Last year, UIL renowned theater directors Billy Dragoo and Annie Dragoo retired from Austin High. Over the past 30 years, they had created a reputation for Austin High’s theater department, a national-ranking company that puts out a quality piece of art every time. Now that the dynamic duo are gone, two brand new theater directors are stepping up to fill their shoes: Joel Hinojosa and Kaylie DeLauri.
Ms. DeLauri is ecstatic about this new opportunity. Although she hopes to give a facelift to the organization, she’s trying to not stray from Austin High’s history. “I want to keep a lot of the tradition alive here because I know this school is big on tradition.” She can speak from experience. An alumni of Austin High and a former member of the Austin High Red Dragon Players, Ms. DeLauri and this school go way back. She was taught by the Dragoos during their ‘golden era’, and ever since, has maintained a passion for theater. Following her graduation, Ms. DeLauri moved to New York to pursue a career in acting. After finding success with commercials, musicals, and plays, she eventually ended up teaching with the NYC Department of Education. The Dragoos contacted her about the job opportunity, and she applied, saying “I thought it would be a really great opportunity for me to come and showcase what I’ve learned.” Now that she’s here, Ms. DeLauri is excited for the upcoming year, and to share how the industry has changed, having been in it for the past decade.
Mr. Hinojosa is thrilled as well, hot off numerous wins in UIL directing at Harlingen South High School. Before coming here, Mr. Hinojosa taught in South Texas at schools like Brownsville Pace High and Harlingen Dr. Cano Freshman Academy. After following a dream to move to the Austin area, the Dragoos contacted him about teaching for Austin High. “I didn’t even apply to this school specifically, I just wanted to come to the central part of Texas…it just so happened that that was the year they were about to retire,” he said. Mr. Hinojosa is looking forward to this new opportunity, but it is quite daunting. There is a lot of pressure coming from one successful school to the next, especially with everyone looking to see if you can keep it up. He’s trying to look past that though, by focusing less on the final product and more on the journey he can make with it. “One thing I know that I’ve learned is how important… every step by step is to involve the kids and to appreciate the growth of a production”.
So far, the new teachers are having a great time here, adjusting to the new system and style of Austin High. Despite their initial fear of conflict, the teachers have been bonding with their new pupils, and are overjoyed at the amount of talent surrounding them. The students are reciprocating as well. They’ve been extremely vocal in their praises of Mr. Hinojosa and Ms. DeLauri. Though still fresh, their bonds will undoubtedly strengthen over the course of the year.
Even with the warm welcome, the two have quite a legacy to live up to. The Dragoos created a long-lasting impression on the school and the theater community during their time here and truly became a part of the history of Austin High. Ever since 1993, Billy Dragoo led the program and was joined by Annie Dragoo in 2004. Up until their retirement, the pair showed off their theater prowess and directing skills in the form of dozens of sold-out productions. Between the years of 2007-2012, their success flourished into a winning streak, making it to UIL state finals six times in a row, winning three times, and setting a new conference record. Beyond just their awarded claim to fame, the Dragoos also made quite an impact in the classroom. Ms. DeLauri expressed her particular admiration of their teaching style, saying “They were always just friends to their students. They knew how to create that kind of friendship but keep it professional, being instructors at the same time, and I always really appreciated that.” Both teachers are honored to have this opportunity, to carry on the heritage of the Dragoos, and continue the history of the Red Dragon Players.
The Dejosa combo, as they’ve come to be known, recently premiered their first Austin High show: Mean Girls, The Musical. With a stellar cast and a live band, it was a massive success, even selling out completely on numerous occasions. Hundreds of people came to see those girls get mean. This was Ms. DeLauri’s first directing of a musical ever, and, as the Dragoos were known to not pursue such flashy productions, her first attempt to step out of their shadow. It’s safe to say it was a resounding success. To follow up their smash hit, the play Almost Maine will be performed this holiday season.
Overall, The Red Dragon Players are in good hands. Though the Dragoos will be missed, the new teachers have certainly shown their talents, from teaching to directing and everything in between. With one fantastic musical under their belt, we at the Maroon can’t wait to see what they do next.
