THE PROGRAM

 Grand Oaks Theatre is a 6-A High School Theatre Arts program that works hard to bring exciting, entertaining educational productions to our community & offer a variety of Theatre & Technical Classes!
We are Thespian Troupe #8779, part of the International Thespian Society and Texas Thespians. 
Our students have the opportunity to compete year round in speech tournaments, at the Texas Thespian State Festival, in U.I.L. Theatrical Design, and the Spring U.I.L. One-Act Play State Competition.
Each year we produce 8 to 12 productions, including Main Stage shows, Black Box shows, Improv shows, student-directed one-act plays, and Showcase performances. There are many opportunities to get involved! 
Our monthly Theatre Club Meetings keep everyone informed and socialize. You do not have to be in a Theatre class to audition ​or to participate in the after-school Theatre Club or attend meetings.
​Come to any Meeting  or visit the "Calendar" page to learn more about what we have going on.
​Please email our directors if you have any questions. 

HOW TO BECOME A THESPIAN

All students are welcome in Grand Oaks Theatre, but dedicated members may be interested in becoming official thespians. A thespian is a member of the International Thespian Society (ITS). Every theatre event that a student participates in earns them Thespian Points. Earning 10 Thespian Points means that a student can be officially inducted into the ITS for life! Points can be earned through acting and/or technical crew participation. After the initial 10 points have been earned, students can accrue more points to earn more honors from the ITS. Students who earn 40 points will letter in Theatre. Higher levels of honor include receiving graduation honor cords and medals. You can see how many points you currently have at the bottom of this page. Points are updated after each show. Points awarded are based on the judgement and discretion of the directors and may vary between shows. Visit our Points page to see the point key as well as current values.

MEET THE DIRECTORS

ACTING DIRECTOR

Heather Rostad

Theatre 1
Advanced Theatre 1
Theatre 2 - 4
​Advanced Theatre 2
PRODUCTIONS

Mrs. Rostad is anticipating an amazing Season here at Grand Oaks as the Acting Director.

In the first few years, she has had fun working on UIL productions and class shows, such as Suite Surrender, Nellie, Shakespeare and so much more.  She also enjoyed the Fine Arts team and community coming together for our first musical Once Upon a Mattress. Now it's time for the next musical coming soon.

Before Coming to GOHS, Mrs. Rostad was at Woodridge Forest Middle School. She was there there for 5 years building an amazing Theatre family and program. 

 She has amazing plans for the upcoming year.

Mrs. Rostad graduated from Central Michigan University with a Bachelor of Science in Theatre and a minor in dance!

TECHNICAL DIRECTOR
​Meet the New Director!

Paul O'Neill

Theatre 1
Technical Theatre 1
Technical Theatre 2
Advanced Technical Theatre
​PRODUCTIONS
Paul O’Neill is excited to join the Grand Oaks High School team as the new Technical Director. He is a graduate of the University of Houston, where he earned his BFA in Acting, and brings a diverse background in the performing arts to the program.

Paul’s professional experience includes acting, voice acting, film and television, stunt performance, music, and technical theater. He has worked with major entertainment companies, including The Walt Disney Company, where he developed a strong appreciation for both the creativity and careful planning that go into high-quality productions.
​
At Grand Oaks, Paul looks forward to contributing to a theater program that values kindness, creativity, and inclusivity. He’s passionate about helping students explore the behind-the-scenes world of theater and supporting them as they grow into skilled, confident, and collaborative artists.

2025-2026 THEATRE OFFICER BOARD

Each year Grand Oaks Theatre's Officer Board functions as our leadership team and works in collaboration with all program directors, students, and parents to serve and support our program. These hardworking students are chosen by their peers at the end of the previous school year to represent them during the current school year. Theatre Officers are experienced and knowledgeable Theatre students. Find and ask any of our officers if you have questions about any events or opportunities!

Audrey Allison (Junior)

Audrey Allison is a Junior at Grand Oaks High School. She is looking forward to being a Theatre Officer for the 2025-2026 school Year. Audrey has been passionate about theatre since the 8th grade. Some of her favorite past roles include Mary Poppins (Class Act), Hermia in A Midsummer Night's Dream, and Louise in Nellie. Outside of Theatre, she is a part of FFA where she shares her love of photography. When she has free time, she also enjoys dancing, singing, and playing guitar.

Kateri Barnier (Senior)

Kateri Ann, a senior this year, is a returning officer and productions member. She has been a member of our program since she was a freshman, and has found a second home here with GOHS Theatre. Some of her most notable roles include: Anne Neville (Nellie), Juliet (Romeo & Juliet), and Queen (Game Of  Tiaras). With a competitive nature, she looks forward to this year's UIL Season and performance of Blithe Spirit! She plans to go to college for a BFA in Acting where she will begin pursuing her career in film as an actress.

Riley Martin (Junior)

​Riley is coming of his sophomore year where he had some of his favorite roles that included Robin Hood and Jay Gatsby. He is so excited to join the officer board and bring new people into theatre just like his former officers did for him.

Rylee Menard (Senior)

Rylee Menard will be returning for her fourth and final year with Grand Oaks Theatre. She has been so blessed to have the opportunity not only to perform, but also to lead and teach. Being a third-year Productions member and a second-year officer, director, and improv captain, she cannot wait to see not only herself, but others grow! Her favorite role played has been Queen Aggravain (Once Upon a Mattress), and she is thrilled to experience our musical this upcoming year, The Wizard of Oz. Rylee has also been a part of Varsity and Chamber Choir, as well as serving as this year’s National Music Honor Society President. With a bright future ahead, Rylee is determined to have a fantastic year!

Parker Nielsen (Senior)

Parker Nielsen has been with the Grand Oaks Theatre program for 4 years now, and has done everything from playing Romeo to making a show about mice. He is flabbergastingly pumped to be an officer and help lead the troupe this year.

Nayeli Ochoa (Junior)

Nayeli Ochoa is a Junior technician who has been honored with being a student officer and she is excited to have earned her way into the Productions class. She has enjoyed working on set, props and especially sound. Her favorite show so far has been working on “Once upon a Mattress,” where she helped with props and set. Nayeli is extremely thankful for all the people she has met along the way and is excited to keep her technical career going.

Cooper Sunderman (Senior)

Cooper Sunderman is thrilled to be stepping into his senior year and sharing the stage with such an amazing cast and crew. His favorite role to date has been playing King Richard in The Trials of Robin Hood, and he’s excited to create even more memories in his final year of high school theatre.