About Our Company!
In January 1989, the Starlight Theatre Company’s first production, William Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, opened in the Bowie cafeteria while we anxiously awaited completion of the theatre. Since then, our audiences have watched hundreds of productions in the theatre, the cafeteria, the courtyard, and the drama classrooms. In fall 2022, the new Bowie Performing Arts Center opened with productions of Shakespeare's MacBeth and A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
Starlight Theatre Company is a chartered member of the International Thespian Society and is one of 50 high schools in the state of Texas to be granted institutional membership in the Texas Educational Theatre Association, Inc. The company has earned numerous Best Play awards at University Interscholastic League (UIL) one-act play contests and was twice recognized by the Bravo Television Network when it conducted the American High School Theatre contest. The company was the first Texas high school to participate in the American High School Theatre Festival at the Edinburgh (Scotland) Fringe Festival, the largest cultural arts event in the world, in 1997. The company returned and performed for an international audience again in 2007.
Students continuing in theatre studies after high school have been accepted into prestigious theatre programs at Carnegie Mellon University, Molloy/CAP 21, Southern Methodist University, Baylor University, the State University of New York, New York University, the University of Oklahoma, Webster University, the University of Evansville, the College of Santa Fe, and the College of the Arts. Former students are pursuing professional theatre careers in Portland, New York, and Los Angeles.
Marco Bazan
Marco Bazan has been a director for the James Bowie High School Starlight Theatre Company since 2004. He received a Bachelor of Journalism with Honors from the University of Texas at Austin, where he double-majored in Theatre with a minor in Literature. Three years into a public relations career, he was inspired to delve into the teaching profession involving his passion for theatre. After three years at Donna High School, where he helped rejuvenate a struggling high school theatre program, he was excited to have the opportunity to join Betsy Cornwell in leading the Starlight Theatre Company. As part of the company, he has helped develop the musical theatre academic program, expand the Forensics (speech and debate) and UIL Academic Team programs, and establish our program in local, state and national organizations and competitions. Since joining Bowie, he has been proud to serve on AISD Theatre Curriculum Writing committee, AISD District Advisory Committee, AISD Facilities Planning, AISD Summer Musical, TSCA Educator Training committee, NSDA Heart of Texas District Leadership Committee and has had the opportunity to present at state conventions for TETA and TSCA.
Matthew Humphrey
matthew.humphrey@austinisd.org
Matthew Humphrey is a Bowie Starlight Theatre alumnus. He attended Southern Methodist University and received his BFA in Theatre. After graduation, he performed professionally for about ten years. His spare time is spent following around his pups, She-Ra and Bartleby. He is thrilled to have the honor of working with such a talented team of directors and young artists.
Kade Lasseigne
Mr. Kade Lasseigne is a theatre educator and director. He grew up in Spring, Texas and is an alum of Spring High School. He continued his theatre journey at Texas State University by completing a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre Education by 2015 and began his teaching career at Splendora Early College High School.
After three years of educating and directing, he began his Masters of Arts at University of Houston and also concurrently relocated to teach in Austin, Texas and joined the Charles W. Akins High School Journey Theatre Company. In 2020, Kade moved over to Rosenberg, Texas and took his next step as Head Director of the Mustang Playhouse Theatre Company at Lamar Consolidated High School. In that same year he also completed his Master of Arts from University of Houston.
Mr. Lasseigne joins The Starlight Theatre Co. at James Bowie High School on his 10th year of teaching.
Cortney Hall
Cortney Hall is a proud Bowie Bulldog through and through - first as a student (Class of 2013), then as Technical Theatre Teacher and Director (2017 - 2021), and now returning in 2025. A Texas State University Theatre Education graduate, she has spent over a decade bringing events to life - on and off the stage - from high school productions to large-scale community and corporate events. Known for her energy, creativity, and supportive teaching style, Ms. Hall makes the theatre classroom a place where every student can shine—on stage, backstage, or behind the scenes.
2025-2026 Cabinet
The STC is proud to present this year's Cabinet of Presidents featuring Ellie Nowlin as the President, and Olivia Nanda and Aidan Schexnaydre as Co-Vice Presidents!
Vice President
Olivia Nanda
Olivia Nanda is extremely honored to enter her second year as an STC Officer and start her senior year as vice president! Some of her favorite roles include Sophie in Mamma Mia! and Jo March in Little Women. She can't wait to meet all the new company members and perform in this years shows!
Madame President
Ellie Nowlin
Ellie is incredibly honored to and excited to serve as president of the Starlight Theatre Company this year! She is a senior in her fourth and final year in the company and her second year as officer. Some of her favorite roles include Ophelia in Hamlet, Rosie in Mamma Mia!, and Margie in the Enchanted Bookshop. She absolutely can't wait to work with everyone in this amazing company see what wonderful things this year has in store!
Vice President
Aidan Schexnaydre
Aidan is so excited to be vice president of the STC of the 2025-2026 school year! He's going into his senior year and his second year as officer. Some of his favorite toles include Willy Wonka (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory), Billy Flynn (Chicago), and Hamlet (Hamlet). Aidan is looking foreword to continuing his acting career through the next year, and wants to make as many new friends as possible!
2025-2026 Webmasters!
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Damien Boring
Co-Webmaster
Hailey Davidson
Co-Webmaster
