Room We will engage in an interactive overview of the four parts of each test.  Bring your questions.

11:50 a.m.- 12:35 pm

• Session 115. Explicating Poetry for the Literary Criticism Contest. (Double Session Part I) JBK West Texas Room We will focus on preparing for Part 2 and Part 3 of the test. 

  12:45 p.m.- 1:30 pm

• Session 116. Explicating Poetry for the Literary Criticism Contest. (Double Session Part II) JBK West Texas Room   We will focus on preparing for Part 2 and Part 3 of the test. 

  1:40 p.m.- 2:25 pm

• Session 117. The 2026 Reading List and The Handbook to Literature. JBK West Texas Room   A discussion of how to use the Handbook in preparation for the test will follow a general overview of the selected reading for this year's Part 2. 

READY WRITING: Ruben Rodriguez, State Contest Director

 10:00 a.m.- 10:45 am

• Session 118.  Ready Writing: An Overview of the Contest! Room CC 427 For new contestants. Double Session Part I. A review of UIL rules, the Ready Writing rubric and contest fundamentals and writing strategies. Designed for first-year competitors and beginning coaches.

  10:55 a.m.- 11:40 a.m.

• Session 119. Ready Writing: An Overview of the Contest! Room CC 427  For new contestants. Double Session Part II. A review of UIL rules, the Ready Writing rubric and contest fundamentals and writing strategies. Designed for first-year competitors and beginning coaches.

12:45 p.m.- 1:30 p.m.

• Session 120.  An Introduction and Review of the New Ready Writing Scoring Guide. Room CC 427 For new contestants and coaches. Double Session Part I. An overview of changes in the new rubric used for grading.

  1:40 p.m.- 2:25 p.m.

• Session 121. An Introduction and Review of the New Ready Writing Scoring Guide. Room CC 427   For contestants and coaches. Double Session Part II. An overview of changes in the new rubric used for grading.

SOCIAL STUDIES: Andy Bates, State Contest Director

11:50 a.m.- 12:35 p.m.

• Session 122. Introduction to the Social Studies Contest. Room CC 429  Discuss the basics of how to approach the UIL Social Studies Contest.

  12:45 p.m.- 1:30 p.m.

• Session 123. Social Studies: Advanced. Room CC 429   Review rules, contest format, information related to this year’s topic, what type of questions to expect and resources that will prove useful.

SPELLING & VOCABULARY: Linda Berrey, State Contest Director

11:50 a.m.- 12:35 p.m.

• Session 124. Becoming Legitimate Logophilic Laureates.  JBK Senate Room Strategies for upping your spelling game.

  12:45 p.m.- 1:30 p.m.

• Session 125. Strategies for Upping Your Spelling Game. JBK Senate Room  Applying spelling strategies and taking a practice test.

CALCULATOR APPLICATIONS: Dave Bourell, State Contest Director

 10:00 a.m.- 10:45 a.m.

• Session 200. Beginning-Introduction to the Contest. Room JBK Maroon  Review format, scoring and types of problems. 

  10:55 a.m.- 11:40 a.m.

• Session 201. Intermediate-State of the 2026 Contest and Units Workshop. Room JBK Maroon 

11:50 a.m.- 12:35 p.m.

• Session 202. Intermediate – Acceleration and Trajectory Stated Problems. Room JBK Maroon 

  12:45 p.m.- 1:30 p.m.

• Session 203. Advanced - Taking and Scoring a Full Contest. Room JBK Maroon   

COMPUTER SCIENCE: Dr. Shyamal Mitra, State Contest Advisor 

 10:00 a.m.- 10:45 a.m.

• Session 204. UIL Computational Thinking. Room CC 425  The foundation of Computer Science is computational thinking. It is a powerful approach to problem-solving with or without computers. Ours will be a gentle introduction to computational thinking using puzzles.  

  10:55 a.m.- 11:40 a.m.

• Session 205. Syntax of Java. Room CC 425    We will cover the basic syntax of Java, including object-oriented programming concepts that will allow you to write powerful programs. We will discuss strategies for mastering the written test.

11:50 a.m.- 12:35 p.m.

• Session 206. Basic Algorithms. Room CC 425  Algorithms are step-by-step solutions to computational problems. Most algorithms are composed of some critical components. We’ll cover basic algorithms and classes of algorithms, including recursion and data structures, which are helpful in the programming contest.

  12:45 p.m.- 1:30 p.m.

• Session 207. Computing Resources. Room CC 425    We will survey the resources that are available for self-study or used in a school curriculum to produce world-class programmers.

  1:40 p.m.- 2:25 p.m.

• Session 208. UIL CS Contest Rules. Room CC 425   This session is for first-time contestants and coaches. We will review the contest's structure and the basic rules for the written and the programming parts. We will share some tips on how to do well in both.

MATHEMATICS & NUMBER SENSE: Cliff mCCurdy & Larry White, State Contest Directors

 10:00 a.m.- 10:45 a.m.

• Session 209. Mathematics Contest. Room CC 221  Overview of the UIL Mathematics contest: guidelines, rules, resources, practice materials, Q&A. 

  10:55 a.m.- 11:40 a.m.

• Session 210. SAC 2025 Mathematics Test. Room CC 221  Take/grade the new 40-minute 60-question SAC 2025 Mathematics test followed by Q & A to discuss/answer questions from the test.

11:50 a.m.- 12:35 p.m.

• Session 211. UIL Number Sense Contest. Room CC 221   Overview of the UIL Number Sense contest: guidelines, rules, resources, practice materials.

  12:45 p.m.- 1:30 p.m.

• Session 212. SAC 2025 Number Sense Test. Room CC 221   Take/grade the new 10-minute 80-question SAC 2025 Number Sense test followed by Q & A to discuss/answer questions from the test. 

  1:40 p.m.- 2:25 p.m.

• Session 213. Number Sense and Mathematics Joint Session. Room CC 221 Work, discuss and answer questions from the tests. 

ROBOTICS: David Trussell, UIL Director of STEM

  10:55 a.m.- 11:40 a.m.

• Session 214. Introduction to UIL Robotics. Room CC 408   Double Session Part I. An overview of program structure, options and guidelines for participation, recommended resources, and more.

11:50 a.m.- 12:35 p.m.

• Session 215. Introduction to UIL Robotics. Room CC 408   Double Session Part II. An overview of program structure, options and guidelines for participation, recommended resources, and more.

SCIENCE: Dr. David Bixler, State Contest Directors 

 10:00 a.m.- 10:45 a.m.

• Session 216. The Big Picture. Room CC 433  An overview of the Science contest, how to prepare your students and what to expect from the test writers. 

  10:55 a.m.- 11:40 a.m.

• Session 217. Physics Deep Dive. Room CC 433  Deconstructing the Science test, with insights into how Physics section is developed.

  11:50 a.m.- 12:35 p.m.

• Session 218. Coaches' Roundtable. Room CC 433 A discussion among UIL Science Coaches and Science Directors about topics such as recruiting, motivating, and preparing students for the UIL Science competition. New coaches as well as veteran coaches are invited to attend. 

ORAL INTERPRETATION

10:00 a.m.- 10:45 a.m.

• Session 300. Prose and Poetry: Let’s Start at the Very Beginning. JBK: Thunder Room  For novice competitors. Starting at the very beginning is a very good place to start if you’re new to oral performance in high school. This workshop introduces novice and new prose/poetry coaches to the contest rules and procedures. Jana Riggins, UIL State Speech Director.  

  10:55 a.m.- 11:40 a.m.

• Session 301. Categories for 2025-2026. Room CC 301  For novice and varsity competitors and coaches. Don’t “miss the boat this season!” Walk through the prose and poetry categories for this competition year, including a discussion of the true intent of Category A and B performers should understand when planning their performances. Mellessa Denny, State Advisory Committee for Prose and Poetry, Amarillo HS.

11:50 a.m.- 12:35 p.m.

• Session 302. A Dialogue for Experienced Performers. Room CC 310   For advanced competitors. Tips on selecting literature for performance, cutting your piece, whether to weave or not, using teasers effectively, the importance of physical focus, imagery in reading aloud. Jana Riggins, UIL State Speech Director.  

  12:45 p.m.- 1:30 p.m.

• Session 303. Prose and Poetry Performance Showcase: Recognizing Joy and Inspiring Change. JBK: Thunder Room This session features performances to demonstrate Category A: Recognizing Joy and Category B: Inspiring Change. Be inspired by performances followed by oral critiques by experienced judges that share insight into what a State-level performance takes. Guest Critic Judges, Lacy Cannon, WTAMU; Cy Scroggins, Director Arts Education, Amarillo ISD and Ann Shofner, UIL Consultant.

  1:40 p.m.- 2:25 p.m.

• Session 304. College Forensics- Continuing Your Legacy. Room CC 310 If you want to continue competing in speaking events in college, get info on joining a college team and hear the WT squad share what the experience is like, including the scholarship opportunities available at the collegiate level. Kelsey Abele, Director of Forensics, West Texas A&M University and Student Buffaloes on the WT team.

EXTEMPORANEOUS SPEAKING

 10:00 a.m.- 10:45 a.m.

• Session 305. An Introduction to Extemporaneous Speaking. Room CC 312 For novice competitors. Gain insight about the rules, draw room procedures and strategies for competing in Informative and Persuasive Speaking. Ann Shofner, UIL Extemporaneous Speaking consultant.
• Session 306. A Toolkit for Extemporaneous Speaking. Room CC 314 For experienced speakers. The economic way of thinking provides a toolkit for making sense of complex issues often addressed in informative and persuasive speaking questions. Economic discussion about top issues of energy, inequality, globalization, and labor mobility. Greg Rehmke, Economic Thinking.

  10:55 a.m.- 11:40 a.m.

• Session 307. What’s Your AGD, Extemper? Gaining Your Audience’s Attention. Room CC 312   Discuss what it takes to appeal to your audience with the use of an attention-getting device, smooth transitions throughout the speech, and an effective conclusion that pulls the speech together. Audience will get the opportunity to create their own introduction from a selected extemp topic. Ann Shofner, UIL Extemporaneous Speaking consultant.
• Session 308. A Toolkit for Extemporaneous Speaking. Room CC 314 For experienced speakers. The economic way of thinking provides a toolkit for making sense of complex issues often addressed in informative and persuasive speaking questions. Economic discussion about top issues of energy, inequality, globalization, and labor mobility. Greg Rehmke, Economic Thinking.

11:50 a.m.- 12:35 p.m.

• Session 309. Examining a Competitive Extemporaneous Speech. Demonstration & Critique. Room CC 312   For novice and experienced speakers. Hear an experienced extemp speaker present a competitive extemp speech. Afterwards, participate in examining the speech. Take the opportunity to ask the speaker how he arrived at the decisions he made in the speech: what sources to cite, how he determined how to organize his speech, what main points to include, and how he prepared. Ann Shofner, UIL Extemporaneous Speaking consultant and speaker Hayden Brillhart, public speaker from Amarillo HS.

  12:45 p.m.- 1:30 p.m.

• Session 310. Stepping it Up – Bringing It All Together! Room CC 311   For novice and varsity competitors. What do judges look for in Informative and Persuasive Speaking rounds? Using the UIL Extemporaneous Speaking ballots for analysis, learn the keys to what a successful speaker can do verbally and nonverbally to rank high in their round. Tips on what makes a speaker stand out as the champion in the round. Ryan Lovell, Amarillo: Tascosa HS.

  1:40 p.m.- 2:25 p.m.

• Session 311. In the News! Room CC 311 For novice competitors and coaches. Learn how to create your digital files via a computer program. What work does it take on the part of the competitor? How are the files created? What options for software are there to use? Nathaniel Council, Pampa HS.

DEBATE: Dr. Rich Edwards, State Contest Director

10:00 a.m.- 10:45 am

• Session 312. Middle School Debate: First Speech, First Win! Room CC 331 For middle school debaters and coaches. An explanation of the middle school debate competition UIL is offering, how it contrasts from high school debate, resources provided. Come find out all about this exciting opportunity for middle school! Dr. Rich Edwards, UIL debate consultant.
• Session 313. Step Up to the Podium for a Win! Room CC 311
  If you’re just beginning in policy debate, this session is for you! Come learn about the event and how to prepare for competition. Brett Howard, State Advisory Committee, Canyon HS.

  10:55 a.m.- 11:40 a.m.

• Session 314. Case-Writing for Lincoln Douglas Debate. Room CC 311 For varsity debaters. This workshop will explore effective arguments and strategies for varsity LD debaters.
• Session 315. CX Debate Topic Analysis: The Affirmative. Part I. Room CC 331
  For novice and varsity debaters. The author of the Policy Debate Quarterly will examine the affirmative position providing great information and insight in this year’s policy debate topic. Common affirmative cases will be discussed.. (double-session – Part II later in the day) Dr. Rich Edwards, Baylor University and UIL debate consultant.

11:50 a.m.- 12:35 p.m.

• Session 316. CX Debate Topic Analysis: The Affirmative. Part II. Room CC 331 For novice and varsity debaters. The author of the Policy Debate Quarterly will examine the affirmative position providing great information and insight in this year’s policy debate topic over the Arctic. Common affirmative cases will be discussed. (double-session – Part I begins at 10:55 a.m.)
• Session 317. Values Clash. Room CC 314
  For novice and varsity debaters. For novice and varsity debaters. Personal autonomy vs state power to compulsory service.  Is compulsory service justifie3e if it can bene4fit society and/or improve our lives. Greg Rehmke, Economic Thinking .

  12:45 p.m.- 1:30 p.m.

• Session 318. CX Debate Topic Analysis: The Negative. Room  CC 331 The author of the Policy Debate Quarterly, which is the first and most authoritative research released on the policy topic each year, will examine the negative position of this year’s policy debate topic over the Arctic. Dr. Rich Edwards, Baylor University and UIL debate consultant.
• Session 319. Exploring & Developing the Amazing Arctic. Room CC 314
  How best can USFG encourage new discoveries and developments across vast Arctic regions? Economic principles can help ground and guide cases and arguments. Greg Rehmke, Economic Thinking.

  1:40 p.m.- 2:25 p.m.

• Session 320. CX Debate Topic Analysis: The Negative. Part II. Room CC 331 For novice and varsity debaters. The author of the Policy Debate Quarterly, which is the first and most authoritative research released on the policy topic each year, will continue to examine the negative position of this year’s policy debate topic. (Part I over The Negative begins a 12:45 p.m.)  Dr. Rich Edwards, Baylor University and UIL debate consultant.
• Session 321. CX Debate: Demonstration. Room CC 335
  Watch a live round of policy Team Debate. Plains HS vs. Sudan HS.

CONGRESS: Jana Riggins, UIL Director of Speech, Debate & Congress

10:00 a.m.- 10:45 am

• Session 322. An Introduction to Congress. Room CC 301 If this is your first experience competing in Congress, come learn about this exciting event and its rules, legislation, chamber roles and parliamentary procedure. Mellessa Denny, Amarillo HS.

11:50 a.m.- 12:35 p.m.

• Session 323. Congress: Writing Effective Legislation. Room CC 310 For novice and varsity competitors and coaches. The better the bills. And resolutions, the better the debate in the chamber. This year, writing strong legislation is even more important since the number of legislative pieces that will be debated at State Congress will be reduced so legislation will need to be exceptional to make the docket. This session will review what you need to do to make your legislation strong. Mellessa Denny, Amarillo HS. 

  12:45 a.m.- 1:30 p.m.

• Session 324. Using the Table: Parliamentary Procedure. Room CC 301   For advanced competitors and coaches. Student Congress is an organized event with set rules and procedures to be followed. This session will cover the Robert’s Rules of Order Table of Motions and discuss the most necessary ones to learn and why it is important to understand these essential motions. Lou Ann Seabourn, Texas Speech Communication Association Certified Parliamentarian.

  1:40 p.m.- 2:25 p.m.

• Session 325. Impress Your Judges!  Room CC 301 Pre-Congress preparation will only take you so far in the competition. Net comes from impressing your Judges and Coach. From style to presence to demeanor to staying involved in the chamber session, learn from an experienced judge what Congress judges observe in ranking top 5 speakers. A discussion of the keys to success in Congress competition. Lou Ann Seabourn, Texas Speech Communication Association Certified Parliamentarian, and Ryan Lovell, Tascosa HS.

SPEECH COACHES: Jana Riggins, UIL Director of Speech, Debate & Congress

 10:00 a.m.- 10:45 a.m.

• Session 312. Middle School Debate: First Speech, First Win!  Room CC 331 (Session also listed under Debate) For middle school debaters and coaches. An explanation of the middle school debate competition UIL is offering, how it contrasts from high school debate, resources provided. Come find out all about this exciting opportunity for middle school! Dr. Rich Edwards, UIL debate consultant.

  10:55 a.m.- 11:40 a.m.

• Session 327. Calling All New Speech and Debate Coaches! Room CC 310 If you’re new and inexperienced, Welcome! Bring all your questions to our Roundtable designed just for YOU! End your confusion and network with an experienced mentor! Learn UIL resources at your fingertips to help you have a successful year! Jana Riggins, UIL Speech Director.

11:50 a.m.- 12:35 p.m.

• Session 328. Training Interp Judges and Timekeepers. Room CC 310 For coaches and contest district officials. Walk through a discussion on how to train your district judges and timekeepers for prose and poetry. Jana Riggins, UIL Speech Director.

ONE-ACT PLAY: Paula Rodriguez, State Contest Director. 

10:00 a.m.- 10:45 a.m.

• Session 400. Laban's Efforts in Action!  Room FAC Branding Iron Theatre  Learn principles of weight, time, and space in movement and how Laban's Efforts can quickly guide you to three-dimensional character movement, behavior, and persona. Explore the concepts of Effort mapping, Effort duos, and Effort archetypes. This fun and highly experiential workshop offers actors and teachers new ideas for creating a character from the ground up. Stephen Crandall, Professor of Acting, Voice & Movement, WTAMU.    
• Session 401. Auditioning with Pop Music.  Room FAC Recital Hall  For Students. Pop music is everywhere--including Broadway--so let's learn how to use it effectively in the musical theatre audition room. We will explore the history between pop and musical theatre and then use that information to strategize a good song choice for the singer, the character, and the show. Bradley Behrmann, Assistant Professor of Musical Theatre and Acting, WTAMU.
• Session 402. Now that I Have it, How do I Program it. Part I.  Room FAC 130 Design Lab  (Double Session) For teachers. Limit 6. "Tired of staring at your ETC Ion Lighting Console and wondering how it works?" Or "Fed up with worrying that sooner or later your Wiz Kid won't be around and you have to light something?" This 'Hand-on' double-session will give you the information you need to program light cues into the Lighting Console, create Chase Effects, create a Virtual Magic Sheet, and organizational tips and tricks to make your programing easier. Angelo O'Dierno, Assistant Professor of Theatre Scenic & Lighting Design, WTAMU.   
• Session 403. Subtext, What?  Room FAC 175  What do you mean? Do you need some subtext work? Let's have fun and increase our ability to communicate ideas and feelings... sometimes with words and sometimes not! Amber Langehennig, TTAO Adjudicator, Instructor, South Plains College.
• Session 404. Qlab for Beginners. Room FAC 176  How to program the multilevel sound cue, the complex projection change, etc. Come with your laptops and questions. April Langehennig, Director of Theatre, South Plains College.  
• Session 405. Tips for Directors. Room FAC 127  After 18 years in the classroom, I learned a few OAP tips. This session will be discussion based on suggestions to improve your OAP directing. Come with questions! We will mainly discuss staging strategies, but also some script selection tips and contest tips to make your stressful day feel like a breeze. (Yeah right! haha) Cy Scroggins, Director of Fine Arts, Amarillo ISD.       

  10:55 a.m.- 11:40 a.m.

• Session 406. Wait For Me: Using Voice and Movement in Hadestown. Room FAC 175   For students. Schools across the country have begun staging productions of the Tony Award-winning Hadestown. Come to this workshop ready to use voice and movement to imaginatively sing and stage moments of the climactic "Wait for Me." Bradley Behrmann, Assistant Professor of Musical Theatre and Acting, WTAMU.              
• Session 407. Makeup - Tips and Tricks for Creating a Well-Rounded Design. Room FAC 127   General Theatre and Theatrical Design Interest- Create designs that are fully thought out and realized. How to plate those and convey them through the Justification Paper. Emmy Collins, Retired Theatre Educator.
• Session 408. Basic Unarmed Stage Combat. Room Branding Iron Theatre   Learn the basics of unarmed stage combat including shoves, slaps, punches, kicks, hair pulls, etc! This workshop will offer safe and effective techniques for convincing onstage violence. For beginners primarily, but a great refresher for more experienced students and teachers. Stephen Crandall, Professor of Acting, Voice & Movement, WTAMU.
• Session 409. Now that I have it. How do I Program it? Part II. Room FAC 130 Design Lab  Picks up where part 1 left off. In this 'Hands-On' session, we will cover how to create Focus Pallets to make programing cues easier. We will, also, cover Color Pallets, learn how to use them to create Color Changing Special Effects, and cover what Lighting Profiles are and how to use them when you acquire new equipment and need to get it to work. Plus, have time to help answer questions that have developed at your theatre. Angelo O'Dierno, Assistant Professor of Theatre Scenic & Lighting Design, WTAMU.
• Session 410. The Art of Co-Directing. Room FAC Recital Hall   For Teachers. The sisters, April and Amber Langehennig, discuss tips and tricks of co-directing and still loving each other. April Langehennig and Amber Langehennig TTAO Adjudicators, South Plains College.

11:50 a.m.- 12:35 p.m.

• Session 411. The Expressive Continuum. Room Branding Iron Theatre The expressive continuum is a practical and fresh vocabulary for physical action and character development. Learn how to apply concepts like Energy, Orientation, Size, Progression, and Flow in to adapt basic physical action into action that expresses full-bodied thought and feeling. This physical workshop will get you moving, feeling, and expressing in no time! Stephen Crandall, Professor of Acting, Voice & Movement, WTAMU.  
• Session 412. Introduction to Commedia dell'Arte. Room FAC 175   Discover the lively world of Commedia dell'Arte, a fun and physical style of theatre from 16th-century Italy. Explore classic characters, masks, and improvisation through games and movement. Learn the history behind the style, how it has influenced modern comedy, and gain stronger stage presence and confidence through playful performance. Nothing needed but an open room and a willingness to play. Echo Sibley, Assistant Professor of Acting, Voice & Movement, WTAMU.
• Session 413. College Auditions and Interviews. Room FAC 127  Let's consider some ways to be successful, standout in the right way, and get the best information as you consider college opportunities! Amber Langehennig, TTAO Adjudicator, Instructor, South Plains College.
• Session 414.Quelling the Chaos. Room FAC Grand Lobby  So you've got all 15 on stage and you need to do that transition, but you've got 15 minutes to block it. Solve the problem with tenants of Viewpoints Movement. April Langehennig, Director of Theatre, South Plains College.
• Session 415. Lighting Design (and Plot) Basics. Room FAC 130 Design Lab  A brief overview of lighting design best practices, need-to-knows, and lighting plot tips. Michael Stafford, Palo Duro HS.

  12:45 p.m.- 1:30 p.m.

• Session 416. Breath as Communication: Non-vocalized Sounds as a Springboard for Expression. Room FAC 175   In this workshop we will investigate the importance of expressive breath in silent scene work. We will pair Clown techniques, Commedia dell’Arte archetypal movement and abstract physical theatre exercises with communication that is solely supported and manufactured by the breath and created by using only non-vocalized vowels and consonants. By unblocking and utilizing the breath, as well as exploring its expressive qualities, we will enhance our ability to create narratives by physicalizing a need, a struggle, a word, or a story, before a vocalized or verbalized sound is ever uttered.Echo Sibley, Assistant Professor of Acting, Voice & Movement, WTAMU.
• Session 417. Let’s Start from the Very Beginning. Room FAC Recital Hall   Part I. For ALL OAP Directors. UIL One Act Play Rules, Planning, Updates and Questions. Paula Rodriguez, UIL State Theatre Director.     
• Session 418. Projections Aren't Cheating! Room FAC 127   Overview of uses of projections in staging. Canva and Qlab to liven and elevate your shows. April Langehennig, Director of Theatre, South Plains College.
• Session 419. Combat Basics: Slaps, Punches, and Chokes. Room Branding Iron Theatre  Participants will learn about the proper techniques and etiquette involved in performing standard hand to hand combat moments onstage. This session requires a large open room. Caitlin Gibson, West Plains HS.
• Session 433. Painting the Stage with Light. Room FAC 130 Design Lab  No matter what you have to work with, lighting tells a story. What could you say with what you have? Amber Langehennig, TTAO Adjudicator, Instructor, South Plains College. 

  1:40 p.m.- 2:25 p.m.

• Session 420. Let’s Start from the Very Beginning. Room FAC Recital Hall   Part II. For ALL OAP Directors. UIL One Act Play Rules, Planning, Updates and Questions. Paula Rodriguez, UIL State Theatre
  Director.
• Session 421. Do It Different. Room FAC 175   So your director told you to do it diFerent... What does that even mean? What could you do? Let's find some strategies to think outside your box. Amber Langehennig, TTAO Adjudicator, Instructor, South Plains College.
• Session 422. Discovering the Character Through Movement. Room Branding Iron Theatre   Use Laban Elements to unlock the "being" of the character. Add ownership and depth to characterization. April Langehennig,
  Director of Theatre, South Plains College.
• Session 435. The Art of Hand Sewing-Whether you are a beginner or experienced. Room FAC Costume Shop   Learn hand stitching techniques for costumes and real life. Leigh Ann Crandall, Assistant Professor of Costume Design & Technology.
• Session 434. Most Common Notes I Find Myself Giving as an Adjudicator in the UIL One-Act Play Contest. Room FAC 127   Students and teachers are welcome at this two-way discussion with OAP judges. What are they looking for? How do you select acting awards and much more! Bring your questions. TTAO Adjudicators, Stephen Crandall, WTAMU-Canyon and Ray Newburg, Amarillo College.                                                              

FILM: 

10:00 a.m.- 10:45 am

• Session 423. Getting Started with the UIL Film Festival. Room FAC 177  Are you new to UIL Film? This session will give you a jump start. Get informed about the categories & rules, view examples of past winners, and find the inspiration. Rodrigo Sanchez, UIL Film Consultant, Midland College.                                                                                    

  10:55 a.m.- 11:40 a.m.

• Session 424. The 5 Keys: Getting Started in the UIL Film Contest. Room FAC 177 A student-centered workshop that outlines how to create a successful short film. Based on “Filmmaking for Teens” by Troy Lanier and Clay Nichols, this session provides essential tips and strategies for students aiming to start in the UIL Film Contest. Rodrigo Sanchez, UIL Film Consultant, Midland College.

11:50 a.m.- 12:35 p.m.

• Session 425. Scripted in Advance. Room FAC 177 A student-centered workshop designed to help create and develop ideas for short films. Based on “Filmmaking for Teens” by Troy Lanier and Clay Nichols. Participants will learn how to move from the dream phase to actual production. Ideal for those looking to enter the UIL Film Contest but unsure where to start, this session oFers practical guidance and inspiration. You will need something to write with to start brainstorming! Rodrigo Sanchez, UIL Film Consultant, Midland College.

  12:45 p.m.- 1:30 p.m.

• Session 426. The 5 Keys: Getting Started in the UIL Film Contest. Room FAC 177  A student-centered workshop that outlines how to create a successful short film. Based on “Filmmaking for Teens” by Troy Lanier and Clay Nichols, this session provides essential tips and strategies for students aiming to start in the UIL Film Contest.
  Rodrigo Sanchez, UIL Film Consultant, Midland College.

  1:40 p.m.- 2:25 p.m.

• Session 427. The Three-Day Shoot. Room FAC 177   A student-centered workshop focused on completing principal filming for a short film. Participants will learn strategies for keeping actors committed, managing time eFectively, and avoiding schedule overruns. The session includes practical tips to help students navigate the challenges of a fast-paced film shoot. Rodrigo Sanchez, UIL Film Consultant, Midland College.                                                                                                 

THEATRICAL DESIGN: Rachael Gomez, State Contest Director. 

 10:00 a.m.- 10:45 a.m.

• Session 428. The Basics: What Is the Theatrical Design Contest? Room FAC 129  This Session is for those looking to enter the contest for the first time or who would like a refresher on the expectations.Because the challenge is different every year, it is important to update as you are starting your competition year. If you have never participated but would like to... hopefully this session will inspire you to compete in what promises to be our best year ever.

  10:55 a.m.- 11:40 a.m.

• Session 429. The Prompt. Room FAC 129   Double Session Part I. Our contest this year is based on the play, THE KING STAG. The design challenges are exciting and offer some new project opportunities within the different categories. This session will dig into many possibilities of concepts to explore and how to incorporate the prompt within your designs.

11:50 a.m.- 12:35 p.m.

• Session 430. The Prompt, Continued. Room FAC 129   Double Session Part II. Based on the play THE KING STAG. The design challenges are exciting and offer some new project opportunities within the different categories. This session will dig into many possibilities of concepts to explore and how to incorporate the prompt in your designs.

  12:45 p.m.- 1:30 p.m.

• Session 431. What Makes a Winning Entry. Room FAC 129   The Theatrical Design Contest incorporates a 30/30/20/20 Evaluation system. Learn what to do to maximize success within each criteria. This is ultimately an artistic communication contest so let’s talk about what that looks like for you. We will also talk pro-tips and tricks for making your entry stand out.

  1:40 p.m.- 2:25 p.m.

• Session 432. Vertical Team Strategies to Engage Middle School Design Students and Build Your Team. Room FAC 129   With the introduction of the new UIL MS Theatrical Design Contest you have the chance to grow your learning and resources as a High School team. Learn ways to work and learn together and exponentially increase your chance for success.